Is the Pentax AF200FG worth $50?

SuperAkuma · 05-15-2009, 03:42 PM

Currently I have the Pentax K20D and the K100D. I also have the Sigma 530DG super flash. At ritz, they have the Pentax AF200FG for $45+tax. Is that flash worth $50 even if I have the Sigma 530DG super? Can the AF200FG be used in any other way besides mounted on the camera?

Ratmagiclady · 05-15-2009, 09:11 PM

Hrm. Well, it's a fair price, I suppose. (wondering if Ritzes and Wolfs that aren't closing are sharing some of these deals: the store nearest here isn't closing, but I mightn't be above getting one, myself, they don't do much fancy, but they've got the virtue of being small and having a handy turn-it-down dial. (too bad there's no AF beam.)

Might just do some calling around, though, any of the three units could be of use, and I haven't been prepared to pay the full price.

SuperAkuma · 05-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

Hrm. Well, it's a fair price, I suppose. (wondering if Ritzes and Wolfs that aren't closing are sharing some of these deals: the store nearest here isn't closing, but I mightn't be above getting one, myself, they don't do much fancy, but they've got the virtue of being small and having a handy turn-it-down dial. (too bad there's no AF beam.)

Might just do some calling around, though, any of the three units could be of use, and I haven't been prepared to pay the full price.

My local Ritz had 3 of them on hand. If the AF200FG is only good for on camera flash I will pass on it. I don't know much about flashes so I don't know what other use it could be used for.

SOldBear · 05-15-2009, 09:33 PM

If you just need a small flash more powerful than the built-in to carry around then it's a decent deal.

But IMHO, it's too limited: only P-TTL/TTL and full-power manual, no auto, no variable output, no wireless, no high-speed. I'd rather use that $50 for, say, an old Pentax AF280T or even AF200T.

Maybe it's just me. I don't trust P-TTL and don't use it unless when I absolutely have to. I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ.

res3567 · 05-16-2009, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Maybe it's just me. I don't trust P-TTL and don't use it unless when I absolutely have to. I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ.

How do you a like that flash?

mattdm · 05-17-2009, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

If you just need a small flash more powerful than the built-in to carry around then it's a decent deal.

But IMHO, it's too limited: only P-TTL/TTL and full-power manual, no auto, no variable output, no wireless, no high-speed. I'd rather use that $50 for, say, an old Pentax AF280T or even AF200T.

I agree (although I don't generally share your misgivings about P-TTL, more options would always be good). I wish Pentax would put wireless P-TTL in an updated version of this flash (and still keep it priced at around $100). Oh, and add an AF assist light. As it is now, it's not worth anything to me — if I could use it as a supplemental wireless flash, I'd probably buy two.

Since even the K2000 can use the built-in flash as a wireless controller, it'd make sense for Pentax to play into that strength.

Ratmagiclady · 05-17-2009, 09:13 PM

I wonder if that Metx 36 AF-4's started to appear anywhere in the US, yet, Matt: given it has the AF assist beam, it looks like a pretty good alternative, there, though it seems Ritz is selling off all these Pentax units, anyway, it might be a good time to take advantage of the situation and get one of the fancier units, anyway.

mikeSF · 05-17-2009, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by SuperAkuma

Currently I have the Pentax K20D and the K100D. I also have the Sigma 530DG super flash. At ritz, they have the Pentax AF200FG for $45+tax. Is that flash worth $50 even if I have the Sigma 530DG super? Can the AF200FG be used in any other way besides mounted on the camera?

are they blowing out any other flash models at Ritz?

SuperAkuma · 05-17-2009, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

are they blowing out any other flash models at Ritz?

Yes but nothing else for Pentax

mikeSF · 05-17-2009, 10:28 PM

thanks. i have the AF200FG and am thinking i'd like to upgrade to something else.

05-15-2009, 03:42 PM	#1
SuperAkuma Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 445	Is the Pentax AF200FG worth $50? Currently I have the Pentax K20D and the K100D. I also have the Sigma 530DG super flash. At ritz, they have the Pentax AF200FG for $45+tax. Is that flash worth $50 even if I have the Sigma 530DG super? Can the AF200FG be used in any other way besides mounted on the camera?

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05-15-2009, 09:11 PM	#2
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Hrm. Well, it's a fair price, I suppose. (wondering if Ritzes and Wolfs that aren't closing are sharing some of these deals: the store nearest here isn't closing, but I mightn't be above getting one, myself, they don't do much fancy, but they've got the virtue of being small and having a handy turn-it-down dial. (too bad there's no AF beam.) Might just do some calling around, though, any of the three units could be of use, and I haven't been prepared to pay the full price.

05-15-2009, 09:17 PM	#3
SuperAkuma Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 445 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady Hrm. Well, it's a fair price, I suppose. (wondering if Ritzes and Wolfs that aren't closing are sharing some of these deals: the store nearest here isn't closing, but I mightn't be above getting one, myself, they don't do much fancy, but they've got the virtue of being small and having a handy turn-it-down dial. (too bad there's no AF beam.) Might just do some calling around, though, any of the three units could be of use, and I haven't been prepared to pay the full price. My local Ritz had 3 of them on hand. If the AF200FG is only good for on camera flash I will pass on it. I don't know much about flashes so I don't know what other use it could be used for.

05-15-2009, 09:33 PM	#4
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	If you just need a small flash more powerful than the built-in to carry around then it's a decent deal. But IMHO, it's too limited: only P-TTL/TTL and full-power manual, no auto, no variable output, no wireless, no high-speed. I'd rather use that $50 for, say, an old Pentax AF280T or even AF200T. Maybe it's just me. I don't trust P-TTL and don't use it unless when I absolutely have to. I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ.

05-16-2009, 07:12 PM	#5
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Originally posted by SOldBear Maybe it's just me. I don't trust P-TTL and don't use it unless when I absolutely have to. I do have a Pentax AF540FGZ. How do you a like that flash?

05-17-2009, 04:43 AM	#6
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by SOldBear If you just need a small flash more powerful than the built-in to carry around then it's a decent deal. But IMHO, it's too limited: only P-TTL/TTL and full-power manual, no auto, no variable output, no wireless, no high-speed. I'd rather use that $50 for, say, an old Pentax AF280T or even AF200T. I agree (although I don't generally share your misgivings about P-TTL, more options would always be good). I wish Pentax would put wireless P-TTL in an updated version of this flash (and still keep it priced at around $100). Oh, and add an AF assist light. As it is now, it's not worth anything to me — if I could use it as a supplemental wireless flash, I'd probably buy two. Since even the K2000 can use the built-in flash as a wireless controller, it'd make sense for Pentax to play into that strength.

05-17-2009, 09:13 PM	#7
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	I wonder if that Metx 36 AF-4's started to appear anywhere in the US, yet, Matt: given it has the AF assist beam, it looks like a pretty good alternative, there, though it seems Ritz is selling off all these Pentax units, anyway, it might be a good time to take advantage of the situation and get one of the fancier units, anyway.

05-17-2009, 09:16 PM	#8
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by SuperAkuma Currently I have the Pentax K20D and the K100D. I also have the Sigma 530DG super flash. At ritz, they have the Pentax AF200FG for $45+tax. Is that flash worth $50 even if I have the Sigma 530DG super? Can the AF200FG be used in any other way besides mounted on the camera? are they blowing out any other flash models at Ritz?

05-17-2009, 10:13 PM	#9
SuperAkuma Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 445 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikeSF are they blowing out any other flash models at Ritz? Yes but nothing else for Pentax

05-17-2009, 10:28 PM	#10
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	thanks. i have the AF200FG and am thinking i'd like to upgrade to something else.

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