360 vs. 540?

MidwestMax · 10-10-2008, 11:19 AM

Aside from having more reach, what does the AF 540 FGZ flash feature over the AF 360 FGZ? Is it worth paying twice the price of the 360? I'd be using it mostly for concerts/indoor events. Thanks.

SpecialK · 10-10-2008, 11:04 PM

More power and swivel head with the 540. Manuals are available here:

Pentax Imaging

MidwestMax · 10-11-2008, 07:19 AM

The swivel head of the 540 seems like a cool feature, but I'm not sure how often I'd use it. I just need a bounce head. And the more compact size of the 360 is appealing. Has anyone had experience with either or both?

marlon · 10-11-2008, 09:28 AM

ive got the 360, occasionally, once in a blue, I wish i had a swivel head. But I use bounce flash more often, the rest of the time I use it for macro. And it's a bright little fella.

deuces · 10-11-2008, 02:12 PM

I think it's missing some wireless mode as well. Hm. I think it can't act as wireless commander.

MidwestMax · 10-11-2008, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the feedback, Marlon. I'm probably going to end up going with the 360, but I'm still curious if anyone has used both and if they prefer one of the two.

MidwestMax · 10-11-2008, 02:24 PM

Also, the Sigma EF-530 seems like another option. Has anyone used that?

**rogerstg** · 10-11-2008, 02:50 PM

IMO, the swivel head makes a big difference. You can bounce off walls to the sides or behind instead of just up or out. I use the swivel head for probably 90% of indoor shots.

Also, for concerts you'll appreciate the extra reach of added power.

MidwestMax · 10-11-2008, 04:30 PM

rogerstg: good points. Maybe down the line the swivel head and extra power will come in handy.

Although in some reviews I've noticed people complain about the 540 getting "stuck" in certain modes. Has anyone here experienced that problem?

**rogerstg** · 10-12-2008, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by MidwestMax

Although in some reviews I've noticed people complain about the 540 getting "stuck" in certain modes. Has anyone here experienced that problem?

It's happened to me, but has always been user error. For example, it was once stuck in 13mm in auto zoom mode, regardless of the zoom position of the lens. It turned out to be that I left the built in diffuser deployed, which apparently stops the flash from zooming (makes sense).

SpecialK · 10-12-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

The swivel head of the 540 seems like a cool feature, but I'm not sure how often I'd use it. I just need a bounce head.

In portrait orientation, the swivel head becomes the bounce head.

I use mine flash so infrequently I have to look at the manual everytime. Seriously. I have to look again today why I could not get it to work yesterday. It usually is something simple, though, but still, it's frustrating...

Meredith · 10-12-2008, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by deuces

I think it's missing some wireless mode as well. Hm. I think it can't act as wireless commander.

The 360 does indeed allow wireless use.

**barondla** · 10-12-2008, 06:39 PM

Have had both. Kept the 540. I know of no modes that the 540 has that the 360 doesn't. One advantage that no one has mentioned is the 540 has a ttl port on its side. You don't have to buy/use the adapter foot for the flash end of the ttl cable. Will probably pick up another 360 to use as 2nd wireless flash with 540.

thanks
barondla

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MidwestMax · 10-12-2008, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the feedback everybody.

barondla: since you've used both, how heavy is the 540? Is it a lot bulkier than the 360? Or is it pretty manageable?

**barondla** · 10-14-2008, 03:29 PM

Would say the 540 is about 30% larger and 30% heavier than 360. It is a fair difference. Only disadvantage found using 540 is it sits higher on camera for macro shots. Sometimes branches/leaves block it when working in close. It takes a bigger opening in the vegatation to follow bugs.
It does fit my Lepp flash beamer for wildlife better. Incredible range with that on.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #11 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #12. Any brand camera. Any subject. Enter now!

10-12-2008, 10:25 AM	#10
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by MidwestMax Although in some reviews I've noticed people complain about the 540 getting "stuck" in certain modes. Has anyone here experienced that problem? It's happened to me, but has always been user error. For example, it was once stuck in 13mm in auto zoom mode, regardless of the zoom position of the lens. It turned out to be that I left the built in diffuser deployed, which apparently stops the flash from zooming (makes sense). Last edited by rogerstg; 10-14-2008 at 03:43 PM.

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10-10-2008, 11:19 AM	#1
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	360 vs. 540? Aside from having more reach, what does the AF 540 FGZ flash feature over the AF 360 FGZ? Is it worth paying twice the price of the 360? I'd be using it mostly for concerts/indoor events. Thanks.

10-10-2008, 11:04 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	More power and swivel head with the 540. Manuals are available here: Pentax Imaging

10-11-2008, 07:19 AM	#3
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199 Original Poster	The swivel head of the 540 seems like a cool feature, but I'm not sure how often I'd use it. I just need a bounce head. And the more compact size of the 360 is appealing. Has anyone had experience with either or both?

10-11-2008, 09:28 AM	#4
marlon Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 232	ive got the 360, occasionally, once in a blue, I wish i had a swivel head. But I use bounce flash more often, the rest of the time I use it for macro. And it's a bright little fella.

10-11-2008, 02:12 PM	#5
deuces Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	I think it's missing some wireless mode as well. Hm. I think it can't act as wireless commander.

10-11-2008, 02:21 PM	#6
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback, Marlon. I'm probably going to end up going with the 360, but I'm still curious if anyone has used both and if they prefer one of the two.

10-11-2008, 02:24 PM	#7
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199 Original Poster	Also, the Sigma EF-530 seems like another option. Has anyone used that?

10-11-2008, 02:50 PM	#8
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	IMO, the swivel head makes a big difference. You can bounce off walls to the sides or behind instead of just up or out. I use the swivel head for probably 90% of indoor shots. Also, for concerts you'll appreciate the extra reach of added power.

10-11-2008, 04:30 PM	#9
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199 Original Poster	rogerstg: good points. Maybe down the line the swivel head and extra power will come in handy. Although in some reviews I've noticed people complain about the 540 getting "stuck" in certain modes. Has anyone here experienced that problem?

10-12-2008, 11:03 AM	#11
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: The swivel head of the 540 seems like a cool feature, but I'm not sure how often I'd use it. I just need a bounce head. In portrait orientation, the swivel head becomes the bounce head. I use mine flash so infrequently I have to look at the manual everytime. Seriously. I have to look again today why I could not get it to work yesterday. It usually is something simple, though, but still, it's frustrating...

10-12-2008, 02:27 PM	#12
Meredith Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tennesse Posts: 56	Originally posted by deuces I think it's missing some wireless mode as well. Hm. I think it can't act as wireless commander. The 360 does indeed allow wireless use.

10-12-2008, 06:39 PM	#13
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Have had both. Kept the 540. I know of no modes that the 540 has that the 360 doesn't. One advantage that no one has mentioned is the 540 has a ttl port on its side. You don't have to buy/use the adapter foot for the flash end of the ttl cable. Will probably pick up another 360 to use as 2nd wireless flash with 540. thanks barondla Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #11 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #12. Any brand camera. Any subject. Enter now!

10-12-2008, 08:38 PM	#14
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199 Original Poster	Thanks for the feedback everybody. barondla: since you've used both, how heavy is the 540? Is it a lot bulkier than the 360? Or is it pretty manageable?

10-14-2008, 03:29 PM	#15
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	Would say the 540 is about 30% larger and 30% heavier than 360. It is a fair difference. Only disadvantage found using 540 is it sits higher on camera for macro shots. Sometimes branches/leaves block it when working in close. It takes a bigger opening in the vegatation to follow bugs. It does fit my Lepp flash beamer for wildlife better. Incredible range with that on. thanks barondla Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #11 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #12. Any brand camera. Any subject. Enter now!