Pentax AF160FC AUTO MACRO RING

falconeye · 02-12-2009, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by John Kovarik

The EUR/$ exrate makes the unit cheaper for you guys than the $449 Adorama price I paid.

It is one world, isn't it? Just as we are used to buy US, Canada or HongKong if it is cheap enough, why wouldn't you buy from EU if cheap enough? Just add a little extra for customs and shipping.

chirpy · 02-13-2009, 04:58 AM

WooHoo! It arrived yesterday.

Initial impressions (also posted on DPR):

1. Very well built with a sturdy construction and quality connections and parts

2. Heavy, but has a very good balance on the K20D

3. Works without any vignetting on the DFA 100mm Macro and the Sigma 180mm Macro - the latter needs an additional 67-72mm step-up ring which I purchase on fleabay for ~£3

4. From my limited testing to date - exposure is spot on. For 1:1 macro work at f/16 I did need to dial in the provided +0.5 power on the dial

5. Slower recharge rate compared to me Metz 48 AF-1

6. Cable might be unwieldy for some, but fine for me

7. Although composed of two flash lights, they almost completely encircle the flash (semi-circular in design) giving a much better (IMHO) reflection that the Sigma or Metz macro flashes (small straight strip flashes) that produce distinct separate bars which (again IMHO) don't look as attractive in 1:1 macro

8. Having 5 settings for full, full-left full-right left and right flash are excellent and allow you to play with different shadow effects

9. Excellent service from SRS as always

Here are a couple of quick and dirty photo's I took this morning in the garden. K20D, ISO100, F/16, 1/180s, Sigma 180mm Macro:

Succulent plant (note the "ring" reflection in the water on the plant - the other light reflections are from the sun):
Succulent on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

A Springtail at 1:1
Orchesella villosa (a Springtail) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

So far I'm happy and can't wait for spring :-)

Blue · 02-13-2009, 03:04 PM

Is that an Entomobryidae in that second photo?

John Kovarik · 02-14-2009, 04:02 AM

One world, maybe but the Adorama price included shipping, and overall though I did not calculate the difference in actual terms I am content that I didn't overpay by any too much........

John Kovarik · 02-14-2009, 04:11 AM

Good shots! Glad to hear about the step-up ring for the 180, as I plan to get one of those soon. What flash/camera settings did you use for the pix?

falconeye · 02-14-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by John Kovarik

I didn't overpay by any too much........

You're right. 379 vs. 449 may become 429 vs. 449 after shipping and customs and the difference may become insignificant.

John Kovarik · 02-15-2009, 07:36 AM

BTW Jonathon, don't you mean a 'step-down' ring for the S 180? The lens is 72mm filter size and the PTX max ring is 67mm.............just wondering.........

chirpy · 02-16-2009, 03:36 AM

Sorry, yes a step-down ring, 72-67mm

MikeW · 03-28-2009, 06:51 PM

Here are some of my first photos with my AF160FC on my K10D and DFA 100/2.8. Thanks to everyone in another thread who steered me away from a Promaster unit. The Pentax flash may cost more, but I am very pleased with it.

Winter Aconite

Japanese Kokeshi Dolls

Scilla Siberica

odyn · 04-10-2009, 05:04 AM

Can anyone tell me if/how this flash performs with DA 35mm limited?

Blue · 04-10-2009, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by odyn

Can anyone tell me if/how this flash performs with DA 35mm limited?

I ended up getting the Sigma EM-140 so I can't say about the Pentax flash. However, I have no problems with my Da 35mm using the Sigma. I did have to get a ring for it, actually a step up ring (49mm to 55mm). I'll try to give more details tonight or over the weekend.

8540tomg · 08-02-2009, 09:13 PM

There haven't been any posts regarding the new Pentax AF160FC ring light since last April. How is it working for those who have one?

Tom G

chirpy · 08-03-2009, 03:16 AM

I've posted threads in "Post your photo's" mentioning my use of the AF160FC twice since.

wll · 08-03-2009, 06:25 AM

Looks like the Metz is a lot lighter than the sigma, but how does it perform. Anybody test both ?

wll

brecklundin · 08-03-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Tri State's reseller rating is less than stellar. TriState Camera, Video and Computers - tristatecamera.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings I'm wondering if they actually have those Metz in stock and if the have the one for the Pentax. They are coming in cheaper than I thought they would. I was making my guess based on the Metz 58 pricing.

Despite TriState's low rating on Reseller Ratings, I have bought from them via both eBay and Amazon where the service was excellent...no upselling calls or suddenly 'out of stock' items after you fail to be 'upsold'...as always YMMV, I find all of the less than stellar sellers are good to seal with when using a third party site like eBay and Amazon...often I find a better price on Amazon or eBay too...

Otherwise, about the flash ring on the 35mm...that will be the funniest thing ever!! I was shopping for a macro flash and stopped because I only have the 35mm macro right now and well, for a 1:1 macro I am 1-2" from the subject...whateverI shoot my just burst into flames at that distance when hit with a flash.

Looking forward to seeing how the Sigma does for ya! It was the one I narrowed things down to as well.

02-13-2009, 04:58 AM	#47
chirpy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK, Berkshire Posts: 143	WooHoo! It arrived yesterday. Initial impressions (also posted on DPR): 1. Very well built with a sturdy construction and quality connections and parts 2. Heavy, but has a very good balance on the K20D 3. Works without any vignetting on the DFA 100mm Macro and the Sigma 180mm Macro - the latter needs an additional 67-72mm step-up ring which I purchase on fleabay for ~£3 4. From my limited testing to date - exposure is spot on. For 1:1 macro work at f/16 I did need to dial in the provided +0.5 power on the dial 5. Slower recharge rate compared to me Metz 48 AF-1 6. Cable might be unwieldy for some, but fine for me 7. Although composed of two flash lights, they almost completely encircle the flash (semi-circular in design) giving a much better (IMHO) reflection that the Sigma or Metz macro flashes (small straight strip flashes) that produce distinct separate bars which (again IMHO) don't look as attractive in 1:1 macro 8. Having 5 settings for full, full-left full-right left and right flash are excellent and allow you to play with different shadow effects 9. Excellent service from SRS as always Here are a couple of quick and dirty photo's I took this morning in the garden. K20D, ISO100, F/16, 1/180s, Sigma 180mm Macro: Succulent plant (note the "ring" reflection in the water on the plant - the other light reflections are from the sun): Succulent on Flickr - Photo Sharing! A Springtail at 1:1 Orchesella villosa (a Springtail) on Flickr - Photo Sharing! So far I'm happy and can't wait for spring :-) Last edited by chirpy; 02-13-2009 at 05:04 AM.

03-28-2009, 06:51 PM	#54
MikeW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	Got mine! (AF160FC) Here are some of my first photos with my AF160FC on my K10D and DFA 100/2.8. Thanks to everyone in another thread who steered me away from a Promaster unit. The Pentax flash may cost more, but I am very pleased with it. Winter Aconite Japanese Kokeshi Dolls Scilla Siberica

08-02-2009, 09:13 PM	#57
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Af160fc There haven't been any posts regarding the new Pentax AF160FC ring light since last April. How is it working for those who have one? Tom G

08-03-2009, 06:25 AM	#59
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	Anybody using the Metz ? Looks like the Metz is a lot lighter than the sigma, but how does it perform. Anybody test both ? wll

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02-12-2009, 05:38 AM	#46
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by John Kovarik The EUR/$ exrate makes the unit cheaper for you guys than the $449 Adorama price I paid. It is one world, isn't it? Just as we are used to buy US, Canada or HongKong if it is cheap enough, why wouldn't you buy from EU if cheap enough? Just add a little extra for customs and shipping.

02-13-2009, 03:04 PM	#48
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Is that an Entomobryidae in that second photo?

02-14-2009, 04:02 AM	#49
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	One world, maybe but the Adorama price included shipping, and overall though I did not calculate the difference in actual terms I am content that I didn't overpay by any too much........

02-14-2009, 04:11 AM	#50
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	Good shots! Glad to hear about the step-up ring for the 180, as I plan to get one of those soon. What flash/camera settings did you use for the pix?

02-14-2009, 09:46 AM	#51
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by John Kovarik I didn't overpay by any too much........ You're right. 379 vs. 449 may become 429 vs. 449 after shipping and customs and the difference may become insignificant.

02-15-2009, 07:36 AM	#52
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	BTW Jonathon, don't you mean a 'step-down' ring for the S 180? The lens is 72mm filter size and the PTX max ring is 67mm.............just wondering.........

02-16-2009, 03:36 AM	#53
chirpy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK, Berkshire Posts: 143	Sorry, yes a step-down ring, 72-67mm

04-10-2009, 05:04 AM	#55
odyn New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 19	Can anyone tell me if/how this flash performs with DA 35mm limited?

04-10-2009, 12:23 PM	#56
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Originally posted by odyn Can anyone tell me if/how this flash performs with DA 35mm limited? I ended up getting the Sigma EM-140 so I can't say about the Pentax flash. However, I have no problems with my Da 35mm using the Sigma. I did have to get a ring for it, actually a step up ring (49mm to 55mm). I'll try to give more details tonight or over the weekend.

08-03-2009, 03:16 AM	#58
chirpy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK, Berkshire Posts: 143	I've posted threads in "Post your photo's" mentioning my use of the AF160FC twice since.

08-03-2009, 11:08 AM	#60
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Originally posted by Blue Tri State's reseller rating is less than stellar. TriState Camera, Video and Computers - tristatecamera.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings I'm wondering if they actually have those Metz in stock and if the have the one for the Pentax. They are coming in cheaper than I thought they would. I was making my guess based on the Metz 58 pricing. Despite TriState's low rating on Reseller Ratings, I have bought from them via both eBay and Amazon where the service was excellent...no upselling calls or suddenly 'out of stock' items after you fail to be 'upsold'...as always YMMV, I find all of the less than stellar sellers are good to seal with when using a third party site like eBay and Amazon...often I find a better price on Amazon or eBay too... Otherwise, about the flash ring on the 35mm...that will be the funniest thing ever!! I was shopping for a macro flash and stopped because I only have the 35mm macro right now and well, for a 1:1 macro I am 1-2" from the subject...whateverI shoot my just burst into flames at that distance when hit with a flash. Looking forward to seeing how the Sigma does for ya! It was the one I narrowed things down to as well.