Best Pentax flash...AF200FG!

[sooming]

You won't believe it...but take my word for it. The best flash you can use for Pentax is the lowest priced AF200FG!

I just bought it over an hour ago in Penang...because I've lent my trustworthy Metz 54 to a friend. Actually, I've known this flash to be very accurate for a while, since Harvard has told me, but never really gotten hold of using it. Started as an event photographer for many years, I always believe in getting the most powerful flash (once for all) in my work.

You will be surprised to know that even at direct flash (since you can't bounce this flash anyway), it will resist casting a harsh shadow behind your subject as long as your subject is not too near a wall or something prominent. Exposure is easily controlled with the clock dial, either -0.5 or -1.0eV. Cool! No need to fiddle with the camera control anymore!

Very simple to use, you just need to insert 4 AA batteries, and slot it into your hotshoe, power up and fire away! Oops, before that, just switch the clock dial to Auto if it's not already there. P-TTL works flawlessly with this flash. Keep in mind that this is the most recent flash in the Pentax lineup, so I guess Pentax may have finally perfected its P-TTL programming.

Take this test shot for example...



I deliberately use Mahjong tiles as a test subject since it's highly reflective. As you can see here, it's hardly any hot spot although I'm just about 4ft way...using K20D/DA70 combo with direct flash!

Some may complaint that the Guide No. is too small (just like me!) however, I reckon it will serve as a very reliable backup flash even for event assignments. It should give you a good 300-400 exposures without changing batteries, which is amazing!

I will try it with my Nissin off-shoe adaptor when I get back to KL, testing on near proximity close up/macro shots to further evaluate the performance of i-TTL.

One more note...this flash is so light to carry! Good for traveling too!

Happy Chinese New Year to all my fellow Pentaxians!

~ Wesley ~

[LaRee]

This is excellent news. I wonder if they'd accept a trade in for my 540 & 360 flashes that I struggle with constantly. 

[v3t0]

your link is not correct..remove the http://%22

[Prieni]

LaRee,
you might want to have a look http://www.pentaxuser.co....tax-dSLR-Flash-Guide-9624. MattMatic is a knowledgable guy and though I haven't ordered this guide myself (yet) I'm sure it does contain a lot of gems of wisdom. This should get you going with your AF540 and 360 (I do have the same combo).

Prieni

[sooming]

This is excellent news. I wonder if they'd accept a trade in for my 540 & 360 flashes that I struggle with constantly. 

If you already have the 360 and 540, stick with it. Not worth paying for another one.

[LaRee]

Thank you Prieni. I ordered Matt's guide. I hope it helps!

And sooming, I was just kidding about trading in the flashes. I do get very frustrated at times with them though. I still feel like it is a hit and miss deal using them.

[Prieni]

LaRee, after I wrote that post I did order one as well. Matt is sending them out by email individually so I guess we have to wait until he switches his computer on and reads his mails...

Prieni

[sooming]

Thank you Prieni. I ordered Matt's guide. I hope it helps!

And sooming, I was just kidding about trading in the flashes. I do get very frustrated at times with them though. I still feel like it is a hit and miss deal using them.

Hi LaRee,

To be frank, I never quite like the 540FGZ...I stick to my Metz 54, and using it without TTL, just Auto because the flash sensor is so accurate on the Metz. I get very consistent results with it.

Wes

[Mike Pearson]

Wesley et all,

I too have the AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ and I struggle with my 360 - it has been back to Pentax Canada and recalibrated but is still off on exposure athough not as much. The 540 works much better. I ordered Matt's manual and received it within 24 hours - it is well worth the money particularly with the current exchange rate - I have learned a lot already.

(I miss my AF500FTZ that was superb on TTL.  )

Mike

[LaRee]

I received the pdf very quickly. I don't think it was more than a couple hours. Now I need to dig into reading it. Thank you again for the link Prieni. I sure hope I find some magic answers in there to alleviate my struggles!