Oloong releases a rival flash to the Yongnuo YN-565

Oloong's SP-660II speedlight offers manual mode through the hotshoe, but can also act as either a Nikon or a Canon advanced wireless slave, complete with TTL. At a price of only $100, could it become more popular than the Yongnuo YN-565?

Wireless settings on the SP-660II

A new speedlight has been released that offers both Canon and Nikon wireless TTL capability in one unit. The Oloong SP-660 Mark II is ostensibly a manual flash with only one electrical contact on its foot. However, like the Yongnuo YN-565EX it supports Canon Wireless E-TTL and Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting.

Oloong Speedlight SP-660II

So then, the Oloong SP-660II is merely a “dumb” manual flash when mounted on your camera hotshoe, but can be controlled wirelessly in both manual and TTL modes when used off-camera. This will work in conjunction with a Nikon SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, SU-800, Canon 580EX, 580EX II, ST-E2, Yongnuo ST-E2 or a Canon or Nikon DSLR with Commander mode.

Wireless settings on the SP-660II
The controls allow you to choose between Canon and Nikon wireless modes

 

Features

  • Guide number (GN) of 50 at 180mm
  • Electronic zoom from 24-180mm
  • Wireless TTL and manual control for Canon and Nikon
  • Manual mode only when used on-camera, with basic radio triggers or optical slave modes
  • Power adjustment from full to 1/128 power (22 steps)
  • External power input for high voltage battery packs (Canon CP-E4 type)
  • Prontor/Compur (PC) synchronisation port
  • Metal hotshoe foot
  • LCD control panel with backlighting
  • Overheat protection circuit
  • Recycle time of around 2 seconds

The Yongnuo YN-565EX has similar features but with TTL through the hotshoe – making separate models for Canon and Nikon necessary. As the Oloong SP-660II has only manual contacts, only one model is needed, helping drive down costs. Consequently, the retail price of the Oloong flash is priced around US$70 less than the Yongnuo – a major saving for photographers who don’t need or want on-camera TTL support.

Oloong Speedlight SP-660II

Oloong’s line-up of speedlights now looks like this:

ModelGNPowerZoomHotshoe TTLWireless TTL
SP-66035Full - 1/256NoNoNo
SP-660 II50Full - 1/128Manual
24-180mm
NoNikon + Canon
SP-68035Full - 1/128Noi-TTL or E-TTLNo
SP-69050Full - 1/128Manual + Auto
24-180mm
i-TTL or E-TTLNo

Where to buy

The Oloong SP-660II speedlight is available now from eBay sellers for around US$106.00, including a case, mini stand and diffuser cap. Buy before the end of the month (from certain sellers) and you’ll also get a free aperture ring wristband – a nice gift for the photographer in your life!

For more detailed technical information and product images, please consult the eBay listings.

David Selby
David is a keen photographer and has been editor of Lighting Rumours since 2010. When not writing about lighting, he works as a data scientist at the University of Manchester, UK.
selbydavid.com