New flash: AF360FGZ II AW

bobell69 · 08-27-2013, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

A sure sign that Pentax is doomed! Headed down to Davy Jones' Locker!

You're Right! Also I notice they will go down with the Pentax Brand pasted firmly on the face of the new Flashes as well.

Fogel70 · 08-27-2013, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by rawr

I also noticed this, from DPR, in relation to the new LED lights:

Looks like new firmware for all those Pentax bodies is on the way, especially as for example the latest K-5 firmware is quite old. But no K-x or K200D firmware is on the list

It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR.

Mr Spocko · 08-27-2013, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by ogunturkay

Europe prices:

AF540 FGZ II 499 €
AF360 FGZ II 349€

Well you can buy a Metz 58 AF-2 for less than the AF360 FGZII, ok it's not WR, but it's a damn good flash and powerful as well as fully loaded.

AndrewG NY · 08-27-2013, 04:52 PM

Unsurprisingly pricey. I'm wondering if:

a) they still support classic Pentax TTL mode
b) they still support Auto flash mode
c) external TR 3 power pack supported for AF-540FGZ II?
d) the heads are now stiff enough to stay put with modifiers attached

aleonx3 · 08-27-2013, 04:54 PM

I like it.... even though I have both AF360 and AF540, I will get the AF360 WR version when it is available.

Alizarine · 08-27-2013, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

While I am excited to see updated version of the flashes, anyone got info of the max flash sync speed of these? Still @ 1/180th?

Yup, still 1/180th. Sync speed is in the body...
but these new flashes are exciting!

Originally posted by Fogel70

It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR.

Actually I'm wondering about the implementation of the AF assist beam here, since it was placed below the description of the LED lights... Could it be that the LED light also plays the role of AF assist beam? that's a bit bright... but if it can make AF go faster, why not?

Originally posted by johnmflores

A sure sign that Pentax is doomed! Headed down to Davy Jones' Locker!

Pentax name on it? The end has come! lol

Kozlok · 08-27-2013, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by Fogel70

It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR.

Originally posted by Fogel70

It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR.

The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with.

glanglois · 08-27-2013, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Kozlok

The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with.

Am I missing something? To provide a flash-based AF assist, the camera need only signal the flash that the shutter release is depressed half way, right? I'll have to dig up my K-X but I thought that I had AF assist using a Metz 54/58.

**BlackTalon** · 08-27-2013, 06:10 PM

Just picked up a used 360 on the B/S part of the Board last Friday. Guess I jumped the gun, but I was tired of waiting for the new model to finally come out. Hopefully there will be a lot of favorable reviews for the new model, as it may be a worthwhile upgrade in a year or so.

**Aristophanes** · 08-27-2013, 06:22 PM

I just hope they fixed the battery cover.

hidden_au · 08-27-2013, 06:28 PM

Does the new AF360 also have a swivel head?

JinDesu · 08-27-2013, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by hidden_au

Does the new AF360 also have a swivel head?

According to Adam's news - yes.

Alizarine · 08-27-2013, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by Kozlok

The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with.

It doesn't have its own assist light unlike the K-r, but it does send a signal to the flash that has it. Pentax is probably just phasing out support for older cameras with these new flashes so you'd buy newer units than second-hand ones.

**RobA_Oz** · 08-27-2013, 07:54 PM

This is something more than a cosmetic upgrade, hopefully pointing to an increased emphasis on the video market, as well. While I'm not really interested in video, at least right now, others are, and the inclusion of WR on the flashes expands the potential market. I'm glad they finally added a swivel head on the 360 – its previous lack was a deal-breaker for me, so I bought the Metz 48 instead.

cali92rs · 08-27-2013, 10:16 PM

This is Good news indeed.
Now where are the new WR lenses?

08-27-2013, 04:48 PM	#18
Mr Spocko Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 254	Originally posted by ogunturkay Europe prices: AF540 FGZ II 499 € AF360 FGZ II 349€ Well you can buy a Metz 58 AF-2 for less than the AF360 FGZII, ok it's not WR, but it's a damn good flash and powerful as well as fully loaded.

08-27-2013, 05:12 PM	#21
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by elpolodiablo While I am excited to see updated version of the flashes, anyone got info of the max flash sync speed of these? Still @ 1/180th? Yup, still 1/180th. Sync speed is in the body... but these new flashes are exciting! Originally posted by Fogel70 It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR. Actually I'm wondering about the implementation of the AF assist beam here, since it was placed below the description of the LED lights... Could it be that the LED light also plays the role of AF assist beam? that's a bit bright... but if it can make AF go faster, why not? Originally posted by johnmflores A sure sign that Pentax is doomed! Headed down to Davy Jones' Locker! Pentax name on it? The end has come! lol Last edited by Alizarine; 08-27-2013 at 05:18 PM.

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08-27-2013, 04:41 PM	#16
bobell69 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Courtenay BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 498	Originally posted by johnmflores A sure sign that Pentax is doomed! Headed down to Davy Jones' Locker! You're Right! Also I notice they will go down with the Pentax Brand pasted firmly on the face of the new Flashes as well.

08-27-2013, 04:47 PM	#17
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Originally posted by rawr I also noticed this, from DPR, in relation to the new LED lights: Looks like new firmware for all those Pentax bodies is on the way, especially as for example the latest K-5 firmware is quite old. But no K-x or K200D firmware is on the list It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR.

08-27-2013, 04:52 PM	#19
AndrewG NY Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chappaqua, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 688	Unsurprisingly pricey. I'm wondering if: a) they still support classic Pentax TTL mode b) they still support Auto flash mode c) external TR 3 power pack supported for AF-540FGZ II? d) the heads are now stiff enough to stay put with modifiers attached

08-27-2013, 04:54 PM	#20
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I like it.... even though I have both AF360 and AF540, I will get the AF360 WR version when it is available.

08-27-2013, 05:34 PM	#22
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Originally posted by Fogel70 It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR. Originally posted by Fogel70 It's a bummer if AF assist is not supported on all Pentax DSLR. The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with.

08-27-2013, 05:51 PM	#23
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	Originally posted by Kozlok The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with. Am I missing something? To provide a flash-based AF assist, the camera need only signal the flash that the shutter release is depressed half way, right? I'll have to dig up my K-X but I thought that I had AF assist using a Metz 54/58.

08-27-2013, 06:10 PM	#24
BlackTalon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 114	Just picked up a used 360 on the B/S part of the Board last Friday. Guess I jumped the gun, but I was tired of waiting for the new model to finally come out. Hopefully there will be a lot of favorable reviews for the new model, as it may be a worthwhile upgrade in a year or so.

08-27-2013, 06:22 PM	#25
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	I just hope they fixed the battery cover.

08-27-2013, 06:28 PM	#26
hidden_au New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 24	Does the new AF360 also have a swivel head?

08-27-2013, 06:30 PM	#27
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by hidden_au Does the new AF360 also have a swivel head? According to Adam's news - yes.

08-27-2013, 07:08 PM	#28
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by Kozlok The KX doesn't support an internal AF assist light, so I'm sure it's an insurmountable problem. The camera probably lacks the basic ability to send a request to the AF assist light since it's not in the hardware to start with. It doesn't have its own assist light unlike the K-r, but it does send a signal to the flash that has it. Pentax is probably just phasing out support for older cameras with these new flashes so you'd buy newer units than second-hand ones.

08-27-2013, 07:54 PM	#29
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	This is something more than a cosmetic upgrade, hopefully pointing to an increased emphasis on the video market, as well. While I'm not really interested in video, at least right now, others are, and the inclusion of WR on the flashes expands the potential market. I'm glad they finally added a swivel head on the 360 – its previous lack was a deal-breaker for me, so I bought the Metz 48 instead.

08-27-2013, 10:16 PM	#30
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	This is Good news indeed. Now where are the new WR lenses?