MINI TESTS
BRONCOLOR LED F160 £1469/$1699 broncolor.swiss
IMAGES Broncolor
Broncolor might not be a well-known name among filmmakers, but for photographers its products are often very high on the list of dream lighting kit. The Swiss company makes some of the most well-respected lights that have been the backbone of many a rental studio or top professional’s arsenal for decades. Of course, a lot of that reputation has been built on incredibly high- spec flash units. As Bron has seen its customer base move headlong into video, the company has focused on a new sort of LED light that is aimed at hybrid stills and video shooters. The LED F160 is built to allow photographers to produce photo and video shots in one go using the wide range of Broncolor light shapers that many already own. From beauty dishes to parabolic reflectors, snoots to softboxes, there is a vast array of light shapers to offer far more control than most video-based systems. Of course, using large softboxes with double layers of diffusion does cut the power down significantly. That’s not a problemwhen using flash, but for video use then there are limitations, especially when mixing bright ambient light with LED lighting. The LED F160 works so well with the Bron light-shaping accessories at it’s designed as point light source. This is then focused in the light shapers, allowing very precise light guiding. There is a small dial on the side of the unit that allows the light to be focused slightly, giving even more precise control.
has a well- established reputation among stills photographers but is as yet less well-known in filmmaking
The light itself has a very high Colour Rendering Index which is an average value of 97, and at 5500K is as high as 99, says Broncolor. Using the rear OLED panel, it’s very easy to change lighting power output, as well as increase the colour temperature from 2800-6800K in steps of 50, and also alter tint from green to magenta. Our tests proved the output was very accurate. A single button on the rear overrides the settings and toggles between daylight and tungsten, for quick changes. Overall, the performance was bright, consistent and accurate – as you’d expect from such a high-end manufacturer. The light has built-in Wi-Fi to integrate with the Broncolor bronControl app, and can be controlled via DMX with an optional control unit. To use it on location away from an AC power source, Broncolor also sells the li-ion battery kit which comes with a 36V XLR V-mount battery, a V-mount stand clamp and a charger. The kit costs £516/$639 and at full power, gives around 30 minutes of juice. It can be recharged in around 90 minutes. AD
SPECIFICATIONS Power: 12,000 lumens CRI: 97 average, 99 at 5500K Colour temperature: 2800-6800K in steps of 50 Green/magenta control: -25 to +25 One-touch setting button: Daylight/tungsten Connectivity: Built-inWi-Fi, DMX with optional control box Display: OLED
Power: AC or battery Dimension (WxHxD): 285x160x120mm/ in Weight: 1745g/3.85lb
“The LED F160 works so well with Bron accessories as it’s designed as a point light source”
PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 8/10 Top quality lighting that takes a huge range of Bron modifiers Pros: Great build quality, choice of power Cons: Modifiers cut down power output
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SUMMER 2020 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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