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PENTAX AF 280T

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27 67,457 Mon October 16, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $70.26 8.85
PENTAX AF 280T

PENTAX AF 280T
supersize
PENTAX AF 280T
supersize
PENTAX AF 280T
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Description:
The AF 280T is a hot-shoe mounted flash which provides TTL automation, two-level auto flash (using the sensor in the flash), and two levels of manual output.

TTL automation works with cameras which has a built-in TTL flash sensor like the Super Program/Super A, LX, 645 film series, 67II, many autofocus bodies, and the *istD, DS and DS2 DSLR cameras. On non-TTL cameras the auto flash and manual modes can be used.

The flash light can be bounced off a ceiling or wall since the flash head swivels and turns. The flash head can also be turned downwards for close-up photography.

Optional accessories: A wide-angle adaptor (shown in third image above) which broadens the angle of view which is covered, and a telephoto adaptor, which extends the range.


Flash nameGuide Number (meters ISO 100)Flash controlFlash exposure comp.Flash range
PENTAX AF 280T28TTL auto
Auto (two settings)
Manual (full power, low power)
NoTTL auto: 0.25 to 20m
with f/1.4 lens at ISO 100,
Auto: 0.5 to 7m
Flash coverage (24x36)Flash coverage (APS-C)Rotating flash headModeling lightAutofocus spotbeam
28mm lens
24mm with adaptor
19mm lens
16mm with adaptor
Yes, tilt and swivelNoNo
Sensor angleConnectionsHot shoe pinsBatteriesRecycle time
20 degreesHot shoe4 (incl. ground)4 x AA8s,
0.6s in Manual/Low setting
Dimensions (W x H x D)WeightAccessories includedIn production
80 x 116 x 68mm300gWide angle adaptor (AFW1)
Telephoto adaptor (AFT1)
No



Dedicated camera functionsActual availability depends on the camera, exposure mode and flash settings
Set synch speed when flash is chargedYes
Flash ready signal in view finderYes
Flash confirmation in viewfinderYes
Price History:



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Senior Member

Registered: June, 2020
Location: Guangdong
Posts: 173
Review Date: October 16, 2023 Recommended | Price: $4.68 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: size, flexible angle including negative, easy to use
Cons: no slot for color filter

Novice to flash gun...judging from pics I shoot in AUTO mode, it performs great.

Love its size on my ME-F. Negative angle offer more possibility for composition and close-up shots.

Mine came with the AFT1 telephoto adapter, though I wish it could be the AFW1 instead 'cause I seldom use tele lenses.

Would be wonderful if it has more intuitive distance guide for manual mode.

tip: if you struggle to find a matching diffuser, try search for "Canon 420EX flash diffuser".
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2013
Posts: 2
Review Date: September 1, 2021 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Very capable film era flash
Cons: Weak battery door, lots of weight on the hotshoe

I've owned this unit since the mid 1980s. It was the most useable flash in Pentax's lineup, the AF400 being way too big and expensive for anyone but a wedding photographer. Full of AAs, it does put quite a load on the hotshoe. Swivel head is very useful for indoors, and the included diffuser and fresnel attachments are effective. I've tested the 280 on my digital bodies (after researching that it won't fry the circuits), and it produces good results. It's now relegated to secondary duty to my 360 FGZ. Somehow, I've managed to not break the rather fragile battery compartment door.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2017
Location: Medellín
Posts: 1,322
Review Date: December 31, 2019 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Tilt and swivel head, great for film cameras.
Cons:

I got this for my 645N and works great! It's a must for bounce and even close-up work.
   
Junior Member

Registered: February, 2018
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 29

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 1, 2018 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: swivel & tilt head, AA batteries
Cons: fragile hot-show connection

I've had a number of the 280s over the years, also it's "big brother" 400. I only used the 400 when I needed the additional light as it's bulk, required camera bracket, sync cord, etc. made it rather cumbersome, especially since it only produced 1-stop more light than the 280. The 400's bulk was very useful in scrums to dissuade other photogs — especially TV cameramen LOL — from stepping in front of me. Nothing like getting the 400's battery end in the ear...

For me, the 280's biggest flaw was its weak hot-shoe mount. As a newspaper photog I'd often be working with 2 or 3 bodies with assorted lenses & the 280's hot shoe didn't take kindly to getting banged around when I was switching cameras in a hurry. The great feature of the 280 was the tilt & swivel head which meant I could use bounce flash easily for both vertical & horizontal shots unlike the other popular news flash at the time, the Vivitar 283 which only had a tilt head.

I always bought flashes that used AA batteries — if I used up all my rechargeables (NiCd early on, NiMH later) I could always get disposables at the nearest 7-11, gas station, etc.

On "Low/Red" power I could reliably get a 3-frame burst with a motor-drive — handy in "scrums".

I made a plastic bounce/fill reflector for close work inside 8-10 feet that was held in place with an elastic band around the 280's head; also had a photo cell trigger that clipped onto the hot shoe (I carried a pair of 280s at all times) if I needed a 2nd light. The 280's clip-on wide-angle converter lens even gave pretty good coverage with my 18mm lens.

I still use the 280 with my Canon G11 — on direct flash it's nice to have the light farther from the lens axis and the 280's bounce capability is far superior to the camera's built-in flash.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: September, 2017
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2,899

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 11, 2017 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: TTL metering with LX, Super A, 645 (and later film cameras?), swivel and tilt, safe trigger voltage..
Cons: Low Guide Number, no slow sync, no P-TTL mode, zoom and wide adaptors are separate, stressed battery door, no socket for a flash lead..

A nice, handsome unit. It has a swivel and tilt head, allowing the use of bounce flash off a ceiling in both horizontal and vertical format, or off a wall. It even tilts downwards a little for close-up. It comes into its own with the LX and later cameras that use TTL flash metering. This not only makes the flash easier to use, but it extends the flash range because you can use any aperture - including full. I measured the tigger voltage as 7.5 volts (Pentax themselves say 7.8 volts).

The downsides are, first, the battery door. The contact springs push the batteries so hard against it that I was afraid the little plastic catch would break. I modified mine to add a few millimeters to the battery housing depth and also replaced the springs with softer ones. But I have done model engineering in the past and would not expect most people to do this. My advice otherwise (as others have said) is to hold the door in with your thumb to take the strain while you are pulling back the catch, when both opening and closing - don't just click it in or let it fly open. And avoid Duracell batteries - I find them slightly larger than other makes (to make their claims of longer life true?). I use rechargeables with no problem.

It has no socket for a flash sync lead, either a 4P type lead (such as used to connect the AF400T) or even a simple PC lead. This means you cannot use it separately from the camera unless mounted on the accessory Pentax Hot Shoe Grip (connected with a 4P cord), or some other adaptor. Nor does it offer connection to a high voltage battery pack, even though Pentax had such a pack in their catalogue for the AF400T. In these respects the AF280T was less featured than some contemporary rivals, such as the Vivitar 283 and Sunpak 383.

Then, the lack of slow sync. On the LX at least, turning on the flash forces the camera to sync speed even if the shutter dial is set slower. Oddly, the Hot Shoe Grip to which the flash can be fitted has a slow sync switch, but it seems someone forgot to put one on the flash itself.

Again I modified mine. I re-utilised the "Finder A Check" switch on the unit to interrupt its signal to the camera that sets sync speed. Now, when I switch it off I can set the camera shutter to whatever speed I like. What I have lost is the ability to turn off the viewfinder signal that a flash exposure was satisfactory. (The reason you might want the latter ability is to allow more rapid shooting with flash, but that does not concern me).

It does tend to dwarf some of the small Pentax cameras that were contemporary with it, such as the ME Super. It could also have done with some more power, as its Guide Number of 28 is a bit near the knuckle at times for me.

Postscript : I have notice that the weight given in the summary at the top, 300 gm, must be without batteries. The unit is no use without them, and with alkaline batteries it will be around 420 gm. Another reviewer complained that it was heavy because it was full of AAs, but four AA batteries is pretty standard for mid-range flash units of this period.
I would also add that my rather high price is based on buying it used, but back when the units were still in production. I have more recently bought other copies for around £10 ( = $15 ?).
   
Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 8,085

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 20, 2015 Recommended | Price: $62.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Decent size, easy to use and well built.
Cons: Lacks the power of the bigger AF-400T

Pentax released the AF-280T in 1981 as one of two new TTL flashes designed for the LX. (The AF-400T was the other TTL flash). In 1981 the LX was the only Pentax body with TTL flash support. The Super A/Super Program was released two years later in 1983 and is the next body with TTL flash support.

I bought my AF280T for use on my LX, Super A and Super Program and it’s the perfect size for those film bodies. I also own the more powerful AF400T, but it is way too big and requires a special bracket & 4P sync cables to attach. (Your nice little SLR ends up looking like a Speed Graphic press camera with the AF-400T attached, so I only use the it on my Pentax 6x7 bodies!)

Flash shooting is simple using the AF-280T on the TTL supported LX, Super A/Super Program. Just set the ASA film speed on the flash, move the mode button to “TTL Auto”, mount the flash and turn it on. The camera bodies should be in the “Auto” shutter setting for “off the film plane” metering. These TTL film bodies will recognize the flash and set the shutter speed to the flash sync speed. Just pick a lens aperture in the flashes operating range for the selected film speed and that’s it. The LX, Super A/Super Program “off the film plane” metering will adjust the flash output to match the distance and ambient lighting.

The AF280T also has flash modes for use with other non TTL cameras, but this flash really shines when used on a Pentax TTL supported body. The AF-280T also features a rotating head that adjusts up or down for bounce flash.

For me the AF-280T is a perfect flash for the early Pentax TTL film bodies.

I found my Mint- AF-280T in a camera store, it cost $85.00CDN and came with the case and instructions.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,034

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 29, 2014 Recommended | Price: $32.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Tilt, Swivel, More powerful than pop-up
Cons: Battery door, clunky

I wanted a relatively small flash for every day use and that I could stuff in my bag without it taking a lot of room. The pop-up flash on my K-5 is ok, but it is limited since you cant use it off-camera and for some situations it is just too weak. I decided to give this flash a chance because of the tilt and swivel features.

There are not too many flash units this size that offer those features. I purchased this unit from KEH in mint condition. The flash puts out very clean light for its size. When you bounce it off the wall or ceiling you get dreamy natural looking pictures.

I use it on automatic Red/Green by setting the ISO and the aperture accordingly. Since I mainly use f4, f5.6 and f11 when using flash it is not difficult to remember the flash to subject distance, plus you can also read the scale on the back of the flash. This flash does not have any of the fancy features like PTTL, high-speed sync and all the other bells and whistles modern flash units offer, but it does the job. That is, provide extra light when you need it.

The main CON with this flash is the ridiculously fragile battery door. One small press and the battery door opens spilling all the batteries. I use electric tape to keep it closed.

** Update - I downgraded this unit to a 7 from a 9 because there is no automatic shut off. At least on my unit. This flash will eat your batteries alive. I have since moved up to the AF 360 FGZ which is a much better unit.
   
Otis Memorial Pentaxian

Registered: March, 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Posts: 42,007

17 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 25, 2014 Recommended | Price: $32.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: automation features, bounce/swivel, price,safe on all Pentax cameras
Cons: low power, battery door

Features:

I bought this flash because of its TTL support on my Pentax Super Program film camera. On that camera, the full range of features and functions are supported. Those are:
  • Guide numbers: 28m and 8m both at ISO 100
  • The head will tilt and swivel (for bounce) and will also do a mild down-tilt for close-ups
  • TTL off-the-film flash automation (analog protocol)**
  • Two level auto-thyristor flash metering using on-board sensor
  • Program Flash where the camera and flash coordinate aperture setting for auto-flash
  • Two level manual flash intensity
  • Manual flash
  • Automatic sync speed set*
  • Ready* and exposure confirmation** support
  • Body-controlled exposure compensation**
  • Automatic matching of aperture to camera ISO (P or Tv mode)**
Not supported:
  • Digital protocol P-TTL/TTL and associated features
  • Connection with pc sync cable
* Requires three contacts ("fire" and "ready" and "rail")
** Requires four contacts ("fire", "ready", and "mode" and "rail")

On Pentax dSLR:

Be prepared for a little bonus if you use the 280T with a Pentax dSLR. Although it does not support P-TTL, it does provide several dedicated functions in either of the non-TTL auto modes ("red"/"green") when paired with a recent Pentax body and a lens having the "A" contacts on the mount:
  • P: Usable
    • Shutter speed is set to a value appropriate to ambient light (edit: the actual behavior is more complicated), but can be overridden
    • Sets aperture to the value appropriate for the camera ISO. You can override.
    • Combination of the above allow for easy balance against ambient light
    • Green button returns base state
  • Sv: This is quite possibly the most intriguing mode
    • Shutter speed is same as P mode, but without option to override
    • Sets aperture appropriate for camera ISO
    • Green button does nothing
  • Tv: Probably the most useful mode
    • Sets shutter at 1/180s or last set speed whichever is lower, though you can override
    • Sets aperture appropriate for camera ISO, no override
    • Green button does nothing
  • Av: Usable
    • Sets shutter at 1/180s or lower depending on ambient light
    • User set aperture according to ISO (refer to calculator on flash's back)
    • Green button does nothing
  • TAv: Not Recommended
  • M: Usable
    • Shutter same as Tv mode, except for green button
    • Aperture per ISO, may be overriden
    • Green button resets shutter to base and aperture to value appropriate for ISO
  • X: Essentially the same as M mode except that the shutter speed stays at 1/180s
  • NOTE: The A.Check feature on the flash is very helpful
Cool, eh? It is nice of Pentax to support the legacy analog control protocols on the modern cameras. Of course, the big treat comes if you ever buy a camera that supports exposure-time TTL metering, such as the Super Program or LX

Edit: I forgot to include that the *istD, *istDS and *istDS2 as well as most (all?) auto-focus Pentax film SLRs also support analog TTL with the AF280T.

BTW...the "flash ready" and "flash exposure correct" viewfinder display features also work, as does body-controlled exposure compensation.

Addendum: Shooting Manual and/or With Limited/No Dedication
The case does exist where full manual is desired or where one would not like to have aperture or shutter speed set by the flash/camera. The answer to both is a bit mixed. The first option is to use the three manual modes:
  • M: This is full intensity with zero flash dedication
  • MS-H: Same intensity as "M", but informing the camera of "flash ready". For bodies supporting "slow sync", enabling that feature will allow shutter speed to follow the meter up to the sync speed.
  • MS-L: Lower intensity (GN 8) than MS-H, but behaving the same.
Non-dedicated auto-thyristor may be attained on any camera having a standard hot shoe or by any number of work-arounds involving having the flash on a standard hot shoe adapter taking its sync from either a PC port or the camera hot shoe. For both of those cases, both Red and Green modes work with aperture set using the scale on the flash rear.

Build and Design:

The construction and design of the AF 280T is similar to other flashes of the time (mid-1980s) meaning that it is made of high quality plastic with a plastic hot shoe, but not particularly robust. Sync is through the three pin hot shoe only. There is no provision for sync using a PC or other cable. The head will support optional add-on wide-angle and telephoto adapters, but both are fairly rare. The flash requires four AA cells and will accept alkaline cells as well as NiCad, and NiMH (personally tested) rechargables.

While the build quality is good, this generality does not extend to the battery door. The door is made of thin stuff and may bow slightly against the contact springs when loaded. Whether this was the case when new is unknown, but it is fairly alarming today after three decades of age. I suggest care when latching/unlatching the cover. Once broken, there are no options for replacement.

As is typical for this age of flash, the rear panel has a number of switches and scales. The most prominent is the slide rule that allows you to determine manual settings as well as auto range at a glance. I personally prefer this to the (usually) cryptic LCD screens on current flashes.

In Use:

The AF-280T is chunky, but not overly tall, and on a larger body such as the Pentax LX or modern dSLR it balances nicely. On smaller bodies it is a little more clumsy. I was surprised to find that when mounted to my Super Program, the modes switch pokes me in the forehead. The is uncomfortable. I might also mention that the cinch dial contacts my eyebrow. Both of these are the result of the short and rearward-placed hot shoe pedestal on the Super Program. There is not problem with my other bodies.

The flash cycles quickly in all modes and is not too loud while charging. With good batteries and moderate distance it is able to keep up with the powerwinders available at the time it was made. Battery life is quite good. I haven't taken my Eneloops to full depletion, but have gone over 200 exposures per charge.

Both the bounce and swivel features operate as intended as does the full feature set. My only complaint is the lack of reach due to a modest (by current standards) guide number. It does not take a huge room to test the limits of this flash's range.

I own both the AF 280T and the larger/heavier full-featured Sigma EF 610 DG Super. I prefer the AF 280T for general shooting. I have found that the auto flash exposure using the on-flash sensor is more reliable for most shots than P-TTL (surprise!) and balance against ambient light is much more straightforward and does not require a trip to the manual. In fact, my K-3 actually sets the initial shutter speed low enough to do this balance automatically.

Summary:
  • Nice features
  • Nice price
  • Moderate range
  • Highly recommended even for use with Pentax dSLR cameras
If you can find a better flash at this price point, buy it! But I suspect you will have a hard time finding one.*


Steve

* The clincher is the easy integration of the auto flash features onto modern dSLR Pentax bodies.
   
Senior Member

Registered: May, 2010
Posts: 106
Review Date: April 21, 2014 Recommended | Price: $24.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Powerful
Cons: A little heavy and unbalanced

My AF200FG is almost always attached to my KX. Not very powerful, but in full auto the combination rarely misses. The biggest drawback is that the "200" does not tilt. I found the AF280T on Ebay and was attracted to the tilt and swivel feature, but found that this unit is much more powerful than the "200". When I need more light, in a covered arena at a horse show, for example, I change flashes and put this on on "FULL". Usable even with a 70-300mm lens (at 70mm), it gives good light out to 40 feet or so. I have found it impossible to remain unnoticed, as this thing looks really big on the Kx, and the loud "POP" and bright light makes heads turn. On "thyrister" (sic) auto, the lens works well for shorter range work if necessary, but the "200" is a little more practical, and less overwhelming. If I could have only one, I would go with the 280T
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 14
Review Date: January 21, 2014 Recommended | Price: $35.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Simple; reliable; inexpensive these days, especially when considering its performance
Cons: None, considering when it was made.

A great old flash unit. Simple and reliable. A good combination of size, versatility, and power. It is small enough to carry along any time, and puts out good power. I like its boxiness, as that makes it more compact, so it's easier to carry in a pocket or bag. It doesn't have a zoom head, but that also makes it smaller unless it has the telephoto adapter on it. I have several 280T's, and paid $33 to $45 used for each, based on cosmetic condition; $35 for average condition.
I use it on the hot shoe grip to give more lift from the lens axis for straight-on shots. The tilt-swivel gives great versatility, and I like the 15 degree down-tilt for close-up shots.
I have not noticed any issues with rechargeable batteries, though I have mostly used alkalines instead of rechargeables. My rechargeables are the Nimh type.
A very nice all-around flash. Well thought out.

Judging from the flash brackets and certain similarities of Pentax flashes of the era to Sunpak units, I would surmise that Sunpak made the Pentax TTL flashes. Which is fine with me. I have a Sunpak 555 which is still absolutely reliable after decades.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2011
Location: Lost in translation ...
Posts: 18,076
Review Date: December 8, 2013 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Tilt/swivel head (full 180° swivel & 45°, 65°, 90° tilt), -15° close flash tilt, TTL Auto, compatability ...
Cons: Slightly large & "front boxy", not a fast recycling time ...

Bonjour,

This flash had been sitting in the "Used Gear" display window of my local B&M shop for a long, long time, and I finally decided to add it to my collection ... since I did not have a Pentax legacy flash to play around with on my film SLR's.

It was only 18€ total, thus not a lot in my books given its great condition, etc. Only default is a scratch on the plastic glass ... which is only cosmetic.

Test fired it at home and all seems "AOK" ... I have a roll in the MV1, so maybe a couple of test shots are in order ... but, I am sure that all is/will be fine with this flash.

Test shot may be posted later on ... Allez et salut, John le Frog

Image = AF 280T @ - 15° position on a MV1


   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2013
Posts: 62
Review Date: December 2, 2013 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: very usefull AUTO mode on the Pentax-K30, tilt and swivel
Cons: P-TTL i do not like. so no cons.

than the camera in Tv mode, the aperture is automatically set by flash to the programmed f-stop at the end of charging cycle.
changing the ISO setting will change aperture.
exposure compensation also work from the body as it must to be.
here is my video. how does it works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXL645_78H8

so I use it with K30 exactly as it was at film camera in AUTO mode (Tv mode selected on the body), even better, because I can change ISO setting and use any aperture from f/4 to minimum (f/22-32) in accordance to choosed ISO.

using this mode (AUTO) or "thyristor mode", I have only one flash (instead "pre-flash" and "main flash" in case of P-TTL flashguns), so nobody blinks.
and, it is automatic flash, it doses the light automatically even with DSLR like K30.
   
Senior Member

Registered: June, 2011
Location: Berlin
Posts: 197
Review Date: November 23, 2013 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: reliable, flexible rotating head
Cons: a little big, two power levels

My use

I used this on my film camera and also my K-r (for macro setup). It's very good and easy to use -- as long as you understand the instructions on the rear. Most of time I used the "Low" mode to take pictures in short range (~ 8m), so I didn't need to wait for the flash to recycle.

I've sold this flash, because I don't have much chance to use it. I will miss it.

Cons

The flash looks a little big. My cameras are all small (P30, Kr/K30), and it's a bit ugly to have flash on the top.

This flash doesn't have P-TTL so you have to use M-mode in your digital camera. However, it has TTL to use on the film camera, e.g, P30.

The battery door is not persistent. It's almost broken in my case.

Pros

Cheap, just works. And just work very well on film camera. Very flexible rotating head. The marco angle is not very good for long lens, though.

No high speed sync for daylight shooting (pls. use ND filters instead )
   
Veteran Member

Registered: February, 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 391
Review Date: March 2, 2013 Recommended | Price: $550.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Swivel head, easy functions, compatible with just about every Pentax camera
Cons: None really

I got this from my grandfather, and at first I wasn't a big fan of it. I was going to get a new flash from Pentax (which was well over $300) all the third party ones were no less than $200. One thing I really like about this flash is the swivel adjustment of the flash head. Up, down, left, right. I also really like the fact that it is compatible with nearly every Pentax camera ever made, with the loss of some minor functions, that most people wouldn't use any way. I'd say this flash is still the single best flash unit you can buy for a Pentax camera, and it is far cheaper than any other unit out there, at about $60 or less. Mine was purchased when it was first released, back.. Many, many years ago. So, before you say this is out dated, spend the small amount of money for the best Pentax flash available.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: January, 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 932
Review Date: September 25, 2012 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Can be had very cheaply, works perfect with TTL.
Cons: Hates rechargeable batteries, manual mode near worthless.

With its era taken into consideration this flash is excellent. I use it with my Super Program and even picked up a second one dirt cheap because it came with a hot shoe cord (allowing me to use 2 at once) and the wide angle and telephoto adapters I wanted.
The swivel and pivot action are great, and quite critical for bounce flash. I have no idea why anyone would be stupid enough to design a flash without them.

The battery door issue seems to come from people repeatedly forcing the door shut without releasing the latch, if you treat closing it like you do opening it and use the release lever first, the latch will essentially last forever though the spring pressure does make it bulge a bit.

This flash HATES rechargables, most if not all the issues with slow charge times or not turning on are caused by rechargable batteries, its lucky to even power on most of the time. Stick regular AA's in it and it works like a champ. If you need this flash enough to be guzzling batteries you really needed a newer one anyways. I have heard reports that higher end rechargables like Eneloops or whatever they are called will work ok with this but I stick with the buy anywhere AA's as they always work better.

The whopping 2 settings for manual mode make this near worthless in my opinion for manual stuff, and it works ok in low and high auto mode with a newer DSLR but I don't quite have the knack of it on my K20D yet, its a bit clumsy. Haven't tried it on the K1000 since the darker viewfinder and reduced low light metering ability make it not worth while for me to use it that way.

Where it really shines is where it was intended to be, stuck on top of a Super Program and set to TTL mode.
Add Review of PENTAX AF 280T



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