Pentax AF540FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Includes Case) by Pentax
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Digital camera reviews of Pentax AF540FGZ Flash for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras (Includes Case)
Digital camera Review: Good set features, but not the quality. Or am I just unlucky with it?
Summary: 3 Stars
I have been recently forced by Pentax to buy this flash to complement my new K10D.
I already had AF500FTZ and a few other Pentax TTL flashes which worked perfectly well with my *istDs, but for some reason Pentax decided not to support plain TTL any more in the new K10D body.
My AF540FGZ broke almost immediately - when I turned it on the zoom was stuck in manual mode @ 16 mm. A brand new flash! If you look in the Internet, you will find out that it is not just a single isolated case, but a well-known bug. I would consider this to be a design/manufacturing issue.
The door of the battery compartment is not easy to open. Moreover, its locks are somewhere in the middle part of the door, the door is rather long and the material it is made of is not strong enough. When you put batteries in, the edges of the battery compartment door are pushed out. Not a critical issue, but product engineering should have considered this.
I own plenty of Pentax stuff which I am really happy with. Pentax quality used to be outstanding. So, this is my first bad experience. VERY dissapointed.
From the positive side, I liked the wireless functionality and the fact that 540 can be operated by the built-in flash of my K10D (no additional master flash is required).
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UPDATE: Pentax USA have sent me the International Warranty Card for this flash - very good customer support.
UPDATE 2: I have received my flash unit back, repaired. It took almost two months: it was sent out to Pentax on July 31 (received by Pentax on August 7), and I got it back from repair on September 28. Even if the return shipping from repair took a few days, this is still much longer than stated on Pentax web site (15 - 20 working days). Just FYI.
Digital camera Review: A lot of functionality in a camera mounted flash . . . but
Summary: 4 Stars
I've owned this unit since March 07 and have used it sparingly. The performance to date is as advertised and impressive for a camera mounted flash unit. However, the mounting arrangement incorporates a metal spring loaded 'lock pin' which fits into a receptor hole in the camera hot-shoe. The metal pin is pushed into the flash base by a cam on the tightening ring acting on a very small diameter plastic pin. If this plastic plunger pin breaks off, and it did, the flash unit stays locked to the camera hot-shoe. A very flimsy arrangement that can cause a lot of grief, inconvenience and possible hot-shoe damage. Disappointing Pentax.Digital camera Review: Great flash for a great set of cameras
Summary: 5 Stars
As usual Pentax has managed to give us a great accesory for the digital line of cameras that we love.Digital camera Review: Gift was perfect!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Im not too experienced with cameras but my cusin is a professional photographer. This item was on his christmas list so I thought I would get it for him. It was shipped and recieved within days:) Long story short, He loves it!
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