Old flash question Sunpak 511

Someone asked me to look at a Sunpak 511 they inherited. The flash works but one of the dials on the side is very hard to turn. In the middle you set the asa film speed and on the outer part you put the f-number, while in auto.

I wanted to know if this actually changes the flash output somehow of it this is just a guide? The power setting turns fine. I could not tell from the manual if it actually change how bright the flash was or was just a guide setting. Thanks.

edit: I figured this out but isn't it doing the same thing if I turn the power setting on full to 1/64? I just don't have to guess as much with auto? In other words I don't know that auto matter much anyway since I am using digital. I don't know how accurate it would have been. Trial and error with the power dial might be best regardless.

I don't know why you'd be shooting in auto unless you're shooting 35mm film with a TTL module. I have two Sunpak 544's and have never touched anything besides the Power dial, and it's always stayed in manual mode.

gosundevils wrote in post #12545198
I don't know why you'd be shooting in auto unless you're shooting 35mm film with a TTL module. I have two Sunpak 544's and have never touched anything besides the Power dial, and it's always stayed in manual mode.

I didn't think those older Sunpak flashes could do Auto TTL. But, most of them have Auto External Metering and be used with almost any camera ever made.

Here is a link to a 511 manual: http://www.cameramanua​ls.org/flashes_meters/​sunpak_511.pdf

cameraperson wrote in post #12544547
Someone asked me to look at a Sunpak 511 they inherited. The flash works but one of the dials on the side is very hard to turn. In the middle you set the asa film speed and on the outer part you put the f-number, while in auto.

I have, and still use, a 511. In its day it was a fab flash. On the dial, when you set the ASA you cannot move the aperture setting lower than it's minimum; otherwise, it should be fairly easy to turn the dial.

The flash uses auto thyristor circuitry, so the different colors tell you the aperture to use. As you change the ASA setting, the aperture corresponding to the different colors change as well. If, for example, it tells you f/5.6, then you need to shoot in manual with your aperture set to f/5.6. (You can also shoot aperture priority auto exposure, but you also have to set the aperture at f/5.6 - or perhaps f/8 if you're doing fill).

The flash ratio setting is in manual mode. Remember, this flash can either do manual (in which case you have to measure distance to subject and calculate f-stops) or in auto thyristor mode that uses the sensor on the front of the flash to determine when to shut off the flash. With auto thyristor, the flash determines the illumination duration. In TTL the camera determines illumination duration. TTL is better, but thyristors certainly can get the job done.

Do you press in the middle button and try and turn the wheel? I can't get it to turn so I can change the film speed (yes I looked at the manual) .

edit: hard to explain but when I set the film speed and I get the beginning and ending fnumber, I can make it turn beyond those fnumbers to change the film speed. The wheel click to the film speed and the new stop and start is set.

The book makes is sound like you press in or some other way hold the center and turn the outer dial.

how do you use it today? bracketed?