May 28, 2015

Announcement of TRIOPO AD-10 Automatic Motorized Panorama Head

TRIOPO AD-10 Automatic Motorized Panorama Head Top view
Up to now TRIOPO® has been successfully involved in the manufacture of budget Aluminium and Carbon Fiber tripods like the GT-3228X8C or the GX-1328 and/or Budget ball heads and Gimbal heads, some of which I have reviewed in the past.
In parallel with their camera support gear they also carry a full series of Studio and battery operated Field Flashes under the OUBAO brand name, as well as a series of speedlights like the TR-982 E-TTL which are mostly sold in their vast internal Chinese market.

To be honest, since they have never seemed to be involved in Panoramic photography gear other than a simple Panning QR Clamp, I was not expecting to see an Automatic Motorized Panorama head with a full remote control be released from Triopo.

This is quite a proof that innovation starts from scratch and that Triopo engineers based on their experience and know how in electronics and programming from their flashes seem to be a step ahead from other Chinese manufacturers.

The Automatic Panorama Head

Somehow, when I was contacted to review one and asked for more details, I was astonished to receive first, a well prepared Operating Instructions Manual in electronic form, illustrating a very interesting product.

TRIOPO AD-10 Automatic Motorized Panorama Head w/ Remote

Although the AD-10 does not cover the advanced functions of high end robotic panorama heads, it still does have a lot of features that may simplify your panorama or product or star trail shooting at an affordable price.

Main Features
  • Automatic, motorized, electronic control head.
  • Color LCD screen.
  • Li- ion battery powered.
  • Proprietary wireless remote control (2.4 G signal, 16 channels).
  • Shutter release cable output interface. (Both on Head and Remote).
  • Mini USB Firmware upgrade interface.
  • "Moving Mode" 360 degree timed rotating shooting mode.
    User programmable stops in 5° increments, number of shots, direction and speed of rotation and shutter duration.
  • "360 Panorama Mode" User programmable with a selection between 10 preset stops (3/ 4/ 6/ 8/ 12/ 24/ 36/ 45/ 60/ 72), direction and speed of rotation and shutter duration..
  • Small and portable.
  • Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, SLR, Micro 4/3, Cellphone, Gopro universal compatibility.
  • Connects with Camera, Cellphone holder, Rotation table and Tripod.

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:AD-10
Main Battery:
7.4v 1500mAh Lithium Rechargeable
Continues operation :500 Rotations (Speed level 1)
Remote Control Reach:25 m (82')
Remote Battery:2 * AAA Alkaline or NiMh Rechargeable
Horizontal Rotating Speed:Level 1, 2, 3 selectable
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 120*130*67mm (4.72*5.12*2.64")
Weight (Net including battery):0.4 Kg (0.88 lbs)
Total Weight (Including accessories and packing):1.2 Kg (2.65 lbs)
Max Load capacity:3 Kg (6.6 lbs)




Besides the quite comprehensive manual in Chinese and translated English, Triopo has also prepared a video tutorial for the AD-10 motorized automatic head.


Package Contents
Automatic Panorana Head * 1
Remote control * 1
Standard Shutter cable * 1
Instruction manual * 1
Warranty card * 1
Li-Ion Battery * 1
Battery Charger * 1
Battery Charger Mains Cable * 1
Padded Carrying Case * 1

TRIOPO AD-10 Automatic Motorized Panorama Head in case

Optional Accessories
Mobile Phone Holder, Rotating (Wheel) Table and

Optional Shutter Cables
7201 Connector applicable models:
Canon: 70D/ 60D/ 700D/ 650D/ 600D/ 550D/ 500D/ 450D/ 400D/ 350D/ 300D/ 1100D/ 100D/ 1000D/ G10/ G11/ G12
PENTAX: IST- D/ IST- DL/ IST K100D/ K100DL/ MZ- 6/ ZX- L/ MZ- L/ K7D/ K10D/ K20D/ K100D/ K110D/ K200D
Samsung: GX- 1L/ GX- 1S
Contax: N645

7202 Connector applicable models:
Canon: 7D/ 7DII /6D/ 5D/ 5D2/ 5D3/ 50D/ 40D/ 30D/ 20D/ 10D/ 1D/ 1DX/ 1DsMark3/ 1DsMarkIV/ D60/ D30/ EOS-1v, EOS-1vHS/ EOS-3

7203 Connector applicable models:
SONY: α100/ α200/ α300/ α350/ α700/ α900
MINOLTA: Dymax 7D/ 5D, Dymax 9/ 7/ 5/ 3, Dymax 807Si/ 700Si/ 600Si/ 505Si

7204 Connector applicable models:
Nikon: D800/ D700/ D300/ D300S/ D200/ D100/ N90S/ D1/ D1H/ D2/ D2H/ D2HS/ D2X/ D2XS/ D3/ D3S/ D3X/ D4/ D200/ F5/ F6/ F90/ F90X/ F100

7205 Connector applicable models:
Nikon: D80/ D70S/ D5000

7206 Connector applicable models:
Nikon: D600/ D610/ D7100/ D7000/ D90/ D520/ D510/ D5000/ D3200/ D3100

A Triopo AD-10 review sample has already arrived by courtesy of Triopo headquarters for evaluation. I hope to prepare a full review and be back with you soon with details regarding the functionality and durability of the product.

I hope you found the information useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2015 S.C.Vlachos
Video by courtesy of Triopo® ©2015 Yueqing Originality Photography Equipment Co. Ltd

Price & Availability:
The announced price of the Triopo AD-10 is US$ 165.00 (+Shipping) and at the moment seems to be available only from Triopo headquarters in China.

Update Dec 2015
Seems the Triopo AD-10 is now also available from eBay with prices ranging from US$ 109.00 to 129.00 including shipment from China. Be cautious to chose a trustworthy seller when buying from eBay though and always expect a longer delivery time for goods shipped from China.


Referenced Articles:

Triopo Product Reviews and Articles

Relevant Articles:

Panoramic Indexing Rotators

33 comments :

  1. How do you change the display from Chinese into English so it's usable in English?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. According to the manual there is no option of changing the display language.
      However, since there is a mini USB port for firmware upgrade, I would suggest that you come in contact with the factory or the seller you purchased it from, for a firmware file with display language in English plus the appropriate instructions of course.

      Delete
    2. Hello,

      I have the same issue. Did you manage to switch to English ?

      Delete
  2. I've connected the remote to the camera but it does not fire it, the motorised base, when connected will, is the remote faulty or is there a setting i need to change?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a preliminary measure, just make sure you have inserted the small pin on the base side all the way in.
      In "Moving Mode" make sure the "Number of Shots" is set to greater than zero e.g. 001
      In both Modes make sure the "Shutter" output time is enough to trigger your specific camera and if the camera is set in AF mode, it can focus and take the shot.

      Delete
    2. Thank you but, to be sure, I have the rotating base switched off and removed. It is the small remote I'm talking about, it has the ability to be placed on the hot shoe of the camera and has the socket for the remote lead to be plugged in but it doesn't fire the shutter when any of the buttons is pressed.
      Should it?
      Thank you

      Delete
    3. The Remote Control is not supposed to trigger the camera shutter unless it receives a shutter release signal from the AD-10 base. It is illustrated and "explained" (unfortunately in Chinese-English) on page 10 of the AD-10 manual. The feature is intended for shooting 360° product views keeping the camera static while product rotates on the base.
      You're welcome.

      Delete
    4. The triopo Head in speed 3 wich is the slowest reboots the device, it seems its a malfunction.

      Delete
    5. I checked mine and does not show same issue.
      Maybe a newer firmware has a bug or there's an issue with the specific head. I suggest you return your head to your supplier for service and firmware update or if it is new request replacement with a tested one.

      Delete
    6. I everyone,
      Happy to find a place to talk about AD-10. :)
      I would like to know, could i take severals photos on one step?
      I want to do some timelapse of night sky. One photo take ~20sec but the speed is to quick to do tl. Or i could decrease the rotation angle but 1° is still too much.
      Thank you... =)

      Delete
    7. Hi Mare,
      Taking multiple shots per activation is a matter of camera settings. There is an option of setting a delay for each shot on the AD-10.
      Please note that AD-10 is not meant for time lapse by default. unless you can play with the menus and delays.

      Delete
  3. What is the socket for on the little remote then?
    Again thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The socket on the Remote Control is indeed for a shutter release cable.
      However, it is the AD-10 Base which sends a radio signal to the Remote Control in order to trigger the shutter release.
      What I wrote above means that the remote control cannot trigger the shutter by itself.

      Delete
  4. Rotating speed of the AD-10 is Level 1,2,3.
    How much is the rotational speed per minute of Level 1,2,3 ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I had also explained in Youtube, according to Triopo engineers:
      The AD-10 pan speed = speedgrade *0.075 (S/ degrees)
      Time to take the corresponding angle on it
      The first (fastest) rotational speed: 1 * 0.075 * 360 = 27s
      The second stage rotational speed: 2 * 0.075 * 360 = 54s
      The third stage (lowest) rotational speed: 3 * 0.075 * 360 = 81s
      Hope it helps.

      Delete
  5. I have bought it recently from eBay thinking that I could use it in the time lapse photography (as the title would suggest) but it looks like the minimum turning I can set is 5 degrees which is not very useful for me so I will send it back. So be aware.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The AD-10 is not intended and not advertised for time lapse photography. It is designed for panoramic photography.

      Delete
  6. Hello!
    One question. For timelapse photo...If I set the 360º rotation, with jumps of 5degrees, and also set for the lowest speed, what will be the duration to complete the 360º ? This is important for timelapsing...
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello to you,
      As I mentioned above the lowest rotational speed is 3 * 0.075 * 360 = 81 seconds. However, at each stop you can adjust between 1 to 99 sec delay for the shutter release. Therefore you can calculate a minimum of 81 + 72 sec and increase the delay at each stop to reach a preferable time.

      Delete
  7. hello
    Can I make 360 Spherical panorama wit this head

    thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,
      With common wide angle lenses and even with most fish eye lenses you need also a vertical arm and rotator in order to shoot a 360° spherical panorama in multi-rows.
      Check please, my Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II article for more info.

      Delete
  8. Hello! Can the AD-10 rotate in the same direction continuously several turns without stopping? (for example, 5 rotations of 360 degrees)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, there is not such an option in the menu to my knowledge.

      Delete
  9. hello,
    I tried many combinatations on the AD-10, I like it !
    But I couldn't change 120° to 180 or more, in fact I want a panorama of 180° at least. So how can I change the value of 120°. I noticed that I can decrease this value of 120° but not increase it.
    thanks for your help

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      The AD-10 can be programmed to stop and shoot a photo at maximum every 120° so there is still an overlap between shots. I.e. you need 3 shots one every 120° to complete a 360° panorama.
      The number you are referring to, is the stop increment not the total degrees of panorama.
      Do you have an ultra-wide lens with coverage over 180°?
      Even shooting a 360° panorama with a Fish-eye lens needs 4 shots around for better stitching.

      Delete
  10. Thanks for the reply, Well, What I want is to do a panoramic on 180° with no stops, but with a continuous shooting with the Sony A 55 for a 3D panorama.
    On the other hand, ca I program a number of shots at every stop, how ?
    Sorry but I really don't understand programmibng with the remote !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would be glad to help but first you have to be specific what you want to do.
      What do you mean by continues shooting 180° with no stops? Do you want to shoot a panoramic photograph? A time-lapse or a panoramic video?
      A 3D panorama requires two cameras and different setup.
      Are you aware of the terminology?
      Do you have a manual?

      Delete
  11. I have the small manual sent with the machine from china. As I mentioned I want to do what the Sony A 55 does, a 3D panoramic with one camera. I also want to do it with 2 cameras. Problem is firing 2 cameras at the same time, I am working on this question, if you have any ideas, please tell me. Does a 2.5 mm split cable work on the AD-10 to connect two cameras with their remote shutter ?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry but I cannot help with the Sony A55 3D panorama.

    However, since you have the manual, check how to put the AD-10 in "Moving Mode" instead of "Panorama" mode and set it up for continues movement adjustable by 5° increments. This can be done by the menu on the AD-10. You may also view how to do it in the video above.
    It seems a better approach t oaccomplish what you want to do.

    For some rough idea of how to mount two cameras for 3D sterography have a look in my article Sunwayfoto DDH-03 Panning Clamp Review towards the end. You need a rail and two extra clamps or just screw on the cameras on the rail.
    I have not tested a split cable with the AD-10, so I cannot recommend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Is it possible to make astrophoto with this head?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please check in previous comment where I have quoted the rotational speed in levels 1,2,3 if are suitable to you.
      However, since the top mounting screw and the base mounting screw are not in the same axis, the rotation is eccentric. Further, having lost contact with Triopo years ago, I would not recommend their products in lack of service and support.
      Therefore, do not bother.

      Delete
    2. Quite easy to change the language from Chinese to English or vice versa. Just press the [SUB] and [SET] keys together on the main unit. Each time, it changes to the other language.

      Delete