PENTAX AF 400T camera flash User manual

 PENTAX
AF400T
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC FLASH UNIT
CONTENTS
Description of Farts a 2
Tina (jo RC ENT OT OIT A E A A Я
Batteries ............ EE Pere MER ar TERRE EE EEE TÚ
How to Use the Bracket PR na EE EE SEE
Connecting the Synch Cord .......... NAAR aE ek EE AT eo eme E
Flash Photography with Other Cameras .. RNA 10
Adjusting the Shutter Speed .. SU ey re EU 1
Types of Cameras and Selector Switch Positions
Indexing the ASA Film Speed. tr sae ee es TEE
eT Eve pa Cr To ea Le ee Za E e UA
AE AUTO ENOtOUraph rar Aa i a EE 16
Manual Photography ....... Na A TT ea reset ire LS
Pilot-Lamp — Auto Check Lamp AE 1 ee
Combination with Motor Drive and Winder EE TERRES re mp EA ERE RAB ERT ERA STR Shr Err ES
Bounce Photography ................e.e..ee.sseresreceseenccs ccoo recae recta necene nee veneneo ose recen ever redertrerr ZZ
Specifications ........ PA TT TIL Eu ОД
Types of Power Sources M 27
Adaptor for Wide-Angle Lenses. (AFW2), "Adaptor for Telephoto Lenses (AFT2) . ela 28
DESCRIPTION OF PARTS Bi
Adaptor mounting slot Aperture scale
Flash head Calculating panel
= 4-pin socket Distance scale
Cord lock button Lock lever
Bounce angle scale Auto check lamp
(under flash unit) Test button/Pilot lamp
Flash sensor Light intensity selector switch
Flash mode selector lever
Viewfinder auto check switch
External power socket
Power switch
Grip Synch socket
Bracket lock (rear)
——Bracket clamp
Bottom cover
Bracket pin
Tripod screw hole
Tripod screw
Index mark
Battery compartment cap
Battery compartment lock
UM-3 battery pack
Guide pin
Thumb scraw
4-pin synch cord A
BATTERY INSERTION (UM-3 BATTERY PACK) |
Six UM-3 batteries of the following types can be
used.
e Alkaline manganese batteries
e Ni-Cd batteries (A commercially available
charger is required)
Inserting the batteries:
Turn the battery compartment lock counterclock-
wise with a coin, and remove the battery compart-
ment cap.
Insert the six batteries into the battery compart-
ment in accordance with the polarity diagrams (+,
-), on the inside of the compartment. Press home
the battery compartment cap and turn the battery
compartment lock clockwise by using a coin,
Remove the bottom cover of the grip by turning
counterclockwise,
Mounting the UM-3 battery pack:
Insert the guide pin of the battery pack into the
guide hole of the grip, and then secure it by turn-
ing the thumb screw as illustrated. To remove
the pack, turn it in the opposite direction.
Test flash:
Slide the power switch to INT ON, and a few
seconds later the pilot lamp will light up. Then
pressing the test button (pilot lamp) will cause
the flash to discharge. If the lamp fails to light up,
correct the positions of the inserted batteries or
replace the batteries with new ones,
After testing, slide the power switch back to OFF.
CT
.
i
a E
TTL AUTO— auto
UT e =
LL
UM-3 batteries of the following types can be used
for AF400T.
e Alkaline manganese batteries
e Ni-Cd batteries . .......... .NR-AA, etc.
Manganese batteries (SUM-3, etc.) can be used, but
the flashing frequency and interval will be affected.
. , , AM-3, etc.
When the battery pack is not in use, (due to the
use of an external power source), be sure to
replace the bottom cover of the grip.
Care must be taken of the batteries, otherwise
liquid leakage, heating or corrosion may take place.
® All batteries must be inserted in their correct
polarity positions, It is dangerous to insert even
one battery in wrong position.
e When replacing the batteries, change all
batteries with new ones of the same type. Mixing
new batteries with old ones or using different kinds
of batteries should be avoided.
e Remove the batteries when the unit is not being
used for a long period of time.
Excessively used batteries may cause liquid leakage
and damage to the case.
HOW TO USE THE BRACKET
Attach the camera to the bracket securely with
the tripod screw.
Loosen the two screws shown by the arrows,
enabling the bracket clamp to be turned. It can
then be attached to either the right or left side
of the camera. Align the index to the line mark
on the grip and then tighten the screw sufficiently.
Turn the bracket lock counterclockwise until it
stops. Insert the bracket pin, aligning both index
marks to each other, into the bracket clamp
until it clicks and is secured. To remove, push
the bracket lock to disengage the bracket. The
bracket can be secured by turning the lock screw
completely clockwise,
| CONNECTING THE SYNCH CORD
Connect the socket of AF400T to the synch
socket of the camera,
(1) Connect a camera, equipped with a synch
socket and flash unit interlocking contact, to the
4-pin socket of AF400T by attaching the 4-pin
synch cord A (provided).
(2) When a hotshoe is used, connect it to the 4-pin
socket by using the 4-pin synch cord B (option).
(3) When the camera is provided only with a JIS
socket, connect it to the synch socket of AF400T
by using a commercially available synch cord.
How to use the 4-pin synch cord:
When connecting the cord to AF400T, align the
pin plug groove with the 4-pin socket guide
enabling the plug to be locked. To remove, push
the cord lock button beside the socket and pull
out the pin plug.
After inserting the plug on the camera side, tighten
the screw to secure it in place, If the camera is
equipped with a flash unit interlocking contact,
connect the cord aligning it to the contact,
The 4-pin synch cord B (option) is used to connect
the cord to the hotshoe of the camera,
Precautions for 4-pin synch cord:
The 4-pin synch cord, connected to the synch
contact, also connects the TTL auto flash signal
and interlocking signal for complete charge indi-
cation. In the table on page 11, for the cameras
{*-marked) not provided with a flash unit inter-
locking contact, the 4-pin synch cord B (option)
should be used for connection to the hotshoe.
Otherwise the interlocking function will not work.
If the 4-pin synch cord A is used, only the flash
unit will operate.
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY WITH OTHER CAMERAS |
The AF400T can be used in conjunction with any
type of camera as long as it is provided with an X
contact. Particularly, the combination with Pentax
cameras mentioned on the next page will facilitate
the interlocking functions as shown in the table,
When the unit is attached to a Pentax camera or
ordinary camera other than these, it can be used as
a common auto or manual flash unit. Please refer
to the instructions for the camera as well,
10
Auto flash unit:
The light from the auto flash unit weakens the
farther the distance to travel, Therefore, the
exposure must be changed according to the
distance from the object, otherwise optimum
exposure will not be obtainable. In the case of
a manual flash unit, the exposure level is
determined by calculating with reference to
the table, However, in the case of an auto flash
unit, the built-in circuit operates according to
the distance so that a flash light of lower
intensity is applied to near objects (where the light
is strong) and a larger amount of light is emitted
to remote objects (where the light is weak). Thus,
the intensity of light is ascertained by the flash
unit itself. Accordingly, by setting the camera at
a specific aperture, the optimum exposure can be
automatically obtained irrespective of the distances.
Camera | |x | MV1* ME SUPER*
Function
Pilot lamp in viewfinder O O O
Auto check in viewfinder O O
Auto selection of shutter speed © O O
Prevention of flashing in high O
speed shutter mode
TTL auto flash unit O
* Please refer to the page 9.
In the case of a focal plane shutter
camera, adjust the speed to X or
lower. A lens shutter camera can be
used at any shutter speed, The
Pentax cameras mentioned in the
table at left employ an auto shutter
system, but the shutter speed auto-
matically changes because the camera
is interlocked with the flash unit. For
shutter speeds, also read the instruc-
tion manual of your camera.
11
The selector switch positions can be used according
to the types of the cameras used as follows:
Pentax LX TTL Auto
ME Super ———— — FF Auto yellow
ME — +—— Auto green
MX —— FF Auto red
MY 1 —— +—— Manual synchro (MS)
Other Pentax cameras
Other ordinary cameras — es Manual (M)
12
INDEXING THE ASA FILM SPEED
Align the ASA sensitivity of the film to the
speed index mark by sliding the film sensitivity
scale knob.
When using it in auto mode, set the ASA scale of
the film to FULL, AUTO.
In manual mode, set the ASA film speed number
to the same index mark as that of the light
intensity selector switch, For example, when the
film used is ASA 100, the correct settings are
at Va yn Fa AUTO
a
PE os
as shown in MD when the mode is auto or manual
FULL, and (2) when the mode is manual 1/16.
The points between the film sensitivity scale
numbers are represented as follows:
25 40 50 80 125 160 2) 370 200 640
E | a * | = | a E | = Li | = * |
32 64 100 200 400 800
e. Ya
VAT ETE
AUTO PHOTOGRAPHY
® Did you index the film ASA speed?
1. Set the mode selector lever to yellow, green, or
red according to the distance from the object as
illustrated on the next page.
2. Set the f-number above the distance scale of
the same color as that selected by the mode
selector lever in accordance with the lens aperture.
3. Set the power switch to INT. ON, When the
pilot lamp lights up, you can start shooting.
4. If the subject is within the auto operating
range and proper exposure is possible, the auto
check lamp will light up. (See page 20.)
5. After shooting, set the power switch to OFF.
e When the distance ranges from 1,25m to 3.6m,
shooting is possible with the switch set on either
yellow, green or red. On red, the battery consump-
tion is less and the flashing interval is short, On
14
vellow, the depth of field control is greater. Green
comes between these two. Proper use of these
functions produces best results.
7 7 J,
RR
6 8 12 15 23 30 46 60 90120 240 1t
22 16 11 8 56 4 28 2 14 1
E 165 TEE
+ Sp
5 2 A d À
0.45 1 2 3.6 5 8 10 14m
| Range covered by yellow |
| Range covered by green |
| Range covered by red
In auto photography, the shooting distance range
does not change even when the film ASA changes,
Aperture setting must be changed according to
the film sensitivity.
15
TTL AUTO PHOTOGRAPHY
a TTL auto photography is possible in combination
with the Pentax LX employing the IDM system.
The film ASA, set on the camera, is interlocked
with the unit in a range of ASA 6-800.
1. Set the flash mode selector lever to TTL Auto.
2. Any lens aperture can be freely selected, The f-
stop and the auto flash coverage distance are shown
in the table at right. When the calculating panel is
used, read the distance scale under the f-stop, to
find the maximum flash range for that aperture.
The minimum distance will be 1/8 of the maximum.
For example, in the illustration at right, with ASA
100 film at F2, 20 + 8 = 2.5, that is, flash coverage
ranges from 20m to 2.5m. Generally, in the case of
ASA 100, with the aperture set at F5.6 or smaller,
the flash can be used over a range of 0.9m to 7m.
(In the case of ASA 400, it must be set to F11.)
16
=
3. Set the power switch to ON, When the pilot lamp
lights up, you can take the picture,
4. When the exposure is correct, the auto check
lamp lights up. (See page 20.)
5, After photography, set the power switch to OFF,
NALA ca оды
|
ВА лен ный Re
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15 23 30 TY LR 240 1t
56 4 28 2 \% 1 |
810 \4 20 24 40 56 80 т
8
а
+
F-number Flash coverage
(ASA 100) distance (m)
F1.2 | 42-83
FT 36-285 |
F2 _ 25-20 |
F2.8 1.8 ~14.2
F4 1.3~0 —
F5.6 0.9 ~7
FB 0.6 — 5
11 0.5 ~ 3.6
F16 0:3 == 2.5
F2 0.25-1.8 |
* This table can be used when the film sensitivity is
ASA 100. For ASA 400, the distances should be
doubled. For example, when the aperture is F5.6,
the coverage range is 1.8-14.2m. Conversely, the
distances should be halved for ASA 25,
# For example, when the distance from the object
to be photographed is 2.5m, the apertures ranging
from F2 to F16 can be used. It is therefore possible
to alter the depth of field. f
® Using F11-F22, it is possible to take pictures
0.5-0.25m away from the object. This table is to be
used along with the angles for close-ups (Bounce
photography).
O TT
MANUAL PHOTOGRAPHY
In manual photography, the aperture is determined
according to the shooting distance, and the lens
aperture is set for correct exposure. The light
intensity can be changed in 4 steps.
e MS (Manual syneh)
The flash unit is manual, but in the case of Pentax
cameras mentioned on page 11, the interlocking
mechanism operates. With ordinary cameras, it can
725716 Ya
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18
mo
be used as a regular manual flash unit.
e M (Manual)
This can be used in the same way as for MS except
that it includes no mechanism interlocked with the
camera. This can be used when flash photography is
desired at slow shutter speeds or when the inter-
locking mechanism is not needed. M is identical
with MS for ordinary cameras.
els VA
RON % ASA
15234681215 233046609010 200%
2221611 8564282141
045 08 1 152 365 810 14 20 28 40 56 80 m
bated
e Did you set the film ASA?
1. Set the selector switch either to MS or M,
2. Obtain the aperture value by using the calculating
panel, and then set the lens aperture. For example,
in the case of ASA 100, FULL, as shown in figure (1)
the aperture is F8 when the distance from the object
is 5m, and F4, when it is 10m.
3. Set the power switch to ON, When the pilot lamp
lights up, you can start shooting.
4, After taking pictures, set the power switch to
OFF,
e Selection of light intensity
In manual mode, the light intensity can be set to
1/4, 1/16, 1/25 by the light intensity selector switch.
When the light intensity is low, the flashing
frequency increases, and the flashing interval
shortens. To obtain the aperture by using the
calculating panel, determine the aperture after setting
the sensitivity of the film used to the same index
mark as that of the selector switch. For example,
when ASA 100 film is used with light intensity set
at 1/16, as shown in figure (2), the aperture is F2
when the distance is 5m, and F2.8, when it is 3,6m.
® How to calculate the apertures
Aperture _ Guide number
(F-number) Shooting distance (m)
Table of guide numbers (m)
ASA
50 100 200 400
Light intensity
FULL 28 40 57 8)
1/4 14 20 20 40
1/16 7 10 14 20
1/25 6 8 11 16
PILOT LAMP — AUTO CHECK LAMP
Pilot lamp:
Set the power switch to ON. When the pilot lamp
lights up, you can start shooting. The light intensity
will be stabilized a few seconds after the lamp lights
up. After complete charge, if the light is flashed at
a low intensity, the pilot lamp may not sometimes
go out. In this case, continuous flashing is possible.
Auto check lamp:
In TTL auto photography and auto photography,
the auto check green lamp lights up for about
1 second when the exposure is correct. If the lamp
does not light up, the auto flash unit is not operating
due to the object being at too great a distance. In
this case, move closer to the object. In TTL auto,
it is also possible to change the aperture to a smaller
f/stop (e.g. from 5.6 to 2.8). To check that the
object is within the TTL flash exposure range, press
the Test button.
20
e When the object is too close, the exposure is not
optimum even if the auto check lamp turns on.
Check the aperture by using the calculating panel.
Viewfinder auto check switch:
In the case of Pentax cameras on page 11, the auto
check lamp lights up in the viewfinder, and the
shutter speed auto changer does not operate during
this period. With the switch set to OFF, the auto
check lamp in the viewfinder does not light up, and
continuous shooting is possible, The auto check
lamp on the flash unit side, in this instance, will light
up.
COMBINATION WITH MOTOR DRIVE AND WINDER
When shooting a near object in TTL auto or auto e Continuous flashing frequency
mode, using the motor drive or winder, continuous (using UM-3 alkaline manganese batteries)
photography is possible. For continuous photo- About 15 times (TTL auto, F1.4 ASA 100)
graphy, wait about 10 seconds after the pilot About 10 times (Auto red, F4)
lamp turns on, to allow the battery to charge
completely, In this case, set the viewfinder auto The continuous flashing frequency varies depending
check switch to OFF. upon the battery conditions, situations of the
object, and the distance. It is desirable to use new
batteries whenever possible. When shooting in TTL
auto mode, set the lens aperture to an F-number as
small as possible (F2 or 1.4) so that the flashing
frequency will be increased.
21
BOUNCE PHOTOGRAPHY
Rotating the flash head and allowing the light to
reflect off the ceiling and other surfaces, is a very
effective way of avoiding flat lighting or harsh
shadows, which often accompany direct flash
lighting.
Shooting is possible in TTL auto or auto mode, but
the light intensity is highly influenced by the nature
of the reflecting surface. Test the flash before
shooting, and check it with the auto check lamp.
In manual mode, release the aperture a few steps
wider than the calculated value, depending on the
condition of the reflecting surface.
Since the flash head can be rotated vertically and
horizontally, bouncing Is possible in vertical position.
Bouncing at less than 45° will cause an uneven
picture, Bouncing photography greatly depends upon
the surrounding conditions. It is helpful to refer to
a photographic guide book as well.
22
Angles for close-ups:
Push the lock lever at the back of the flash head in
the direction of the arrow, in order to lower the
flash head faced down (-15”). It can then be used
for close-ups at 1 to 0.5m. In this case, the auto
flash sensor is not faced down, therefore it must be
used in TTL auto or manual photography mode.
Remove the bracket
and secure the unit by
aligning it to the other
index, allowing the
whole grip body to be
tilted. However,
bounce photography
in auto mode is
impossible because the
auto flash sensor is
also tilted, In this case,
the TTL auto or
manual mode must be
used.
Bounce photography
| SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Grip type series control auto flash unit
Guide number
(Manual 4-step changeover)
Light
ASR ner FULL 1/4 1/16 1/25
ASA400 .m 80 40 20 16
Flashing time: Manual 1/1500 sec. Auto shortest 1/30000 sec.
Number of flashes (FULL charge):
About 75 (AM-3)
About 210 (TR power pack AM-2)
Flashing interval: About 17 sec.
Flashing angles: 45° (vertical), 60° (horizontal), using 35mm lens.
Quality of light: Daylight
Auto flash unit interlocking range: Yellow 0.45-3.6m, Green 0.65-5m, Red 1.25-10m TTL auto
0.25-33m (ASA100 F22-F1.2)
Apertures in auto mode:
24
R
Yellow Green Red
ASA100 11 8 4
ASA400 22 16 8
Auto flash sensing angle: 20°
Exclusive camera interlocking functions: Complete charge indication; viewfinder auto-check (ON, OFF
possible); auto shutter speed - X auto changeover.
Flashing prevention during high-speed shutter operation; TTL auto flash unit dimming.
Bounce angle: 45°, 65°, 90° (vertical); 45”, 90° (horizontal)
Angle for close-up: -15" downward (with lock)
Bracket mounting angle: Back and forth variable (30° range)
Power source: UM-3 battery pack: 6 UM-3 batteries,
TR power pack: 6 UM-2 batteries,
Alkaline manganese batteries: AM-3 (UM-3), AM-2 (UM-2), etc.
Ni-Cd batteries: NR-AA (UM-3), NR-C (UM-2), etc.
AC adapter
Size & weight: B6(W) x 260(H) x 92(T)mm, 770g (without battery)
Accessories: AM-3 battery pack, bracket, 4-pin synch cord A, Terminal cap.
Optional accessories: € Adapter for wide angle lens, AFW2 (for over 24mm lenses),
® Adapter for telephoto lenses, AFT? (for 85-200mm lenses)
* TR power pack (using AM-2 battery)
® 510V power pack (using 510V laminated battery)
® AC adapter, 4-pin synch cord B
25
® A common occurrence in picture taking, when
remote and nearby objects are photographed at the
same time, is that exposure is excessive for nearby
objects, and insufficient for remote objects. It is not
possible to be aware of this when looking into the
viewfinder, It is therefore desirable to avoid objects
located in close proximity. That may cause this effect.
«e When the flash unit is used outdoors or in
a blackish room, insufficient exposure sometimes
takes place due to insufficient reflection of light.
In such a case, it is advisable to readjust the film
sensitivity, for instance, to 50 for ASA 100 before
determining the aperture.
26
e Never attempt to disassemble the unit because it
involves high voltage parts,
* Do not clean the flash unit and accessories with
a solvent such as thinner, alcohol or ether,
e Do not leave the unit where it is exposed to high
temperature and humidity.
e When flashing at a short distance, do not look
directly at the flash head,
The following 4 types of power source can be used for AF400T,
Power source
Features
Power sources
Remarks
AM-3 battery pack
Compact and easy-to-use.
AM-3 alkaline man-
ganese battery or
Ni-Cd battery
ae 6 cells
Attached
TR power pack
Shoulder type power source, This
shortens the flashing interval and
increases the number of flashes
possible,
AM-2 alkaline man-
ganese battery or
Ni-Cd battery
.....6cells
Optional
Power pack 510V
Shoulder type high voltage power
source. The number of flashes can
be greatly increased, and particularly,
the flashing interval can be shortened.
510V laminated
dry battery (0340
type)
Optional
Shortly marketed
AC adapter
Adapter for AC power source, saving
on battery costs.
AC 100V for home
use
Optional
Shortly marketed
27
| ADAPTOR FOR WIDE-ANGLE LENSES (AFW2) / TELEPHOTO LENSES (AFT2) |
When mounting the adaptor, slide it onto the flash
head along the slots until it clicks into place at
the center. Using AFW2, the light spreads wide so
that a 24mm lens can be used. Using AFT1, the
light is concentrated, and this is suitable for
85-200mm lenses,
When using an adaptor:
For auto photography, it is unnecessary to change
the aperture. However, the maximum shooting
distance varies. The maximum distance is halved
for AFW2, increased 1.4 times for AFT2.
With/ASA100 at yellow, for example, 0.45 ~
3.6m changes to 0.45 ~ 1.8m (AFW2) or
to 0.45 ~ 5.0m (AFT2). Also for TTL auto
photography, the shooting distance at each
aperture changes by 1 ~ 2 stages in the table on
page 17. With ASA100 at F5.6, for example,
0.9 ~ 7m changes to 0.9 ~ 3.5m (AFW2) or to
28
0.9 ~ 10m (AFT2). In manual photography, ASA
setting must be two-stages smaller (AFW2) or one-
stage larger (AFT2), For example, with ASA100
film, it must be set to ASA25 using AFW2, on to
ASA?00 using AFT2, for aperture calculations.
When the guide number is used for the calculations,
it must be halved for AFW2, and multiplied by
1.4 for AFT2. For example, when the guide
number is 40, it must be 20 for AFW2, on 56
for AFT2.
Us Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. C.P.O, 895, Tokyo 100-91, JAPAN
WM Asahi Optical Europe N.V. Weiveldiaan 3-5, 1930 Zaventem Zuid-7, BELGIUM
Pentax Handelsgesellschaft mbH. 2000 Hamburg 54 (Lokstedt), Grandweg 64, WEST GERMANY
Pentax Corporation 35 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado 80112, U.S.A,
Pentax of Canada Ltd. 1760 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1K5, CANADA
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06536 7/80 Printed in Japan
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