Can I use my flash with the Pentax MX?

ShutterPro · 11-15-2021, 11:59 PM

Hi,
I will be shooting an event soon, and I thought about having some film pictures as well. I wondered whether I could use my 360 GFZ flash on my Pentax MX, as it would help a lot in the dim-lit hall. Is it possible, any ideas how to accomplish it?
Thanks for your replies,
J

Wasp · 11-16-2021, 12:28 AM

The AF360FGZ will work on the MX, but it will be all manual. Focus, read distance on lens, set aperture according to film ISO - somewhat fiddly but that is the way the MX rolls.

If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO.

stevebrot · 11-16-2021, 02:00 AM

Originally posted by ShutterPro

Is it possible, any ideas how to accomplish it?

Put your AF360FGZ on the camera's hot shoe, turn it on and set it to M mode. Set the camera's shutter speed to "X" or any exposure time from 1/60s to 1s. Your flash supports six power levels and the aperture setting depends on the distance to the subject and the power level chosen, flash zoom setting and the film's ISO/ASA speed. There is a guide on the flash display and also a table on pages 72ff of the AF360FGZ flash manual.

In addition to M mode, you also have the option of "Auto" flash using a sensor on the flash itself. The feature is explained on pages 25ff in the manual. Auto is probably the easiest route to good flash exposure with your MX, but not as flexible as M mode.

For free download of the AF360FGZ manual is available from the Ricoh Japan's Web site download area:

Operation Manuals Download : Support & Service | RICOH IMAGING

scroll down to and expand the section on Accessories.

Steve

stevebrot · 11-16-2021, 02:05 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Wasp

If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO.

Auto-thyristor flash is also available on the AF360FGZ. The excellent backward compatibility of both it and the AF540FGZ provides full backwards compatibility* to all hot shoe Pentax bodies back to the Spotmatic II.

Steve

* Within the shared features of camera and flash.

**UncleVanya** · 11-16-2021, 07:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Wasp

The AF360FGZ will work on the MX, but it will be all manual. Focus, read distance on lens, set aperture according to film ISO - somewhat fiddly but that is the way the MX rolls.

If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO.

Auto thyrister mode also works on the original 360 and 540 but not the version II of these. The auto flash mode in the 280 or 400 is similarly implemented in the 360/540 version 1.

11-15-2021, 11:59 PM	#1
ShutterPro Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 389	Can I use my flash with the Pentax MX? Hi, I will be shooting an event soon, and I thought about having some film pictures as well. I wondered whether I could use my 360 GFZ flash on my Pentax MX, as it would help a lot in the dim-lit hall. Is it possible, any ideas how to accomplish it? Thanks for your replies, J

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11-16-2021, 12:28 AM	#2
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	The AF360FGZ will work on the MX, but it will be all manual. Focus, read distance on lens, set aperture according to film ISO - somewhat fiddly but that is the way the MX rolls. If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO.

11-16-2021, 02:00 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ShutterPro Is it possible, any ideas how to accomplish it? Put your AF360FGZ on the camera's hot shoe, turn it on and set it to M mode. Set the camera's shutter speed to "X" or any exposure time from 1/60s to 1s. Your flash supports six power levels and the aperture setting depends on the distance to the subject and the power level chosen, flash zoom setting and the film's ISO/ASA speed. There is a guide on the flash display and also a table on pages 72ff of the AF360FGZ flash manual. In addition to M mode, you also have the option of "Auto" flash using a sensor on the flash itself. The feature is explained on pages 25ff in the manual. Auto is probably the easiest route to good flash exposure with your MX, but not as flexible as M mode. For free download of the AF360FGZ manual is available from the Ricoh Japan's Web site download area: Operation Manuals Download : Support & Service \| RICOH IMAGING scroll down to and expand the section on Accessories. Steve

11-16-2021, 02:05 AM - 2 Likes	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Wasp If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO. Auto-thyristor flash is also available on the AF360FGZ. The excellent backward compatibility of both it and the AF540FGZ provides full backwards compatibility* to all hot shoe Pentax bodies back to the Spotmatic II. Steve * Within the shared features of camera and flash.

11-16-2021, 07:14 AM - 1 Like	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by Wasp The AF360FGZ will work on the MX, but it will be all manual. Focus, read distance on lens, set aperture according to film ISO - somewhat fiddly but that is the way the MX rolls. If you can get a film era AF280T or AF400T you will have thyristor auto exposure, within limits imposed by distance and ISO. Auto thyrister mode also works on the original 360 and 540 but not the version II of these. The auto flash mode in the 280 or 400 is similarly implemented in the 360/540 version 1.