199A Aperture Flashing 32 in Viewfinder

[Flasher49]

Hello all,

I am using a 199A Speedlite with my A-1 Camera, and no matter what I point it at, and what combination of settings I use, when I half-press the shutter release to meter, it displays "60" which is the appropriate shutter speed, F, to show the flash is charged, but for the aperture, it flashes "32". The lens I'm using is 50mm lens set to A for automatic aperture, with a max f stop of 22. I'm wondering if this is an error on my part, or a potential defect in the device. It works perfectly otherwise.

Any ideas are appreciated. 

[MikeSowsun]

What ISO and Auto mode do you have set on your 199A?

I was able to duplicate your “problem” on my A-1 and 199A by selecting ISO 800 and Auto Yellow mode on the flash. The flashing “32” is an error message telling you proper exposure is not possible because your lens does not have an f/32 aperture. 

If you select ISO 400, or a Green or Red Auto mode the flashing 32 will stop. If you do not have ISO 800 and Yellow selected, I would assume your 199A is defective. Try another flash unit to see if that fixes it. 

[Flasher49]

Thanks for the suggestion, I tried those settings to no avail. I am also now getting the "M" illuminated even when not in Manual mode, the unit is probably defective, back to eBay I go.

Thanks again.