Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 4,461 | | Review Date: July 14, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Adds extra reach to flash | | Cons: | A little bulky | |
Makes the various flashes which accept this accessory more versatile. Provides extra reach when using flash with telephoto lenses. A little bulky but a handy item to have available. A tad on the flimsy side.
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Forum Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 63 | | Review Date: July 9, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Adds distance | | Cons: | Bulky | |
Used it with my 70-210mm zoom and got great exposures through the entire zoom range.
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New Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 14 | | Review Date: January 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Works well | | Cons: | A little bulky, seems rather flimsy | |
It seems to be kind of delicate, like it could get broken rather easily. It's kind of bulky, but maybe that helps its performance, which is very good.
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Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 6,173 | | Review Date: December 22, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Intensifies light | | Cons: | bulky | |
Occasionally one of these will show up at keh.com. It works with several old Pentax flashes, but I'm not sure I would get it for any other flash other than the AF280T. By narrowing the light to match the FOV of an 85mm lens (on an FF camera), this adapter raises the GN of the AF280T flash from 28 to 40. Admittedly, I don't find myself using it all that often. But when using the AF280T to photograph hummingbirds (in combination with other flashes), I have found it useful for providing a bit of backlight.
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Otis Memorial Pentaxian Registered: March, 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Posts: 42,007
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $5.83
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Works as advertised with even illumination across field | | Cons: | Hard to source, Fresnel face might be prone to scratches | |
I purchased my copy from KEH in EX+ condition, but it appears to be NOS except for lack of the original packaging and documentation. Here are a few bullet points.- Originally came with a snap-lid, non-padded, sewn plastic pouch
- The adapter consists of a slide-on rectangular housing with a Fresnel lens cemented to the front. The lens is labeled Pentax 135.
- Measurements:
Front: 4 1/4" x 2 3/8" (10.8cm x 6.1cm)
Rear: 2 1.4" x 1 /5/8" (5.8cm x 4.2cm)
Depth: 1 7/8" (4.7cm) overall, 1 1/2" (3.9cm) attached - Weight: 1.3 oz (38 gm) adapter only
Build
The AFT1 is typical of similar attachments offered by flash manufacturers for their mid-level offerings at the time (early 1980s). The plastic is lighter gauge than my AF280T, but overall sturdiness is appropriate to function and not out of line for its purpose on the target flash models or that on competing third-party offerings. Mine secures nicely to the AF280T with a nice snap and minimal play. I have some concern regarding the Fresnel lens in that it may be vulnerable to scratching, however.
Performance
Pentax documentation specifies coverage adequate for 85mm and longer lenses when used with 24x36mm format cameras with a one stop boost to intensity across the field. The resulting guide number is 40m (130ft) for ASA/ISO 100 film. My tests show even lighting across the spec'ed field.
In Use
Before going too deep in regards to utility, it is important to note that the "pro" grade AF400T used a very similar adapter to stretch its range and aperture options for use with longer lenses. This was simply how it was done back in the day. Another thing to get out of the way...Can the AFT1 be used for bounce or with add-on diffusers? The answer to both is pretty much no. This is a tool for direct flash.
The short story is that the AFT1 works and works well. Is it cumbersome? No, not particularly, as long as one is using a len 85mm or longer (58mm or longer for APS-C) for most of the session and using a camera where the extra length of the AFT1 is not in the way. Is it worth having in the bag? If you are doing a session where it will make life easier, yes. As noted above, it can buy you full stop of additional DOF or several meters flash reach at wider apertures over that offered by the non-augmented flash.
Yes, one can work with longer lenses using the bare flash, but on my AF280T, the AFT1 means 3 meters additional reach for direct flash in auto mode and an increase in guide number from 28 to 40 (meters @ ISO 100) The extra 4 cm snoot length is definitely worth it IMHO. (Assuming one finds a copy for not too much money.)
Summary
If you own and use an AF200S, AF200T, or AF280T and see one of these offered for sale, seriously consider making the purchase.
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Pentaxian Registered: September, 2017 Location: South Wales Posts: 2,963 | | Review Date: November 14, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $2.00
| Rating: 7 |
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The previous reviews, especially the last one, covered all aspects. I am only posting this to add a picture of it fitted to an AF280T, and to add a price point. I got mine on Ebay for £1.50 (about $2) plus the postage (which was more).
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