Advice For Flash Gun Please !

Hi all I have recently purchased a Pentax K-m model,being new to DSLR I thought this would be a good entry level.
I am looking around for a flashgun for this camera and it is a bit of a mine field a few have advised that any SLR flashes will work but I am not convinced and obviously don't want to damage my new camera.

Currys have one Pentax Flashgun at £199 and although its slightly more than I was thinking of paying (£150) was about the money I had in mind.Because it had the name Pentax and is a DSLR Flash it seems safe.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am very new to this and getting through Collins book of DSLR photography just to give you an idea of the level I am at


Thanks in advance

David

To retain all the functions that your camera has built in you need a flash that is capable of "P-TTL" operation. Pentax currently offer two models; the AF360FGZ and the AF540FGZ, both of which are very good but neither of which are cheap right now (the one you saw in Currys was no doubt the 360 at around the £200-mark).

You can also find the same two flashes wearing Samsung badges (the SEF-36PFZ and SEF-54PFZ) which are harder to find but are often slightly cheaper than the Pentax-badged versions. Other than the markings they are identical in every way to the Pentax versions and quite suitable for your camera.

You can also buy third-party P-TTL flashguns from Metz and Sigma. Metz have the following models: 36 AF-4, 48 AF-1, 54 MZ-4i and 58 AF-1. Sigma produce just two, the EF-530 DG ST and the EF-530 DG Super.

Be careful if you decide to purchase one of the third-party models as they are also available to suit the flash protocols of Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc so make sure you buy the Pentax-specific version!

Like everything else in life you get what you pay for and the cheaper flashguns may be missing some features that you want to use at some time in the future (as your photography takes off). I have the Pentax AF360FGZ (like the one you saw in Currys) and I'd thoroughly recommend it (or it's Samsung SEF-36PFZ clone) as a well-featured midrange flash, if your budget doesn't quite stretch that far though then the Metz 48 AF-1 is held in high regard around here too.

Happy shopping!

There are also the Vivitar DF-283 and DF-383. They do PTTL as per Vivitar rep.

But not sold in the UK.

Unfortunately, if you bought one from the US / Canada by the time duties have been paid it would end up costing as much as the Metz 48 (which is better specified and would carry a UK/EU warranty).

Hmmmmm. That is a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
I'll never understand the marketing practices.

Vivitar (Europe) went down the pan around a year ago and all the stock held here in the UK (mostly compact digicams but a few flashes and other accessories too) were put up for public auction by the liquidators. I was intending to go but never made it in the end. There is nobody importing/distributing Vivitar kit here any more but, of course, these situations can always change...

Thanks for your help really is appreciated..No point in asking for advice then doing something else.Have just ordered the AF360FGZ from for £174 which is puzzling given its cheaper than the original I had asked about .

Thanks again

David

I suggest you consider buying Matt's Pentax flash guide, available here:

http://www.mattmatic.co.uk/otheritems.html

It will tell you all you need to know.

G

Well after a very long wait the flash gun finally arrived a few says ago from what I see of it I am very pleased with this item thanks George I think I need some help and this book seems to be what I seek as long as my brain isnt overloaded with technical stuff .