Question on Polaroid flash units, filters, conversion lenses.

[Big Bad John]

I recently ran across the Polaroid flash unit for Pentax cameras on Amazon. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Pol...qid=1304352474&sr=1-9

I was wondering if anyone on the forum had used one of these flashes or knew of someone who had since Amazon had no feedback on the unit. For the price compared to the Pentax AF540, I might take a chance.

I was also wondering if anyone had used the 0.43 wide angle conversion lens (52mm mount) to get a bit wider shot without having to resort to a dedicated extreme wide angle lens. The 18mm bottom end (27mm in 35mm equivalent) is just a touch narrow for the photography I do at my job. I typically used a 24mm equivalent and it's juuussst wide enough.

Lastly, has anyone used their filters. I've been using ProMaster HGX digital specific filters with really good results. I currently have the 52mm clear protection filter, the CPL, and the UV filter. I'll need to round out with ND and lenslet filters in 52mm and will need a full set of filters for the 58mm mount on the 55-300mm lens that came with my K-r kit.

I'm trying to build an acceptable quality kit to learn on. I'll upgrade to the K-5 (or whatever the new top-dog model is) and Pentax branded accessories, when I finish up my photography training.

[blackcloudbrew]

Wow, I've never seen one of those (flashes) before, not read anything on them, and know nothing about them. Generally, there is a lot of info on Pentax flashes (of course), many people have high very regards for the Metz brand flashes. Sigma gets good marks too. I own a Pentax AF360 which is ok but the head does not turn and I use it less and less because of that. I also have the ProMaster EDF7500 (a very nice flash BTW). Basically you want a flash that allows its head to swivel and tilt (make that must have this feature).

I'd want to know a lot more about this flash before I'd buy it.

[Big Bad John]

I agree with having a flash that both bounces (tilts) and swivels. I use the P20 (bounce with TTL) on my old Kodak setup and while it allowed some shots that I couldn't get with the on-camera flash, not having swivel capability made it very frustrating getting certain shots, especially in Portrait orientation.

I have a local dealer that sells the ProMaster line of equipment and I may just bite the bullet and get the 7500 flash and use the Polariod bracket and cable. Of course, if I order the Polaroid from Amazon and it's unsatisfactory, I can just return it. If I go with the Polaroid flash, I'll let you all (pronounced "y'all" here in the South) know how it stacks up as far as build quality, performance, etc. BBJ

PS - I thought I'd post a link to the Polaroid Digital Imaging Accessories webpage. They have a pretty extensive line of accessories that might be of interest to shutterbugs on a budget, like myself:

http://store.polaroid.com...gital_Imaging_Accessories

Regards, BBJ.

[blackcloudbrew]

Interesting. If you do go that way, a report would be very nice.