Pentax AF280T

Pentax AF280T - Good Condition | Versatile Vintage Shoe-Mount Flash with Bounce and Swivel

The Pentax AF280T is a legendary, high-performance electronic flash unit engineered during the golden era of Pentax SLR cameras. Highly regarded for its sophisticated features, it offers full TTL (Through-The-Lens) auto exposure when paired with classic bodies like the Pentax LX, Super Program, or modern compatible systems. Unlike basic vintage flashes, the AF280T features a highly flexible tilt and swivel head, allowing photographers to bounce light off ceilings or walls for soft, natural, and flattering illumination. With its dual automatic auto-aperture settings and full manual control options, this robust flash remains an incredibly reliable and versatile tool for creative lighting setups.

• Advanced TTL Auto Flash: Delivers effortless, perfectly calculated exposures by measuring light directly through the camera lens on supported classic Pentax bodies.

• Full Tilt and Swivel Freedom: The flash head rotates and tilts upwards, allowing you to easily bounce light to eliminate harsh shadows and harsh red-eye effects in portraiture.

• Two Auto-Aperture Modes: Features built-in sensor-driven automatic flash modes that control output independently, providing excellent flexibility on non-TTL camera bodies.

• Rear Control Panel with Exposure Calculator: Equipped with a comprehensive mechanical dial and indicator lights on the reverse side to make manual distance and aperture calculations completely straightforward.

Condition Report

• Body: Good condition. The plastic casing shows typical, light cosmetic scuffs and handling marks from regular use, but is entirely free of cracks or structurally damaged areas. The hot shoe mount is solid and true.

• Optics: The front fresnel lens is clean and clear, showing no melting, severe yellowing, or heavy scratches.

• Mechanics/Electronics: Fully tested and functional. The flash cycles properly, the ready light illuminates on cue, and the test button fires normally. The battery compartment contacts are perfectly clean and free of past battery acid corrosion. The tilt and swivel mechanisms click into their positions firmly.

Specialist Note

"The AF280T is widely loved in the classic Pentax community because it isn't just a basic 'point-and-shoot' flash. The ability to tilt the head up and swivel it sideways lets you bounce the flash off a nearby wall, completely transforming a harsh photo into beautiful, diffused studio-like portraits. It balances beautifully on bodies like the Pentax K1000, ME Super, or LX, and remains a wonderfully capable lighting modifier."

What's Included

• Pentax AF280T electronic flash

• Please note: Single-use batteries are not provided.

Technical Specifications

• Category: Lighting & Audio ▸ Flash / Speedlight

• Guide Number: 28 (meters at ISO 100)

• Flash Modes: TTL Auto, Auto (Two settings), Manual (Full and 1/16 low power)

• Bounce Capability: Tilts upward up to 90°, downwards to -15° for close-up macro work

• Swivel Capability: Rotates horizontally up to 180° left and 90° right

• Coverage: Covers a 28mm wide-angle lens perspective on standard 35mm format

• Power Source: 4x AA standard batteries (Alkaline or NiMH rechargeable)