Sunpak PZ42X flash for Nikon D90

bfluegiebfluegie Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
edited August 13, 2012 in Accessories
I have been thinking about getting a separate flash for my D90 for a while now. Since I take mostly landscapes I didn't think that I would need all the features of the Nikon flashes. For all of my film photography I never used a dedicated flash, relying on a manual Sunpak thyristor flash and the distance reading from my lens. When dedicated flashes became popular I never bothered to upgrade. Unfortunately it was stolen along with my film cameras so I never tried it with the D90. Recently I decided to buy a used Sunpak PZ42X from KEH. I found it by searching the Nikon listings and I assumed it was a Nikon version. This was my first order from KEH and the process seemed easy and shipping was fast.

The flash arrived on Tuesday, but due to work commitments I didn't open it until Friday evening. The flash didn't come with a box or manual, which isn't a surprise for used, so I downloaded the manual and started trying the flash. Unfortunately, the TTL mode doesn't seem to be working with my camera. I have the flash set in TTL mode and the zoom is set to auto. When I press the camera button half way, nothing changes on the back screen of the flash, even though the manual states that I should see a bar graph showing the range.

Does anyone know how I can tell if I got the Nikon version of this flash (other than the fact that it doesn't seem to be listening to my Nikon, of course)? The model shown on the flash is just PZ42X, nothing else. From what I have seen by doing online searches, the box would have had a sticker identifying the camera brand it would work with, but the model number on the flash would be the same for any version. I checked the copy I made of the KEH order and it doesn't specify the camera brand in the description, but since I was browsing the Nikon hardware when i found this flash I did expect to get the Nikon version. Is there anything else I should try with this flash or should I just send it back? Thanks for any suggestions.
~~Barbara

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited August 12, 2012
    Sunpak PZ42XN is for Nikon mount, Sunpak PZ42XC is for Canon mount, etc.

    Look on the back of the flash for the full model number. It may be located on the part of the flash shoe which mounts to the bottom of the flash, or even on the bottom of the flash shoe itself.

    You can also try to contact Sunpak directly qa@ss-sp.com.

    Edit: I moved this to the Accessories forum.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • bfluegiebfluegie Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 12, 2012
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    Sunpak PZ42XN is for Nikon mount, Sunpak PZ42XC is for Canon mount, etc.

    Look on the back of the flash for the full model number. It may be located on the part of the flash shoe which mounts to the bottom of the flash, or even on the bottom of the flash shoe itself.

    You can also try to contact Sunpak directly qa@ss-sp.com.

    Edit: I moved this to the Accessories forum.

    Thanks Ziggy. There is no model number on the back of the flash. On the bottom of the flash shoe I see "NEII". N for Nikon? I have heard that there was a firmware upgrade for some of the later Canons, could the II mean this is the latest firmware? I have no clue. I tried different camera settings and couldn't find anything in the menu to change. I'm beginning to think I need to return this flash. Again, thanks for the information.
    ~~Barbara
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited August 12, 2012
    bfluegie wrote: »
    Thanks Ziggy. There is no model number on the back of the flash. On the bottom of the flash shoe I see "NEII". N for Nikon? I have heard that there was a firmware upgrade for some of the later Canons, could the II mean this is the latest firmware? I have no clue. I tried different camera settings and couldn't find anything in the menu to change. I'm beginning to think I need to return this flash. Again, thanks for the information.

    Sorry, I'm not that familiar with that particular flash and where to find the model designation.

    Do contact KEH to let them know of your problems with the flash. You have a 14 day "no questions" warranty from the invoice date. Good communications with them will insure that you preserve your options. They are very good to work with if you keep them informed. thumb.gif

    service@keh.com
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • perronefordperroneford Registered Users Posts: 550 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2012
    I have two of these. One Nikon, one Canon.

    Look at the foot of the units. The Nikon one has a "NE" on the flash foot by the pins. The Canon one has a "CA". The Canon unit's pins are arranged like a "connect the dots" to make a house. Basically a square of 4 pins, with one pin offset and centered above 2 other pins. The Nikon foot looks haphazard in comparison.
    www.ptfphoto.com
    perroneford@ptfphoto.com
  • bfluegiebfluegie Registered Users Posts: 841 Major grins
    edited August 13, 2012
    perroneford wrote: »
    I have two of these. One Nikon, one Canon.

    Look at the foot of the units. The Nikon one has a "NE" on the flash foot by the pins. The Canon one has a "CA". The Canon unit's pins are arranged like a "connect the dots" to make a house. Basically a square of 4 pins, with one pin offset and centered above 2 other pins. The Nikon foot looks haphazard in comparison.


    Thanks for this info. I looks as if I was indeed sent a Nikon flash since I do see NE II on the foot. Now the mystery is why it doesn't work with my D90. Unfortunately my D90 and I are not in the same place right now so I can't try anything else out until after the 14 days from KEH is up. I'll probably call them tomorrow morning and see if they will work with me on this.

    Thanks again.
    ~~Barbara
Sign In or Register to comment.