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Pentax AF360 Flash

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Nelson Diogo

Nelson Diogo

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I just bought this flash but the reports about the flimsy battery door don't get out of my head. But for the price (about 160eur) I don't see anything better. The features seems right to my needs, althought the sweelling head would be nice.

So is the door really a concern ? Can it open by itself just by handling the camera ?

I was watching the Pentax video tutorial at pentaximaging.com and the door on the AF360 was not properly closed and alligned...

--
http://flickr.com/neldiogo

 
I've never had any problems with the door. It opens and closes just fine and stays securely closed during any photo shoot.

If you think you're going to miss the swivel head then you probably will. So, you might want to consider the AF540 instead.

--
Allan in Colorado, USA
 
I don't think I would use the swelling head alot to justify almost 2x the price over the AF360. I also like the smaller size over the AF540. Maybe one day I will feel the need for a upgrade and then the AF360 can work as a off camera flash.
Tks for the reply

--
http://flickr.com/neldiogo

 
Hey Nelson,

I have the 360 flash as well, and have never had a problem with the battery door. Actually, never had any problems with this flash, works very well. As you, I did not feel the need to go with the 540 for 2x the price, the 360 is complex enough for my needs! :)

I even used it outside at -15C and no problems. A bit longer to recharge the flash, but that's the batteries not the flash! :)

Regards,
--
MPOC
 
I used this flash for many years, carry it with me all the time, never had problem with the battery door opening. twice out of hundreds of uses the flash didn't charge, and a slight press on the battery door made things work.

I bought a 2nd one of these recently for master/slave wireless use. (Even though I already had 5 other flashes).

I also have a Pentax swivel flash, but only used the swivel function twice in a thousand uses. When I want to point the flash behind me, I prefer wireless mode, or use a flash extension cable.

I broke the flash hotshoe once (dropped it), and it was very easy to order a replacement part from Pentax and fix the flash myself.

I can think of several things I'd like Pentax to change if they make another flash, but I think of the current flashes available for Pentax, this is the best.

Russ
 
I've never had any problems with the door. It is a strange type of door, but works just fine for me.

I have both the 360 and 540, actually prefer the 360 for its size and accuracy compared to my 540. If I had to keep only one, it would be the 360.
--
'This is more serious than I thought.....but it is still fun!
http://www.pbase.com/rupertdog Take a look- It's Free!
 
I'm a newbie when it comes to flashes so be patient with this questions.
I was quite amazed with this sentence

"Effective flash range for the AF-360 is from 2.3 to 17.7 feet (at ISO 100, f/5.6)"

That's only 5,3 meters...I thought this external flashes supposed to be 2x or 3x then onboard flash. Is this correct ?

"Recycle time is 6 seconds" The onboard flash recycles faster then this. How is this possible ?

Any clarification about this will be aprecciated...

--
http://flickr.com/neldiogo

 
Nelson Diogo said:
I'm a newbie when it comes to flashes so be patient with this questions.
I was quite amazed with this sentence

"Effective flash range for the AF-360 is from 2.3 to 17.7 feet (at
ISO 100, f/5.6)"
That's only 5,3 meters...I thought this external flashes supposed to
be 2x or 3x then onboard flash. Is this correct ?

"Recycle time is 6 seconds" The onboard flash recycles faster then
this. How is this possible ?

Any clarification about this will be aprecciated...
Click to expand...
I have samsung's clone.. identical flash, just different labels on flash and in manual :)

6 seconds is for 4xNiMh batteries and FULL DISCHARGE, normally you'll use something like 1/16 or max 1/4 of its power..

NiCd batteries are able to feed it quicker, but they have less capacity..

If I use 1/16, its capable of continuous 3fps on my K20D.
With 1/4 it does 3-5 flashes in row at 3fps and then charges few secs.

And now about range... yes ISO100... but how often do you use ISO100/F5.6 in night? :D

At 85mm zoom it has flash Guide No.36, which is 3x the power of built-in flash with G. No.12..

Need more light+range, use slower shutter, bigger apperture or higher ISO. No problem to shot at 10-15m with 55-300mm lens and 1/1 to 1/2 charges using ISO400.

When used in normal room at ranges 2-5m, it uses just 1/4 or 1/8 of its power with sigma at F/5.6.. so don't worry. With FA50 at F/2 even 1/32 of its power is a big amount of light :)

If you need to take pics of whole cathedral, hockey arena or something that big in complete darkness, you'll need something like bunch of those big METZ flashes with G. No 76 :) and fire them with wireless/wired setup :))

--------------------

Pentax K20D + Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 + Pentax DA 55-300/4-5.8 + Pentax FA 50/1.4 + M42 Valdai Helios 44M-4 58/2 + Samsung SEF 36FGZ + Casio EX-Z110 + Casio QV R-40
 
Hi,
I have the 360 and there're no problems.

The battery compartment door is very similar to Minolta flash I had a couple years ago: doesn't like when you are too fast. Other than that - works great.
Enjoy your new flash.

AK
 
Nelson Diogo wrote:
Hi Nelson,

I am on my second(2nd) AF 360FGZ flash -- the first one broke
whilst in London and was my fault not the flash -- and I love the
results of the flash and, for the most part, has always treated me
very well .......
Nelson Diogo said:
I just bought this flash but the reports about the flimsy battery
Click to expand...
...... but, FOR ME, the battery door has always been an issue but
I have found that "a few (strong) elastic bands around the (middle to
lower section of the) battery door area will do the trick and keep the
flash running perfectly :)
Nelson Diogo said:
door don't get out of my head. But for the price (about 160eur) I
don't see anything better. The features seems right to my needs,
althought the sweelling head would be nice.
Click to expand...
Although, I have never owned a flash with a "swivelling head", for
what I shoot I don't think it would be a issue but the "zooming" as
well as the "wide-angle diffuser" are both godsends and the "bounce"
feature has its moments, as well :D

But, having said all that, I have to admit I did just purchase an AF540 FGZ
but have yet to notice any tremendous difference for about a $130 CDN
difference :o
Nelson Diogo said:
So is the door really a concern ?
Click to expand...
FOR ME* , it has been a concern but, as you can see from the
previous posters, it has not been a concern nor an issue :)
Nelson Diogo said:
Can it open by itself just by
handling the camera ?
Click to expand...
That I don't know :( and, regarding the flash range -- in your other
post --, if you use a faster lens and/or a higher ASA (setting) you will
get more range from the flash :D

Hope the above is somewhat useful :)

Cheers,

Jack
Nelson Diogo said:
I was watching the Pentax video tutorial at pentaximaging.com and the
door on the AF360 was not properly closed and alligned...

--
http://flickr.com/neldiogo

Click to expand...
--
MY BLOG.... http://www.nakedmanonawire.blogspot.com

It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one is doing :)
 
I would suspect that "effective flash range" is based on a situation where the flash is your only source of light and the setting is total darkness or at least a very dimly lit scene which is usually the reason you're using flash in the first place. Plus it is based on a low ISO of 100. Your flash range will be much larger at ISO 400, for example.

I use the AF-360 all the time in interior real estate photography. I have to light up some very large great rooms with cathedral ceilings. Believe me, the effective flash range is much better than 17 feet. But then again I'm usually shooting during daylight hours so the flash is not my only source of light.

I've never been impressed with the recycle times of either the 360 or 540 flash units. It's too slow for photojournalistic / candid photography where you have to act fast to grab the perfect moment. You can't afford to wait 6 to 15 seconds for the flash to recharge.

I'm no expert on the onboard flash because I NEVER use it. It's too weak. But relative to the external flash units, it's a small flash and therefore there is less to recharge thus "faster". I would never attempt to light up a big room with that tiny flash.
Nelson Diogo said:
"Effective flash range for the AF-360 is from 2.3 to 17.7 feet (at
ISO 100, f/5.6)"
That's only 5,3 meters...I thought this external flashes supposed to
be 2x or 3x then onboard flash. Is this correct ?

"Recycle time is 6 seconds" The onboard flash recycles faster then
this. How is this possible ?

Any clarification about this will be aprecciated...
Click to expand...
--
Allan in Colorado, USA
 
--I have used the Sigma DG500st for a couple years now with pretty good results. But the manual adjustments are limited to two power settings. I just ordered the 360 and have high hopes. I can still use the 500 when I need a swivel. The remote feature intrigued me, as well as the power to manipulate. I'm not a pro, so I don't really know how involved I'll get with it, but the price has dropped way down from last year so I figured what the heck?

I use the Sunpak 383 in manual mode with good results if I put my brain in gear before I shoot, and of course the digital fixes have saved me often.. Anyone had experience with the Metz 48-58?? I hear they are a pain ti getinto because of the menus, but live up to the Metz reputaion for top notch flashes. Dan
 
wick5449 wrote:
Hi Dan,
wick5449 said:
Anyone had experience with the Metz 48-58?? I hear
they are a pain ti getinto because of the menus, but live up to the
Metz reputaion for top notch flashes.
Click to expand...
regarding Metz 58 flash .. you might want to take a peek at
this thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30291060

Cheers,

Jack
wick5449 said:
Dan
Click to expand...
--
MY BLOG.... http://www.nakedmanonawire.blogspot.com

It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one is doing :)
 
Nelson Diogo said:
I just bought this flash but the reports about the flimsy battery
door don't get out of my head. But for the price (about 160eur) I
don't see anything better. The features seems right to my needs,
althought the sweelling head would be nice.
Click to expand...
Metz 48 AF-1. Not sure about in Portugal, but in the US it's a little more than that but I think worth it: more features (including the swivel), increased power (about 50% more), and, while still made of plastic, a slightly more solid feel.

--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »
 
wick5449 said:
saved me often.. Anyone had experience with the Metz 48-58?? I hear
they are a pain ti getinto because of the menus, but live up to the
Metz reputaion for top notch flashes. Dan
Click to expand...
User interface is always subjective, but I actually like the menus — once you get to certain number of features, it's a cleaner approach.

There's a few things they could have done that would have made more sense (ev compensation in slave mode could be a top-level button press, and slave mode could be a mode rather than an option...) but overall I like it.

--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »
 
Nelson Diogo said:
I'm a newbie when it comes to flashes so be patient with this questions.
I was quite amazed with this sentence
"Effective flash range for the AF-360 is from 2.3 to 17.7 feet (at
ISO 100, f/5.6)"
That's only 5,3 meters...I thought this external flashes supposed to
be 2x or 3x then onboard flash. Is this correct ?
Click to expand...
More like 5×-7×.

My Pentax flash guide has some information on this, including a way of visually comparing flash power I find really helpful:

http://pttl.mattdm.org/power:flash-burst-profiles
Nelson Diogo said:
"Recycle time is 6 seconds" The onboard flash recycles faster then
this. How is this possible ?
Click to expand...
The more powerful the flash, the more power it takes to recycle from a full discharge — but also, the less likely it is you'll need full power.

--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »
 
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