Pentax AF400FTZ Owner Manual

 PENTAX
AF400F1Z
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC FLASH UNIT
PENTAX
AFA00FTZ
Thank you very much for purchasing
the Pentax AF400F TZ auto flash unit.
Specifically developed for use with
the SFX/SF1 camera, this unit offers so
many features such as the TTL Auto Flash
mode, the manually adjustable flash head
that can be moved back and forth,
the unique AF spotbeam projector that
assists the camera’s auto-focus system in
the dark, etc.
Please read this manual carefully so that
you can always operate the unit properly
in order to make the most out of all
the features and functions it has to offer.
CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATING PARTS
BATTERY LOADING
CONTROL PANEL DISPLAY
MOUNTING TO CAMERA/SETTING CALCULATOR BOARD …
USING THE ZOOM HEAD
TTL AUTO FLASH
MANUAL FLASH
DAYLIGHT SYNC FLASH
TRAILING CURTAIN SYNC FLASH
BOUNCE FLASH
TWIN-FLASH/SLOW-SPEED-SYNC PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC. «........
PHOTOGRAPHABLE DISTANCE RANGE TABLE creer
AF SPOTBEAM
SPECIFICATIONS
WIDE-ANGLE ADAPTER FWA
HOT-SHOE ADAPTER F AND SYNC CORD F
OPERATING CARE
RED-EYE SYNDROME
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATING PARTS
Zoom head
FWA groove
Zoom-haad scale
Flash head
SP sync cord socket
PENTAX . „
АРАЗЭЕТ? Bounce-angle index
Hot-shoe-cover :
compartment A0 >
AF spotbeam projector >
Flash signal contacts
Fastening knob
Hot-shoe bracket
© Film-speed scale
© Film-speed-set lever y
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O Zoom scale E ий E
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O Trailing-curtain-sync A
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© Leading/trailing-curtain-
sync switch
© Control switch L
© TTL auto check lamp
O Test button
@® READY lamp
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® Power-OK lamp
O Power switch/
AF spotbeam switch
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BATTERY LOADING
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. Slide the lever to the direction of the arrow,
as illustrated, and open the battery cover.
. Insert 4 ""AA"-size batteries into the battery
housing in the right +/- directions as indicated,
and close the cover.
3. As you turn on the power, the power-OK lamp
will be on, and a few seconds later, the READY
lamp will be on indicating that the battery
charge is complete. As you press the TEST
button at this point, the flash will fire. When
the flash is mounted onto the camera, be sure
to keep the camera’s main switch turned off.
BATTERIES Use 4 "AA" size alkaline or NiCd
batteries. NiCd batteries need a charger available
from dealers. Manganese batteries are not
recommended due to their shorter life.
The flash charge time is about 9 seconds with brand
new alkaline batteries and about 6 seconds with
NiCd batteries. If it takes more than 30 seconds,
the batteries must have been exhausted, and they
should be replaced with new ones.
e If the power-OK lamp does not light as you turn
on the power, try to change the +/- position of the
batteries or use fresh batteries.
e When loading batteries, the +/- position must be
correct as indicated inside the battery housing.
Otherwise, such might cause leakage of chemical,
battery heating or explosion.
e When changing batteries, all 4 should be changed
with batteries of the same kind. Never try to mix
used batteries with fresh ones.
e Do not leave batteries in the flash unit too long if
you are not using the flash. Old batteries may
corrode or leak chemical, which might damage
the flash.
e The battery performance will go down in
extremely cold climate: try to keep them warm.
CONTROL PANEL DISPLAY
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As you mount the AF400FTZ onto the SF X/SF1
and hghtly press the shutter button, various
activating signals are sent out through the camera/
flash contacts.
©@ РОМЕН-ОК LAMP
This will be ON when the power or the spot-
beam (SB) is ON, indicating that the batteries
are OK,
READY LAMP
The READY lamp will be ON when the battery
charge is complete a few seconds after the
power switch-on, making the flash ready for
firing. Try to start using the flash a few seconds
after this tight is turned on, instead of
immediately thereafter.
TTL AUTO CHECK LAMP (A. CHECK)
Same as the auto check lamp inside the view-
finder, this green lamp will be turned on for
about 2 seconds when the flash light has
properly reached the subject in TTL flash
mode. (Page 11)
O TTL AUTO LAMP
This will be ON when the switch is turned to
TTL AUTO. {Page 11)
© TRAILING CURTAIN SYNC LAMP
This lamp will be turned ON when you turn
the leading/trailing curtain sync switch to
the trailing curtain sync and lightly press
the shutter button. {Page 17)
O ZOOM PANEL
The zoom panel has 5 settings (105/50/35/28/
24), which will be lighted, and the one .
matching the setting of the zoom head will be
turned on as you turn on the power, when
the zoom head is correctly set for the focal
length of the Pentax-F lens mounted. If not,
the setting will flicker as a warning and asking QUICK POWER-ON/AUTO POWER-OFF
for correct zoom head setting. (Page 9) When the AF400FTZ is kept powered on for
about 5 minutes, its power saver function
starts working, and automatically turns off the
power. Turn on the power switch again to turn
it on. (When it is mounted on the SFX/SF1,
lightly press the shutter button to turn on the
power.)
MOUNTING TO CAMERA/SETTING CALCULATOR BOARD
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Mounting to Camera Body
1. Remove the hot shoe cover F on the SFX/SF1,
and store it in the storage compartment of
AF400F TZ by inserting it with the thinner part
first. To get it out, push the arrow-marked
lever and it will slide out.
2. Insert the hot shoe bracket into the hot shoe
and tighten the fastening knob by turning it in
the arrow direction.
e As mentioned elsewhere in this manual, always
hold the lower portion of the flash body when
mounting and dismounting it.
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Setting Calculator Board
Film Speed Calibration (1SO)
Move the film speed setting lever and set the film
speed against the white index mark.
Zoom Scale (Zoom)
Move the zoom panel setting lever, and match
the v mark to the focal length number of the lens
used.
The calculator board merely serves for checking
the flash distance range, and has no electrical
connections.
USING THE ZOOM HEAD
By setting the zoom head to the focal length
number of the lens mounted, the flash light will
be properly distributed for optimum flash
performance for lenses from 28mm to 105mm.
Setting the Zoom Head
1. Pull out the zoom head and set it against
the click of the focal length number of the lens
used.
e The click position of the 28mm lens is when
the zoom head is pushed in.
2. Turn on the power, and make sure that the
zoom scale is lit where the zoom head is set,
and then take a picture.
e When using a Pentax-F lens, lightly press
the shutter release and make sure that the zoom
scale is lit where the zoom head is set. If it is
flickering, it is a warning that the angle of flash
is narrower than the angle of the lens used.
e The zoom head must be re-set. When using a lens
with a focal length not included in the zoom panel,
set the zoom head to the scale setting slightly
smaller than the actual focal length.
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— FLASH/CAMERA COMBINATION
With the AF400F TZ mounted on the SFX/SF1,
the following “dedicated” functions will be in
operation. When it is mounted on other PENTAX
cameras, these “dedicated” functions wilt not work.
Dedicated Functions with SFX/SF1
CAUTION
Avoid using this flash on other manufacturer's
cameras with an electronic flash contact outside
of the hot shoe contact, as it may damage
the camera's electronics or it may result in
an erroneous operation.
TTL FLASH
MANUAL FLASH
Programmed flash *
Trailing curtain flash sync
Slow speed flash sync
Auto switch to X shutter speed
Flash ready display in finder
TTL auto check in finder
AF spotbeam
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*Aperture and shutter speeds vary according to the brightness of subjects.
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In combination with SFX/SF1, TTL auto flash is
available within the film speed range of ISO 25~
1600.
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Turn on the camera’s main switch.
. Turn on the flash power.
Turn the switch lever to TTL AUTO. The TTL
lamp will be lighted.
Turn the leading/trailing curtain sync switch to
leading curtain sync [ $9].
. Slide the zoom head and set it against the focal
length number of the lens used.
Make sure that the READY lamp is on before
taking pictures,
. When a proper exposure has been made,
the [ %] mark inside the finder will flicker
several times and the A. CHECK lamp on the
back of the flash unit will be on for about 2
seconds. If these lamps are not lighted, the flash
illumination was not sufficient. Get closer to
the subject and/or change the aperture setting.
If, on the other hand, you are too close to
the subject, you will not get proper exposure
even though these tights will be on. Check the
calculator board for proper exposure settings.
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Determining Exposure Distance
from the Calculator Board
This illustration shows that with an ISO 100 film
and a SOmm lens set at 1/4, the maximum distance
is 10 meters. Further, the extreme minimum
distance will be the above maximum distance
divided by about 8 {10 + 8 = 1.2m). Also refer
to the PHOTOGRAPHABLE DISTANCE RANGE
TABLE on page 21.
12
When the Lens Aperture ls Set at “A”
With the AF400F TZ mounted on SFX/SF1, you
can command a programmed flash photography in
combination with Pentax-F or -A lenses. Depending
upon the light intensity of the subject, the flash
sync speeds (1/60~1/100 sec.) and the aperture
settings (1/2.8-f/11/1SO 100) will change
automatically, making this highly suitable for
daylight fill-in flash. (See page 16)
When the Lens Apertura ls Set Other Than at “A”
When you set the camera in the Aperture-Priority
AE or Metered Manual mode, you have tha
command of TTL auto flash photography with
the depth of field as the priority. Furthermore, in
the Metered Manual mode, slow speed flash is also
possible. (See page 20)
COMBINATION OF SFX/SF1 EXPOSURE MODES AND AF400FTZ
Shutter speeds
Camera's exposure mode Flash's mode тайно Leading Slow speed sync
sync sync
Programmed AE TTL 1/60 1/60~1/100 X
Shutter-Priority AE TTL 1/60 1/60~1/100 X
Aperture-Priority AE TTL 1/60 1/60~1/100 X
Metered Manual TTL/Manual 1/60 or slower | 1/100 or slower о
Bulb setting TTE/Manual 8 B X
X sync TTL/Manual 1/60 1/100 X
The trailing curtain sync mode allows TTL Auto Flash photography.
13
MANUAL FLASH
When the SFX/SF1 is set in the Metered Manual
mode, you can control manual flash photography
by adjusting the combination of the distance and
the aperture. Slow speed flash is also possible in
manual flash. There are two switchable flash light
ranges {High and Low) with the L guide number
corresponding to 1/4 of H.
With ISO 100
ZOOM SCALE | 24 | 28 | 35 | 60 [105
H 20 | 29 | 34 | 40 | 44
L 5 | 7.2 | 8.5 | 10 | 11
14
Switching "H” and “L”
1. Turn the switch to either MANU Hor L.
2. From the calculator board, get the combination а
of the exposure distance and the aperture. For
the H range, use the meters of the lower white
scale, and the meters of the upper yellow scale for
the L scale. For example, with a 50mm lens,
ISO 100 and at a distance of 4m, set the lens
aperture between f/8 and f/11 at the H range
and between f/2 and f/2.8 at the L range.
3. Turn on the power, and as soon as the READY
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Guide Number (GN)
This indicates the flash light intensity. The
larger this number, the farther you can reach
with your flash. From this guide number, you
can easily obtain the proper aperture number
for the optimum exposure:
f No, = GN + shooting distance (m}
{GN 40 + 5m = f/8)
DAYLIGHT SYNC FLASH
If you are photographing against light or a bright
window behind your subject, your subject will be
under-exposed and appear dark in pictures if you
expose according to the camera's exposure system.
To compensate for this lack of exposure on
your subject, your subject should be additionally
illuminated to be balanced against the backlight.
The daylight flash is used for this purpose, and
the programmed flash is what you need.
e in a very bright spot, the flash may not fire.
To make sure that the flash will fire, use manual
flash mode.
Daylight sync flash used
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TRAILING CURTAIN SYNC FLASH
In normal electronic flash, the flash is fired at
the instant of the completion of the travel of
the first shutter curtain, and this is the leading
curtain sync flash. In the trailing curtain sync flash,
the flash is fired at the instant of the beginning
of the travel of the second curtain, and this
flash mode is very helpful in freezing moving
subjects.
As you lightly press the shutter release, after
turning the leading/trailing curtain sync switch
to the trailing curtain sync, the trailing curtain
sync lamp will be lighted. When pre-set in manual
mode, it will be automatically changed to TTL
auto flash.
e The built-in flash of SFX/SF1 does not have
the trailing curtain sync mode, and does not co-
work with the AF400FTZ.
Trailing curtain sync flash used
Leading curtain sync flash used
17
BOUNCE FLASH
Bounce flash, once reflected from a ceiling, wall
or a piece of white paper, avoids harsh shadows
and softens pictures. The bounce angle is click-
adjustable for 45° 60° 75° 80° upwards, 30° 60°
90° to left and 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180° to
right. Try to match the incident angle with
the reflecting angle as illustrated.
18
TTL Auto Flash :
Since the flash light reflected back from the
subject varies depending upon the reflection of
the subject, always try to check the TTL auto flash
check lamp inside the viewfinder or on the flash
unit.
Manual Flash Photography
Depending upon the reflection of the subject, open
up the aperture a few stops from the calculated
exposure setting.
e In color photography, use a white reflector. If
the reflecting surface is colored, the photograph
may be influenced with the same reflecting color.
Bounce flash is a sophisticated photographic
technique. Learn more about it from a photo
guide book.
Bounce flash photo
18
TWIN-FLASH/SLOW-SPEED-SYNC PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC.
Twin Flash
Twin flash photography will be under your control
with AF400F TZ in combination with the built-in
flash of SFX/SF1.
À twin TTL auto flash will be very simple.
Slow Speed Sync Flash
A normal flash picture of a subject against a dark
background will show the background as very dark.
Slow shutter speed sync flash will somewhat
brighten the background for a balanced
photograph.
Continuous Flash Photography
In the manual L mode, fresh NiCd batteries will
last for 40 continuous flash photographs at 1.8
frames per second.
Open Flash Photography
When using an ‘open flash,” with the shutter left
open at the B setting, fire the flash with the TEST
button. Remember to disconnect the flash from
the camera body.
Diffused Flash Photography
In addition to bounce flash, diffused flash also
softens pictures. Cover the flash head with a white
handkerchief or piece of paper to diffuse the flash
light. This is a valuable technique for close distance
TTL flash,
PHOTOGRAPHABLE DISTANCE RANGE TABLE
ISO Film Speed
(=) 25 59 100 200 400 800 1600 1. From the cross point of the zoom
Pe 25° 50: 1 200 400: 800: 1600 scale, ISO film speed and f number,
25 250 190 7200 > 200 | 800 16001 * draw a line dows he distance
Zoom Scale 3 25 50: 190: 2007 0 60-1600 © | a line down to the distance
2 25 $0 100; 200: 400 ' 800 +1600: - x range.
(f) 11
2. The distance range is the photographable range
with the lower figures showing close distance
and the upper figures showing distant range.
For example, when the zoom scale is et at 50,
film speed at ISO 100 and aperture at f/4,
the limit of close distance side is 1.2m, while
that of distant range side 10m.
2
1.4
1.2
Distance Range Limit
Dist R
istance Range (m) Close Distance Limit
10 Ca
When the limit of close-distance side is nearer
than 0.7m, the flash light does not properly
hit the subject, 30 use the Hash detached from
the camera, using the Hot-Shoe Adapter F, etc.
21
22
AF SPOTBEAM
SF X/SF1 has a built-in spotbeam projector reaching
up to 4 meters for focusing in the dark.
AF400F TZ, on the other hand, has a more
powerful near-infrared spotbeam projector
rechaing up to 6 meters. This spotbeam projector
operates in the AF SINGLE mode.
With the AF400F TZ power switch turned on SB,
you can use the camera exclusively as a spotbeam
mode! for dim light environment.
When using the flash in dark spots, the spotbeam
will automatically fire depending upon the lighting,
when the pilot light is on.
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Using SFX/SF1 + AFA00FTZ as a Spotbeam Model
1. Turn the AF400FTZ switch to SB. The power-
OK lamp will be on.
2. Set the SF X/SF1's focus mode lever tc AF
SINGLE.
3. Lightly press the shutter release. As soon as
the in-focus signal [ O ] inside the viewfinder is
on, you are ready to start shooting.
e If the > 4 mark stays on for several seconds,
it indicates that the subject cannot be correctly
focused. In this case, you have to manually focus
the fens. .
e¢ When changing your scene to be photographed,
naturally you have to re-press the shutter release
for auto-focusing.
e When using the AF400FTZ Spotbeam, the AF
Spotbeam on the camera will not work.
e The Spotbeam will work accurately only when
the flash is mounted onto the camera's hot shoe.
23
SPECIFICATIONS
Type:
Guide Numbers:
Flash Duration:
(1/2 Peak)
Flash Frequency 8: Recycling Time:
Continuous Discharge:
Flash lllumination Angles:
Color Standard:
Auto Coupling Range:
Spotbeam:
24
Clip-on type, serial-controlled, TTL auto zoom electronic flash.
H (Full) and L (1/16) ranges switchable
Focal Length H {Fult) L (1/4)
105mm 44 11
50mm 40 10
35mm 34 8.5
28mm 29 7.2
*24mm 20 5
* (With wide angle adapter FWA)
1/1000 sec. in manual H
1/2000 sec. in manual L
1/3000 sec. at auto shortest discharge
Power Recycling Time Frequency
Alkaline battery About 9 sec, About 100
NiCd battery About 6 sec. About 70
Approximately 40 flashes in L mode at 1.8 frames per second, with
full-charged NiCd batteries.
Focal Length Vertical Horizontal
105mm 20° 28°
50mm 34° 46°
35mm 45° 60°
28mm 53° 70°
* 24mm 60° 78°
{* With FWA wide-angle adapter)
Daylight color (same as daylight color film)
0.7~6m (GN 34 / 1SO 100 / 1/5.6)
Measurable distance range: 1~6m when used with SFX/SF1
(per manufacturer's test environment).
Bounce Flash Angle:
Film Speeds:
Dedicated Functions with SFX/SF1:
Auto Power Off:
Power Source:
Size/Weight:
Accessories:
Optional Accessory:
Up: 0° 45° 60° 75° 90° | ;
To Right: 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180°
To Left: 0° 30° 60° 90°
(All click-adjustable) |
1502571600 |
Charge complete light / finder auto check / auto shutter speed change
/ slow shutter speed sync flash / 2nd curtain sync singal / AF spot-
beam signal
Automatic power off after 5 minutes of switch-on.
Four "AA"”-size alkaline or NiCd batteries
16mm (W) x 137mm (H) x 103mm {D) 385 grams (without batteries)
Carrying case `
Wide-angle adapter FWA
25
WIDE-ANGLE ADAPTER FWA
This adapter, available as an optional item, enables
you to use the 24mm wide angle lens.
With the zoom head moved to the 28mm setting,
mount this on as illustrated. Push up the arrow
part to remove it.
e When this adapter is mounted, the scale will not
flicker as for other lenses.
26
Mounting
Dismounting
HOT-SHOE ADAPTER F AND SYNC CORD F
These two items are to be used in combination
when using AF400F TZ detached from SFX/SF1.
When using AFO80C Ring-Light, mount this hot-
shoe adapter onto the camera’s hot shoe and then
mount the control pack.
e Do not mount the AF400F TZ onto the hot shoe
fixed atop SFX/SF1: it will not be steady. Use it
detached from the camera body.
PENTAX
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OPERATING CARE
® When using AF400F TZ detached from the
camera body, do not try to attach any metallic
object to the electric contacts or to mount any
incompatible accessories. You may damage the
TTL auto mechanism. USE ONLY COMPATIBLE
PENTAX ACCESSORIES.
® There are high-voltage circuits inside the camera
body. IT'S DANGEROUS. NEVER TRY TO
DISASSEMBLE THE CAMERA.
® For smooth mounting/unmounting of the flash,
hold the lower portion of the flash body, not
the top part, and do not use force.
e When the flash unit or other accessories are dirty,
clean it with a silicone cloth or a soft cloth. Do not
use thinner oil, alcoho! and ether.
* Keep the equipment away from vibration, high
temperature and humidity.
* When close to the flash unit, do not look at
the flash directly.
28
RED-EYE SYNDROME
In flash color photographs, people's eyes some-
times look red, and white in black-and-white
pictures. This tends to happen when a person in
a dark spot is looking directly at the flash. This
depends upon the shooting distance, color of
the eyes and the person's age. It is also believed
that when the eye's iris is open, the blood vessels
of the retina tend to reflect. To avoid this redeye
syndrome, try the following:
1. Lighten the place, or change the place, so that
there will be enough light for reading a news-
paper. In such an ambient light, the iris will
close down.
2. Ask the person (to be photographed) to look
not directly at the flash unit but outside of
the flash.
3. Before shooting, ask the subject to look at
a bright spot to keep his iris closed down.
4. This syndrome rarely happens with AF400FTZ,
since its flash lamp has some distance away
from the camera's taking lens.
lr, Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. C.P.O. 895, Tokyo 10091, JAPAN
Pentax Europe n.v. Weiveldisan 35, 1930 Zaventem duid-7, BELGIUM
Pentax Handelsgesstischaft mbH Postfach 54 01 69, 2000 Hamburg 54, WEST GERMANY
Pentax U.K. Limited Pentax House, South Hill Avenue, South Harrow, Middlesex HA2 OLT, UK.
Pentax France S.A. Z.1. Argenteuil, 12, Ave Ambroise-Crolzat, 95100 Argenteuil, FRANCE
Pentax (Schweiz) AG Industriestrasse 2, 8305 Dietlikon ZH, SWITZERLAND
Pentax Scandinavia AB Box 6850, 5-751 27 Uppsela, SWEDEN
Pentax Nederland Spinveld 25, 4815 HR Breda, THE NETHERLANDS
Pentax Norge AS. Cecilio Thoresens VE 1 1, Lambertseter, NORWAY
Pentax Corporation 35 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado 80112, U.S.A.
Pentax Canada Inc. 3131 Universal Drive, Mississugs, Ontario L4X 2E5, CANADA
Asahi Optical Brasileira Ind. e Com. Ltda. Rua Capitäo Antonio Rosa 376, Sala 121 Ed. PBK, S30 Psulo, BRASIL
56951 ENG Specifications are subject to change without notice. 9/87 Printed in Japan
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