Inon D-2000
Manufacturer: Inon Type: Strobe Year introduced: 2004
Overview
The Inon D-2000 was a landmark strobe that replaced the popular Inon D-180 and became one of the most discussed pieces of underwater photography gear of its era. Announced at DEMA 2004 at a price of $509 ([1], [2]), it featured guide number 20 and an unprecedented array of exposure modes: S-TTL (optical slave TTL), External Auto, 13-step Manual, and Nikonos TTL.
The D-2000’s most notable — and most debated — feature was its S-TTL (Slave TTL) mode, which used optical detection of the camera’s pre-flash to automatically set strobe exposure. This was a clever solution to the problem of achieving TTL-like automation with digital cameras without requiring electrical connections. However, the S-TTL system generated extensive debate in the Wetpixel community about its reliability and accuracy, prompting Inon to publish an official explanation of the system’s operation ([3]).
The strobe was extensively reviewed and discussed throughout 2005, with dedicated testing using the Olympus C-5060 ([4]) and detailed S-TTL explanations published on Wetpixel ([5], [6]).
The D-2000 was eventually succeeded by the Inon Z220F, which replaced the earlier Z-220 and added a Focus Light ON mode specifically for digital cameras ([7]).
Reviews & Discussion
- [8] — Announcement and specifications
- [9] — S-TTL technology explanation
- [10] — Detailed review
- [11] — Inon’s official response to community questions
- [12] — Testing with Olympus C-5060
Timeline
- 2004-10: Inon D-2000 announced at DEMA 2004, priced at $509 ([13])
- 2004-11: Detailed specifications published — GN 20, S-TTL/External Auto/13-step Manual/Nikonos TTL modes ([14])
- 2005-02: S-TTL technology explained; D-2000 review published ([15], [16])
- 2005-03: Inon publishes official S-TTL explanation in response to community debate; testing with Olympus C-5060 ([17], [18])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2004: Dema Show 2004 Report ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2004: Inon D 2000 Ultra Multimode Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 11, 2005: Inon D 2000 S Ttl Official Explanation ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 16, 2005: Inon D 2000 S Ttl Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2005: Slave Ttl For Digicams1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 21, 2005: Just Posted Inon D 2000 Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2005: Inon Z220f Strobe Replaces Z220 ↩
- Inon D-2000 Ultra Multimode Strobe (article) ↩
- Slave TTL for Digicams (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 Review (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 S-TTL Official Explanation (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 S-TTL Strobe (article) ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2004: Dema Show 2004 Report ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2004: Inon D 2000 Ultra Multimode Strobe ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 3, 2005: Slave Ttl For Digicams1 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 21, 2005: Just Posted Inon D 2000 Review ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 11, 2005: Inon D 2000 S Ttl Official Explanation ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 16, 2005: Inon D 2000 S Ttl Strobe ↩
- DEMA 2004 Report (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 Ultra Multimode Strobe (article) ↩
- Slave TTL for Digicams (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 Review (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 S-TTL Official Explanation (article) ↩
- Inon D-2000 S-TTL Strobe (article) ↩