Ok, you got me now, what's 'P-TTL' mean please?

Looks like something else up for sale then!

Thanks foryour help

J

Hi All,

I have a Pentax AF400FTZ I've been using on SFX's for years. In a recent conversation with a local shop I'm being told that it will not function with an *ist DL2, in fact it could apparently cause permanent damage.

Is this true? Do I have to get a new gun? A pity if so because this thing has been awesome for daylight fill in which is pretty much all I've used it for.

Cheers

Jerry

Thanks, I'll give it a go.

Jerry

Did the cancel button, no joy.

The microswitch is mechanically fine as far as I can tell.

Guessing that the power comes in from the battery in two places, the switched main and a constant supply perhaps, I need to get the top cover off next to check these.

Hidden screws on cameras are a pain as I remember, anyone know where I can find info on this, service manual perhaps?

Jerry

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

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

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

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

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

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