AF201 FG - anyone excited?

**Ahab** · 06-16-2015, 09:38 AM

I'm perfectly happy with my AF360FGZII.

jake14mw · 06-17-2015, 09:39 AM

I'm also curious as to why they went with AAA vs. AA. The size/weight difference is so small.

Michi Joel · 12-09-2015, 12:41 PM

Recommend as a replacement for flash integrated K3II ? I guess that will be more powerful and versatile . I'm not using flash but once I've used , so a flash with high performance I do not think they take .

**Bob 256** · 03-21-2017, 04:08 PM

I just got my K-1 which doesn't have a built in flash (no concerns there since my old Pentax camera with built-in worked well but the lens cut off illumination on the bottom of the frame so a high mounted flash would be an improvement). I have a high powered flash that I use when needed, but it's too big and bulky for everyday use, so this flash appears to be ideal to carry in one's pocket and pop on when a fill flash is needed. For those outdoor scenes with more backlighting than front, a small flash makes all the difference in the world for portraits or other close up subject matter. This flash might be a bit under-featured, but appears to be just the thing for an easy take-along when some fill is needed. P-TTL, dust and weather sealed are an added plus.

Opinions?? Any other good candidates for my requirement?

rawr · 03-21-2017, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Bob 256

Any other good candidates for my requirement?

The Metz 26AF-2 is similar in size and specs to the Pentax 201. It's not WR though.

photolady95 · 03-21-2017, 07:47 PM

I have the AF201FG flash. I use it for my macro work and as long as you don't need it to swivel, nor need of HSS, it is a good flash. I like the fact it's small, because I have a condition that makes my hands shake and a heavy flash on top of the camera and lens weights isn't good for me and the AF201FG is just the right weight. I use it with the power set to 1/4th which is just the right amount of flash for my macro shots, it doesn't blow out whites, nor does it blow out the insect eyes like a more powerful flash does. I used to own the AF360FGZ, but it was too heavy and I couldn't control the light as well either.

AndrewG NY · 03-21-2017, 09:21 PM

Originally posted by rawr

The Metz 26AF-2 is similar in size and specs to the Pentax 201. It's not WR though.

There is also Metz 24 AF-1, less expensive. I think one of these uses 2xAA and the other 2xAAA? I don't think either Metz unit offers the manual 1/1 or 1/4 mode that the AF201FG does.

**Bob 256** · 03-22-2017, 09:01 AM

Will check out the Metz. I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically. That should be enough for me. Mostly forward facing use anyway. Thank's folks for your input.

photolady95 · 03-22-2017, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically.

It goes from vertically straight back to vertically straight forward but doesn't go horizontal.

**acoufap** · 03-22-2017, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

Will check out the Metz. I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically. That should be enough for me. Mostly forward facing use anyway. Thank's folks for your input.

Maybe you'll find some interesting info about AF201FG in my accessory post.

Use it mostly wireless (!) with my K1 using 2 Cactus V6. If your're interested in how I got it working you can read it here. It even works with my old manual lenses. Great also on camera or wired through PTTL cord. Great litte unit IMO.

stub · 03-22-2017, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

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

If the new Pentax flash unit was HSS it would solve a lot more issues...

rawr · 03-23-2017, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by stub

If the new Pentax flash unit was HSS it would solve a lot more issues...

AFAIK, no compact flash units on the market support HSS, from any brand (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji, Sony, Metz included). It's a feature only bigger flashes offer, probably because HSS usually needs power.

**Bob 256** · 03-23-2017, 09:26 AM

Thank's for that info Acoufap. Sound's like a great setup you got using V6 and this little flash. It's also nice to know it supports analog protocols since I still use my Pentax PZ-1p and it would adapt to that as well as the K-1.

Pardon my being a little rusty on my flash acronyms, but what is HSS (I assume it hot shoe something), and would assume from the last two posts that the 201 doesn't support it? Is that something the 340 supports (not to get off topic, but I plan to get a 340 in the future)?

I think I'm getting closer to popping (pun intended) for the 201. Good price and usable features for what I'm after (and it's Pentax).

photolady95 · 03-23-2017, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Bob 256

but what is HSS

It stands for High Speed Sync.

seventysixersfan · 03-27-2017, 02:17 PM

I've had my eye on the new Metz Mecablitz M400 -- looks really compact and swivels vertically and horizontally, and does HSS I think.

Metz mecablitz M400 Flash for Pentax Cameras MZ M400P B&H Photo

03-22-2017, 09:33 AM	#100
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,191	Originally posted by Bob 256 Will check out the Metz. I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically. That should be enough for me. Mostly forward facing use anyway. Thank's folks for your input. Maybe you'll find some interesting info about AF201FG in my accessory post. Use it mostly wireless (!) with my K1 using 2 Cactus V6. If your're interested in how I got it working you can read it here. It even works with my old manual lenses. Great also on camera or wired through PTTL cord. Great litte unit IMO. Last edited by acoufap; 03-22-2017 at 09:39 AM. Reason: Added hint about wireless use.

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06-16-2015, 09:38 AM	#91
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	I'm perfectly happy with my AF360FGZII.

06-17-2015, 09:39 AM	#92
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	I'm also curious as to why they went with AAA vs. AA. The size/weight difference is so small.

12-09-2015, 12:41 PM	#93
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	Recommend as a replacement for flash integrated K3II ? I guess that will be more powerful and versatile . I'm not using flash but once I've used , so a flash with high performance I do not think they take .

03-21-2017, 04:08 PM	#94
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	I just got my K-1 which doesn't have a built in flash (no concerns there since my old Pentax camera with built-in worked well but the lens cut off illumination on the bottom of the frame so a high mounted flash would be an improvement). I have a high powered flash that I use when needed, but it's too big and bulky for everyday use, so this flash appears to be ideal to carry in one's pocket and pop on when a fill flash is needed. For those outdoor scenes with more backlighting than front, a small flash makes all the difference in the world for portraits or other close up subject matter. This flash might be a bit under-featured, but appears to be just the thing for an easy take-along when some fill is needed. P-TTL, dust and weather sealed are an added plus. Opinions?? Any other good candidates for my requirement?

03-21-2017, 07:03 PM	#95
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Bob 256 Any other good candidates for my requirement? The Metz 26AF-2 is similar in size and specs to the Pentax 201. It's not WR though.

03-21-2017, 07:47 PM	#96
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I have the AF201FG flash. I use it for my macro work and as long as you don't need it to swivel, nor need of HSS, it is a good flash. I like the fact it's small, because I have a condition that makes my hands shake and a heavy flash on top of the camera and lens weights isn't good for me and the AF201FG is just the right weight. I use it with the power set to 1/4th which is just the right amount of flash for my macro shots, it doesn't blow out whites, nor does it blow out the insect eyes like a more powerful flash does. I used to own the AF360FGZ, but it was too heavy and I couldn't control the light as well either.

03-21-2017, 09:21 PM	#97
AndrewG NY Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chappaqua, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 688	Originally posted by rawr The Metz 26AF-2 is similar in size and specs to the Pentax 201. It's not WR though. There is also Metz 24 AF-1, less expensive. I think one of these uses 2xAA and the other 2xAAA? I don't think either Metz unit offers the manual 1/1 or 1/4 mode that the AF201FG does.

03-22-2017, 09:01 AM	#98
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Will check out the Metz. I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically. That should be enough for me. Mostly forward facing use anyway. Thank's folks for your input.

03-22-2017, 09:04 AM	#99
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by Bob 256 I thought the AF201FG did swivel vertically. It goes from vertically straight back to vertically straight forward but doesn't go horizontal.

03-22-2017, 04:36 PM	#101
stub Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Manchester Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	Originally posted by boriscleto If they were WR and P-TTL they might be perfect... If the new Pentax flash unit was HSS it would solve a lot more issues...

03-23-2017, 03:23 AM	#102
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by stub If the new Pentax flash unit was HSS it would solve a lot more issues... AFAIK, no compact flash units on the market support HSS, from any brand (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji, Sony, Metz included). It's a feature only bigger flashes offer, probably because HSS usually needs power.

03-23-2017, 09:26 AM	#103
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Thank's for that info Acoufap. Sound's like a great setup you got using V6 and this little flash. It's also nice to know it supports analog protocols since I still use my Pentax PZ-1p and it would adapt to that as well as the K-1. Pardon my being a little rusty on my flash acronyms, but what is HSS (I assume it hot shoe something), and would assume from the last two posts that the 201 doesn't support it? Is that something the 340 supports (not to get off topic, but I plan to get a 340 in the future)? I think I'm getting closer to popping (pun intended) for the 201. Good price and usable features for what I'm after (and it's Pentax).

03-23-2017, 09:43 AM	#104
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by Bob 256 but what is HSS It stands for High Speed Sync.

03-27-2017, 02:17 PM	#105
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	I've had my eye on the new Metz Mecablitz M400 -- looks really compact and swivels vertically and horizontally, and does HSS I think. Metz mecablitz M400 Flash for Pentax Cameras MZ M400P B&H Photo