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The Nanlux Evoke 1200 has loads to supply on paper: excessive output, quite a lot of first-party equipment delivery now, built-in DMX and Bluetooth connectivity, and IP54 mud and water resistance — all unbelievable, however how does the sunshine function within the area? Does the hype align with real-world usefulness on location? I took the Evoke 1200 on numerous productions, and right here’s my area assessment. Over the previous a number of years, I’ve labored with quite a lot of lights from Nanlux and sister firm Nanlite, and I’ve to confess the Evoke 1200 seems like a real evolution and clear proof that each firms are listening to suggestions. Lots of the issues I’ve discovered annoying or in a roundabout way “lower than” within the early variations of their merchandise have all been addressed with the design of the Evoke 1200. That isn’t to say the Evoke 1200 is ideal (no gentle is), however this fixture is, no doubt, an enormous step in the best route.Evoke 1200 – first impressionIf you’ve acquired the concept LED takes up much less of a bodily footprint than comparable HMI lighting, let me dispel that notion proper now. That isn’t true with the Evoke 1200, which has similarities to an Arri M8 as soon as every little thing is related. I discovered it to be a lot smaller when in comparison with Mole Richardson fixtures of equal wattage I’ve used previously. The sunshine is massive, however as soon as out of the case, in all probability manageable for the solo consumer. Evoke 1200 Flight Case. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD Now, let’s speak about that case. Nanlux shipped me the Evoke 1200 in a “flight case” that, when filled with the Evoke lamp head, ballast, yoke, fresnel/barn doorways, and relevant cables, weighs 56 lbs. I put citation marks round “flight case” as a result of it wouldn’t be allowed on most flights within the US with out particular permission from the airline. At a minimal, I might recommend two folks elevate the $875 flight case safely. It does include lockable wheels. All the things matches neatly inside. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDThat being mentioned, the case is indestructible (not a phrase I throw round calmly) and can match properly in a rental home with none concern that the inside can be broken. The case won’t be the simplest to journey with with out a devoted G&E truck, however the tradeoff is a very well-built product. As I started taking the totally different components out of the case, I used to be initially most impressed with the $935 F-35 Fresnel construct high quality. It’s a bit plasticky on the outside, however the massive entrance glass component takes me again to the tungsten lighting days (not so way back!). The fresnel feels basic in all the best methods and will even work as a background artwork component in a pinch.For transport, the Evoke 1200 lamp head sits within the F-35 Fresnel with the yoke separated. I might have most well-liked the lamp head sit disconnected from the fresnel to save lots of time from having to take away the fresnel to be able to add one other accent. The top cable and AC sit individually within the case, together with the ballast and a single reflector. I actually recognize that Nanlux left a spot for a large reflector within the case, which implies we don’t must pack the reflectors 100% individually. I’ve talked about this in previous critiques, however having every little thing in a contained package makes my life and my crew’s life simpler when shifting shortly from location to location. You by no means wish to be within the place of getting to recollect to carry 3-4 little smooth circumstances simply to make a single gentle function appropriately. Now we transfer to the ballast, which is protected at every nook by plastic and is comparatively easy (two cable ports and an influence button). The straightforward design is as a result of management of the sunshine takes place on the rear of the lamp head or wirelessly. Extra on this later. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDRemember that the Evoke ballast is simply IP54 water resistant when positioned horizontally and never vertically. This reality can be essential when the rain begins coming in. Clearly, you possibly can’t put this ballast in a puddle, so I’d nonetheless use commonplace rain coverings and simply relaxation straightforward understanding a fast-moving storm gained’t immediately destroy your Evoke, providing you with time to react and the fixture. The one finicky a part of closing the flight case is ensuring the barn doorways align with the molded foam within the lid. If the flight case sounds a bit too heavy obligation in your wants then you possibly can additionally think about the upcoming CC-ST-EV1200 Trolley case — which is a little more compact for journey. Nanlux accessoriesOne of the extra spectacular features of the Evoke 1200 ecosystem is what number of 1st get together equipment can be found for the sunshine now. The 150cm softbox from Nanlux features a grid. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD Throughout testing, I had the chance to work with the Nanlux 150cm softbox, the 100cm softbox together with a lantern, the beforehand talked about fresnel, and three varieties of reflectors (26-degree, 45-degree, and 60-degree). I’m additionally informed by the Nanlux group that there’s a 12-degree reflector coming quickly. The Evoke 1200 has a proprietary “NL” mount for equipment that I initially considered as a unfavourable as a result of I’ve quite a lot of Bowens equipment from many alternative manufacturers I might have preferred to have used on the Evoke 1200. Nevertheless, my considering on this modified after really working with the NL mount — which is great and locks equipment in place shortly and safely. The Nanlux Evoke 1200 yoke. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDBoth softboxes I examined use a click-in-place methodology for every rod that doesn’t require bending the steel rods like in older Chimera softboxes. In consequence, this rod mechanism is far quicker and requires much less bodily power to construct these softboxes. Aputure additionally makes use of an identical system with their newest softbox generations. One other plus is that the design makes it simpler to interrupt down on the finish of the evening. The brand new NL mount. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDThe Nanlux lantern has an identical mechanism for putting every increasing rod. You merely increase the lantern by hooking an inner plane cable to either side of the NL mount itself. The method is easy and, usually, all of the softboxes and the lantern I examined construct quicker from out of their respective journey circumstances than I anticipated. For me, the one new accent I’d wish to see sooner or later is one thing akin to the present Nanlite projection attachment however designed for the COB measurement of the Evoke 1200. DoP Selection Octa 5: Octa 5 with NL Adapter mounted on Evoke 1200. Picture Credit score: CineDDoP Selection, a third get together accent producer for lighting equipment, has been particularly fast out of the gate lately adopting new platforms and engineering new accent options (here’s a current instance for the Astera Nyx Bulb). Their Twin Bowens mount adapter additionally turned some heads amongst my filmmaking circle and you may learn a put up about that nifty resolution right here. Maybe it’s no shock then that they have already got an adaptable resolution for the proprietary NL mount of the Evoke 1200. I’m not an enormous fan of adapters for optics personally, however I’m shortly changing into a fan of lighting adapters in tandem with the Octa 5.Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDThe Octa 5 (Mannequin: SBRRUO5) ships with a “common” again mount that’s adaptable to each Bowens Mount (Mannequin: SRRU-BM) and the model new NL Evoke 1200 mount (Mannequin: SRRU-NL) and I assume future mounting techniques might even have an adapter for this Octa 5 system. Out of the blue the Octa 5 softbox turns into cross-compatible and infinitely extra helpful in case you are already closely invested in a Bowens mounted lighting ecosystem. I discovered every of the adapters takes simply seconds to connect they usually lock into place with ease and no pesky wiggle. The standard of sentimental pure gentle out of the 60.6 x 60.6 x 28 in / 9.3 lb Octa 5 (when put in) is extremely smooth when paired with the Evoke 1200 and its native 120-degree beam angle. Picture Credit score: CineDA fast phrase on pricing. Relying on which adapters you select out of the gate you’ll be spending roughly $1500 in your Octa 5 softbox system from DoP Selection and that’s with out an out there 40-degree grid that can set you again an extra $1490.00. Spending within the realm of $3,000 for an enormous smooth gentle accent resolution could also be powerful for some, however very similar to tripod purchases — you get what you pay for right here and these DoP Selection equipment are sturdy sufficient to final for years and years. There may be additionally little doubt in my thoughts that that is the best way to go when you lease out your package usually. Contemplating the DoP Selection Octa 5 system versus the comparable Nanlux 150cm softbox for a second — I might recommend the Nanlux 150cm softbox for solo proprietor/operators and the DoP Selection Octa 5 for medium to large-sized crews. FL-35 FresnelThe F-35 Fresnel deserves its personal part as a result of it’s a rarity on this class as Nanlux competitor Aputure has but to launch a fresnel designed particularly for his or her LS 1200d Professional. As I beforehand talked about, the Evoke 1200 ships within the flight case already fitted contained in the F-35 Fresnel. Earlier than utilizing the fresnel, you’ll want to connect the yoke to it and to not the lamp head. I discovered attaching the yoke to be a fast course of that includes unlocking a aspect latch that’s well-marked with a locked or unlocked image. The F-35 Fresnel. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDChanging the beam angle from 45 levels to 11 levels can also be easy. Simply flip the bolstered plastic ring on the outside of the fresnel. The fresnel has a intelligent inner mechanism that slides the lamp head ahead and again to change the beam angle. Initially, I had misgivings that this mechanism wouldn’t measure as much as the shifting glass components in a extra conventional fresnel design however in follow, it really works fairly nicely. The trouble wanted to maneuver the lamp head backwards and forwards is minimal. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDTwo areas that want enchancment with the FL-35 Fresnel are potential gentle seepage and stability points. Sure, the sunshine bleed current across the fresnel edge could be managed with flags, however that’s another step. The vents on the outside of the accent are seemingly there for passive warmth management, however I want there have been a unique strategy to engineer the dealing with of that warmth to keep away from gentle spill. The FL-35 additionally makes the general fixture entrance heavy (particularly when the lamp head is in its most ahead place). This entrance heaviness is one thing to be cautious of when utilizing this accent combo. You don’t desire a crew member smacked within the head, or a hand pinched.Useful beam angle markings on the outside. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD Cranking down the yoke deal with barely means the FL-35/Evoke 1200 Lamp Head gained’t slip, so I wouldn’t be too anxious in regards to the fixture dipping ahead throughout a typical day so long as the lean is appropriately locked in place by the consumer. It’s value declaring that I personally didn’t see an enormous total output enhance utilizing the FL-35 Fresnel accent.Usually, I’m a fan of this accent — the standard of sunshine is classically fresnel-like, and minor quibbles apart, I’d put this accent within the beneficial purchase class when you’re choosing up the Evoke 1200 package. We’ll get to make use of circumstances in a second, however as for me, I discovered myself utilizing the Evoke 1200 primarily as a tough gentle supply all through my tryout with the fixture and fewer as a smooth supply. You’ll discover your use relying on the kind of work you do. Management/Menu You’ll seemingly spend most of your time utilizing the menu with the rear-facing Arri Orbiter reminiscent management format. You possibly can management depth right down to very small increments (even beneath 1%) through the use of the “Daylight” button on the far left. Triggering results like “lightning” can also be very straightforward with the “Impact” button. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDUnfortunately, the in-menu Fan setting has solely an “On” or “Off” possibility, and I discovered the fan noise on the loud aspect. Nevertheless, given the output of this gentle, you in all probability gained’t want to put the lamp head proper subsequent to your topic whereas recording audio. In case you do, for the reason that fan noise is constant, it may be eliminated with some fundamental audio instruments. As there’s potential for firmware updates, choices could also be out there sooner or later. The Evoke 1200 fan. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDOn the wi-fi aspect, you possibly can management the Evoke 1200 with Bluetooth, WIFI, wired DMX, or wi-fi DMX utilizing Lumen Radio. The Nanlink app itself can, in my view, nonetheless use some work. To me, the app feels prefer it’s within the ongoing growth part, however, in a pinch, it really works for fundamental output depth adjustments and for triggering results.Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDThe affordably priced $89 Nanlite Nanlink Transmitter Field (a little bit of a tongue tornado when you say it out loud) is a small field that lets you management quite a lot of Nanlite merchandise out of the identical app no matter whether or not the product makes use of 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth for wi-fi management. Organising the transmitter was painless. I merely turned on the interior battery-powered transmitter with the power-button toggle. With out points, I used to be in a position to detect the system in my Nanlink app and use it to attach with the Evoke 1200 in addition to just a few newer technology PavoTubes.I want the transmitter had been constructed with much less plastic and extra aluminum like a Teradek as a result of I fear that one good hit will take it out, however that might have seemingly meant a dearer price ticket. There was a slight delay when triggering and controlling lights utilizing this transmitter, however it was minimal, and the general management vary appears to be a lot improved. The system is powered by USB Kind C (cable not included). Output & colour handlingI grabbed just a few measurements on my Sekonic C-700U Spectrometer (now up to date with the C-800U) to see how precisely the Evoke 1200 handles colour temp measured in kelvin and output (lx) from a distance of three ft. Listed below are my readings with a goal of 5600K and output set to 100%. This check was accomplished with the Nanlux 45-degree reflector connected. 148000 lx is a really, very spectacular output of output and possibly one of many outcomes you’ll care most about with this gentle. The 5411K result’s similar to different LED fixtures I’ve examined, however I might like to get this consequence a bit nearer to the 5600K goal. When it comes to colour rendering, the Evoke landed within the excessive 90s when it comes to CRI throughout the board apart from the R12 blue channel. That is glorious. Right here’s a take a look at spectral distribution once more with the 45-degree reflector connected. In brief, excessive CRI paired with glorious output and only a slight manageable shift away from the kelvin goal is all excellent news. Use Instances I had the chance to check each the Aputure LS 1200d Professional and the Evoke 1200 across the similar time, and if I needed to evaluate the 2, I desire the standard of sunshine out of the Evoke 1200 a bit extra. The Aputure LS 1200d Professional has a particular scorching spot within the heart of its beam, granted not an issue with many modifiers and the CRLS Lightbridge system. Nonetheless, it was the shadow high quality out of the Evoke 1200 that, in the long run, felt extra pure to my eye. Evoke 1200 with 26-degree reflector pointed via window. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineDWith that in thoughts, I used the Evoke 1200 closely to fill out the background and mid-ground of photographs on a number of tasks I’ve been filming throughout this testing interval. It makes for an important natural-feeling supply that feels very sun-like. I’ll do my finest to replace this text and share a few of these photos as soon as the tasks go reside and the NDAs are not in impact. 60-degree reflector outdoors window. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD Regardless of the fan noise, I additionally discovered loads of alternatives to key with the Evoke 1200. In scripted tasks, I’m usually “key-ing” from outdoors home windows or to permit for large establishing photographs, from a long way.The FL-35 Fresnel or the slender reflector additionally gives the chance to present your topic a bit form in heavy daylight in the midst of the day whereas nonetheless utilizing the solar for key-ing with or with out an overhead modifier of some type. I wasn’t in a position to check extraordinarily excessive body charges personally past 120fps with out entry to a Phantom or one other kind of high-speed digital camera (please remark beneath when you’ve got been in a position to check for flicker with this fixture with excessive body price choices). Nanlux claims, because of the 151,000 Hz refresh price of the Evoke 1200, flicker-free efficiency not less than as much as 3000fps with the Phantom Veo 4K — which might be very spectacular. On the danger of repeating a Director of Images cliché, there’s something to the concept after you have easy accessibility to output like this, it’s powerful to return to decrease wattage fixtures.Conclusion I didn’t count on to love the Evoke 1200 as a lot as I did. Regardless of the few drawbacks I point out on this article, I’m left with a really optimistic impression of this fixture. I might like to see Nanlux increase the already nice Evoke ecosystem into Bi-Colour choices and past. Since there are many NL equipment already delivery, I don’t really feel compelled into going again to a Bowens fixture attributable to an absence of modifiers. Picture supply: NanluxThe Evoke 1200 can play nicely from small to bigger scripted units. Due to the scale, the Evoke 1200 wouldn’t be my go-to for documentary run & gun tasks, and that’s completely high quality. Indie scripted filmmakers (with a small van or SUV) will discover tons to like in regards to the Evoke 1200, and rental homes will welcome this excessive output gentle that may take a beating and carry on kicking within the tough and tumble world of manufacturing. The price too is spectacular, and for between $4000 and $5000, you possibly can construct out a really affordable package full with quite a lot of 1st get together Nanlux equipment.What do you assume? Will you be including the Nanlux Evoke 1200 to your package? Do you could have any use circumstances in thoughts for the Nanlux Evoke 1200 that you simply assume I missed? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
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