Mongoose,

Did some test shots in the store with the display model AF-540FGZ on my K100D and I was impressed with the coverage and power. I have just ordered the Stofen Omni-Bounce for the 540 - the old one from the 500 is too small. I had good success with that and the one I have for the 360.

Problem with the 360 is that the worn catches are actually on the main flash body and not on the hinged door itself. I will have to wait until they tell me how much.

I need a flash this weekend when I go out of town to one of my daughter's for a complete family Christmas dinner (only day I can get four daughters and spouses all together). So, having already looked at the 540 out came the plastic.

Mike

A few weeks ago I looked closely at the Pentax AF-540FGZ and marked it as a future purchase.

Well on Christmas Day while taking pictures of my grandchildren the battery cover on my 360FGZ popped open. Turns out that the catches on the cover lock have worn and, when the batteries are in, the spring pressure is too great for the cover to stay closed. I took it back to the dealer - guess what, I've had it 13 months with a 12 month warranty. The store has sent it back to Pentax Canada to be repaired.

I ended up trading my Pentax 500FTZ against the new AF-540FGZ. The 500FTZ which used to work fine on my previous *istDS2 will not work on the K100D. I had called Pentax Canada when I first looked at the new flash and confirmed that my 500FTZ was not compatible with any of the "K" series cameras.

Hopefully the cost of the repair won't be too expensive and I took an extended warranty on the new one.

Mike

"Why are all these paranoid people following me?"

My understanding is that the remote sotware is only compatible with the *istD and not the later models.

Mike

Dwight,

Picked mine up at the Canadian site:

http://www.pentaxcanada.com/index.php

Cheers,

Mike

Paul,

Like Daniel I am extremely pleased with my Sigma 105 (none DG) which I originally bought for my MZ6, used on DS2 and now K100D. Fabulous build. Like Tim I use the Vivitar 6000 ring flash which for it's modest price is very good.

Hope this helps.

Mike

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all - hope everyone has a safe holiday.

Mike and Sharon

Hey Mac,

Thanks for the reminder, I have an excellent used large screen in the basement - now all I have to do is find it in all the other important stuff I've stashed away over the years.

Mike

Rather than tie up this thread anymore I will send you a pm.

Mike

greenmr,

What camera are you using and what are your photographic interests?

Mike