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Blue · 11-29-2008, 11:13 PM

Does anyone have the Pentax AF160FC AUTO MACRO RING flash yet? PENTAX AF160FG Auto Macro Ring Flash - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site At $450-500 (close to the price of a K200d body) I would like to here about it from someone. The descriptions etc in the link above doesn't state that it has dual bulbs so that one side or the other can be turned off. That seems odd for a flash at this price point to not have that feature, but it seems like they would mention it in the literature if it did.

Edit: Adorama has it for $449.95 shipped and Amazon has it for $499.95 and some places have it for 599. This compares to $350 to $399 for the Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash for Pentax and $299 plus module for the Promaster Macrolume Digital. The Metz Mecablitz 15 doens't seem to be out yet.

Last edited by Blue; 11-29-2008 at 11:36 PM.

jrforman · 11-30-2008, 05:00 PM

I have the unit on order with Amazon. Both Amazon and Adorama both say that it hasn't been yet released. I know (hope) it should be soon (?).

CertEdFriday · 12-02-2008, 12:59 PM

I have a unit on order here in the uk. Chased it up yesterday with the supplier and was told they are still awaiting delivery from Pentax!

Blue · 12-02-2008, 01:12 PM

Good luck to both of you on those orders being filled soon. I'm looking at the Sigma and Pentax and am interested in the option to turn of one side or other. That's such a standard feature, I can't imagine the Pentax won't have it.

mattdm · 12-02-2008, 02:00 PM

There's another interesting differentiating feature — wireless P-TTL.

The Pentax version can't do this at all.

The Sigma version, however, can be used as a wireless controller, so you can use a second flash to provide light from a different direction.

And the Metz flash actually is designed to work as a wireless slave, using either the built-in flash or a hotshoe-mounted controller. And of course this means you could use a second slave as well.

Blue · 12-02-2008, 02:46 PM

Matt,
You are talking me out of the Pentax . . .

Tom S. · 12-02-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm thinking about the Metz also: Metz mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital Macro Ring Flash Introduced at PhotoPlus Expo | Digital Camera Review

Blue · 12-02-2008, 05:23 PM

I don't have an idea what the Metz will cost but I'm guessing between
45-600 US. Pentax may have screwed up with the pricing vs. features of their flash.

Blue · 12-05-2008, 10:03 PM

Apparently it does have 2 independently controllable bulbs.

Quote:

Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs.

Full description here> Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs.

One would think Pentax would do a better job of describing it in their brochures and web page. So it only lacks the wireless capabilities.

mattdm · 12-06-2008, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by Blue

I don't have an idea what the Metz will cost but I'm guessing between
45-600 US. Pentax may have screwed up with the pricing vs. features of their flash.

Hmmm, where have we heard that before? (*cough* K20D original list price *cough*)

dbh · 12-07-2008, 12:02 PM

The Sigma can also do high speed sync and trailing curtain sync., features useful on occasion. The manual mode allows completely independent setting of each side from full power to 1/64th power or off. There is a multi-strobe mode with power setting from 1/4 down to 1/64 and repetition rate from 1Hz to 100Hz which might also be cool. I want to try that out with water drops sometime.
--
dbh

Blue · 12-08-2008, 09:16 AM

I have decided to go with the Sigma EM140 DG ring flash. The Metz is intriguing to say the least, but I'm betting it will be priced at $150 above the Pentax. I like the look of the Pentax, but the wireless feature on the Sigma and Metz is very interesting.

Edit: When I started this thread, I was leaning towards the Pentax heavily if it had the dual independently controlled bulbs. It does, but the wireless feature influenced my decision. However, it was close for me between the Pentax and Sigma.

I ranked the 4 flashes 3 ways:

Price:

1. Sigma and Promaster were tied
2. Pentax
3. Metz

Features:

1. Metz (slightly ahead of Sigma)
2. Sigma
3. Pentax
4. Promaster Macrolume

Appearence and ergonomics

1. Metz
2. Pentax
3. Sigma
4. Promaster Macrolume

chirpy · 12-08-2008, 09:23 AM

SRS in the UK now have it as expected in January - grr. So much for Pentax shipping it in November.

odyn · 12-09-2008, 05:49 PM

Any idea how these babies would perform with 35mm macro ltd?

Blue · 12-09-2008, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by odyn

Any idea how these babies would perform with 35mm macro ltd?

I'll let you know with the Sigma. I should have it Monday.

11-29-2008, 11:13 PM	#1
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Pentax AF160FC AUTO MACRO RING Does anyone have the Pentax AF160FC AUTO MACRO RING flash yet? PENTAX AF160FG Auto Macro Ring Flash - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site At $450-500 (close to the price of a K200d body) I would like to here about it from someone. The descriptions etc in the link above doesn't state that it has dual bulbs so that one side or the other can be turned off. That seems odd for a flash at this price point to not have that feature, but it seems like they would mention it in the literature if it did. Edit: Adorama has it for $449.95 shipped and Amazon has it for $499.95 and some places have it for 599. This compares to $350 to $399 for the Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash for Pentax and $299 plus module for the Promaster Macrolume Digital. The Metz Mecablitz 15 doens't seem to be out yet. Last edited by Blue; 11-29-2008 at 11:36 PM.

12-08-2008, 09:16 AM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	I have decided to go with the Sigma EM140 DG ring flash. The Metz is intriguing to say the least, but I'm betting it will be priced at $150 above the Pentax. I like the look of the Pentax, but the wireless feature on the Sigma and Metz is very interesting. Edit: When I started this thread, I was leaning towards the Pentax heavily if it had the dual independently controlled bulbs. It does, but the wireless feature influenced my decision. However, it was close for me between the Pentax and Sigma. I ranked the 4 flashes 3 ways: Price: 1. Sigma and Promaster were tied 2. Pentax 3. Metz Features: 1. Metz (slightly ahead of Sigma) 2. Sigma 3. Pentax 4. Promaster Macrolume Appearence and ergonomics 1. Metz 2. Pentax 3. Sigma 4. Promaster Macrolume Last edited by Blue; 12-08-2008 at 09:34 AM.

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11-30-2008, 05:00 PM	#2
jrforman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 202	I have the unit on order with Amazon. Both Amazon and Adorama both say that it hasn't been yet released. I know (hope) it should be soon (?).

12-02-2008, 12:59 PM	#3
CertEdFriday Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK - Somerset Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 175	I have a unit on order here in the uk. Chased it up yesterday with the supplier and was told they are still awaiting delivery from Pentax!

12-02-2008, 01:12 PM	#4
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Good luck to both of you on those orders being filled soon. I'm looking at the Sigma and Pentax and am interested in the option to turn of one side or other. That's such a standard feature, I can't imagine the Pentax won't have it.

12-02-2008, 02:00 PM	#5
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	There's another interesting differentiating feature — wireless P-TTL. The Pentax version can't do this at all. The Sigma version, however, can be used as a wireless controller, so you can use a second flash to provide light from a different direction. And the Metz flash actually is designed to work as a wireless slave, using either the built-in flash or a hotshoe-mounted controller. And of course this means you could use a second slave as well.

12-02-2008, 02:46 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Matt, You are talking me out of the Pentax . . .

12-02-2008, 05:16 PM	#7
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	I'm thinking about the Metz also: Metz mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital Macro Ring Flash Introduced at PhotoPlus Expo \| Digital Camera Review

12-02-2008, 05:23 PM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	I don't have an idea what the Metz will cost but I'm guessing between 45-600 US. Pentax may have screwed up with the pricing vs. features of their flash.

12-05-2008, 10:03 PM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Apparently it does have 2 independently controllable bulbs. Quote: Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs. Full description here> Advanced flash applications, including contrast-control auto flash and independent switching between two flash bulbs. One would think Pentax would do a better job of describing it in their brochures and web page. So it only lacks the wireless capabilities.

12-06-2008, 06:37 AM	#10
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Blue I don't have an idea what the Metz will cost but I'm guessing between 45-600 US. Pentax may have screwed up with the pricing vs. features of their flash. Hmmm, where have we heard that before? (cough K20D original list price cough)

12-07-2008, 12:02 PM	#11
dbh Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton Photos: Gallery Posts: 404	The Sigma can also do high speed sync and trailing curtain sync., features useful on occasion. The manual mode allows completely independent setting of each side from full power to 1/64th power or off. There is a multi-strobe mode with power setting from 1/4 down to 1/64 and repetition rate from 1Hz to 100Hz which might also be cool. I want to try that out with water drops sometime. -- dbh

12-08-2008, 09:23 AM	#13
chirpy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK, Berkshire Posts: 143	SRS in the UK now have it as expected in January - grr. So much for Pentax shipping it in November.

12-09-2008, 05:49 PM	#14
odyn New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 19	Any idea how these babies would perform with 35mm macro ltd?

12-09-2008, 05:55 PM	#15
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377 Original Poster	Originally posted by odyn Any idea how these babies would perform with 35mm macro ltd? I'll let you know with the Sigma. I should have it Monday.