Flash: AF-360FGZ II vs. AF-540FGZ (original)

slowdive101 · 02-10-2014, 09:38 AM

Hi folks. Long time Pentax shooter here, about to purchase my first dedicated flash to use in combination with my K-3. I'm a little unsure which to buy, though. I've narrowed down the selection to two models listed in the thread title.

I plan on using it for light portrait work...nothing professional, just friends and family. Bouncing is crucial (and that's why I automatically ruled out the original 360). I also shoot quite frequently in the snow (see below), so the weather sealing of the 360 II is an obvious benefit.

November Snow | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Isabel and McDermot | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I can get them locally at fairly comparable prices. Just not sure if I need the extra juice that the 540 has. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bryan

**Canada_Rockies** · 02-10-2014, 09:45 AM

The original 360 doesn't swivel, it just bounces.The 540 does both. I bought the 540 for that very reason.

slowdive101 · 02-10-2014, 09:55 AM

Yes, I've ruled out the original 360. The 360 II does swivel, so that's why it's either that or the original 540....

ruggiex · 02-10-2014, 10:01 AM

If you don't need the higher power output from 540 I feel 360II is a much better choice. Easier to carry around, better construction, weather sealing, etc. Haven't used my 540 since I got the 360II...

mikemike · 02-10-2014, 10:53 AM

I got the 540 II at the BF deal price. So far I am very happy with it. The original 540 was notorious for a problem with it's battery door. Swivel is a pretty useful feature because it gives you a lot of flexibility when using it on camera since you can bounce it off of the roof in portrait orientation and off the wall in landscape. With the original 360 you miss out on those two options.

I chose the 540 because with a flash you can have something underpowered but not really something overpowered since you can always dial down the output.

sterretje · 02-10-2014, 10:54 AM

You can never have enough power. ruggiex might have a point about build quality but my 540 has not fallen apart yet after a couple of years of reasonable frequent use. Tough one, but I think I would go for the 540.

slowdive101 · 02-10-2014, 01:49 PM

Thanks for your input guys.

aleonx3 · 02-10-2014, 02:21 PM

I recommend the 360II over the 540 as it has the LED option. I seldom find the need for the extra power as the 360 is good enough already in most cases. If I need the power, I move the flash closer to the subject and use the 360II as wireless remote slave.

slowdive101 · 02-12-2014, 09:09 AM

Well I bought the 360 II. Minimal use so far, but wow—I feel like a huge door has been opened. This is going to be fun....

**Ahab** · 02-12-2014, 09:22 AM

Originally posted by slowdive101

Well I bought the 360 II. Minimal use so far, but wow—I feel like a huge door has been opened. This is going to be fun....

You made the right choice.

watches · 02-23-2018, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by slowdive101

Hi folks. Long time Pentax shooter here, about to purchase my first dedicated flash to use in combination with my K-3. I'm a little unsure which to buy, though. I've narrowed down the selection to two models listed in the thread title.

I plan on using it for light portrait work...nothing professional, just friends and family. Bouncing is crucial (and that's why I automatically ruled out the original 360). I also shoot quite frequently in the snow (see below), so the weather sealing of the 360 II is an obvious benefit.

November Snow | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Isabel and McDermot | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I can get them locally at fairly comparable prices. Just not sure if I need the extra juice that the 540 has. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Bryan

May I buy a copy of the manual on the AF-360FGZ...just bought one from Adorama...No manual

Thank you

ddharriman · 02-24-2018, 03:25 AM

As you where not clear about the flash model (AF-360FGZ or the AF-360FGZ II) you wanted the user manual, here are both:

1 - AF-360FGZ
http://extreme-macro.co.uk/pentax-af360fgz-flash/pentax-af360fgz-manual.pdf

2 - AF-360FGZ II
Product page of AF 360 FGZ II Auto Flash - RICOH IMAGING EUROPE S.A.S

Best regards,

02-10-2014, 09:38 AM	#1
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48	Flash: AF-360FGZ II vs. AF-540FGZ (original) Hi folks. Long time Pentax shooter here, about to purchase my first dedicated flash to use in combination with my K-3. I'm a little unsure which to buy, though. I've narrowed down the selection to two models listed in the thread title. I plan on using it for light portrait work...nothing professional, just friends and family. Bouncing is crucial (and that's why I automatically ruled out the original 360). I also shoot quite frequently in the snow (see below), so the weather sealing of the 360 II is an obvious benefit. November Snow \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Isabel and McDermot \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! I can get them locally at fairly comparable prices. Just not sure if I need the extra juice that the 540 has. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks, Bryan

02-24-2018, 03:25 AM	#12
ddharriman Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	As you where not clear about the flash model (AF-360FGZ or the AF-360FGZ II) you wanted the user manual, here are both: 1 - AF-360FGZ http://extreme-macro.co.uk/pentax-af360fgz-flash/pentax-af360fgz-manual.pdf 2 - AF-360FGZ II Product page of AF 360 FGZ II Auto Flash - RICOH IMAGING EUROPE S.A.S Best regards, Last edited by ddharriman; 02-24-2018 at 03:32 AM.

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02-10-2014, 09:45 AM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	The original 360 doesn't swivel, it just bounces.The 540 does both. I bought the 540 for that very reason.

02-10-2014, 09:55 AM	#3
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48 Original Poster	Yes, I've ruled out the original 360. The 360 II does swivel, so that's why it's either that or the original 540....

02-10-2014, 10:01 AM	#4
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	If you don't need the higher power output from 540 I feel 360II is a much better choice. Easier to carry around, better construction, weather sealing, etc. Haven't used my 540 since I got the 360II...

02-10-2014, 10:53 AM	#5
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	I got the 540 II at the BF deal price. So far I am very happy with it. The original 540 was notorious for a problem with it's battery door. Swivel is a pretty useful feature because it gives you a lot of flexibility when using it on camera since you can bounce it off of the roof in portrait orientation and off the wall in landscape. With the original 360 you miss out on those two options. I chose the 540 because with a flash you can have something underpowered but not really something overpowered since you can always dial down the output.

02-10-2014, 10:54 AM	#6
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	You can never have enough power. ruggiex might have a point about build quality but my 540 has not fallen apart yet after a couple of years of reasonable frequent use. Tough one, but I think I would go for the 540.

02-10-2014, 01:49 PM	#7
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48 Original Poster	Thanks for your input guys.

02-10-2014, 02:21 PM	#8
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I recommend the 360II over the 540 as it has the LED option. I seldom find the need for the extra power as the 360 is good enough already in most cases. If I need the power, I move the flash closer to the subject and use the 360II as wireless remote slave.

02-12-2014, 09:09 AM	#9
slowdive101 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winnipeg, mb Photos: Albums Posts: 48 Original Poster	Well I bought the 360 II. Minimal use so far, but wow—I feel like a huge door has been opened. This is going to be fun....

02-12-2014, 09:22 AM	#10
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Originally posted by slowdive101 Well I bought the 360 II. Minimal use so far, but wow—I feel like a huge door has been opened. This is going to be fun.... You made the right choice.

02-23-2018, 12:26 PM	#11
watches New Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 8	Originally posted by slowdive101 Hi folks. Long time Pentax shooter here, about to purchase my first dedicated flash to use in combination with my K-3. I'm a little unsure which to buy, though. I've narrowed down the selection to two models listed in the thread title. I plan on using it for light portrait work...nothing professional, just friends and family. Bouncing is crucial (and that's why I automatically ruled out the original 360). I also shoot quite frequently in the snow (see below), so the weather sealing of the 360 II is an obvious benefit. November Snow \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Isabel and McDermot \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! I can get them locally at fairly comparable prices. Just not sure if I need the extra juice that the 540 has. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks, Bryan May I buy a copy of the manual on the AF-360FGZ...just bought one from Adorama...No manual Thank you