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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II

Reviews Views Date of last review
5 24,481 Tue October 18, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $266.80 9.00
PENTAX AF 360FGZ II

PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
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Description:
The Pentax AF 360FGZ II flash is successor to the original AF 360 FGZ. It features full weather-sealing thanks to built-in weather sealed (known as an "AW" design).

Launch price: $429

This is a powerful flash with a guide number of 36. The flash is compatible with all Pentax SLR and DSLR cameras (except the auto 110 series), but flash automation is not available with older film cameras and also not with M and K lenses. The flash has a zooming flash head and a built-in wide-angle diffuser. The flash head zooms automatically with AF lenses and can also be set manually.

The LED light on the front can be used to create a catch light and also serves as video light and AF assist light.

Distance and zoom head information on the LCD display adapts to the camera format in use (only with AF lenses): 645D, 24x36, APS-C, or Q.

Flash namePENTAX AF 360FGZ II
Guide Number (meters ISO 100)36 at max zoom position (58mm APS-C)
Flash controlP-TTL auto, Manual (9 power settings), Multi, Wireless P-TTL, Wireless Manual
Flash synchronizationLeading curtain, Trailing curtain, High speed, Slow speed, Contrast control
Control modesMaster, Control, Slave
Flash exposure comp.-4 to +2 EV /1/3 EV or 1/2 EV steps)
Flash range0.7 to 5.4m (35mm lens at f/5.6 lens on APS-C, ISO 100
Flash coverage (APS-C)16mm lens, 13mm with pull-out wide-angle panel
Flash coverage (645D)30mm lens, 25mm with pull-out wide-angle panel
Zoom head settings (APS-C)13 mm*, 16 mm, 19 mm, 24 mm, 34 mm, 48 mm, 58 mm
Zoom head settings (645D)25 mm*, 30 mm, 35 mm, 43 mm, 62 mm, 87 mm, 105 mm
 * The shortest setting is activated by pulling out the wide-angle panel
Rotating flash headTilt and swivel
Flash duration1/20,000s to 1/1,200
Modeling lightYes
Autofocus spotbeamYes, white beam. Requires firmware update with some cameras
Video lightYes
ConnectionsHot shoe
Hot shoe pins5 (incl. ground)
Batteries4 x AA: Alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH rechargeable, Lithium (FR6)
Recycling time (fresh batteries)Alkaline: 2.5 s, Ni-MH: 1.5 s, Lithium: 2.5 s
Dimensions (W x H x D)68 x 111 x 106mm
Weight290g (without batteries)
In productionYes



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
Set aperture (Programmed flash)Yes
In Production: Buy the PENTAX AF 360FGZ II
In-Depth Review: Read our PENTAX AF 360FGZ II in-depth review!
Price History:



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Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-5 of 5
Forum Member

Registered: November, 2007
Location: Gwynedd, Wales
Posts: 89
Review Date: October 18, 2022 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Compact, tilt and swivel, more intuitive interface, better battery door.
Cons: Doesn't seem to work well with older lenses.

I'm not as convinced as others that this is an improvement on the older AF 360 FGZ. At least for my usage. Yes, it is physically better, but it seems much less accommodating of pre-Digital lenses, and of course it doesn't work at all with film cameras. So better built, but considerably less versatile.
   
Custom User Title

Registered: January, 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 6,806
Review Date: October 6, 2020 Recommended | Price: $275.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: swivel/bounce, WR, HSS
Cons: HSS option are now in menus instead of a physical switch

I've owned three AF-360 FGZ flashes and thought I could manage with having Cactus triggers to compensate for the lack of swivel.
Relying solely on the Cactus triggers for the swivel was too much hassle and in addition, the battery doors on the FGZ I version breaks way too easy.
As a bonus, this flash is WR.

If you are considering between this FGZ I and the FGZ II, I cannot stress enough that the FGZ II should be had, if you have the means.

The FGZ II is a bit more compact than the FGZ I as well.
Kinda odd how the FGZII is written without a "-" between the 'AF' and the '360', but the FGZI includes the "-".

Love this flash, use it all the time
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2014
Location: Newfoundland
Posts: 501

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 8, 2019 Recommended | Price: $279.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Everything the original AF360FGZ should have been!!!
Cons: No integrated bounce card

This past Saturday my original AF360FGZ busted while shooting a wedding. Fortunately I had an AF201FG in the bag and it was only needed for some fill during an outdoor shoot. The original AG360FGZ served me well for 12 years seeing considerable use. Despite it’s shortcomings it has been my favourite flash for ease of use and reliability. I prefer the original 360 over a generation 1 AF54FGZ as well as Cactus RF 60’s. The only notable shortcomings of the original AF360FGZ are the plastic foot and flimsy battery door.

On Sunday I saw great pricing for the AF360FGZ II on Amazon. Despite having a 540 - I absolutely had to have another 360. It arrived today and I must say KUDOS RICOH!!! This is the flash the original 360 should have been!!!!

Noticeable improvements:
- Faster recycle.
- Solid battery door!!!
- Metal foot!!!
- Tilt AND Swivel!!!
- Construction is much more robust.
- Smaller and narrower profile.
- Balances much better on the KP without a battery grip.
- Simplified display.
- Even better control layout (and the old layout was awesome)!
- Integrated LED.

Took it for a test run and wow!!! Love it!!! Just need to order a new Sto-Fen OM-600 as the Sto-Fen for the original 360 is too big. Awesome flash, if you’re considering the AF 360FGZ II - just buy it!!! You won’t regret it!!!
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: September, 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 7,594

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 20, 2018 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Compact, fast recycling, PTTL HSS
Cons: None that are not common to all Pentax flash units. High price.

The AF540fgz II was my first flash from the new II generation. I had an AF540FGZ before that. The AF540FGZ II flash had problems which it took Precision months to acknowledge and eventually replace. Although the new AF540FGZ II functioned properly it was frustratingly slow to recycle. I decided to try the AF360FGZ II and was delighted with its operation, size and, above all, with its quicker recycle times. It is a solid, reliable flash for most uses. The AF540FGZ II has a couple features the AF360FGZ II lacks, such as greater reach, but I have not missed them. I highly recommend this model.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: August, 2010
Location: zurich
Posts: 409

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 11, 2015 Recommended | Price: $430.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: All
Cons: Nothing so far, despite radio triggering

what would make it a 10 for me is if it would have a built in radio trigger... but thats a weak point in the overall pentax flash line-up....
but you can easy fix that with something like cactus or any other available radio triggers...

the LED comes in handy and you can set the light intensity manually when you turn the LED on and turn the setting wheel just after ... otherwise like mentioned in the review below it will adjust automatically.

its a huge improvement over the "540 I" when out in the field as this one is much smaller, lighter, weather sealed and recycles much quicker...
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