Pentax’s New Compact Auto Flash Works With Its DSLRs and GR Series

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A black external camera flash unit with a rectangular flash head and the brand name "Pentax" printed on the front. The unit has a swivel joint at the base for attachment to a camera. The background is plain white.

Ricoh Imaging announced the Pentax AF180FG auto flash, a compact strobe that is compatible with all Pentax DSLRs as well as the Ricoh GR series of compact fixed-lens cameras such as the GR III HDF.

The new compact flash is designed with use outdoors in mind and features 18 seals across “crucial” portions of the strobe body — including the hotshoe — which Ricoh says makes it a highly dependable dustproof and weather-resistant accessory. That level of weather sealing is meant to work in tandem with rugged Pentax DSLRs which allow the pair to work in rain, heavy mist, and dusty environments without issues.

A Pentax camera flash unit with a black exterior, featuring a white flash cover and labeled "Pentax" in white text on the front. The flash has a mounting bracket at the bottom for attaching to a camera.

Ricoh says it created a simplified operating system that lets users start it instantly by turning the discharge mode dial, which also functions as the power switch. Beyond that, it has four discharge modes. It has P-TTL auto flash with leading-curtain synchronization and P-TTL auto flash with trailing-curtain synchronization. For both, the preliminary flash is detected by the camera’s light sensor to allow it to control the power level for a correct exposure with the second flash. The strobe also offers manual flash control at full power or manual flash at 1/4 power.

A close-up of a black auto flash unit labeled "AF180FG." The unit has a circular dial with settings including "AUTO," OFF, and different flash levels. It features an LED indicator light, a test button, and a FIX button at the base where it attaches to a camera.

The flash has a guide number of 18 at ISO 100 (25 at ISO 200) and has a full frame flash coverage area of 24mm and an APS-C coverage area of 16mm. The flash is also compatible with Pentax’s 645Z and 645D medium format cameras where it provides a 30mm flash coverage angle.

The flash features a built-in wide-angle panel that slides out to cover 20mm angle of view at full frame and 13mm in APS-C (25mm in medium format) and also, despite its small form factor, the head can be adjusted to 10 different angles: -10, 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 and 135 degrees.

A Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR camera with a flash unit attached on top. The camera has a large, prominent lens and a textured grip on the side. The flash unit features the Pentax logo and is positioned above the camera body. The setup appears ready for use.

The Pentax AF180FG auto flash is powered by two AAA batteries which allow it to flash about 100 times with a six-second recycle time when using AAA alkaline batteries and about 130 flashes with about a five-second recycle time when using nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) 800mAh AAA batteries.

The Pentax AF180FG will be available in mid-September directly through Ricoh’s online website as well as through Ricoh-authorized retailers across the United States for $199.95.

Image credits: Ricoh Imaging

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