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Sunpak 120J II Flash for Canon Cameras

BH #SUF120C • MFR #120J-2C
17 reviews
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Sunpak
Sunpak 120J II Flash for Canon Cameras
Key Features
  • Bare-Bulb Design
  • Compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II
  • Guide Number: 177' at ISO 100
  • Bounce & Swivel Head
Utilizing a bare-bulb design, the Sunpak 120J II Flash brings users power with a guide number of 177' at ISO 100 and a versatile 360° light similar to that of larger strobe and lighting fixtures. It also includes a reflector for more control over coverage and placement of your light. The flash is compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II and offers tilt and rotation for bounce functionality and more control over where light will fall. Also, it has wireless TTL functionality that enables triggering of the unit off-camera.
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Sunpak 120J II Overview

Utilizing a bare-bulb design, the Sunpak 120J II Flash brings users power with a guide number of 177' at ISO 100 and a versatile 360° light similar to that of larger strobe and lighting fixtures. It also includes a reflector for more control over coverage and placement of your light. The flash is compatible with Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II and offers tilt and rotation for bounce functionality and more control over where light will fall. Also, it has wireless TTL functionality that enables triggering of the unit off-camera.

An LCD control panel is available on the back of the unit for making adjustments to settings and operation in manual mode. This provides power options from 1/1 to 1/128 as well as flash compensation from -2 to +2 EV. The 120J II also runs on 4 AA batteries or an optional external power pack which can reduce the recycle time from a standard 3 seconds to just 1 second. Additionally, it comes with a stand, strap, and case.

Effective range of 4.3-190.3'
Battery life of 100-700 flashes
Exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV in 1/2 EV steps
Flash duration of 1/200 to 1/20000 second

Sunpak 120J IISpecs

Key Specs
Guide Number
177.17' / 54 m at ISO 100
Exposure Control
Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II, Manual
Wireless Operation
Optical Pulse (TTL)
Unspecified Range (Master, Optical Slave)
Internal Power
4x AA
Flash Head
Guide Number
177.17' / 54 m at ISO 100
Bounce Head
Yes
Swivel Head
Yes
Flash Duration
1/200 to 1/20000 Second
Recycle Time
Approx. 3 Seconds
Secondary Illumination
No
Exposure Control
Exposure Control
Canon E-TTL / E-TTL II, Manual
Flash Modes
No
Power Range
1/1 to 1/128
Flash Compensation
-2 to +2 EV (1/2 EV Steps)
Wireless
Wireless Operation
Optical Pulse (TTL)
Unspecified Range (Master, Optical Slave)
Power
Internal Power
4x AA
External Power Pack Compatible
Yes
General
Mount
Shoe
Dimensions (W x H x D)
7.9 x 3 x 2.2" / 20.1 x 7.6 x 5.6 cm
Weight
12 oz / 340.2 g (without Batteries)
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.065 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
9.6 x 9 x 5.3"

Sunpak 120J II Reviews

Use it in manual

By Mark
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2017-11-12

This flash has a lot of versatility and power but you need to use it on manual mode. Most users today rely on TTL without really understanding that the implementation of TTL by various manufacturers is highly variable. Sunpak is not one that has done it well in this unit and it magnifies the inherent weakness of TTL. TTL is theoretically better than the earlier auto mode with a sensor on the flash itself. What is problematic for TTL is that this makes it much more sensitive to scene changes. E.G. a bride and groom portrait can already be a challenge for auto exposure with a brilliant white dress adjacent to a black tuxedo. With TTL any slight subject movement can result in a different exposure despite the fact that scene has not really changed. Auto flashes meter from a wider area and thus average the scene exposure to reduce variability from shot to shot. This flash is a great unit for OCF and users who take a bit of time to learn how to use manual flash exposure mode. The ability to use a variety of modifiers with greater efficiency than a speedlight is a huge win. As it uses AA batteries instead of Li_ion batteries for longer life, I mark it down.

Useful in a limited way

By Anonymous
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2017-02-27

Don't buy this as a primary flash. It's useful, but too flaky for many purposes. Cons: TTL is erratic, and even with the diffuser on you will only get coverage for a 35mm lens, but with reduced power. Limited battery life if you don't use a power pack. Pros: Good power with the diffuser off. Gives you that bare-bulb look without having to lug around a power-pack. Works with my quantum turbo if I do want a pack. I find myself using it a lot for outdoor shooting with a 50mm lens, shooting at full power, no diffuser. Used like that it is powerful enough to override the sun at 10', and gives a nice result. It makes a nice third flash in your bag.

I plan to buy a couple of more after I've used these a while

By Elliott
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-01-29

Dollar for dollar this flash is great! Very powerful and works well with Nikon CLS. I have several Nikon flashes and for the price of one of them, I could get three of these. So far, so good.

i would buy was 120j II again

By Andrew
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2016-07-12

i would buy was 120j II again

Less then stellar build, but useful and cheap

By David
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2016-06-30

It's nice to find an affordable bare-bulb option. The build quality here isn't outstanding, but it's a fine supplement to the Nikon speedlights and so far I haven't had any issues with it. Nikon iTTL works without problems. I seem to be having some trouble adjusting power from the CLS master unit, but I've mostly abandoned CLS for Pocket Wizards anyway. It's just something you'll want to check out more carefully than I have if you need that functionality. The instruction manual is really terrible, so you have to feel your way through most of the features -- not too bad if you've used other units. So the reflector comes right off for when you want to shoot bare-bulb, and that's really the point of all this. If you don't need that you'll be happier with a more traditional speedlight.

Fine Flash but not what I needed

By Robert
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2016-03-27

It worked great on camera hot shoe but not with SC17 cord or Pocket Wizard Flextt5

Nothing Like The Original SUNPAK 120J

By RICARDO
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2017-10-04

New version Sunpak 120J II is extremely inconsistent. If you can get your hands on the original 120J you'll be way better off! It is kind of hard to find in excellent condition BUT you can still find them!

Nice ttl flash

By Ramon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-03-20

Ttl flash that Work great use it with my trigger and commander, not issues with this flash high speed sync perfect.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

question

can this flash unit be used with a hasselblad 503CX?
Asked by: Eric
Yes, it should fire manually using the center pin of the flash. Of course it will not be TTL.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2019-08-05

question

How to connect 120J II to TR3000 Battery pack? Is cable is came with TR3000
Asked by: Anonymous
You will need to purchase the cable separately.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

can I download the manual for this?
Asked by: Kathleen A.
Usually the manufacturer's website will offer User Manuals for their products so it is recommended you check there or reach out to them for more assistance. Optionally, searching online, you could find other websites that have also been known to make downloadable versions of the user manual as well.
Answered by: James B.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

How can I check the battery level on the 120J-II ?
Asked by: Anonymous
If the Sunpak TR-3000 Power Pack is being used to power the 120J-II, then there will be a battery life indicator on the Power Pack itself to check the level.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2018-08-26

question

Can I buy Warranty later? And does the 2 or 3 year warranty exclude the already 1 year included on the flash?
Asked by: Anonymous
You have up to 30 days after date of purchase to add extended coverage. The extended warranty will exclude the included manufacturer's warranty.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Can you use another power pack, like Lumedyne with this unit?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Sunpak 120J II is not compatible with other power packs.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Do you carry replacement bulbs for this product?
Asked by: Anonymous
Can i use Quantum turbo battery or quantum battery 1 with this flash?
Answered by: tomas r.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Is it possible to zoom the 120j ll to 105mm as the guide number suggest and what Iso allows for effective rande to 190'?
Asked by: Anonymous
This flash does not have a zoom head like many regular speedlights.The guide number on this flash is, 177.17' (54 m) ISO100 at 105 mm position.It does not have a 190 guide number.
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2018-08-25
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