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The amaran model, which is the extra prosumer-focused little cousin of Aputure, is having a busy launch day with the discharge of a sequence of bi-color (F21x and F22x) and coloration (F21c and F22c) versatile lights alongside new 2ft and 4ft tube lights. Make sure that to take a look at the total evaluate right here. I had the chance to take the brand new amaran flex lights out for a spin on a number of shoots in latest weeks, and right here’s my full evaluate. In the previous few years, the choice of the flex type of LED lighting had slipped my thoughts. Whereas I’ve spent a lot of time working with Litegear’s fashionable “Litemat” type of bi-color and coloration fixtures, these aren’t thought of really “versatile.” I haven’t used versatile lighting like LiteTiles, FalconEyes, or Intellytech’s LiteCloths. It’s because, with the assistance of fantastic rigging professionals able to rigging any fixture wherever, irrespective of the shape issue, I’ve been in a position to get tender overhead lighting, the preferred use case for versatile lights. Nonetheless, I used to be excited to check out these new amaran fixtures exactly as a result of I didn’t have a ton of expertise working with comparable flex lighting merchandise. Why do we’d like versatile fixtures and who’re these amaran flex lights aimed toward? Let’s dive in! First, there are 4 varieties of latest amaran flex lights, differentiated primarily by whether or not they’re bi-color or coloration and by their dimensions:F21x – 2ft x 1ft dimensions (x denotes 2500K – 7500K Bi-Coloration), $399F22x – 2ft x 2ft dimensions, $699 F21c – 2ft x1ft dimensions (c denotes Coloration), $599F22c – 2ft x 2ft dimensions, $899 Until in any other case famous, these 4 are reviewed interchangeably all through this text. First impressions Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDIf you could have visited the Aputure Consumer Group on Fb anytime during the last a number of years, you may need guessed that tube lights had been on Aputure’s design radar, given the fixed requests. Nonetheless, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the launch of those amaran flex lights.True to kind, Aputure continues to ship lights inside kits so full, the necessity for added accent purchases is unlikely.The complete equipment contains: Semi-Inflexible Arduous Case (Not Rolling) Controller (V-Mount or Gold Mount) Ballast Head Cable/AC Cable Stand Yoke with Pins for C-Stand MountingGrid1 Cease Diffusion, 2-Cease Diffusion The equipment by no means appears to be like this good once more as soon as I pack it, but it surely ships trying nice! Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDYou’ll discover all the things ships in a tidy case, the proper measurement for car transport, checked or carried-on airplane transport. Given the versatile nature of the fixture itself, most elements shall be immune to break. Most injury, not all. The controller unit may be topic to impression and subsequently worthy of additional safety throughout journey. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDHeavy reliance on velcro to mount the softbox body to the rim of the lamp head itself was initially regarding, however that fear turned out to be unfounded over a half dozen shoots the place the entire system held up nicely. If there’s a weak spot within the offered equipment, for my part, it’s with the grid. Its flimsy construct doesn’t maintain a candle to the costlier choices from DoPChoice or Chimera. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDIn the previous, the yoke system was additionally flimsy within the amaran sequence. I’m comfortable to say that difficulty has now been addressed. Welcome information is the introduction of a straight pin and an angled pin that work completely with C-Stands and different frequent mounting {hardware}. You possibly can see the pin in motion right here. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDIn the picture above, you possibly can see the bendable metallic rods used to mount the flex lights, and I’m wondering if, over years of fixed bending, these metallic rods would possibly show to be a failure level. Solely time will inform, however I get nervous after I want to softly bend a chunk of metallic for mounting after which exactly bend it again to slot in the journey case. For extra mounting equipment or items of grid fabric, you’ll discover loads of room within the journey case for additions. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDOutput & Coloration Dealing with: F21x I grabbed just a few measurements on my Sekonic C-700U Spectrometer (now up to date with the C-800U) to see how precisely the F21x handles coloration temp measured in Kelvin and output (lx) from a distance of three ft. Listed here are my readings with a goal of 5600K and output set to 100%. This check was accomplished with no equipment hooked up. A results of 5635K is great and the illuminance values are larger than I anticipated. And right here’s a check with a goal of 3200K.Additionally wonderful outcomes at 3221 with solely a slight drop in output on this facet of the Kelvin vary. Output & coloration dealing with: F22x Now for the two×2 Bi-Coloration model — listed below are my readings with a goal of 5600K and output set to 100% for the F22x.A big enhance in output is to be anticipated given the extra LED emitters and the kelvin numbers are equally nice. And right here’s a check with a goal of 3200K.Typically, the two×2 fixtures have constant outcomes with the two×1 fixtures with a equally wonderful kelvin rating and a big bump in output measured by [lx] and [fc] famous above. Output & coloration dealing with: F21c I grabbed just a few measurements on my Sekonic C-700U Spectrometer (now up to date with the C-800U) to see how precisely the F21c handles coloration temp measured in Kelvin and output (lx) from a distance of three ft. Listed here are my readings with a goal of 5600K and output set to 100%. This check was accomplished with no equipment hooked up. And right here’s a check with a goal of 3200K.The output to measurement ratio right here is great and so is the price to lumen ratio — excellent news on each counts. Output & coloration dealing with: F22c Now transferring to the two×2 coloration model — listed below are my readings with a goal of 5600K and output set to 100% for the F22c.And right here’s a check with a goal of 3200K.As with the Bi-Coloration fixtures, the two×2 coloration fixtures have constant outcomes with the two×1 fixtures with a equally wonderful Kelvin rating and a big bump in output. Use instances As a relative novice to the world of versatile lighting, I’ll admit I needed to be offered through the course of making this evaluate on the necessity for the sort of lighting fixture. The obvious use case, and one which I touched on earlier, is the flexibility to mount the amaran flex lights virtually wherever and to mount them with out concern of wounding on-camera expertise beneath. Actually, zip ties and security ties alike will develop into your buddy with this equipment. Given the abundance of o-ring mounting factors on the versatile portion of the sunshine, it’s conceivable you could possibly join a number of fixtures to create particularly giant sources with out a lot problem. You would completely create a compact 3-light interview equipment with a mixture of the F21/F22x and F21/F22c kits. That configuration could be excellent for a solo operator or a travel-heavy job. Whether or not you buy the F21/22x (bi-color) or F21/22c (coloration model) goes to be as much as you, although I’ll argue that, in the event you can justify the price, going for full coloration at this level is a comparatively future-proof possibility. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon / CineDFinal ideas With these fixtures, you’re restricted to wired USB-C to 5-Pin DMX512 enter (with the assistance of an adapter that isn’t included), however you do have the versatile Sidus Hyperlink App for Bluetooth wi-fi management. I’m a bit of involved in regards to the long-term lifespan of the 4 bendable metallic arms in the back of the lamp head, however that’s a minor quibble, and the price wouldn’t be astronomical in the event that they wanted to get replaced in the future. Briefly, after just a few weeks of testing and trial and error within the discipline, it’s onerous to view these 4 amaran flex lights as something apart from nice information for filmmakers. They’re excellent journey lights, embody all the things it’s essential get began taking pictures (grid + diffusion), are mountable wherever, and the affordability is spectacular. Two thumbs up.Value and availabilityThere is not any additional data on when the amaran flex lights shall be accessible. We’ll hold you up to date and add the data to this text as quickly because it turns into accessible to us. Additionally, you possibly can observe Aputure’s web site for extra data.Are you within the want of some new lights? Are you desirous about attempting the brand new amaran F21x and F22x flex lights out? Tell us your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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