AF 360 FGZ - should I get one?

Hi all,

When browsing in my local camera shop over the weekend I saw a new AF360FGZ flash for £100. This has to be cheapest I have seen one for. I was very tempted to get one there and then, but recalled the problems I have heard about with the build quality.

For £100, it's a bargain, but can anyone clarify whether the battery door is faulty, i.e. breaks during normal use, or just fragile, i.e. breaks when dropped, forced, etc. If the former, then I guess I'd just have to be VERY careful with it

Worth every penny - it's an excellent flash unit and for £100 it's an absolute steal!

The door is fragile (poor design) but if, like me, you buy it with the awareness of that then you can just make sure you're careful when you're opening and closing it. It's not like you'll be using the door every time you take the flash out and on the occassions you do just treat it with a delicate touch and all will be fine.

The build of the rest of the flash is excellent and the ability to use it wirelessly has opened up new avenues in my photography.

Don't hesitate, just buy it for that sort of money!

I now use only Sanyo eneloop batteries in my *istD & flashes (AF540FGZ & 2 x AF360FGZ). They seem to be a little shorter than normal NiMH cells and hence don't put so much strain on the battery door latches. The biggest advantage of these batteries is that they stay charged when not in use. Gone are the days when I attach the flash and can't take the pic because the flash batteries are dead.

I'll look into those Sanyo batteries - sounds like they're ideal! It's not so much the opening of the door but the closing of it that I'm always careful with - I make sure that I press over the whole area with my thumb so that the the whole door takes the strain rather than the hinges/catches (at least until it's fully closed of course). So far so good - with a gentle touch I see no reason to believe the door won't stand up to many years of use.

Thanks guys, just what I wanted to hear!

That's what I'm doing Saturday morning then! Did read that it also works as a slave flash, which will come in handy.

Thanks all, will let you know how it goes.

Thought I saw the same when I was in Jessops the other day, but on second glance I saw it was their own brand '360AFD'.

Dan

I thought I was seeing things too when I first saw it...now I'm beginning to wonder if it's some sort of deal, where you get it that price with a camera...let's hope not!

I think they are probably selling them off cheap as they don't tend to do much in the way of Pentax stuff, though they do the Samsung GX10 and GX1L...

When I was in Yorkshire a few weeks back, I went to Settle, and had to go in the camera shop there because they sold nothing but Pentax.

No idea what their prices were like, or what they had really, just that it was all Pentax.

Dan

I think an annual forum day out is required! Settle anyone?!

Just checked with the shop I mentioned before and their price for the Samsung SEF 36 PZF flashgun, which appears identical to the Pentax one is £139.99...is Pentax suddenly not as popular as Samsung...my head hurts!

I'll be there - I can recommend the Hot Chocolates at 'Ye Olde Naked Man Cafe'.




Dan

Mmmmm, Pentax shmentax...marshmallows....mmmm

Nice lighting BTW, though are the highlights blown on that marshmallow to the left?

Highlights perhaps blown a little, but not for long - I ate those bits first.

Dan