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OniFactor · 03-19-2008, 11:26 PM

just wondering.. is there any point to this flash in the lineup? i mean.. it can't function as a master controller for wireless, it has no manual settings except for full power.. and it's.. well.. more expensive than it should be, for what it is. i have to wonder why Pentax keeps this flash?

Matjazz · 03-20-2008, 05:15 AM

Perhaps this is an entry level flash

mattdm · 03-20-2008, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by Matjazz

Perhaps this is an entry level flash

Sure, that's exactly what it is. But it's hard to understand exactly who would want to enter at that particular level. It is about 4× the light power of the built-in flash, okay, but it's not far enough away from the lens to reduce annoying shadows or get rid of red eye, and no option for bouncing. And for $50 more, you can get the AF360FGZ. If you can't currently justify that price, you're probably better off sticking with the built-in flash until you can.

If it could be used as a wireless P-TTL slave, I'd probably pick up one as a little secondary light. As it is, it's not even under consideration.

OniFactor · 03-20-2008, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by mattdm

Sure, that's exactly what it is. But it's hard to understand exactly who would want to enter at that particular level. It is about 4× the light power of the built-in flash, okay, but it's not far enough away from the lens to reduce annoying shadows or get rid of red eye, and no option for bouncing. And for $50 more, you can get the AF360FGZ. If you can't currently justify that price, you're probably better off sticking with the built-in flash until you can.

If it could be used as a wireless P-TTL slave, I'd probably pick up one as a little secondary light. As it is, it's not even under consideration.

exactly. maybe they need to rethink their flash lineup, too. they're really suffering by not having an IR master-only unit that increases range over the pop-ups capabilities. sony is revamping their lineup, and it's probably time pentax does too.

i wonder how hard it would be for someone like sigma or metz to make an external IR commander for pentax..?

Matjazz · 03-20-2008, 04:19 PM

Given the wireles P-TTL mode and it's capabilities why would one need IR master?? If for firing simple optical slaves one can make IR master from cheap manual flash and unexposed but developed dia film.

OniFactor · 03-20-2008, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by Matjazz

Given the wireles P-TTL mode and it's capabilities why would one need IR master?? If for firing simple optical slaves one can make IR master from cheap manual flash and unexposed but developed dia film.

k1xxd cameras don't have onboard wireless PTTL. and an external unit can extend your range, too. why else would canon offer one?

mattdm · 03-20-2008, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by OniFactor

k1xxd cameras don't have onboard wireless PTTL. and an external unit can extend your range, too. why else would canon offer one?

I don't think Canon's built-in flashes can do the act-as-controller trick.

OniFactor · 03-20-2008, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

I don't think Canon's built-in flashes can do the act-as-controller trick.

well that's... crappy. lol, still, an external controller would be nice..

03-19-2008, 11:26 PM	#1
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	does anyone use the 200fg? just wondering.. is there any point to this flash in the lineup? i mean.. it can't function as a master controller for wireless, it has no manual settings except for full power.. and it's.. well.. more expensive than it should be, for what it is. i have to wonder why Pentax keeps this flash?

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03-20-2008, 05:15 AM	#2
Matjazz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: EU/Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 774	Perhaps this is an entry level flash

03-20-2008, 07:52 AM	#3
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Matjazz Perhaps this is an entry level flash Sure, that's exactly what it is. But it's hard to understand exactly who would want to enter at that particular level. It is about 4× the light power of the built-in flash, okay, but it's not far enough away from the lens to reduce annoying shadows or get rid of red eye, and no option for bouncing. And for $50 more, you can get the AF360FGZ. If you can't currently justify that price, you're probably better off sticking with the built-in flash until you can. If it could be used as a wireless P-TTL slave, I'd probably pick up one as a little secondary light. As it is, it's not even under consideration.

03-20-2008, 08:58 AM	#4
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643 Original Poster	Originally posted by mattdm Sure, that's exactly what it is. But it's hard to understand exactly who would want to enter at that particular level. It is about 4× the light power of the built-in flash, okay, but it's not far enough away from the lens to reduce annoying shadows or get rid of red eye, and no option for bouncing. And for $50 more, you can get the AF360FGZ. If you can't currently justify that price, you're probably better off sticking with the built-in flash until you can. If it could be used as a wireless P-TTL slave, I'd probably pick up one as a little secondary light. As it is, it's not even under consideration. exactly. maybe they need to rethink their flash lineup, too. they're really suffering by not having an IR master-only unit that increases range over the pop-ups capabilities. sony is revamping their lineup, and it's probably time pentax does too. i wonder how hard it would be for someone like sigma or metz to make an external IR commander for pentax..?

03-20-2008, 04:19 PM	#5
Matjazz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: EU/Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 774	Given the wireles P-TTL mode and it's capabilities why would one need IR master?? If for firing simple optical slaves one can make IR master from cheap manual flash and unexposed but developed dia film.

03-20-2008, 04:25 PM	#6
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643 Original Poster	Originally posted by Matjazz Given the wireles P-TTL mode and it's capabilities why would one need IR master?? If for firing simple optical slaves one can make IR master from cheap manual flash and unexposed but developed dia film. k1xxd cameras don't have onboard wireless PTTL. and an external unit can extend your range, too. why else would canon offer one?

03-20-2008, 06:21 PM	#7
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by OniFactor k1xxd cameras don't have onboard wireless PTTL. and an external unit can extend your range, too. why else would canon offer one? I don't think Canon's built-in flashes can do the act-as-controller trick.

03-20-2008, 07:09 PM	#8
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643 Original Poster	Originally posted by mattdm I don't think Canon's built-in flashes can do the act-as-controller trick. well that's... crappy. lol, still, an external controller would be nice..

does anyone use the 200fg?

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