Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax Markets a Powerful Clip-on Auto Flash with Auto Zoom Head and Digital-SLR Compatibility

Pentax Corporation is pleased to announce the marketing of the Pentax AF540FGZ auto flash unit. Featuring a large guide number of 54 (at ISO100/m), this clip-on-type auto-zoom flash provides a variety of advanced flash applications, including P-TTL auto flash, high-speed synchronisation and wireless P-TTL auto flash, when mounted on a Pentax SLR camera.

Major features
1. Large guide number
Despite its compact dimensions and clip-on design, the AF540FGZ auto flash offers a large guide number of 54 (at ISO100/m) to accommodate a wide range of flash applications.

2. Advanced auto flash functions
The AF540FGZ features a variety of flash functions, including advanced P-TTL auto flash in which a pre-emission from its spotbeam projector is detected by the camera’s light sensor to accurately control the main discharge level needed for proper illumination of the subject. Other functions include TTL auto flash, auto flash, manual flash, high-speed synchronization and wireless P-TTL.

3. Auto discharge-angle adjustment
When mounted on a PENTAX autofocus 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.*

* This automatic function may not be available for certain combinations of a camera body and a lens.

4. Others
- “Digital” position newly provided on the focal-length conversion scale of the zoom head to accommodate digital SLRs.
- Bounce flash function, with adjustable angles of -10 to 90 degrees vertically and up to 180 degrees horizontally.
- Power-zoom flash head to cover angles of view for 24mm to 85mm lenses (in 35mm format).
- Built-in wide-angle panel that slides out to cover 20mm angle of view (in 35mm format).
- Built-in catch-light panel, which is useful and effective in portrait photography
- External power supply with the optional TR Power Pack II.
- Battery-saving auto power-off function (user cancellation possible).

Main Specifications
Type: Clip-on-type auto-zoom P-TTL auto flash with active spotbeam projector
Flash control: (1) TTL-series-control auto flash; (2) Manual flash
Flash modes: (1) P-TTL (TTL corrective auto flash, contrast-control auto flash); (2) TTL (TTL auto flash); (3) A (programmed auto flash); (4) M (manual flash); (5) SB (spotbeam emission only)
Discharge angles: 31°-78° horizontally (98° with wide-angle panel); 23°-60° vertically (85° with wide-angle panel)
Bounce flash: Variable-angle type. (1) Vertical click-stop settings: -10°, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° 90° (with click-stop lock for a shift from 0° to -10°); (2) Horizontal click-stop settings (clockwise): 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°; (3) Horizontal click-stop settings (counterclockwise): 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 135°
Focal-length coverage: Zoom type, covering angles of view for 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm lenses (in 35mm format). 20mm angle of view covered with wide-angle panel
Guide number: 54 max. (at ISO100/m). Manual setting at 7 levels: Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64
Flash range (in P-TTL, TTL and A modes): (1) Film speed coupling range: ISO25 - ISO1600; (2) Illumination range: 0.8m - 8.0m (at G.N.45, ISO100, F5.6)
Flash interval and battery life: (1) Approx. 6-second interval, approx. 200 full-level discharges (with alkaline batteries); (2) Approx. 6-second interval, approx. 350 full-level discharges (with lithium batteries); (3) Approx. 6-second interval, approx. 250 full-level discharges (with Ni-MH batteries)
Consecutive discharge: More than 50 discharges (at 1/16-level setting and 2 frames-per-second speed, with alkaline batteries)
Color temperature balance: Daylight
Wireless modes: (1) MASTER (discharge level control and main discharge by optical control); (2) CONTROL (discharge level control by optical control); (3) SLAVE (contrast-control discharge by optical control, or slave discharge at main discharge)
Synchronization modes: (1) Leading-shutter-curtain sync; (2) Trailing-shutter-curtain sync; (3) Contrast-control sync; (4) High-speed sync External LCD indication: (1) Format; (2) Flash mode; (3) Zoom; (4) Channel; (5) ISO speed; (6) Discharge level compensation; (7) Spotbeam; (8) F number; (9) Discharge level; (10) Wireless mode; (11) Bounce flash warning; (12) Sync mode; (13) Discharge distance; (14) Out-of-coupling-range warning. LED illumination available.
Format indication: Coupled with digital, 35mm, 645, 67 formats. Zoom display function available.
Other functions: (1) Auto power-off (user cancellation possible); (2) Test discharge; (3) Modeling light; (4) Spotbeam projector; (5) Red-eye reduction;  (6) Wide-angle panel (covering 20mm angle of view in 35mm format); (7) Catch-light panel
Power source: (1) 4 AA-size alkaline batteries; (2) 4 AA-size lithium batteries; (3) 4 AA-size Ni-MH batteries; (4) TR Power Pack II Dimensions (H x W x D): 142mm x 76mm x 107mm (5.6? x 3? x 4.2?) Weight: 380g (13.4oz) without batteries