Tric for iPhone: New Device Will Allow You to Use Speedlights with Your Smartphone

The iPhone wow-ed us all when it first came on the scene in 2007, and over the years we have seen how photographers, both amateur and professional, have used it to create some pretty stunning images. Even as far back as 2010 the guy at FStoppers amazed us with their iPhone fashion shoot using a 3gs. But, there has always been the limitation of not being able to pair off-camera strobe lighting with the little device.

Those days are over, thanks to Tric, a new wireless flash trigger for the iPhone system.

As detailed on their Kickstarter page, there are a few limitations to the little device, such as a maximum sync speed of 1/30 and no TTL compatibility at this time. (Oh, and it’s only for conformist iPhone fanboys, at this time…sorry, Android.) But, for those looking to take your iPhone photography to the “next level,” you can reserve your Tric for a $60 pledge to the project.

The iPhone camera, especially on recent models, is pretty impressive, and while I don’t foresee myself rushing out to buy one anytime soon, I can’t help but be a little jealous of those who have one in their pockets. That being said, I do find the promotional video to be rather humorous as it keeps referencing “professional photographers” throughout and depicts an avid shutterbug shooting in a studio and following a couple all over the city with external lighting gear and his smartphone.

As for the results, I’m really not that impressed and they seem mediocre, at best. You still have no control over depth of field, and the max sync speed doesn’t provide much creative flexibility, either. But, perhaps this will be the revolution that takes over the photography industry. I kinda doubt it, but stranger things have happened (anyone remember Taylor Hicks?)…