Repeat rate of the AF-360FGZ flash used as a srobe?

VE2CJW · 04-05-2013, 11:09 AM

I would like to use the Pentax AF-360FGZ flash as a strobe to take pictures in a short sequence. I would use the "Universal Photo Timer" as a sync source. If I use the flash at its lowest output power, 1/32. how many flashes can I get and what would the repeat frequency be? I'm looking at getting at least 10 flashes in 2 seconds. Is that possible or should I look for another flash? How about using an old Vivitar 283? Would that be better? Any idea appreciated if you have done something like that. Thanks.

enoeske · 04-05-2013, 11:26 AM

I don't have the 360, but my guess is its pretty slow. I do have a Yongnuo YN-560ii that can do what you are asking. Its manual only but at 1/16 and lower, it can do 8 flashes per second.

Eulogy · 04-05-2013, 01:09 PM

Newer tech is generally better for high recycle rates. That said, the 360 can probably fire 5/second, provided it's on 1/8, and you must only sustain for a few seconds. 1/16 or lower can generally be mashed all day on newer flashes.

VE2CJW · 04-05-2013, 03:32 PM

Well, I have just ordered a Yongnuo YN-560ii on eBay. I'm going to start with that in manual mode before buying the Universal Photo Timer. What I find interesting is that the Yongnuo can be used as a slave flash in collaboration with my Pentax using infrared or a sync cable. It's going to add something nice to my arsenal. A manual flash is perfect for my use because I don't really need PTTL for taking pictures of bursting balloons or water drops in a saucer. Thanks guys for your opinions. Take care.

VE2CJW · 04-05-2013, 06:49 PM

I have been doing some testing with my AF-360FGZ and find it totally worthless as a repeating strobe, I'm not even sure that it gets 2 flashes a second and that is at 1/32 power. But, these tests were a surprise as to the K30 capacity for high speed shooting with a fast memory card. This is the first time that it goes as fast, probably because I installed a new memory card and was doing JPEG's at the time. It's a shame that the flash can't keep up but my new Yongnuo will. I was shooting water drops falling in a saucer.

Ponosby Britt · 04-05-2013, 08:46 PM

The Pentax 360 Manual , Page 86: "Consecutive Discharge Approx. 2 frames/sec. for 50 times, at M1/16 output (with using AA alkaline LR-6batteries)" .

04-05-2013, 11:09 AM	#1
VE2CJW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Candiac, QC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 403	Repeat rate of the AF-360FGZ flash used as a srobe? I would like to use the Pentax AF-360FGZ flash as a strobe to take pictures in a short sequence. I would use the "Universal Photo Timer" as a sync source. If I use the flash at its lowest output power, 1/32. how many flashes can I get and what would the repeat frequency be? I'm looking at getting at least 10 flashes in 2 seconds. Is that possible or should I look for another flash? How about using an old Vivitar 283? Would that be better? Any idea appreciated if you have done something like that. Thanks.

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04-05-2013, 11:26 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	I don't have the 360, but my guess is its pretty slow. I do have a Yongnuo YN-560ii that can do what you are asking. Its manual only but at 1/16 and lower, it can do 8 flashes per second.

04-05-2013, 01:09 PM	#3
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Newer tech is generally better for high recycle rates. That said, the 360 can probably fire 5/second, provided it's on 1/8, and you must only sustain for a few seconds. 1/16 or lower can generally be mashed all day on newer flashes.

04-05-2013, 03:32 PM	#4
VE2CJW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Candiac, QC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 403 Original Poster	Well, I have just ordered a Yongnuo YN-560ii on eBay. I'm going to start with that in manual mode before buying the Universal Photo Timer. What I find interesting is that the Yongnuo can be used as a slave flash in collaboration with my Pentax using infrared or a sync cable. It's going to add something nice to my arsenal. A manual flash is perfect for my use because I don't really need PTTL for taking pictures of bursting balloons or water drops in a saucer. Thanks guys for your opinions. Take care.

04-05-2013, 06:49 PM	#5
VE2CJW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Candiac, QC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 403 Original Poster	I have been doing some testing with my AF-360FGZ and find it totally worthless as a repeating strobe, I'm not even sure that it gets 2 flashes a second and that is at 1/32 power. But, these tests were a surprise as to the K30 capacity for high speed shooting with a fast memory card. This is the first time that it goes as fast, probably because I installed a new memory card and was doing JPEG's at the time. It's a shame that the flash can't keep up but my new Yongnuo will. I was shooting water drops falling in a saucer.

04-05-2013, 08:46 PM	#6
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	The Pentax 360 Manual , Page 86: "Consecutive Discharge Approx. 2 frames/sec. for 50 times, at M1/16 output (with using AA alkaline LR-6batteries)" .