AF201 FG - anyone excited?

Quicksand · 02-10-2015, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by D1N0

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

Totally agree. I hate on-board flash and use it really only when I'm in a pinch -- very rarely. But this little thing would be smart to keep in the bag for just those occasions.

mrNewt · 02-10-2015, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by D1N0

... FF ... doesn't seem to have a flash on board.

I will never understand that mantra... the built in flash is the most underused feature of a camera... missing on a FF body is such an annoying thing...

reh321 · 02-10-2015, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

I will never understand that mantra... the built in flash is the most underused feature of a camera... missing on a FF body is such an annoying thing...

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

I've always viewed a built-in flash as being something that belongs on a point-and-shoot camera, while external flash gives the same strengths as interchangeable lenses do, of matching what I have to what I need; I normally carry much more power in my bag/pocket than the camera flash can do. It also saves the camera battery for those things that can be done only by the camera (and, yes, I normally remove memory from the camera and use an external device to read images into my computer). One of the benefits I saw in going from a Canon Elph to a Pentax Q7 as my pocketable camera was the ability to carry a small, but more powerful, flash in my other pocket.

mrNewt · 02-10-2015, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by reh321

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Look around you for a second... everything you have seen in that second can be bound by the "agree to disagree".
Obviously in the end everything is based on personal preference - what works for you doesn't mean it has to work for me and vice versa.

For me, as someone that likes and practice some "strobism", that built-in flash is extremely useful when traveling light and you want a 2 point light setup on the go. Use the built in flash as a filler and the extra flash as your main light triggered by the built in flash. Now that thing is missing... so you need to carry 2 bigger flashes (and possible a trigger) just to get the same results. I see that as a devolution rather than a bonus.

Such a small thing that takes so little space and its literally built in the camera... missing on a "pro" camera that its supposed to give you as many options as possible

. For someone that doesn't use it, it won't be missed even if is on the body (since you are NOT using it). For someone that is using it constantly it will be a huge miss.

sinjin · 02-10-2015, 09:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Doundounba

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...

My thinking as well. One could fashion a cheap-ish, light, dual-flash setup for macro with two of these. The limited manual options are a drag that may need to be worked around.

Not a Number · 02-10-2015, 09:47 AM

Yes, I can see this as an excellent flash for macro mounted on a arm or C/O ring mount. P-TTL metering with a cable is a big plus.

mrNewt · 02-10-2015, 09:50 AM

That is actually a good idea... macro flash lights! Small and "tilty".
Will be nice to replace those heffalumps that I am using now!

**MJSfoto1956** · 02-10-2015, 10:01 AM

I would be especially intrigued if it also worked on the (new) GR6. That way, I could add it to my K-3 kit and share between the GR6 and K-3. Will Ricoh and Pentax ever share a common set of accessories/batteries/UI between the two brands??? (I hope so)

Michael

**boriscleto** · 02-10-2015, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

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.

If they were WR and P-TTL they might be perfect...

reh321 · 02-10-2015, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

Look around you for a second... everything you have seen in that second can be bound by the "agree to disagree".
Obviously in the end everything is based on personal preference - what works for you doesn't mean it has to work for me and vice versa.

For me, as someone that likes and practice some "strobism", that built-in flash is extremely useful when traveling light and you want a 2 point light setup on the go. Use the built in flash as a filler and the extra flash as your main light triggered by the built in flash. Now that thing is missing... so you need to carry 2 bigger flashes (and possible a trigger) just to get the same results. I see that as a devolution rather than a bonus.

Such a small thing that takes so little space and its literally built in the camera... missing on a "pro" camera that its supposed to give you as many options as possible

. For someone that doesn't use it, it won't be missed even if is on the body (since you are NOT using it). For someone that is using it constantly it will be a huge miss.

And when we talk about personal preference, I don't see the point of talking and talking and talking, which is what eventually turns a discussion like this into a "thread from hell".

I don't find a tiny point source to be even a good fill. If you do, that is good for you. And something I never use does take up space, which I constantly covet.

**LaurenOE** · 02-10-2015, 10:29 AM - **1 Like**

Good price point and WR...I will be picking one up.

mrNewt · 02-10-2015, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by reh321

And when we talk about personal preference, I don't see the point of talking and talking and talking, which is what eventually turns a discussion like this into a "thread from hell".

I'm not the one who started this train. You are the one who quoted my "personal preference" and decided to "attack it"... you could of just as easily ignored my comment and move on... but you've found it necessary to quote me twice so far...

johnmflores · 02-10-2015, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

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.

I recently got the III and was pleasantly surprised by the build quality-better than my Metz 58 AF-1. But either of them on the Q looks comical lol.

Not a Number · 02-10-2015, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

That is actually a good idea... macro flash lights! Small and "tilty".
Will be nice to replace those heffalumps that I am using now!

Ohh, nice! What bracket is that? I'm always looking at options. Heffalumps, ha ha! Replaced with woozles?

You Tube

reh321 · 02-10-2015, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

I'm not the one who started this train. You are the one who quoted my "personal preference" and decided to "attack it"... you could of just as easily ignored my comment and move on... but you've found it necessary to quote me twice so far...

I'm sorry that you view a different opinion as an "attack". My intention was to discuss a point and provide an alternative opinion, just as you did when you responded to D1N0. I apologize if you feel "attacked".

I will say nothing else on this subject.

02-10-2015, 10:34 AM	#42
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by reh321 And when we talk about personal preference, I don't see the point of talking and talking and talking, which is what eventually turns a discussion like this into a "thread from hell". I'm not the one who started this train. You are the one who quoted my "personal preference" and decided to "attack it"... you could of just as easily ignored my comment and move on... but you've found it necessary to quote me twice so far... Last edited by mrNewt; 02-10-2015 at 10:43 AM.

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02-10-2015, 08:47 AM	#31
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by D1N0 It will go nicely with the FF which doesn't seem to have a flash on board. Totally agree. I hate on-board flash and use it really only when I'm in a pinch -- very rarely. But this little thing would be smart to keep in the bag for just those occasions.

02-10-2015, 08:56 AM	#32
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by D1N0 ... FF ... doesn't seem to have a flash on board. I will never understand that mantra... the built in flash is the most underused feature of a camera... missing on a FF body is such an annoying thing...

02-10-2015, 09:04 AM	#33
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by mrNewt I will never understand that mantra... the built in flash is the most underused feature of a camera... missing on a FF body is such an annoying thing... I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I've always viewed a built-in flash as being something that belongs on a point-and-shoot camera, while external flash gives the same strengths as interchangeable lenses do, of matching what I have to what I need; I normally carry much more power in my bag/pocket than the camera flash can do. It also saves the camera battery for those things that can be done only by the camera (and, yes, I normally remove memory from the camera and use an external device to read images into my computer). One of the benefits I saw in going from a Canon Elph to a Pentax Q7 as my pocketable camera was the ability to carry a small, but more powerful, flash in my other pocket.

02-10-2015, 09:17 AM	#34
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by reh321 I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Look around you for a second... everything you have seen in that second can be bound by the "agree to disagree". Obviously in the end everything is based on personal preference - what works for you doesn't mean it has to work for me and vice versa. For me, as someone that likes and practice some "strobism", that built-in flash is extremely useful when traveling light and you want a 2 point light setup on the go. Use the built in flash as a filler and the extra flash as your main light triggered by the built in flash. Now that thing is missing... so you need to carry 2 bigger flashes (and possible a trigger) just to get the same results. I see that as a devolution rather than a bonus. Such a small thing that takes so little space and its literally built in the camera... missing on a "pro" camera that its supposed to give you as many options as possible . For someone that doesn't use it, it won't be missed even if is on the body (since you are NOT using it). For someone that is using it constantly it will be a huge miss.

02-10-2015, 09:30 AM - 1 Like	#35
sinjin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 242	Originally posted by Doundounba 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... My thinking as well. One could fashion a cheap-ish, light, dual-flash setup for macro with two of these. The limited manual options are a drag that may need to be worked around.

02-10-2015, 09:47 AM	#36
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Yes, I can see this as an excellent flash for macro mounted on a arm or C/O ring mount. P-TTL metering with a cable is a big plus.

02-10-2015, 09:50 AM	#37
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	That is actually a good idea... macro flash lights! Small and "tilty". Will be nice to replace those heffalumps that I am using now!

02-10-2015, 10:01 AM	#38
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	I would be especially intrigued if it also worked on the (new) GR6. That way, I could add it to my K-3 kit and share between the GR6 and K-3. Will Ricoh and Pentax ever share a common set of accessories/batteries/UI between the two brands??? (I hope so) Michael

02-10-2015, 10:11 AM	#39
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by pinholecam 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. If they were WR and P-TTL they might be perfect...

02-10-2015, 10:27 AM	#40
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by mrNewt Look around you for a second... everything you have seen in that second can be bound by the "agree to disagree". Obviously in the end everything is based on personal preference - what works for you doesn't mean it has to work for me and vice versa. For me, as someone that likes and practice some "strobism", that built-in flash is extremely useful when traveling light and you want a 2 point light setup on the go. Use the built in flash as a filler and the extra flash as your main light triggered by the built in flash. Now that thing is missing... so you need to carry 2 bigger flashes (and possible a trigger) just to get the same results. I see that as a devolution rather than a bonus. Such a small thing that takes so little space and its literally built in the camera... missing on a "pro" camera that its supposed to give you as many options as possible . For someone that doesn't use it, it won't be missed even if is on the body (since you are NOT using it). For someone that is using it constantly it will be a huge miss. And when we talk about personal preference, I don't see the point of talking and talking and talking, which is what eventually turns a discussion like this into a "thread from hell". I don't find a tiny point source to be even a good fill. If you do, that is good for you. And something I never use does take up space, which I constantly covet.

02-10-2015, 10:29 AM - 1 Like	#41
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Good price point and WR...I will be picking one up.

02-10-2015, 10:46 AM	#43
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by pinholecam 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. I recently got the III and was pleasantly surprised by the build quality-better than my Metz 58 AF-1. But either of them on the Q looks comical lol.

02-10-2015, 10:49 AM	#45
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by mrNewt I'm not the one who started this train. You are the one who quoted my "personal preference" and decided to "attack it"... you could of just as easily ignored my comment and move on... but you've found it necessary to quote me twice so far... I'm sorry that you view a different opinion as an "attack". My intention was to discuss a point and provide an alternative opinion, just as you did when you responded to D1N0. I apologize if you feel "attacked". I will say nothing else on this subject.