Re: Choosing a flash for ZX-5

[Robert P. VanNatta]

A critical feature for a flash for your auto focus camera is a 'focus assist' light. When it gets dark your auto focus can't see to focus so having a flash doesn't help much.   this is what sold me the Pentax AF 330 FTZ, for my ZX-5. The auto zoom tracks your lense as you zoom it, the TTL makes sure the exposure is right, and the focus assist gets you focused.  You really have to do nothing more than slip it on the camera and turn it on.  You don't even have to remember to shut it off--it does that for you too. Alas, however, the 330ftz does not do tilt and swivel.   Twice in my life I bought off brand flashes for my Pentax system and twice I've been burned.  It wasn't that they didn't work---I just ultimately learned that they didn't really provide the level of integration and dedication that I expected. As for the two you are looking at, I don't have a clue, I wouldn't walk accross the street to look at them.    I've been there, done that, not going there again.   If tilt and swivel are your priorities, you can also do as I just did, and jump on EBAY and grab an AF 280T second hand--they usually sell for about $100 bucks there. IT is a powerful pentax dedicated flash with the older analog interface, meaning it will work on older Pentax cameras such as my Super Program (and do TTL) as well as on the ZX-5.   It's too stupid to do zoom for focus assist, but the fact that it will work accross the board on NON  TTL cameras such as the ME-Super, and TTL cameras such as the Super Program, and ZX-5 is worth something, particularly if your camera bag has all three  cameras in it.     Sveta & Alex Shurygin wrote:  Hi,I'm shopping for a flash for my ZX-5 camera.I'd like to have full TTL unit with bounce and, possibly, swivel head, and at least 28mm coverage, allunder $150 :-) I'm evaluating Sunpak MZ440AF vs. Sigma EF430ST. Can anybody please givem e an advise on these flashes or suggest something else I missed? What I found on the web is that Sunpak is cheaper and has swivel head, while Sigma is auto-zoom, has 1/16 power setting and is lighter. Are there any limitation in use of these units, or any additional features I'm not aware of? Will they work right in Program mode? Every peace of information will be appreciated.Thanks in advance,Alex.