Meanings of the Pentax Flash Names

Meanings of the Pentax Flash Names

With the exception of two flash units (Autorobo and AF16), Pentax used a consistent naming scheme for their flash units:

  • The letters “AF” that stand for “automatic flash.”
  • The number that follows is equal to 10 times the guide number (GN) of the flash. For example the AF400T has GN of 40 and the AF330FTZ has GN of 33. The AF16 flash is an exception, with GN of 16.
  • The letters following the number identify the features of the flash:
    • C – Circular ring flash. All such flashes are TTL-capable.
    • F – Auto-focus flash (digital controls).
    • G – P-TTL flash (uses a pre-flash to determine correct TTL flash-exposure for the newer bodies that do not contain a TTL sensor in the mirror box).
    • S – Dedicated flash (capable of setting the shutter speed to X).
    • SA – Dedicated flash capable of setting the aperture according to the film speed (in Pentax-speak, a program flash).
    • T – TTL flash (its discharge can be stopped by a TTL sensor in the camera body). All such flashes are dedicated.
    • Z – Flash whose head can can zoom to match lens coverage.