MINI TESTS
SPECIFICATIONS Pixel arrays: Six Colours: RGB mint amber Max battery runtime: 20 hours Charging time: Three hours LED power: 25W Strobe: 0-25Hz IP rating: 65 Power supply: DC 24v/0.8A CRI/ TLCI: >96 Output at 1m: 516 lux at 5500K Colour temperature: 3200-6500K Control: On-board, 2.4G, Bluetooth, Wired DMX, CRMX, Infrared Lamp dimensions (wxhxd): 166x85x43.5mm/ 6.53x 3.34x1.71 in Weight per lamp: 604g/1.3lb Total kit size in case (wxhxd): 415x335x183.6mm/ 16.34x13.19x7.23in Total kit weight: 8.1kg/17.9lb
“The Astera TruColor technology calibrates the light for consistency and exact colour temperature”
each of the six LED arrays per lamp. You can even set the lights to analyse music and match the beat for the full DJ clubbing experience. This makes them great as either practical lights, in or out of frame. Putting four together gives a soft light, suitable for close-ups – especially when used with the softboxes and diffusion. Or use three as a key light and one as a fill or hair light. The grids do a great job of stopping light spilling around. And if you feel the need for a strong orange and teal look to match everyone’s favourite grade of recent years, just dial it in. The lights are silent and powerful – as they put out 1300 lumens – and the accessories make all the difference. Cheaper versions are available, but they are of a much lesser quality and you certainly don’t get the cool charging case and massive array of extras. It’s not often you find a truly professional product, with lots of unique features, that offers better value than more ‘affordable’ versions. The Astera FP6 HydraPanel kit is just that.
wanted to slip round. But it shows that real filmmakers have had a hand in making sure these lights can be mounted anywhere, using a variety of common methods. There are even safety holes for security wires to ensure the lamps don’t fall off and hit your talent on the head. Or, if someone moves or tampers with your light during a shoot or event, there’s an anti-theft feature, where the panel produces visual and audible alarms and sends a notification to the app. And if the AC power is cut, the light switches to battery and puts out bright white light as a safety feature, so you’re not left in the dark. Of course, what really matters is the light quality – and the Astera HydraPanel delivers consistent, flicker-free performance at all settings. The Astera TruColor technology calibrates the light for consistency and exact reproduction of colour temperature and filter gels. You can dial in CCT with a green/ magenta tint to get white exactly right, HSI numbers or a range of gels. The app lets you make the lights change colour, with full control over
MOD CONS You can run
each light bare, with a diffuser softbox or a choice of grids
PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Flexible and professional-quality small light panels Pros: Charging case houses it all Cons: Not the smallest form factor
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