Sunpak RD2000
Compact TTL Bounce Flash
Accessories Performance Compared
Sunpak RD2000 (available for Nikon, Canon and Fuji, runs on two AA cells, measured GN of 53'/14m, 5.5 oz./156g with two AA eneloop, about $150 new or $50 used if you know How to Win at eBay) on top of a Canon 5DS/R with 35mm f/1.4. bigger.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
May 2018 Canon Sony Nikon Fuji LEICA Zeiss all reviews
Sunpak RD2000. bigger.
Introduction
Accessories Performance Compared
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This tiny little flash is easy to take everywhere or leave on top of your camera all the time. It's more powerful than your built-in flash (if your camera has one), but it doesn't recycle as fast as the similarly powered Nikon SB-400, Canon 270EX II or Canon 220EX.
This is a great idea as a tiny flash for Canon if either of the superb Canon 320EX or Canon 220EX is too big for you.
For Nikon the Nikon SB-400 is the same size, has about a half-stop less measured power and costs more used, but is much better flash that's better made and recycles much faster than this RD2000.
This flash comes from Sunpak in versions for Canon and for Nikon. Fuji buys this flash from Sunpak and resells it for their cameras as the Fuji EF-20 compact electronic flash.
Good
Small and light.
Inexpensive.
Surprising power for a flash this small.
The whole flash pivots up or down for bounce.
Super easy to use with great controls.
Instant response to the ON/OFF and EV ADJUST buttons; you don't have to hold them or wait.
Built-in wide panel sufficient even for fisheye lenses.
Combo ready light and test flash button.
Two AA power.
StoFen makes an inexpensive OM-RQ Omni-Bounce diffuser for it.
Battery-saving mode turns it off when unused for 15 minutes.
Bad
Slow recycling: 7 seconds for a full-power dump (it usually recycles almost instantly since very few shots need full power).
The wide panel tends to flip down on its own; it doesn't stay put when you're not using it.
Shoe lock is just a friction ring that doesn't actually lock.
Battery door is a pain to open and the + and — markings are invisible.
Missing
No manual mode; TTL only.
Compatibility
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There are three different versions:
Nikon: I-TTL.
Canon: E-TTL II.
Fuji: X-series (as Fuji EF-20).
Specifications
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Power
Two AA cells.
Rated 280 full-power shots with Ni-MH or 200 full-power shots with alkaline.
Power Output
Rated Guide Number 20 meters (65 feet) at ISO 100.
(Measured Guide Number 16 meters (53 feet) at ISO 100; GN 7½ meters (25 feet) with wide panel.)
Flash Duration
1/800 ~ 1/30,000 second.
Full-Power Recycling Time
It recycles much faster most of the time since we rarely need full power.
Rated 4 seconds with Ni-MH and 5 seconds with Alkaline.
(Measured 7.3 seconds with eneloop Ni-MH.)
Coverage
32mm lens on Full-Frame.
22mm lens on APS-C.
Wide panel covers anything.
Color Temperature
5,600K.
Bounce
90º up, as well as down (limited by when it hits your camera).
Size
43.5 × 60 × 88mm.
1.8 × 2.4 × 3.5 inches.
Weight
5.485 oz. (155.5g) with two AA eneloop, actual measured weight.
3.652 oz. (103.55g) empty, actual measured weight.
Rated 3.5 oz. (100g) empty.
Environment
0º ～ 40º C (32º ～ 104º F).
Sunpak's Model Numbers
Nikon: 024017.
Canon: 023980.
Included
Flash.
Instruction booklet.
USA Warranty card from Tocad America.
Announced
31 January 2008 at PMA in Las Vegas.
Price, USA
$150 new or $50 used if you know How to Win at eBay, May 2018.
Sunpak RD2000. bigger.
Optional Accessories
Accessories Performance Compared
StoFen OM-RQ Omni-Bounce diffuser.
Performance
Accessories Performance Compared
Measured Power Output
Measured Guide Number 16 meters (53 feet) at ISO 100.
With wide panel: GN 7½ meters (25 feet) at ISO 100.
Full-Power Recycling Times
Partial recycling from a full-power dump to a blinking ready light takes 4.6 seconds with eneloop Ni-MH.
Complete recycling to a steady ready light takes 7.3 seconds with eneloop Ni-MH from a full power dump.
Of course few photos need full power and it usually recycles immediately with normal photos. It's only when the flash fires at 100% power that it takes this long to recycle.
It makes a slightly audible whine as it recycles, as electronic flashes used to do back in the 1970s. It's not silent as are modern flashes that recycle faster.
Ergonomics
Just tap any button for it to respond; there's no waiting required.
Sadly the diffuser tends to flop down on its own, and the shoe lock is just a friction ring that doesn't lock anything.
It's difficult to open the battery door, and once you do, the + and — marks are invisible.
Compared
Accessories Performance Compared
See Small Canon & Nikon Flashes Compared.
Usage
Accessories Performance Compared
Coverage Angle
The RD2000 is unusual in that its beam is well defined. It covers as rated, and falls off rapidly beyond that. Therefore use the wide panel if you need it, with which it seems to cover ultrawide lenses with no problems. Otherwise you don't want to shoot wider than about 35mm (24mm in APS-C) or the sides will be darker.
Wide Panel
The wide panel is really an ultrawide panel, suitable for use even with fisheyes.
It tends to flip down, wasting your flash and battery power when you don't need it. You might want to use a rubber band or some tape to keep it in its place.
Folds!
As part of the bounce mechanism, the shoe also flips around into the unit for storage in your pocket:
Sunpak RD2000. bigger.
Recommendations
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I'd get mine new at Amazon, or actually I got this one used at eBay still in its box for $25 because I know How to Win at eBay.
For Nikon
The Nikon SB-400 is a much better unit. It's better made and has a real shoe lock, it recycles much faster and it's the same tiny size.
For Canon
Canon makes nothing this small.
The Canon 270EX II isn't exciting. I prefer this flash to it.
The Canon 220EX is bigger and has in infra-red illuminator and recycles much faster, but it's also much bigger.
The Canon 320EX is superb, with fast recycling and a little more power than any of the others, but its also bigger than the others.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
More Information
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