Pentax AF-360 FGZ Autofocus P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 119'/36 m at 85mm)

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I have bought generic flashes in past for my Pentax DSLR but they never gave good results. As expected the Pentax flash works very well with my K-30 and was not that much more expensive. The only quibble I have with the flash is that its head does not rotate..

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Up until now I've been shooting with a flash in manual on my Pentax K20D with the usual results. There are some pictures that can't be retakes and when you miss calculate your flash, those shots are lost forever. With the accurate P-TTL operation of this flash, I've stop thinking about the math and have just enjoyed getting the shots that could have gotten away.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I use the 360 flash for basic indoor photography & outside shooting for "fill-in".
To be frank- I've only used it for a few weeks? I be
I believe it is the best "bang for the buck", compared to the "top- of -the-line" model.

The reviews tell it all: fabulous flash, great value- instruction manual- that is almost useless. This is a terrific flash unit, but not for a beginner. The manual offers no instruction on how to use for "basic set-up".

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

The instructions made it easy to use. Although this was the same as what I had before. I don't remember using them. I have had better pictures with this new flash.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Great little flash. Like the high speed sync. To bad the battery cover latches are flimsy.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Works great. Easy to use. For the novice, just mount to your camera and turn it on.

The only con is the plastic hot shoe attachment.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

easy to use-perfect pictures

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I am still in school learning my equipment, and loveing it. This flash has been easy for me to work with, so far I haven't found and situation it has not been able to do exactly want I need. It is very light weight, I can hardly tell when it is on my camera.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

It is a excellent flash. It is simple to use and helps me get professional looking pictures.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Works with my K-r, K-100 and *ist DS !
AF, A and fully manual lenses!
ie great value
Good even coverage and white balance.
Thinking of buying another one.
ie One on-camera and one off-camera; wireless sync.
Like the locking style of attachment vs the old screw-down-til-tight style.
Full auto everything works great for 99% of my shots.
Some modes, like wireless, take some learning how it's done.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I used the flash for a wedding. It was so much better than my built in flash

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

[...]Had been needing the flash for a while and they had one at a lower priced than anyone else I found.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Bought this flash primarily for outdoor use where subjects are backlit. Very impressed with the functions of this flash for the price. Wireless functions flawlessly which is nice in a pinch when you are looking to manipulate the lighting indoor. This flash does not swivel however when the flash is detached you can adjust the show by holding the flash or using a bracket. Can't beat it for the money.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I purchase the AF-360 flash as a wire less companion to my AF-560. it works so well in wireless mode that i purchased a second one, i am using them in a studo set up thru an unbrella, it works very good. i have also been trying it as an on camera flash. and in most situation works as well as the AF-560, but is considerabley lighter and less bulky.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

The flash itself is great and will do all the things I need it to do and more but it will take some work to figure things out because the manual was written in 2003. It is badly outdated and vague. It regularly refers to variables based on which Pentax camera you are using with it but, of course, those references do no include any of the current cameras they sell.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Needed a flash w/high speed sync without breaking the bank. I use this for weddings and portraits along with an old af500ftz which can also reach out and touch someone.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I was surprised with the features and performance based upon the price point.
So far it works as well an any flash I have used: Canon, Olympus and Sigma.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Love the flash and Pentax products. Feel the AF 360 FGZ battery compartment cover could have a better latch system. Wears out to easily

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I use the AF-360FGZ for indoor photography only. I usually use two units together, one, on the camera k-X, one, off the camera (wireless), or both units off the camera.

Generally, the unit is powerful and gives a lot of light for anything indoor. The flashgun head can be tilted up (90 degrees) and down (10 degrees) which is really useful for bouncing the light of the reflectors. Zoom is automatic and is synchronized with camera zoom. It doesn't swivel sideways, but I don't find that very important.

What would be great about this flashgun?
The device is both mechanically and electronically made very solid, which is not that common in today's mass production. It can be triggered by camera built-in flash in "Auto mode" and in P-TTL mode only when the built-in flash is in control mode, not master mode (however blame k-X for that, not the flash). It can be triggered by another AF-360FGZ from the camera in P-TTL, Auto or Manual mode. Can be triggered wirelessly in all three modes by radio waves (3 channels), or in Auto and Manual mode by light impulse from another flash - including camera built-in flash (Pentax). Contrary to Pentax manual the unit does NOT need off camera hot shoe adapter F to work wirelessly, however it needs it if mounting to tripod is required. When lithium batteries are used, the charging time is relatively short approximately 2 to 3 seconds, depends on light intensity discharge.

What would be not so great about AF-360FGZ?
The main reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is user manual. It is really confusing and way out of date. It doesn't include many newer Pentax cameras and their options and doesn't explain important settings. It doesn't give a clue how the things are working together. I have read the manual several times and still had to figure many things myself.
Another thing which may look like problem is P-TTL mode. When the flash is in P-TTL mode, there is a feeling that it underexposes. Special care must be taken when shooting against any shiny or reflective surface. I often increase the flash/es output/s for 1 step to get normal histogram. That can be annoying as it resets to zero every time the flash is turned off. Decrease of the output is available down to 3 steps, but increase is only up to 1 step. Sometimes more flash output increase is required and would be very helpful to have an option to increase the output for 2 or 3 steps. This is nothing to do with the flashgun power as it has enough power to overexpose the photograph many times in Auto or Manual mode.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I used the flash on a K7. It works well on the camera but I had problems with the wireless function. Actually I tried two different AF360FGZ both with problems in the wireless mode - either no function or inconsistency in the channel selection.
I have later on upgraded to a 540 which works well in the wireless mode with my K7 (running with firmware 1.10).

If the wireless function worked on my camera I would probably have given 4 or 5 stars.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I have bought generic flashes in past for my Pentax DSLR but they never gave good results. As expected the Pentax flash works very well with my K-30 and was not that much more expensive. The only quibble I have with the flash is that its head does not rotate..

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Up until now I've been shooting with a flash in manual on my Pentax K20D with the usual results. There are some pictures that can't be retakes and when you miss calculate your flash, those shots are lost forever. With the accurate P-TTL operation of this flash, I've stop thinking about the math and have just enjoyed getting the shots that could have gotten away.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I use the 360 flash for basic indoor photography & outside shooting for "fill-in".
To be frank- I've only used it for a few weeks? I be
I believe it is the best "bang for the buck", compared to the "top- of -the-line" model.

The reviews tell it all: fabulous flash, great value- instruction manual- that is almost useless. This is a terrific flash unit, but not for a beginner. The manual offers no instruction on how to use for "basic set-up".

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

The instructions made it easy to use. Although this was the same as what I had before. I don't remember using them. I have had better pictures with this new flash.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Great little flash. Like the high speed sync. To bad the battery cover latches are flimsy.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Works great. Easy to use. For the novice, just mount to your camera and turn it on.

The only con is the plastic hot shoe attachment.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

easy to use-perfect pictures

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I am still in school learning my equipment, and loveing it. This flash has been easy for me to work with, so far I haven't found and situation it has not been able to do exactly want I need. It is very light weight, I can hardly tell when it is on my camera.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

It is a excellent flash. It is simple to use and helps me get professional looking pictures.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Works with my K-r, K-100 and *ist DS !
AF, A and fully manual lenses!
ie great value
Good even coverage and white balance.
Thinking of buying another one.
ie One on-camera and one off-camera; wireless sync.
Like the locking style of attachment vs the old screw-down-til-tight style.
Full auto everything works great for 99% of my shots.
Some modes, like wireless, take some learning how it's done.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I used the flash for a wedding. It was so much better than my built in flash

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

[...]Had been needing the flash for a while and they had one at a lower priced than anyone else I found.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Bought this flash primarily for outdoor use where subjects are backlit. Very impressed with the functions of this flash for the price. Wireless functions flawlessly which is nice in a pinch when you are looking to manipulate the lighting indoor. This flash does not swivel however when the flash is detached you can adjust the show by holding the flash or using a bracket. Can't beat it for the money.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I purchase the AF-360 flash as a wire less companion to my AF-560. it works so well in wireless mode that i purchased a second one, i am using them in a studo set up thru an unbrella, it works very good. i have also been trying it as an on camera flash. and in most situation works as well as the AF-560, but is considerabley lighter and less bulky.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

The flash itself is great and will do all the things I need it to do and more but it will take some work to figure things out because the manual was written in 2003. It is badly outdated and vague. It regularly refers to variables based on which Pentax camera you are using with it but, of course, those references do no include any of the current cameras they sell.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Needed a flash w/high speed sync without breaking the bank. I use this for weddings and portraits along with an old af500ftz which can also reach out and touch someone.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I was surprised with the features and performance based upon the price point.
So far it works as well an any flash I have used: Canon, Olympus and Sigma.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

Love the flash and Pentax products. Feel the AF 360 FGZ battery compartment cover could have a better latch system. Wears out to easily

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I use the AF-360FGZ for indoor photography only. I usually use two units together, one, on the camera k-X, one, off the camera (wireless), or both units off the camera.

Generally, the unit is powerful and gives a lot of light for anything indoor. The flashgun head can be tilted up (90 degrees) and down (10 degrees) which is really useful for bouncing the light of the reflectors. Zoom is automatic and is synchronized with camera zoom. It doesn't swivel sideways, but I don't find that very important.

What would be great about this flashgun?
The device is both mechanically and electronically made very solid, which is not that common in today's mass production. It can be triggered by camera built-in flash in "Auto mode" and in P-TTL mode only when the built-in flash is in control mode, not master mode (however blame k-X for that, not the flash). It can be triggered by another AF-360FGZ from the camera in P-TTL, Auto or Manual mode. Can be triggered wirelessly in all three modes by radio waves (3 channels), or in Auto and Manual mode by light impulse from another flash - including camera built-in flash (Pentax). Contrary to Pentax manual the unit does NOT need off camera hot shoe adapter F to work wirelessly, however it needs it if mounting to tripod is required. When lithium batteries are used, the charging time is relatively short approximately 2 to 3 seconds, depends on light intensity discharge.

What would be not so great about AF-360FGZ?
The main reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is user manual. It is really confusing and way out of date. It doesn't include many newer Pentax cameras and their options and doesn't explain important settings. It doesn't give a clue how the things are working together. I have read the manual several times and still had to figure many things myself.
Another thing which may look like problem is P-TTL mode. When the flash is in P-TTL mode, there is a feeling that it underexposes. Special care must be taken when shooting against any shiny or reflective surface. I often increase the flash/es output/s for 1 step to get normal histogram. That can be annoying as it resets to zero every time the flash is turned off. Decrease of the output is available down to 3 steps, but increase is only up to 1 step. Sometimes more flash output increase is required and would be very helpful to have an option to increase the output for 2 or 3 steps. This is nothing to do with the flashgun power as it has enough power to overexpose the photograph many times in Auto or Manual mode.

Comments about Pentax AF-360 FGZ P-TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

I used the flash on a K7. It works well on the camera but I had problems with the wireless function. Actually I tried two different AF360FGZ both with problems in the wireless mode - either no function or inconsistency in the channel selection.
I have later on upgraded to a 540 which works well in the wireless mode with my K7 (running with firmware 1.10).

If the wireless function worked on my camera I would probably have given 4 or 5 stars.