SFX DISPLAY AND LOCK UP

Hi all,

I can't complain, I've had over thirty years of totally trouble free Pentax use. So if this problem has no solution, I'm pretty philosophical about it

I have a couple of SFX's. The 'SFX' and a 'SFXn', yesterday the SFX was taken out of it's case and showed signs of a flat battery, to be honest I did'nt register if the switch was on or not. Anyway, I needed a quick fix so I took the battery holder off the SFXn and put in on, immediately the LCD display lit up all symbols, and the flash OK light came on. All of the controls are dead.

When I remove the battery the display stays lit, but fades out over a minute or two. I've also noticed that the hot shoe is somehow active too, as if I put my AF 400FTZ on to the camera is misfunctions, losing the 'ready' and 'TTL Auto' LED's.

So, the whole camera is powering up everything it seems, it's almost like a diagnostic check mode. I've checked the differences between the battery holders and I can see only one.

On the inside of the battery compartment there is a microswich. On the SFX cover there is a moulding which registers with this switch so that it is activated when the holder's fitted. On the microswitch 'n' holder there is a recess in the same area which looks as if it prevents activating the switch.

My question then is this. Have I damaged the camera by using the 'n' battery holder, and can it be recovered?

Thans for your help.

Jerry

I don't think you have caused this problem by switching battery grips from one camera to the other, assuming that you have the Pentax Battery Grip SF and not a third party accessory as both cameras use the same power systems.

I'm not overly familiar with the SF series, does it have a backup battery which might be flat? If so, replace it.

Try new batteries in the grip.

Try leaving batteries out overnight for the faulty camera's electronic 'memory' to decay.

Hello Jerry,
I don't think you've done any damage but it sounds as though you've got another problem.
Does the SFX function properly with it's own battery holder?

I have two SFXs (one with a locked mirror) and an SFXn and I've just tried switching the holders as you did.
The micro-switch would appear to activate the display, which is always active on the SFX (showing mode and frame no.), when a battery is fitted. With the SFXn however the recess means that the display is only active when the power switch is 'on' - effectively making the micro-switch redundant and therefore extending the battery life.
Curiously, it doesn't work the other way though - with the power switch off, the SFXn LCD is blank, even with the SFX battery holder fitted, so I presume that the micro-switch has no function whatsoever on the SFXn model.

I've found that both camera models function normally, regardless of which battery holder is used.

BTW, there's no backup battery - at least not that I'm aware of!

On second thoughts, the micro-switch must have a function with an alternative power source, such as the optional AA battery grip, because fitting the 'n' holder to the SFX makes no difference at all. I expected the display to go blank (like the SFXn) but it didn't

I conclude therefore that switching battery holders has not caused the problem that you describe.
Removing the battery from the SFX does cause all icons to illuminate and they fade after a minute or two, so what you saw was indeed normal.

Perhaps someone else can shed some light on why Pentax incorporated the recess into the moulding of the 'n' holder and to the exact function of the micro-switch (when I removed the battery from the SFX - all icons illuminated, I pressed the switch and the display flickered.....if that means anything)

Kimbo,

There's no function at all, it's totally dead, just the display thing and the flash indicator.

I've already tried a fresh battery in the correct holder, no difference sadly.

I've also noticed that it seems to be draining the new battery quite heavily. A new one at 6.47 volts, after a few minutes in the camera it's dropped to 5.88V.

The battery taken out when this was first discovered is showing 3.99V.

Ok, the battery holder thing may be a red herring. Any other ideas more than welcome.

Jerry

If the battery gets hot after only a short time, its not a good sign. You may have to confine this camera to the display cabinet or have it looked at professionally if you want it working again. I have to say though, unless the camera is of real sentimental value, a repair may not be cost effective. You should be able to get a free repair estimate. If you are in UK, try Robin at www.harrowtechnical.co.uk.

Display cabinet? Do people actually keep these things?

Really, it's fine, if I can't find a DIY solution then I'll confine it to the bin. To me cameras are tools and no more, the sentimental value comes from the images I get from them .

I'm in the throws of buying a *ist, but I'm trying to get my head around the use of the SFX's lenses at the moment re the focal length thing

Sadly this will be only the second of very many cameras which has failed on me, the first being a Ricoh Singlex in the early '70s who's mirror locked up

Thanks for the help though.

Jerry

OK. I don't think I can help any more. Good luck with your new purchase. BTW: I assume you meant you are buying a *ist-D/DS/DL/DS2/DL2 digital body. The *ist is a 35mm film camera and your lenses will have their nominated focal length. The difference on a digital body just means you multiply by 1.5 so a 50mm lens behaves as if it were a 75mm (approximately) on a digital body because of the reduced sensor size.

Whichever you decide to buy, I'm sure you'll not be disappointed.

Yup, I've got the focal length thing.

Choice is betwee the 'D' and the 'L', I figure the L is enough for my purposes, just not sure yet.

Thanks again.

Jerry

You are sad that only two cameras have failed you in 30 years? I would be happy.

But I suspect you meant that. Brain addled by an excess of Easter egg.

G

The LCD indications and flash ready light sound normal and I would image that the battery power will stabilize at around 5.8V.
Obviously, there's a bigger problem here if the battery level continues to drop and there's no functionality from the camera.
If that is the case, I doubt very much if you'd consider a repair to be economical - esp. as the SFX can be bought very cheaply these days and it has little or no sentimental value!

I'd love to know the purpose of the micro-switch though - anyone shed some light?

Jerry, can you recall whether the sound of the SFX focus motor was different to the SFXn or not?
I know the 'n' is supposed to be slightly faster but mine is louder and has quite a high pitched whining noise by comparison to the earlier model.
It functions perfectly and I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about but I've only recently acquired the 'n' and it's a little disconcerting when switching from one model to the other - there really is quite a dramatic difference!

Kimbo,

Remember the display lights all segments when the battery is put in, the flash charge light comes on a second or so after. It stays in this condition, so I can't see how this can be normal.

The sound difference between the SFX and the 'n' is huge. My SFX, sounds, or did at least, pretty smooth and silky. The film advance is also smooth with a sharp acceleration up to speed, constant pitch for a while, then stop.

The 'n' sounds like a nutmeg grinder in comparison. The focusing sounds gritty, tinny, like lots of brass gears that don't mesh very well. Of course it's high speed doing this as the lens is swapped from one body to the other. The film advance it not as even, but about the same speed in the end, it's just that it sounds laboured in comparison.

I shared your concerns to start with, but the differences really are similar to what you'd find between two makes, we just expect it to sound similar to the previous model I guess.

Jerry

Thankyou for setting my mind at rest re. the focus motors - mine is obviously working as it should

Page 4 of the SFX manual states:
"When you attach or detach the battery-loaded grip, all the indicators will appear on the CENTIC display panel, and the flash-ready lamp will also light up".
After a second or two, the panel should then show the selected mode and frame no. etc.

Page 5:
"If the panel remains inactive or all its indicators light up, the battery is either exhausted or not inserted properly, so check it again".

Battery Warning Mark (symbol flashes when battery needs changing)
".......If the battery drops below the required voltage, the shutter release button will lock automatically, and the indicators on the CENTIC panel will all light up".

So your SFX is initially behaving correctly but for some reason, failing to complete the cycle to the point where it is ready for use

I see what you're saying.

Well, the battery voltage is ok to start with, so perhaps it's developed some resistance and it's not seeing the full voltage. I've checked the removable holder contacts which are fine.

It may be time to start wielding screwdrivers

Jerry

I guess you've got nothing to lose..............that bl**dy micro-switch is bugging me tho', has yours become stuck in by any chance?

I can't help thinking that it must do something and as the display flickered when I pressed mine, it might just be related to your problem - like something needs resetting perhaps.
I presume you've tried pressing the 'clear' button by the viewfinder - that's supposed to reset everything to default values.

I know we're grabbing at straws, but if it is fixable, it's almost bound to be something simple that we've overlooked!