Early adopter Shanny SN600FGZ

Just about to put the new Shanny SN600FGZ on camera P-TTL flash gun through its paces.. And at first impression its a well contructed unit. First thing to say is. That it is not a cheap
Chinese Pentax AF540FGZ copy or replacement. But a stand alone unit.
Has P-TTL, HSS, 3 Slave modes, Front curtain sync and rear curtain sync.

I hope to complete a full review when I get the chance.. But If anyone has any comments I'll try to answer them...













Many thanks to Shanny for the early adopter price and a very efficient and speedy delivery.

And thanks for the great close images, which give a good 'feel' for the unit. It looks a very promising proposition for the money. It has a similar controls layout to the Pentax AF-360/540FGZII models, which may help when using it combined with those flashes. Here's hoping that the on-camera P-TTL performance is good and reliable. For off-camera work then people will need to consider their triggering approach, which for now is likely to have to be 'dumb optical slave' mode with an on-camera manual flash, or possibly as part of a 'daisy chain' triggered by another off-camera flash.

Thanks for posting and I'm sure many of us look forward to seeing your reports.

Its strange to see the term 'Speedlite' used in a Pentax context, as this is strongly associated with Canon flashes I think .... although we do find now the use of the term as a general way to describe 'hotshoe flash types' and distinguish them from studio strobes and bare bulb type lights. However, I don't think I will ever be able to bring myself to refer to a flash as a 'speedlite'

I fully agree Nigel "Speedlite" Just doesnt sound right somehow...!!
Just had a quick try out and im pleased to confirm your thoughts. As an off camera flash it can be triggered optically in HSS. In Slave mode Using a "Dumb" flash gun. I used my AF540FGZ. Not noticed a way to excluded the on camera flash. But indoors pointing the AF540 away from the subject seemed to do the trick.. I couldnt get the SN600 to fire the AF540 off camera in HSS mode..Though that could be me..only had a quick mess about with it..
Built quality is good. love the rubber shroud aroud the foot. Locking system is very tight far better than my Pentax..though my model is quite old now.. I believe Shanny are in the process of developing a trigger system to fire this off camera.. If that happens they will have a formidable product for us to use

Anyone noticed Yongnuo, Market this flash as their YN600ex-rt. Which is a direct copy of the Canon 600ex-rt. Slight price difference though.....

Great minds Nigel, I was just thinking the very same thing... I dont have a Cactus V6II at present to try out.. But I do need get one lol To work the Witstro I've ordered. In HSS... Think ive gone nuts...but exciting times ahead...

If anyones been looking into this flash at all... There's a 2.5mm Jack socket on the top right of the body.. The instruction leaflet just describes it as "Terminal" Love to know its application..?

Forget that last question...Just discovered its for updating the firmware...I'll go back to sleep...

One quick question for you Stu.
How does the battery compartment door build quality feel?
This has always been noted as a weak point on the AF-360FGZ. With it's other features this could prove to be a worthwhile replacement!

Hi Mike

Its a bit difficult to comment as Ive only received the unit today.. But my first impressions dont concern me.. Certainly more sturdy than my AF540 battery door...
Though having said that. I read reports of the door failing on the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT which seems to use an identical body if not the same one.. And there are reports of some door failures on that model.. Which has been on the market some considerable time now.
Though a quick look on ebay. allied my fears as the door spare was only £2.65

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Compartment-Cover-Door-For-YONGNUO-YN600EX-RT-...

A spare door is no use when the securing lug on the body has sheared off! That's what happened to my Pentax unit. The remaining two (just) hold the door shut against the force of the spring loading on the batteries. The first thing I thought, seeing that photo of the battery compartment, was that it didn't look very robust.

Thanks for the info guys. I have one in transit, on it's way to me. I liked the HSS ability, the native P-TTL support and the price. I too want an off camera trigger, that can send an HSS signal also, and I believe they are working on this. Glad to see Pentax getting some attention, and for that sort of price also, as this has kept me out of the flash game altogether until now.

Welcome to the club Richard.. Off camera flash can be an interesting game. Especially as a Pentax user. I'll be interested in your comments when your unit arrives. Perhaps we can compare notes....

Hi David.. I guess that means paying more money. Still doesnt buy you peace of mind. How easy or difficult was it to get the Pentax unit repaired ?

You can't repair it. The (amazingly sloppy) hinge side is just that. It's the other side where the free edge hinges down and, once you've pressed it flat to overcome the battery springs, you then slide it upwards. There are three pairs of mating lugs integral with the mouldings (door and body). One of the body lugs has simply sheered off. It's about 1.5mm wide and 4mm long. You can't do anything with it.

It was good to see the big improvement brought with the new Pentax 'MKII' models, with a much improved battery compartment door .... it is solid and nicely hinged, with a smooth moving action, and there is no undue pressure applied to the batteries as the door closes.