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a good external flash for k200d?

dawud70
Posted 15/03/2015 - 18:43 Link
Is the Pentax AF360FGZII a good flash for K200d? And how important is having a built in reflector card? Bought one just the other day (only because the Metz 52AF-1 I ordered had been sent to wrong store) and disappointed it doesn't have built in reflector card (unlike AF360FGZ and the Metz). I've no real knowledge or experience yet in using external flashes which might account for very inconsistent results but wondering if this flash is too new to be fully compatible with K200d. Not really sure how much use I'll have for the led light (for video etc). Thanks for any thoughts!
McGregNi
Posted 15/03/2015 - 18:56 - Helpful Comment Link
I don't find a built-in white reflector card that essential ... It's only useful for catchlights when the flash head is facing straight upwards or slightly forwards ...I find more often I get better results from bounce light off to the side more, so the card would have no effect then. Instead I use a dome -type sphere diffuser which puts light out through the front no matter where its pointed, so I get the catchlights that way.

I believe (but do check) that the new Pentax AF 360/540 II models can use their front facing light both as a video modeling light and also as a secondary forward facing reflector , to provide a little front fill or catchlights, so that would be very versatile to use when you are bouncing off and up to one side.

I can't be absolutely sure about full compatability, but I don't know if any reason why the flash would not work fine on any Pentax DSLR ...I do hope that someone else can back this up though .....
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 15/03/2015 - 18:58
dawud70
Posted 15/03/2015 - 19:08 Link
Thanks McGregNi. Maybe I'll persist with it then, esp using the LED light in conjunction with bounce flash (and if no one flags up any major compatibility issues).
McGregNi
Posted 15/03/2015 - 19:16 Link
Check the manual, there must be a setting to activate the secondary light ... This may be why the white plastic card has been removed as this new solution is far more versatile. Let us know how it all works!
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

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