Which flash

pakuchn · 12-17-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me.

Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby

matiki · 12-17-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me.

Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby

As one amateur to another, I lament purchasing the 360 instead of the 540.

The lack of a swivel head, and less reach (power) have posed challenges.

I'm sure there's other reasons to pick the 540 over the 360 that I haven't mentioned, but those are the two I constantly encounter.

Russell-Evans · 12-17-2009, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me.

Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby

The lack of swivel on the flash head and the inability to turn off the auto power off feature are to things to take note of. The less power of the output probably isn't as much of an issue.

There are off brand choices that have their own drawbacks and advantages as well. You might want to look here to get up to speed on the different options,
Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: The Definitive Guide

Thank you
Russell

pakuchn · 12-17-2009, 06:25 PM

Thank you for your reply. Pentax flashes are expensive.
WOW

Ratmagiclady · 12-17-2009, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by pakuchn

Thank you for your reply. Pentax flashes are expensive.
WOW

Camera-maker brand ones always are, when they're current.

ScottRay · 12-17-2009, 08:45 PM

I just bought a Metz 48 AF (for Pentax) to go with my new K-x. Excellent build quality, similar power to the Pentax AF360, but has tilt and swivel head. It was on sale at B&H for $200 - a great value! It works fine on p-ttl mode with the K-x shutter set to 1/180. I'm also using a DIY diffuser (DIY Gary Fong Lightsphere) and getting good results for family pictures. The diffuser really cuts out the harsh shadows typical of direct or bounce flash. I just got this kit about a week ago and haven't yet tried the more advanced settings.

pakuchn · 12-17-2009, 08:53 PM

Thanks for the info Scott. Great price.

**Ash** · 12-17-2009, 09:13 PM

Enjoy shopping for one - indeed the bounce and swivel functions are more useful than you may first think. The Pentax 540 seems to excel in most aspects, notably wireless function, and is worthwhile thinking about.

It will be more expensive, but it is priced at what I believe it is worth.

pakuchn · 12-17-2009, 09:45 PM

Thanks Ash. And I really like your Flickr albums.

PentaJP · 12-18-2009, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by pakuchn

I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me.

Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby

If you do lots of indoor shots and use the portrait format (I mean holding
the camera sideways), you would want to get a 540. 540, unlike 360, has
the swivel function and allows for the bounce flash in the portrait format.
I recently bought an used 540 because of this reason although I have two
360 flashes. I am really liking my 540 on my K20D. The only drawback,
well besides the high price tag, is that this flash is too big for smaller
bodies like K-x and K-m.

bdery · 12-18-2009, 06:18 AM

If you want to save money, you could look for an AF280T. It's a Pentax flash that works perfectly in auto mode, it swivels in every direction, and it's very reliable. You can usually find one for about 40$. It won't work in PTTL nor offer wireless options, and it's not as powerful as the 540, but it's still a very, very good start.

flyer · 12-18-2009, 12:09 PM

Sigma has decent flashes for the price. The EF 530 DG Super cost about the same as a Pentax 360, but it has more power, tilt and swivel.

Ben Hunt · 12-19-2009, 05:40 AM

Consider looking at the Metz 48, more power than the 360 and atilt/swivel flash head.

a ton of features, supports Pttl, HSS, wireless but only in slave. cannot use as a commander/master

GerryL · 12-22-2009, 10:33 AM

Get the Vivitar, Rokinon, Bower, or Digital Concepts brand..all the same banana made by a company called Tumax.
All work perfectly P-TTL, albeit without wireless capability.
If you don't need wireless, then these guys have bounce, swivel, and a motorized zoom head.
Has all the manual settings too!
Very cheap compared to the other brands..works for me!

pakuchn · 12-22-2009, 11:12 AM

Well, let me ask you, do all the Pentax camera models offer wireless flash option?

12-17-2009, 02:36 PM	#1
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166	Which flash I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me. Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby

12-17-2009, 08:45 PM	#6
ScottRay New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 9	Suggest Metz 48 or 58 I just bought a Metz 48 AF (for Pentax) to go with my new K-x. Excellent build quality, similar power to the Pentax AF360, but has tilt and swivel head. It was on sale at B&H for $200 - a great value! It works fine on p-ttl mode with the K-x shutter set to 1/180. I'm also using a DIY diffuser (DIY Gary Fong Lightsphere) and getting good results for family pictures. The diffuser really cuts out the harsh shadows typical of direct or bounce flash. I just got this kit about a week ago and haven't yet tried the more advanced settings.

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12-17-2009, 02:53 PM	#2
matiki Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 393	Originally posted by pakuchn I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me. Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby As one amateur to another, I lament purchasing the 360 instead of the 540. The lack of a swivel head, and less reach (power) have posed challenges. I'm sure there's other reasons to pick the 540 over the 360 that I haven't mentioned, but those are the two I constantly encounter.

12-17-2009, 06:15 PM	#3
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by pakuchn I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me. Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby The lack of swivel on the flash head and the inability to turn off the auto power off feature are to things to take note of. The less power of the output probably isn't as much of an issue. There are off brand choices that have their own drawbacks and advantages as well. You might want to look here to get up to speed on the different options, Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: The Definitive Guide Thank you Russell

12-17-2009, 06:25 PM	#4
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thank you for your reply. Pentax flashes are expensive. WOW

12-17-2009, 07:10 PM	#5
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by pakuchn Thank you for your reply. Pentax flashes are expensive. WOW Camera-maker brand ones always are, when they're current.

12-17-2009, 08:53 PM	#7
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks for the info Scott. Great price.

12-17-2009, 09:13 PM	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Enjoy shopping for one - indeed the bounce and swivel functions are more useful than you may first think. The Pentax 540 seems to excel in most aspects, notably wireless function, and is worthwhile thinking about. It will be more expensive, but it is priced at what I believe it is worth.

12-17-2009, 09:45 PM	#9
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks Ash. And I really like your Flickr albums.

12-18-2009, 02:30 AM	#10
PentaJP Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 83	Originally posted by pakuchn I'm not an expert, but when getting a flash between Pentax AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, what type of questions should I ask myself to determine which flash is best for me. Main use: family events. I'm not a pro, this is just as a hubby If you do lots of indoor shots and use the portrait format (I mean holding the camera sideways), you would want to get a 540. 540, unlike 360, has the swivel function and allows for the bounce flash in the portrait format. I recently bought an used 540 because of this reason although I have two 360 flashes. I am really liking my 540 on my K20D. The only drawback, well besides the high price tag, is that this flash is too big for smaller bodies like K-x and K-m.

12-18-2009, 06:18 AM	#11
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	If you want to save money, you could look for an AF280T. It's a Pentax flash that works perfectly in auto mode, it swivels in every direction, and it's very reliable. You can usually find one for about 40$. It won't work in PTTL nor offer wireless options, and it's not as powerful as the 540, but it's still a very, very good start.

12-18-2009, 12:09 PM	#12
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Sigma has decent flashes for the price. The EF 530 DG Super cost about the same as a Pentax 360, but it has more power, tilt and swivel.

12-19-2009, 05:40 AM	#13
Ben Hunt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 147	Consider looking at the Metz 48, more power than the 360 and atilt/swivel flash head. a ton of features, supports Pttl, HSS, wireless but only in slave. cannot use as a commander/master

12-22-2009, 10:33 AM	#14
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Get the Vivitar, Rokinon, Bower, or Digital Concepts brand..all the same banana made by a company called Tumax. All work perfectly P-TTL, albeit without wireless capability. If you don't need wireless, then these guys have bounce, swivel, and a motorized zoom head. Has all the manual settings too! Very cheap compared to the other brands..works for me!

12-22-2009, 11:12 AM	#15
pakuchn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 166 Original Poster	Well, let me ask you, do all the Pentax camera models offer wireless flash option?