January 14, 2014

Announcement of Triopo Speedlight TR-982 High Speed Sync Flash

Triopo Speedlight TR-982 High Speed Sync Flash w/ accessories
Triopo is well known by now for their budget Carbon Fiber series tripods like the GT-3228X8C or the GX-1328 which I have reviewed.

However, in parallel with the tripod lines they have always had a full series of Studio and Field Flashes under the OUBAO brand name, which were and are mostly sold in their vast internal market. So the international markets are not so aware of those.

Based on their know how from the studio flashes, in the past couple of years Triopo has released a series of Speedlights in direct competition to the very successful YongNuo.

The Triopo Speedlights have got ambiguous reviews in the beginning, but Triopo engineers are continuously striving for the improvement of their products introducing newer versions with the appropriate mark II, III etc at the end.
Besides the TR-960 series of manual speedlights, the TR-980 series was released about a year ago, featuring E-TTL and i-TTL functions for direct mount on Canon and Nikon cameras respectively.
Model TR-980 was followed then by the TR-981 which in addition featured High Speed Sync function, but was mostly sold in China with very few distributed in the international markets.

By the end of last year, an even newer model was released, the TR-982 which besides High Speed Sync promises full compatibility with Canon, Nikon and S1, S2 wireless optical remote triggering with E-TTL/i-TTL enabled and has the following Specs and Features.

Manufacturer Specification:
  • Circuit design: Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) 
  • Flash index: 56 meters (ISO 100, 180 mm)
  • Flash Coverage: 18 - 180 mm, Manual / Automatic zoom, Swinging/Tilting Flash head (bounce flash)
  • Flash Mode: TTL, M, FEB, Slave, S1, S2, Multi
  • Up and down whirl angle degree: -7-90 degree 
  • Left and right whirl angle degree: 0-180 degree 
  • Flash control: 8 grade high-speed control (1/128-1/1) 
  • Recycle time: About 3 seconds (using AA alkaline cell) 
  • Peripheral interface: Hot shoe, PC mount, external charge mount 
  • Recycle Time: Less than 2.9s ( AA alkaline cell used) 
  • Color Temperature: 5600K 
  • Flash time: 1/200 seconds-1/20000 seconds 
  • Power: 4pcs AA alkaline cell or AA nickel-hydrogen (NI-MH)battery 
  • Lighting time: 100-1500 times (using AA alkaline cell) 
  • Wireless distance: Indoor 20-30 meters, outdoor 10-15 meters 
  • Additional function: PC synchronous, sniff mode, over temperature protection 
  • Volume: 200x75x57mm 
  • Net weight: 340g 


Features:
  1. TTL flash
  2. Manual flash
  3. Multi flash
  4. Wireless slave unit function: Compatibility with the Canon and Nikon wireless flash system, realize TTL from camera, manual and frequency flash
  5. S1, S2 Light sensor flashing mode.
  6. Flash control by Camera (Only for the newest Canon Version)
  7. High-Speed Sync 1/8000s
  8. Rear-curtain Sync
  9. Sound prompts
  10. Custom functions
  11. Power save mode
  12. Overheating protection
  13. Automatic save function
  14. Large size LCD display
  15. Manual, Auto zoom function
  16. Quick response: Full output recycle time only 2.9 seconds, if you do not use a new battery, also can obtain rapid back speed.
  17. Support high speed continuous shooting: In 1/16 brightness and below, It can support high speed continuous shooting.
The Speedlight has not been released in the market yet, but thanks to Triopo headquarters, an evaluation copy of the TR-982C High Speed Sync flash for Canon is already in my hands for tests and review.
So stay tuned, as I'll do my best for a full featured review soon.

I hope you found the information useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos © 2014 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Price and availability of the TR-982 in the international markets are not yet announced.
However, a rough estimate according to past Triopo practices, would be that it will be priced between US$ 150.00 and 170.00.

Update: June, 2014
Current price of the TR-982 is between US$ 70.00 and 120.00 (with Free shipping) depending on source, which proves much lower than my original rough estimate considering it to be higher than previous Triopo models.
The TR-982 is available from eBay and from Amazon but shipping from China so the buyer should take into account a longer delivery time and extra duties or taxes that may apply.


Relevant Articles:

Triopo GT-3228X8C Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Review
Triopo GT-3228X8C Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Review
Triopo GX-1328 Carbon Fiber Classic Tripod Review
Triopo GX-1328 Carbon Fiber Classic Tripod Review

15 comments :

  1. Not a comment. Question:do you know where I can download the user manual for the Speedlight TR-982 II? Please reply to arthurleehill@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do you still have a manual for the Speedlite TR-982II? If you do will you please email me a copy.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. Manual was emailed as per your request.

      Delete
  3. I would like a manual for Speedlight TR-982 please. Reply peterfcleary@yahoo.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey Sotiris... I'd also like to see the manual for the TR-982II... Can you also shoot me a copy?

    Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, please use the Contact form choosing "Contact" from top menu to send me your emaiL.

      Delete
  5. buenas noches podría enviarme el manual del triopo tr982 en español quedaría eternamente agradecido.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buenas noches, lo siento, solo tengo el manual en inglés.

      Delete
  6. Good day,
    If you still have a copy of the triopo 982II manual in English, I would be grateful if you could email me a copy or a link to one.
    Thanks in advance, Randy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Randy,
      It would be better if you sent a message via the "Contact Form" - click contact on the top menu - where your email will also be included in private.
      Thanks.

      Delete
  7. I also have the GI trigger that I just can't get it to talk to the TR982II I'm using it on the Nikon D7000 can you help me?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Confirm that you have selected i-TTL "n" mode after selecting Slave mode. Otherwise sorry, I can't help you as I can't simulate the situation.

      Delete
  8. I have the TR982II flash put it on camera, Nikon D3300 for first time.
    Flash works well tried removing flash from hotshoe and I am unable to.
    Any idea on how I can do this, locking wheel fully undone.
    Thanks
    John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John,
      All flash units have a small security pin at the front of their foot that lowers into a small hole on the camera hot shoe when the thumb wheel is tightened to lock the flash. The pin is spring loaded in order to avoid damage of the camera hot shoe. It is supposed to lift up when loosening the thumb wheel fully.
      Try to push the flash foot a little forward and then pull back while simultaneously lifting carefully, just in case the safety pin is stuck.

      Delete