bit-tech Shopping: Pentax AF-360FGZ Camera Flash

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Economical yet powerful-enough. Built-in wide adapter and catch plate.

Weaknesses: No swivel.

Summary: I was going to buy the larger and more powerful 540, but came across a clearance on this 360. Considering that about the only difference between the two models are the flash strength (guide number) and swivel feature, I gave this a try. This is a very good flash, and so far I don't miss the swivel feature or the extra power of the 540. This flash fits nicely in the top compartment of Lowepro Slingshot 200 -- which means 540 may not have fit. Because this model was significantly cheaper than the 540, I bought a second unit and now I am learning multi-flash photography.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Great performance/price.

Weaknesses: none

Summary: I just got it from Circuitcity a few weeks ago, still learning the techniques to shoot with Flash indoor and outdoor. Greatly improved the shooing indoors, now I was able to do some creative ways of using the lights with the wireless triger from my K10D. Very satisfied.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 10

Strengths: Light weight, cheap, accurate

Weaknesses: none so far

Summary: If you own the K100D or K10D, this is a great starter, if you can't afford the expensive once. It will work with Samsung SLR's too. This one heck of a flash unit for the $.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: Great value for price: you can buy it under USD 150 through current rebate(10/18/07-01/31/08)

Weaknesses: None until now

Summary: Unfortunately I'm a bit on a budget so I don't wanna buy me an AF540 (USD 360) right now. So, I bought a AF360 flash. I am really satisfied with this flash. Now I would like to get me a second same flashgun and use them both off camera, on a flash stand and with an umbrella. I'm pleased with the flash, but still am learning more about it. Full manual control of flash output is possible, or use the TTL flash capabilities of the camera it is mounted on to achieve painless exposure with every aperture.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: p-ttl/af assist light/many functions/slave wireless/automatic zoom/convenient hinge/high speed sync

Weaknesses: NO SWIVEL

Summary: I'm mostly satisfied with what this little flash can do at this price. P-ttl is precise, though some people says it's not, but having too dark picture at f32 is not this flash's fault. It's GN is only 36 at 85mm. It's beyond this flash's ability to light up enough at f32. At f32, you better use it as fill up light. It may take some time to get used to all the features of this flash, since this little flash has so many features. One thing I like most about this flash is wireless slave feature. I use pentax k10d and I needed to update firmware to above 1.10 (downloaded from pentax website). Once it is updated, the pop-up flash works as a signal transmitter and this flash works as slave in p-ttl mode. That's right, it controls the amount of light automatically at any angle. The pop-up flash do nothing but transmit exposure information in wireless mode. Clever, you don't need to buy an expensive extra wireless transmitter. AF assistant light emits red grid pattern, helping camera to auto focus in low light condition. This flash can be used as a fill-in flash in daylight condition, since it support high speed sync. It works above x-sync (typically 1/180s in most Pentax DSLR). Combined with exposure compensation feature, when it is used as fill-in flash, you can get more natural filled-in photo. Unfortunately, it does not swivel like af540fgz, so you cannot bounce the light in vertical position. It would have been really nice if it has swivel feature. Guide number is a bit small for this size of flash. GN 42 would have been really nice. Battery compartment cover seems flimsy as other noted, so I need to be gentle while replacing battery. I recommend eneloop Ni-MH battery from Sanyo for this flash. They are the best rechargeable batteries. Alkaline batteries recharge capacitor faster than Ni-MH batteries do, but they dry out very fast (Alikaline: less than 100 flashes vs. Eneloop: more than 400 flashes). The general build quality is very good except battery compartment door hinge. One may note that the locking mechanism is different from general hot shoe flash, which just tighten up with the screw. When you rotate the lever, small metal pin protrudes from the flash to lock with hotshoe. It's very important to dismount flash after locking lever is completely in unlock position. It seems that the metal pin easily damage hotshoe or is easily breakable, if excess force is applied when the lever is still in locking position.