One AF-540 or Two AF-360...

dangie · 03-24-2008, 03:28 AM

A quick question.
For those who know more about flash photography than I do (and that's most of you) if you had the choice would you buy one AF-540 flashgun or two AF-360 flashguns as the cost from Amazon would be roughly the same.

leadbelly · 03-24-2008, 06:34 AM

If I'll be using the flashes off-cam most of the time, I'll go for the two 360's. But if I intend to use the flash on-cam most of the time (no need for two flashguns then, and swivel can be a HUGE factor) I'll go for the 540.

In my case, I got the 540. For strobist and studio work, I invested on a cheap Nikon SB-28 and a White Lightning Ultrazap 1600.

jmdeegan · 03-24-2008, 08:24 AM

dont lock yourself into the pentax gear.

i have a 360

i also have a vivitar flash

and if i could do it all over again, i might even dump the pentax for a 2nd vivitar, for 2 reasons

1-a lot cheaper
2-i don't use either a ton
3-i think the viv is just as good, and for me i think the dial is simpler than the lcd and all the adjustments of the 360.

dangie · 03-24-2008, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the replies,
I should have added that I "only" have the *istDL2 at present, so using the inbuilt flash to wirelessly trigger an external flash is not an option, as the preflash sets off the external flash before the shutter opens. That was really why I was wondering if two AF-360's would give me more flexibility. I would like the swivel option on the 540, but how much I would actually use it I don't know.
I have quite a few old manual flashguns and small slave trigger sensor. If I could use those with the DL2 with a 540 or 360 on the camera that would be just the job.

Buddha Jones · 04-02-2008, 11:49 AM

The title should read "One AF540 and two AF360's" and the answer would be yes

FastPhotography · 04-04-2008, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

The title should read "One AF540 and two AF360's" and the answer would be yes

hehehehe

as for you, dangie, get two af-360's. no doubt. you can do SO much more with 2 flashes than 1. you'll end up getting a remote trigger and you'll get into strobist-style stuff in no time. i had no idea i would

03-24-2008, 03:28 AM	#1
dangie New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Staffordshire England Posts: 16	One AF-540 or Two AF-360... A quick question. For those who know more about flash photography than I do (and that's most of you) if you had the choice would you buy one AF-540 flashgun or two AF-360 flashguns as the cost from Amazon would be roughly the same.

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03-24-2008, 06:34 AM	#2
leadbelly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 597	If I'll be using the flashes off-cam most of the time, I'll go for the two 360's. But if I intend to use the flash on-cam most of the time (no need for two flashguns then, and swivel can be a HUGE factor) I'll go for the 540. In my case, I got the 540. For strobist and studio work, I invested on a cheap Nikon SB-28 and a White Lightning Ultrazap 1600.

03-24-2008, 08:24 AM	#3
jmdeegan Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nyc Photos: Gallery Posts: 564	dont lock yourself into the pentax gear. i have a 360 i also have a vivitar flash and if i could do it all over again, i might even dump the pentax for a 2nd vivitar, for 2 reasons 1-a lot cheaper 2-i don't use either a ton 3-i think the viv is just as good, and for me i think the dial is simpler than the lcd and all the adjustments of the 360.

03-24-2008, 09:32 AM	#4
dangie New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Staffordshire England Posts: 16 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies, I should have added that I "only" have the *istDL2 at present, so using the inbuilt flash to wirelessly trigger an external flash is not an option, as the preflash sets off the external flash before the shutter opens. That was really why I was wondering if two AF-360's would give me more flexibility. I would like the swivel option on the 540, but how much I would actually use it I don't know. I have quite a few old manual flashguns and small slave trigger sensor. If I could use those with the DL2 with a 540 or 360 on the camera that would be just the job.

04-02-2008, 11:49 AM	#5
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	The title should read "One AF540 and two AF360's" and the answer would be yes

04-04-2008, 09:28 PM	#6
FastPhotography Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kansas, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 123	Originally posted by Buddha Jones The title should read "One AF540 and two AF360's" and the answer would be yes hehehehe as for you, dangie, get two af-360's. no doubt. you can do SO much more with 2 flashes than 1. you'll end up getting a remote trigger and you'll get into strobist-style stuff in no time. i had no idea i would