AF201 FG - anyone excited?

kenspo · 02-09-2015, 03:46 PM

I think i will try one, to carry in my pocket at event shoots

D1N0 · 02-09-2015, 04:03 PM

Now that is has a bounce (albeit only vertical) I can see some use for it. They should make it swivel left right as well. (just above it's foot).

Doundounba · 02-09-2015, 04:30 PM

Wish it had a few more manual power options (only full or 1/4), but it's still moderately interesting to me as a light, WR flash for macro...

**7samurai** · 02-09-2015, 04:45 PM

full and 1/4 power only? I guess that's ok for the guide number.
It will probably sell well for the masses.

**filoxophy** · 02-09-2015, 05:21 PM

I am definitely interested. I've only dabbled in flash, but the size and price are right. I would like more manual settings along with swivel, but it is the basic model.

johnmflores · 02-09-2015, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by 7samurai

full and 1/4 power only? I guess that's ok for the guide number.
It will probably sell well for the masses.

I wonder if flash exposure compensation can be used in conjunction with the flash manual power settings to get finer increments?

**filoxophy** · 02-09-2015, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

I wonder if flash exposure compensation can be used in conjunction with the flash manual power settings to get finer increments?

I've been assuming yes, but that's a good question. Would seem like a pointless crippling if not.

**Digitalis** · 02-09-2015, 09:19 PM

i'm a bit disappointed of the lack of built in optical slave or any visible wireless functionality, however considering the cost and features it will be an excellent flash for macro strobist shooters.

Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX - Wireless AF540FGZ - Honl 1/2 CTO filter.

pinholecam · 02-09-2015, 11:40 PM

Totally underwhelmed.

I just got a YN560IV a week ago (bought 2 in fact) .
Not only has this China maker improved on build and quality over the years since YN460, they have almost added new functions year on year.
IIRC, 2yrs back saw the release of the YN560III which included a built in wireless RX.
Then in 2014, they released a YN560TX controller that not only triggers the flashes, but controls their power o/p and zoom.
This year, they even improved on that with the YN560IV which basically places that YN560TX function into the flash.

So even 3rd party (often looked down China brands) are improving their game.
This new AF201FG really adds too little to the table for the price.

repaap · 02-10-2015, 12:41 AM

I think that I'll try one too. For that WR. And small size. Let's see how that prize will go in near future.

seventysixersfan · 02-10-2015, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

This new AF201FG really adds too little to the table for the price.

I think the price is probably about right for what it offers. Its small size and WR is the trade-off for the lack of power and additional features like wireless slave functionality. I can see this being a nice throw-in freebie when B&H runs special sales on the K-S2 or other future models.

LeRolls · 02-10-2015, 08:13 AM

I am a little bit bummed that it doesn't have more manual dials for output control but I'm definitely a fan of the size and the fact that it can tilt although I do wish it also had swivel. It's cool that it has WR but I don't really need that. I'm surprised that there aren't more small affordable third-party flashes out there with tilt capabilities.

reh321 · 02-10-2015, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by LeRolls

I am a little bit bummed that it doesn't have more manual dials for output control but I'm definitely a fan of the size and the fact that it can tilt although I do wish it also had swivel. It's cool that it has WR but I don't really need that. I'm surprised that there aren't more small affordable third-party flashes out there with tilt capabilities.

I have a 20+ year old Vivtar flash that was built to work with my Pentax Super Program. It is about the size of an AF200, but taller and less squat; it does tilt, but is much lighter than an AF200, so it gives the sense of being flimsier. It is a good match for my Q7, so I use it most of the time. I did buy an AF200, so I could use the Q7 in P-TTL mode, but I don't use it as much as the older one. At some time I may justify buying the AF201 also, but I'm not sure what a would gain from the added cost and added weight.

mrNewt · 02-10-2015, 08:35 AM

Nice little flash - good move from Ricoh.
And if it gets bundled with the K-S2, even better! You will basically have a 2 point flash system on the go (if you consider the build in flash as well).

D1N0 · 02-10-2015, 08:42 AM

It will go nicely with the FF which doesn't seem to have a flash on board.

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02-09-2015, 03:46 PM	#16
kenspo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oslo Posts: 2,207	I think i will try one, to carry in my pocket at event shoots

02-09-2015, 04:03 PM	#17
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Now that is has a bounce (albeit only vertical) I can see some use for it. They should make it swivel left right as well. (just above it's foot).

02-09-2015, 04:30 PM	#18
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	Wish it had a few more manual power options (only full or 1/4), but it's still moderately interesting to me as a light, WR flash for macro...

02-09-2015, 04:45 PM	#19
7samurai Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 474	full and 1/4 power only? I guess that's ok for the guide number. It will probably sell well for the masses.

02-09-2015, 05:21 PM	#20
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	I am definitely interested. I've only dabbled in flash, but the size and price are right. I would like more manual settings along with swivel, but it is the basic model.

02-09-2015, 05:57 PM	#21
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by 7samurai full and 1/4 power only? I guess that's ok for the guide number. It will probably sell well for the masses. I wonder if flash exposure compensation can be used in conjunction with the flash manual power settings to get finer increments?

02-09-2015, 09:13 PM	#22
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	Originally posted by johnmflores I wonder if flash exposure compensation can be used in conjunction with the flash manual power settings to get finer increments? I've been assuming yes, but that's a good question. Would seem like a pointless crippling if not.

02-09-2015, 09:19 PM	#23
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	i'm a bit disappointed of the lack of built in optical slave or any visible wireless functionality, however considering the cost and features it will be an excellent flash for macro strobist shooters. Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX - Wireless AF540FGZ - Honl 1/2 CTO filter.

02-09-2015, 11:40 PM	#24
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Totally underwhelmed. I just got a YN560IV a week ago (bought 2 in fact) . Not only has this China maker improved on build and quality over the years since YN460, they have almost added new functions year on year. IIRC, 2yrs back saw the release of the YN560III which included a built in wireless RX. Then in 2014, they released a YN560TX controller that not only triggers the flashes, but controls their power o/p and zoom. This year, they even improved on that with the YN560IV which basically places that YN560TX function into the flash. So even 3rd party (often looked down China brands) are improving their game. This new AF201FG really adds too little to the table for the price.

02-10-2015, 12:41 AM	#25
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	I think that I'll try one too. For that WR. And small size. Let's see how that prize will go in near future.

02-10-2015, 08:12 AM	#26
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by pinholecam This new AF201FG really adds too little to the table for the price. I think the price is probably about right for what it offers. Its small size and WR is the trade-off for the lack of power and additional features like wireless slave functionality. I can see this being a nice throw-in freebie when B&H runs special sales on the K-S2 or other future models.

02-10-2015, 08:13 AM	#27
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	I am a little bit bummed that it doesn't have more manual dials for output control but I'm definitely a fan of the size and the fact that it can tilt although I do wish it also had swivel. It's cool that it has WR but I don't really need that. I'm surprised that there aren't more small affordable third-party flashes out there with tilt capabilities.

02-10-2015, 08:35 AM	#29
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Nice little flash - good move from Ricoh. And if it gets bundled with the K-S2, even better! You will basically have a 2 point flash system on the go (if you consider the build in flash as well).

02-10-2015, 08:42 AM	#30
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It will go nicely with the FF which doesn't seem to have a flash on board.