Ricoh Imaging has unveiled the Pentax AF180FG auto flash, a tiny strobe that works with all Pentax DSLRs and the Ricoh GR family of compact fixed-lens cameras, including the GR III HDF.

The new small flash is intended for outdoor use. It has 18 seals across critical parts of the strobe body, including the hotshoe, making it a very reliable dustproof and weather-resistant accessory, according to Ricoh. That level of weatherproofing is intended to function in conjunction with robust Pentax DSLRs, allowing the pair to work without trouble in rain, heavy mist, and dusty conditions.

Ricoh claims has developed a streamlined operating system that allows customers to activate it immediately by rotating the discharge mode dial, which also serves as a power switch. Beyond that, it offers four different discharge modes. It supports P-TTL auto flash with both leading-curtain and trailing-curtain synchronization. For both, the camera’s light sensor detects the preliminary flash and controls the power level to ensure proper exposure with the second flash. The strobe also includes manual flash control at full strength and 1/4 power.

The flash has a reference number of 18 at ISO 100 (25 at ISO 200), a full-frame flash coverage area of 24mm, and an APS-C coverage area of 16mm. It is also compatible with Pentax’s 645Z and 645D medium-format cameras, providing a 30mm flash coverage angle. The flash has a built-in wide-angle panel that swings out to cover a 20mm angle of vision at full frame and 13mm in APS-C (25mm in medium format).

Despite its small size, the head can be adjusted to ten different angles: -10, 0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, and 135 degrees.

The Pentax AF180FG auto flash is powered by two AAA batteries, which allow it to flash approximately 100 times with a six-second recycling time when using AAA alkaline batteries and around 130 times with a five-second recycle time when using Ni-MH 800mAh AAA batteries.