[TedW]

I'm looking for advice on a basic flash. What would suit me at this time is an automatic bounce flash that would also be good to about 15' in non-bounce mode. I'm not looking to sink a huge amount of money here. Just something I can use indoors for family gatherings. Any thoughts?

[seventysixersfan]

What's your budget? Up to $200? There have been used pentax AF 360 flashes for sale recently in the marketplace for less than $150

[stevebrot]

I'm looking for advice on a basic flash. What would suit me at this time is an automatic bounce flash that would also be good to about 15' in non-bounce mode. I'm not looking to sink a huge amount of money here. Just something I can use indoors for family gatherings. Any thoughts?

Define "automatic".

If you are wanting P-TTL, the entry point with bounce is at about $85 USD for basic functionality (Vivitar DF-293 or similar from Bower, Polaroid, and others). For a little more money there are units from Metz that can have their firmware updated. Sigma models for basic P-TTL start at about $135 USD.

A good resource is Matt's Definitive Pentax P-TTL Guide:

The Definitive Guide - Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison

If you don't need P-TTL, there are a number of moderately-priced generic Auto-Thyristor flashes that might meet your needs. With these the flash duration is managed through a sensor on the flash with the photographer being responsible for setting aperture and shutter speed on the camera. If you are willing to buy used, the Pentax AF 280T is a nice little unit with some dedicated functions that will work on your camera. KEH sells them for under $35 USD in Ex condition.* See the reviews:

PENTAX AF 280T reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database


Good luck!


Steve

* My AF 280T is currently in transit. My plan is to use it with my Super Program film camera and as backup for my Sigma on the dSLR.

[Adam]

I'm looking for advice on a basic flash. What would suit me at this time is an automatic bounce flash that would also be good to about 15' in non-bounce mode. I'm not looking to sink a huge amount of money here. Just something I can use indoors for family gatherings. Any thoughts?

The Pentax AF360 is on sale for a reasonable price right now. It's a nice modern flash with full TTL support, just no swivel head (only tilt):
Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash 30333 B&H Photo Video

Adam
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[DSims]

The AF-360 FGZ may indeed be your best bet for the price. It's a good flash. But you may also soon find you want Swivel as well as Tilt. This is why I sold mine and got a barely used AF-540 FGZ.

The Metz flashes also have a very good reputation. If I were buying again I'd seriously look at them. Just make sure the flash (and its firmware, I believe) work well on your K-50.

[stevebrot]

Just make sure the flash (and its firmware, I believe) work well on your K-50.

That is supposed to be the advantage. Several of the low-end Metz units allow firmware update. That is unusual at that price point.


Steve

[TedW]

This has all been most helpful. Thanks!

[jake14mw]

For your first basic flash, I would not recommend the original Pentax 360. You want to bounce your flash whenever possible, and not being able to swivel the head on the 360 will be very limiting. I wound up using my 360 very infrequently because of that. I would definitely recommend an Auto-thyrister flash like a Nikon SB-28, or a Sunpak which can be picked up for very reasonable prices used. I have used both of them in auto mode with better results than P-TTL.