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Pentax AF540FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Includes Case) | 
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| Brand: Pentax
Category: Photography
List Price: $572.33
Buy New: $324.00
You Save: $248.33 (43%)
New (32) Used (2) from $229.99
Rating:  9 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 3.7 x 3.6
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 30425
Model: 30425
UPC: 027075116269
EAN: 0027075116269
ASIN: B000B8AFUG
Release Date: May 11, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 54 guide number | | • | Variety of auto flash functions, including P-TTL | | • | Automatically adjusts discharge angle to focal length on select lenses | | • | Auto power-off function; 100-degree verticle and 180-degree horizontal adjustable angles | | • | Clip-on style auto-zoom flash attachment |
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Product Description
The AF540FGZ Electronic-Flash unit features a large guide number of 54 (at ISO 100) and provides a variety of advanced flash applications, including advanced P-TTL auto flash, high-speed synchronisation and wireless P-TTL auto flash (when mounted on a Pentax SLR camera). When mounted on a Pentax auto-focus SLR (after the Z-10 and including digital format models) equipped with an FA-, FA J-, DFA- or DA- series lens, the AF540FGZ automatically adjusts its angle of discharge to the lens' focal length. The AF540FGZ auto-flash unit also features a newly provided 'Digital' position on the focal-length conversion scale of the zoom head which can accommodate digital SLRs, Bounce Flash function with adjustable angles of -10 to 90 degrees vertically and up to 180 degrees horizontally, and Power-zoom flash head to cover angles of view for 24mm to 85mm lenses (in 35mm format). It is compatible with a range of batteries, and is able to run on either 4x AA alkaline batteries, 4x AA lithium batteries or 4x AA Ni-MH batteries. We advise using rechargeable batteries. External LCD indication - Format; Flash mode; Zoom; Channel; ISO speed; Discharge level compensation; Spotbeam; F number; Discharge level; Wireless mode; Bounce flash warning; Sync mode; Discharge distance; Out-of-coupling-range warning. LED illumination available
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 this flash is not worthy to sit atop a Pentax K20D July 8, 2008
William Porter (Dallas, TX USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I am a part-time wedding/event photographer who uses Pentax system (as of summer 2008 I have a K20D, K10D and an *ist DS). I own two Pentax AF540 FGZ units and my experience with both of them is decidedly mixed. The new Pentax K20D is one of the best cameras avaialable today for any price. The Pentax 540 FGZ flash, on the other hand, is old, badly designed and badly built. It's not worthy to sit atop the K20D.
I've encountered three problems with these units. If you search the Internet you will discover that these complaints are not uncommon.
First, I've had problems with build quality on both of my units. I purchased my first 540 FGZ in 2007. After only one or two events, the auto-zoom motor stuck. Flash had to be sent back to Pentax repair in Colorado, which kept it for a full month.
While the first unit was being repaired, I purchased a second unit. (NOTE: I needed this anyway so I don't complain about the second purchase.) After only a few events, the new unit got stuck on my K20D and could not be removed normally. Like the problem with the auto-zoom motor, this problem (with the flash getting stuck) is well known. Armed with info from the 'net, I was able to take the flash apart while it was still attached to the camera, take out the locking pin that is the cause of the problem, and remove the unit from my camera. If you visit pentaxforums.com you will be able to find the post in which I describe this process in detail. I have left the locking pin off the camera. The flash works without the locking pin although it becomes necessary for me to think while I'm shooting to make sure the unit remains firmly mounted in the hot shoe.
Finally, my first unit - which had been behaving itself for many months - also got stuck in my camera, and I had to do the same thing.
I hasten to add that I handle my camera equipment VERY carefully. THe K10D/K20D bodies are very well built. The 540FGZ simply is not, and there seem to be design flaws in the hardware as well.
Then there is the whole problem of P-TTL, Pentax's proprietary flash exposure system. These problems are harder to describe but they're worth mentioning. The preflash that P-TTL uses to measure exposure seems to have a marked tendency to cause subjects to blink. Equally bad, the exposure results are inconsistent. Without flash (using available light) I know my K20D so well I am confident of getting a good exposure nearly every time. Shooting with the flash, however, this isn't the case. If you practice a lot with the flash, you can get it to work pretty well most of the time. But the things I've read about Nikon's best flash units make me jealous.
The Pentax 540 FGZ is also not as strong as some of the units available for Canon and Nikon cameras. There is only +1 EV available - possibly not enough power to take wedding formals in front of an altar where there's strong back lighting. I now use both units and get better results - but that should not be necessary.
My next flash will be a Metz unit and I hope it works better than the Pentax 540.
On the plus side - and to explain why I give the unit 2 stars rather than 1 - when it doesn't break, the 540 can be effective. The tilt-swivel head works really well. Although the users guide is very old (and unaware of either the K10D or the K20D) and very badly written, if you throw yourself at it, you can figure out how to get the flash to work well in wireless mode. Controls are easy to use once you've figured them out. And I have the optional battery pack which is indispensable if you're shooting an event and need to take hundreds of shots and want quickest recycle time.
Bottom line, as I said before: Pentax makes GREAT cameras, but this flash unit is mediocre.
 Pentax AF540FGZ Flash for SLR Camera June 18, 2008
JB (KY USA)
Great product. Fast Shipper. Flash is somewhat complicated to use if you try to use all the features.
 Pentax AF540FGZ February 17, 2008
JC (Alaska)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Great features and the remote feature is awesome. The smart zoom functions quite well and auto recognizes the use of internal defusers. All in all, a great flash.
 Pentax AF-360FGZ flash December 28, 2007
Mac (Danbury, CT, USA)
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
Purchased AF-360FGZ after being assured it will work in P-TTL auto zoom with Pentax K100D Super. First unit stuck in P-TTL manual zoom straight out of box, and will not recognize 18-55mm kit lens in manual zoom. Dealer was excellent in replacing it after Pentax Customer Service believe unit was defective. Brand new replacement unit behaved in exacly same manner staight out from box. Reading two of your owners reviews, I am satisfied, I am not the only person to have the same problem. Would have given it 5 star if it worked properly, as it is feature packed.
Disappointing October 25, 2007
PeterK (Canton, GA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Pentax AF540FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Includes Case)
Out of the box, first use, it was stuck at 16mm zoom and cannot be adjusted, not even in manual, to different focal length. Called Pentax customer support, they could not help and suggested to send it back.
Wanted to remove the batteries, but the cover is stuck half way over the first battery. No way to open it any further.
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