GEAR
2. NEXT-GENERATION ROTOLIGHTS If ever there was a company that always pushes the boundary of what’s possible with innovative and unique products, it’s British firm Rotolight. That pioneering
spirit continues with its two latest offerings, the Neo 3 and AEOS 2.
These LED panels put out continuous light in all colours and are the first to also deliver high-speed sync RGBWW flash. This enables flash in any one of 16.7 million colours or 2500 digital filters, with zero recycle time, allowing for creative looks or technical colour-matching. If you also shoot stills as well as video, these could be an ideal buy to avoid switching between two types of light – flash and continuous. Using an Elinchrom- made Skyport transmitter, the lights can be super-fast flash units, with virtually instant recycling. Plus, they work with high-speed sync. The Neo 3 is claimed to be the brightest on-camera LED light ever, although it’s more flexible to take it off the camera and use on a stand. The larger AEOS 2 is reportedly the thinnest and lightest 1x1 panel on the market, at under 1.4kg/3.0lb. Although, being round, it’s not really a 1x1. But the shape does put more natural catchlights in a subject’s eyes. Both lights are controlled by a full- colour, two-inch touchscreen display, or you can navigate with the two large dials on the rear panel. The touch panel is easy to use, with a sensible menu structure. If you want to make changes wirelessly, there will be a free Rotolight app for iOS and Android when the panels go on general sale. This will let you switch between lighting modes to remotely adjust colour,
create custom groups and projects on up to 20 lights, simultaneously. The Neo 3 is small, measuring 145x50mm/5.7inx2in and weighing just 354g/0.78lb. It can be powered by the included mains adapter or a Sony NP-F battery. Its output is 4541 lux at one metre, dimmable 0-100%, and controllable in temperature across 3000-10,000K. If you use Ніgh-Ѕрееd Ѕуnс mode, the LEDs flash and give double their continuous output, too. That’s decent, although you’re not going to be lighting a big set outdoors on a sunny day with one. To modify the light, a new Universal Speedring Adapter is coming on the market soon and enables Bowens-mount modifiers to be used on both the Neo and AEOS ranges. The Neo can come bundled with a small diffuser dome in one of the Rotolight kits, or buy this separately for £50/$60. A starter bundle costs £515/$599 – great value for the technology. It’s probably worth spending DIALLED IN Both the AEOS 2 and Neo 3 use the familiar Rotolight control system of a touchscreen menu and large control knobs, if you prefer a more tactile feel. There are also remote control options, too
brightness, the usual Rotolight SFX settings and lots more. You can also
QUALITY KIT Fitted with the accessory yoke, V-Mount battery and barn doors, the AEOS 2 is a capable location light (above). The smaller Neo 3 (right) is very bright for its size. A clip-on diffuser softens the AEOS 2 output (far right)
34
PRO MOVIEMAKER
Powered by FlippingBook