Sunpak RD2000 TTL flash update for 5D Mark II

[Mike Sandman]

Sunpak makes a small flash similar in output to the Speedlite EX220, but the Sunpak 2000 can swivel up to bounce off a ceiling. It sells for about $100 in the US. It provided full TLL capability in a small, posketable unit for the 5D. See http://www.tocad.com/sunpak/flashunits.html

Alas, when the 5D Mark II came out, Canon changed the TTL firmware and the Sunpak wouldn't fire at all. Sunpak's US distributor Tocad reports that the factory in Japan hopes to have a new version available "by the end of February" that will work on the Mark II.

(Note that Ritz sells the same unit under the Quantaray brand and it will presumably get the update.)
--
Mike Sandman

 

[John P Thomas]

Mike that's great news. I use the RD2000 on both my G9 and my 5D and was more then upset when it didn't work on the 5DMKII. It's really a super flash for that close in work under 30 feet or so and truly is a pocket size flash. I don't cherish buying a new one, wish they could just upgrade it somehow BUT--they are cheap$$$ Of course after I buy one Canon will fix the flash problems on the MKII and then the first RD2K will work !!!

John

 

[bronxbombers]

I believe they are exchanging them if you have a 5dmkii or 50D so no need to rebuy, AFAIK.

hopefully i can stop by and swap out for the fixed ones over spring break

Mike that's great news. I use the RD2000 on both my G9 and my 5D and
was more then upset when it didn't work on the 5DMKII. It's really a
super flash for that close in work under 30 feet or so and truly is a
pocket size flash. I don't cherish buying a new one, wish they could
just upgrade it somehow BUT--they are cheap$$$ Of course after I buy
one Canon will fix the flash problems on the MKII and then the first
RD2K will work !!!

John

 

[Mike Sandman]

I think that's correct -- the distributor's very responsive customer service told me they'd exchange the original for a new one, altough they may not want to take one back that significantly predates the release of teh Mark II.
--
Mike Sandman

 

[bronxbombers]

i got mine onyl weeks before so im sure itll be good

it would be too bad for others though and a shame

(and yet again be more evidence why just having tossed the pop-up flash into the 5dmkii would not have been the same as a mortal sin)

I think that's correct -- the distributor's very responsive customer
service told me they'd exchange the original for a new one, altough
they may not want to take one back that significantly predates the
release of teh Mark II.
--
Mike Sandman

 

[maxxevv]

Hi guys,

just to update, the firmware update for the RD2000 should be available at your local distributors. I've just had mine updated today and it works as it should in e-ttl mode on my 5DmkII. Oohh... I love this nifty little flash!!

 

[Breitling]

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--



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[mpester]

Can we apply the firmware update ourselves?

Hi guys,

just to update, the firmware update for the RD2000 should be
available at your local distributors. I've just had mine updated
today and it works as it should in e-ttl mode on my 5DmkII. Oohh...
I love this nifty little flash!!

 

[John P Thomas]

Anything new on the update yet? How do we get it done? Can we do it ourselves? I'd love to get mine working on the 5DMK2.
John

 

[bronxbombers]

i drove by the ToCAD HQ and knocked on the door, the head service person came out, took the flash, came back with it 10 minutes later. It now gets triggered by the 5DMkII and 50D.

It doesn't do AF assist strobing (but perhaps it never was supposed to to begin with? i'm used to the pop-ups in xxD and various rebels)

anyway, drive by and drop it off and get it done on the spot or mail it in.

ToCAD America HQ
xx Green Pond Rd
Rockaway, NJ 07866-1512

i don't recall street # off the top of my head
it's right by my house.

Anything new on the update yet? How do we get it done? Can we do it
ourselves? I'd love to get mine working on the 5DMK2.
John

 

[Jon Stern]

I looked at the RD2000 for my G9, but decided that I'd rather have the PZ40X (which is about $130). Of course, it'd be nice if the flash worked with my 5DII as well.

Do you know if the PZ40X has the same firmware issue with the 5DII?

Thanks!

 

[e20new]

I purchased by RD2000 in October from ebay.

I would be great if I could mail it somewhere for a "firmware upgrade/fix"

does anyone have a complete address?

do you think they will really fix and send it back?

 

[bronxbombers]

I purchased by RD2000 in October from ebay.

I would be great if I could mail it somewhere for a "firmware
upgrade/fix"

does anyone have a complete address?

do you think they will really fix and send it back?

why not?
that address is where it says to send stuff for warranty repair

it's

tocad america inc. hq
53 green pond road
rockaway, nj 07866-1512

http://www.tocad.com/service.html

 

[e20new]

thanks for the address.

DO you know if I need to include return prepaid shipping? or will they take care of shipping back to me?

 

[bronxbombers]

thanks for the address.

DO you know if I need to include return prepaid shipping? or will
they take care of shipping back to me?

--

i don't know, i doub tit, since usually warranty stuff means you pay to ship it in and they pay to ship it back

you can call 973-627-9600

 

[bronxbombers]

actually the zip4 is 2013
so the address has zipcode 07866-2013

i had put 1512 since that is mine and we live so close, weird that it is not the same

I purchased by RD2000 in October from ebay.

I would be great if I could mail it somewhere for a "firmware
upgrade/fix"

does anyone have a complete address?

do you think they will really fix and send it back?

why not?
that address is where it says to send stuff for warranty repair

it's

tocad america inc. hq
53 green pond road
rockaway, nj 07866-1512

http://www.tocad.com/service.html

 

[Mando Mike]

--

For anyone concerned: There is no charger for the update and there is no charger for the return shipping. I had called the other day and asked these questions before sending mine in. They also told me that the turn around time, not including transit time would be a day or two. and if it helps, they return ship via UPS.
Regards to All and good shooting.......Mike

 

[Mike Sandman]

The Sunpack distributor (Tocad America) just returned the flash to me with a firmware update. It now works perfectly in TTL mode on a 5D Mark II.

--
Mike Sandman

 

[Lee Jay]

Is there a way to tell when ordering a new one if it already has the firmware or not pre-order (serial numbers above....etc.)?

--
Lee Jay
(see profile for equipment)

 

[Mike Sandman]

Dont know, but Tocad America has very responsive customer service and they may be ble to tell you the answer. It will take a few eeks, I exepct, as the new ones have to come from Japan and then get to the stores.
--
Mike Sandman