Pentax 360 FGZ ll or 540FGZ ll

**West Penn** · 12-26-2020, 08:48 AM

Mbukal, sorry but my experience with the focus assist beam of the 540II is lacking. The owner's manual, however, states that the effective range is 1 to 7 meters. Perhaps someone else can provide their experience.

Just a thought, but perhaps you could borrow your friend's 540II for a short test to see if it meets your needs.

mbukal · 12-26-2020, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by West Penn

Just a thought, but perhaps you could borrow your friend's 540II for a short test to see if it meets your needs.

at the other end of the state is on, we are not near,

and happy christmas to all

camera: PENTAX K-1
ISO: 4000
shutter speed: 1/40 sec.
aperture: 1: 4
glass: Pentax smc F 28/2,8
in 35 mm: 28 mm

stevebrot · 12-26-2020, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by West Penn

I'm not sure where that multiplier of 1.5 comes from

~~The Pentax specification for the flash. See the manual.~~

Edit: My mistake...Pentax Forums detailed review for the flash...

Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Steve

**West Penn** · 12-27-2020, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The Pentax specification for the flash. See the manual.

Steve

Steve, could you be a bit more specific. I tried searching for "multiplier" and then "1.5" and didn't find any match on "multiplier." On "1.5" there were only references to 1.5 seconds and a few 1.5 mentions in the Guide Number tables.

pschlute · 12-27-2020, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by mbukal

I need another small "push" for the decision 360ll new vs 540ll used, help a little more, thank you!

Get the more powerful flash. At some point you are going to be restricted by the output of the 360. Then you will wish you had a more powerful flash.

You can control the 540 in both P-TTL and manual mode to produce less than maximum power. You cannot ask the 360 to produce more.

stevebrot · 12-27-2020, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by West Penn

Steve, could you be a bit more specific. I tried searching for "multiplier" and then "1.5" and didn't find any match on "multiplier." On "1.5" there were only references to 1.5 seconds and a few 1.5 mentions in the Guide Number tables.

I am a little embarrassed...the 1.5x multiplier for distance* comes from the Pentax Forums detailed review:

Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Specifications | PentaxForums.com Reviews

FWIW: GN for AF360FGZ II = 36 x 1.5 = 54 for AF540FGZ II

Steve

* GN is distance metric if aperture is kept constant.

mbukal · 12-28-2020, 10:17 AM - **1 Like**

thank you all very much, the conversation was constructive, this convinced me to decide what to buy:

- Recycling for the current AF360 is 6 seconds * compared to 3 seconds with the AF540FGZ II
- The K-1 supports AF assistance on the AF360FGZ II and AF540FGZII, not on the mk I. This is a nice feature to have.
- You will get more light from point 540II, which is useful in longer range, when limiting light, using fast synchronization or with modifiers.
- Get a more powerful flash. At some point you will be limited by the output of 360. Then you will wish you had a more powerful flash.
- You can operate the 540 in both P-TTL and manual mode to produce less than maximum power. You can’t ask the 360 to produce more.
- ............54 / 10m = f / 5.4 .................. 36 / 10m = f / 3.6
- As for the recycling time, they are probably about the same if you consider to get the same 360II light output at full power as if you used 540II at a 1/2 power setting

therefore, a flash was purchased: Pentax AF 540 FGZ ll

first impressions:

1 -looks smaller 540 FGZ ll on K1 than AF 360 on K1, and is smaller but the stroboscopic lamp is larger
2 -it seems to be made much stronger than the AF360 FGZ (much much stronger-much more powerful)
3 -LED lamp reflects well with the for help focusing on K1 + FA80-320 / 4,5-5,6
4 -LED lamp in auxiliary lighting itself adjusts the light intensity in pttl mode
5 -I think the 540 FGZ ll has a faster response than the AF 360 (in focusing and recycling in pttl mode)
6 -in general I think that 540 FGZ ll is in the top of the 1st league while AF 360 FGZ would be in the middle of the second league, ie 540 FGZ ll is for professionals and AF 360 FGZ is for amateurs and advanced users (I'm not a
professional

)

i am so happy with the AF540FGZ ll as a toddler when he gets his most coveted toy (over 10 years I have used AF 360FGZ-so much desired change)

once again a big thank you to everyone, and all the best in the new year

Last edited by mbukal; 12-28-2020 at 10:56 AM.

12-26-2020, 09:40 AM	#17
mbukal Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: zagreb Posts: 668 Original Poster	Originally posted by West Penn Just a thought, but perhaps you could borrow your friend's 540II for a short test to see if it meets your needs. at the other end of the state is on, we are not near, and happy christmas to all camera: PENTAX K-1 ISO: 4000 shutter speed: 1/40 sec. aperture: 1: 4 glass: Pentax smc F 28/2,8 in 35 mm: 28 mm Last edited by mbukal; 12-26-2020 at 11:25 AM.

12-26-2020, 11:17 PM	#18
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by West Penn I'm not sure where that multiplier of 1.5 comes from ~~The Pentax specification for the flash. See the manual.~~ Edit: My mistake...Pentax Forums detailed review for the flash... Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Specifications \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-27-2020 at 01:29 PM.

12-27-2020, 01:28 PM	#21
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by West Penn Steve, could you be a bit more specific. I tried searching for "multiplier" and then "1.5" and didn't find any match on "multiplier." On "1.5" there were only references to 1.5 seconds and a few 1.5 mentions in the Guide Number tables. I am a little embarrassed...the 1.5x multiplier for distance* comes from the Pentax Forums detailed review: Pentax AF360FGZ II Flash Review - Specifications \| PentaxForums.com Reviews FWIW: GN for AF360FGZ II = 36 x 1.5 = 54 for AF540FGZ II Steve * GN is distance metric if aperture is kept constant. Last edited by stevebrot; 12-27-2020 at 01:41 PM.

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12-26-2020, 08:48 AM	#16
West Penn Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 250	Mbukal, sorry but my experience with the focus assist beam of the 540II is lacking. The owner's manual, however, states that the effective range is 1 to 7 meters. Perhaps someone else can provide their experience. Just a thought, but perhaps you could borrow your friend's 540II for a short test to see if it meets your needs.

12-27-2020, 07:35 AM	#19
West Penn Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 250	Originally posted by stevebrot The Pentax specification for the flash. See the manual. Steve Steve, could you be a bit more specific. I tried searching for "multiplier" and then "1.5" and didn't find any match on "multiplier." On "1.5" there were only references to 1.5 seconds and a few 1.5 mentions in the Guide Number tables.

12-27-2020, 12:29 PM	#20
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by mbukal I need another small "push" for the decision 360ll new vs 540ll used, help a little more, thank you! Get the more powerful flash. At some point you are going to be restricted by the output of the 360. Then you will wish you had a more powerful flash. You can control the 540 in both P-TTL and manual mode to produce less than maximum power. You cannot ask the 360 to produce more.

12-28-2020, 10:17 AM - 1 Like	#22
mbukal Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: zagreb Posts: 668 Original Poster	thank you all very much, the conversation was constructive, this convinced me to decide what to buy: - Recycling for the current AF360 is 6 seconds * compared to 3 seconds with the AF540FGZ II - The K-1 supports AF assistance on the AF360FGZ II and AF540FGZII, not on the mk I. This is a nice feature to have. - You will get more light from point 540II, which is useful in longer range, when limiting light, using fast synchronization or with modifiers. - Get a more powerful flash. At some point you will be limited by the output of 360. Then you will wish you had a more powerful flash. - You can operate the 540 in both P-TTL and manual mode to produce less than maximum power. You can’t ask the 360 to produce more. - ............54 / 10m = f / 5.4 .................. 36 / 10m = f / 3.6 - As for the recycling time, they are probably about the same if you consider to get the same 360II light output at full power as if you used 540II at a 1/2 power setting therefore, a flash was purchased: Pentax AF 540 FGZ ll first impressions: 1 -looks smaller 540 FGZ ll on K1 than AF 360 on K1, and is smaller but the stroboscopic lamp is larger 2 -it seems to be made much stronger than the AF360 FGZ (much much stronger-much more powerful) 3 -LED lamp reflects well with the for help focusing on K1 + FA80-320 / 4,5-5,6 4 -LED lamp in auxiliary lighting itself adjusts the light intensity in pttl mode 5 -I think the 540 FGZ ll has a faster response than the AF 360 (in focusing and recycling in pttl mode) 6 -in general I think that 540 FGZ ll is in the top of the 1st league while AF 360 FGZ would be in the middle of the second league, ie 540 FGZ ll is for professionals and AF 360 FGZ is for amateurs and advanced users (I'm not a professional ) i am so happy with the AF540FGZ ll as a toddler when he gets his most coveted toy (over 10 years I have used AF 360FGZ-so much desired change) once again a big thank you to everyone, and all the best in the new year Last edited by mbukal; 12-28-2020 at 10:56 AM.