Flash problem (Mamiya 7)

[johanbryggman]

Hi!
I have a problem that a need some help with. I bought a Sunpak PF20XD cause I wanted a small flash and after research it seemed to be a good fit.
Got the flash awhile back and got to try it tonight. After installing batteries there seemed to be no problem but how ever I do the flash wont fire.
Neither with my Mamiya 7 or on my 5D mkII. The flash has three sync-modes - 'Hot-Shoe', 'Pre-flash' and 'Non Pre-flash' and I've tried all modes. Tried both Auto and Manual control.
The test button constantly lit red and nothing happens when I press it.
I have checked in the manual that I haven't missed anything but now I'm stuck.

Do anyone of you know what could be wrong?

All the best.
Johan

 

[sevo]

If the test button does not do anything either, the flash is broken.

 

[johanbryggman]

Just as I was about to throw the flash out the window the test button started working! So eagerly I tried on the Mamiya, and... nothing.
It does work on the 5D mkII when sync-mode is on 'Hot-shoe' now, which I guess is a good sign. It means the flash is not broken at least.

 

[sevo]

Just as I was about to throw the flash out the window the test button started working!

Odd.

So eagerly I tried on the Mamiya, and... nothing.

Can you borrow some other flash to try? You might still have a lemon. But on the page for that flash on the Sunpak web site there is a very odd Jinglish remark regarding its hotshoe compatibility: "*Note1:Not corresponce to part of Sony, Casio, Nikon model compact digital camera, the Epson RD-1 series and part of film type camera." That rather looks as if Sunpak was already familiar with the flash failing on a broad variety of non-DSLR cameras.

 

[johanbryggman]

Some progress has been made. Got to try the flash on a few different cameras, olympus Om2, Leica M6 etc and I can safely say nothing is wrong with the flash. I have also tried connecting the flash on my Mamiya via a pc-sync hotshoe adapter with no success. This leads me to think something is wrong with the electronics inside the camera.
Maybe both pc-sync and hotshoe goes through the same chip that is broken? Any thoughts?

 

[johanbryggman]

Odd.
Can you borrow some other flash to try? You might still have a lemon. But on the page for that flash on the Sunpak web site there is a very odd Jinglish remark regarding its hotshoe compatibility: "*Note1:Not corresponce to part of Sony, Casio, Nikon model compact digital camera, the Epson RD-1 series and part of film type camera." That rather looks as if Sunpak was already familiar with the flash failing on a broad variety of non-DSLR cameras.

Did got to try another flash and still nothing. As I were saying in my previous post maybe a trip to service might be the only way...