Old vs. new 540 flash vs. new 360

BlakeShellman · 11-26-2014, 03:59 PM

I thought I just read that the new 360 flash has more features than the old 540. Is that true? Is the new 540 really waaay better than the old 540? Of so in what ways?

Adam · 11-26-2014, 04:04 PM

The new 360 and 540 flashes are virtually identical, save for the power. With that in mind, our review should clarify the remainder of the advantages that the new flashes have over the old ones

Review: Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Moropo · 11-26-2014, 04:24 PM

Also WR?

Class A · 11-26-2014, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by BlakeShellman

Is the new 540 really waaay better than the old 540? Of so in what ways?

The new FGZ II series adds weather-resistance (a feature that will rarely come in handy) and an LED light (with limited applicability).

As you can see from the limitations section of the review, the new series actually has downsides compared to the older series.

I cannot agree that the new FGZ II models are "reasonably priced“.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-26-2014, 07:47 PM

The limitations are the same as the older 540/360 FGZ. No TTL, only P-TTL.

**arv** · 11-26-2014, 11:23 PM

The new 360FGZ does not support auto function, and IMO the old 360FGZ remains the only midrange flash, that supports both Auto and HSS functions. P-TTL is far from perfection in terms of accuracy and consistency, and I get more consistent results going manual on camera and auto on flash. Sure, one can go fully manually...

jake14mw · 11-27-2014, 10:06 AM

Based on the ridiculous prices of the new flashes, the only thing good about their release was that the old 540FGZ flashes came down in price. I noticed this week that both Adorama and B&H list the old 540FGZ as discontinued. I look at this as a sad day for Pentaxians. The end of quality reasonably priced Pentax branded flashes. To me, the old 360FGZ does not count because the lack of swivel function.

I also think Pentax made a big mistake not including the Auto function in their new flashes. A strong point of their system is the backwards compatibility. Not allowing an automatic flash mode to be used with all of those great old lenses is no reason to jack up the prices. If Pentax flash SYSTEM with their DSLRs was better, I could understand premium prices, but their system is weak. I am very suprised that anyone would pay the prices for those new Pentax flashes.

Class A · 11-27-2014, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

The limitations are the same as the older 540/360 FGZ. No TTL, only P-TTL.

The old FGZ series supports TTL.

That's why you can remote control the power with a Cactus V6 via radio.

And as jake14mw wrote, the old series also supports "Auto" mode.

cbope · 12-09-2014, 01:38 PM

I grabbed the last 540FGZ from B&H. It popped up as a special offer when I was ordering my K-3 this morning. I got it for only $50, I still can't believe my luck. A K-3, free grip and the 540 for $847. Whee!

When I was reviewing my order after confirming it, I found that the 540 was now marked as discontinued, so it really does seem like I got the last one in stock.

Edit: I really didn't like the new "limitations" they added to the new II series.

jake14mw · 12-10-2014, 03:39 PM

You got lucky, congratulations. That's a great deal.

BlakeShellman · 12-10-2014, 05:00 PM

I guess I'm glad that I have the original 540FGZ. The only thing about the new one that's better is that it has a metal not plastic shoe. Some were having trouble with the plastic shoe jamming. The only workaround I found was to make yourself very aware about carefully installing and removing it from the camera. So far I'm still good.

**clackers** · 12-10-2014, 05:31 PM

The new one is WR, though, right?

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-10-2014, 06:14 PM

The plastic shoe was not the problem, it was the locking pin.

derekkite · 12-10-2014, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by clackers

The new one is WR, though, right?

Yes. During the winter, wet rain sleet muck, the only way to get a shot is with a flash and extender. I've been using a yongnuo 560ii but I worry that the whole thing in my hand will go poof when water gets too deep in the flash unit. So I got a 540fgzII coming.

narual · 12-10-2014, 11:44 PM

the LED would be great if I could just figure out how to use it without the damned strobe firing when I don't want it to. Sometimes you just need a little extra light to give texture (or just to give the AF a helping hand) and even a small pop of the strobe is overkill.

11-26-2014, 03:59 PM	#1
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224	Old vs. new 540 flash vs. new 360 I thought I just read that the new 360 flash has more features than the old 540. Is that true? Is the new 540 really waaay better than the old 540? Of so in what ways?

11-26-2014, 04:04 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The new 360 and 540 flashes are virtually identical, save for the power. With that in mind, our review should clarify the remainder of the advantages that the new flashes have over the old ones Review: Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-26-2014, 04:24 PM	#3
Moropo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 131	Also WR?

11-26-2014, 05:01 PM	#4
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by BlakeShellman Is the new 540 really waaay better than the old 540? Of so in what ways? The new FGZ II series adds weather-resistance (a feature that will rarely come in handy) and an LED light (with limited applicability). As you can see from the limitations section of the review, the new series actually has downsides compared to the older series. I cannot agree that the new FGZ II models are "reasonably priced“.

11-26-2014, 07:47 PM	#5
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	The limitations are the same as the older 540/360 FGZ. No TTL, only P-TTL.

11-26-2014, 11:23 PM	#6
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 413	The new 360FGZ does not support auto function, and IMO the old 360FGZ remains the only midrange flash, that supports both Auto and HSS functions. P-TTL is far from perfection in terms of accuracy and consistency, and I get more consistent results going manual on camera and auto on flash. Sure, one can go fully manually...

11-27-2014, 10:06 AM	#7
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	Based on the ridiculous prices of the new flashes, the only thing good about their release was that the old 540FGZ flashes came down in price. I noticed this week that both Adorama and B&H list the old 540FGZ as discontinued. I look at this as a sad day for Pentaxians. The end of quality reasonably priced Pentax branded flashes. To me, the old 360FGZ does not count because the lack of swivel function. I also think Pentax made a big mistake not including the Auto function in their new flashes. A strong point of their system is the backwards compatibility. Not allowing an automatic flash mode to be used with all of those great old lenses is no reason to jack up the prices. If Pentax flash SYSTEM with their DSLRs was better, I could understand premium prices, but their system is weak. I am very suprised that anyone would pay the prices for those new Pentax flashes.

11-27-2014, 05:38 PM	#8
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies The limitations are the same as the older 540/360 FGZ. No TTL, only P-TTL. The old FGZ series supports TTL. That's why you can remote control the power with a Cactus V6 via radio. And as jake14mw wrote, the old series also supports "Auto" mode.

12-09-2014, 01:38 PM	#9
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664	I grabbed the last 540FGZ from B&H. It popped up as a special offer when I was ordering my K-3 this morning. I got it for only $50, I still can't believe my luck. A K-3, free grip and the 540 for $847. Whee! When I was reviewing my order after confirming it, I found that the 540 was now marked as discontinued, so it really does seem like I got the last one in stock. Edit: I really didn't like the new "limitations" they added to the new II series.

12-10-2014, 03:39 PM	#10
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	You got lucky, congratulations. That's a great deal.

12-10-2014, 05:00 PM	#11
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224 Original Poster	I guess I'm glad that I have the original 540FGZ. The only thing about the new one that's better is that it has a metal not plastic shoe. Some were having trouble with the plastic shoe jamming. The only workaround I found was to make yourself very aware about carefully installing and removing it from the camera. So far I'm still good.

12-10-2014, 05:31 PM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	The new one is WR, though, right?

12-10-2014, 06:14 PM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	The plastic shoe was not the problem, it was the locking pin.

12-10-2014, 06:23 PM	#14
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by clackers The new one is WR, though, right? Yes. During the winter, wet rain sleet muck, the only way to get a shot is with a flash and extender. I've been using a yongnuo 560ii but I worry that the whole thing in my hand will go poof when water gets too deep in the flash unit. So I got a 540fgzII coming.

12-10-2014, 11:44 PM	#15
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	the LED would be great if I could just figure out how to use it without the damned strobe firing when I don't want it to. Sometimes you just need a little extra light to give texture (or just to give the AF a helping hand) and even a small pop of the strobe is overkill.