amaran, the extra prosumer cousin of lighting model Aputure, launched their amaran 150c (150W) and 300c (300W) lights at NAB 2023 with a splash. For individuals who don’t want or use DMX, the 150c, and the 300c provide many spectacular options at implausible value factors (solely $569 for the 300c and $359 for the 150c). Let’s leap in.
Let’s begin with a fast word about my basic perspective: DMX connectivity is necessary on the tasks I work on, so maybe I haven’t given the amaran line the eye it deserves through the years. What the amaran workforce does present in the way in which of DMX is primarily USB-C to 5-Pin XLR for choose fixtures (not the 150c/300c since there isn’t a USB C).
Sidus Hyperlink (the Bluetooth-based app generally used to manage amaran and Aputure wirelessly) can be appropriate with fixtures utilizing wi-fi DMX and LumenRadio built-in. So, the dividing line between amaran (no-DMX) and Aputure (yes-DMX) is a bit grayer today, and that’s superb by me. amaran merchandise additionally are likely to rely extra on plastic parts than metallic within the case of Aputure.
Not everybody wants or cares about DMX connectivity, through which case they are going to be content material with the handbook controls on the 150c/300c or Bluetooth Sidus Hyperlink management. Because the advertising supplies word, the amaran collection is particularly geared toward “content material creators and Vloggers.” The worth factors (once more, $569 for the 300c and $359 for the 150c) indicate both of those fixtures can be an important first gentle set for creators of all stripes working primarily inside due to the general output.
Listed here are a couple of banner options shared by each the amaran 150c and 300c:
- 360° HSI Full Colour Management
- 2,500 to 7,500 CCT Vary
- +/- Inexperienced and Magenta Adjustment
- 9 Results Choices Starting from Fireplace to TV
- Constructed-in Umbrella Holder
- Stepless Dimming from 0-100%
amaran 150c and 300c. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
Preliminary impressions
The amaran workforce despatched a 150c in grey and a 300c within the flashy white exterior configuration that I’m instructed is a restricted version providing. Cinema tools is primarily matte black to keep away from reflections and to keep away from changing into a part of the shot itself (right here’s an important Buzzfeed record of some examples of in-shot tools and crew). So the white exterior makes for a very flashy on-camera choice for interviews or intentional “on-set” production-designed seems. The white paint positive seems snazzy, although and I’m not proof against cool-looking devices, which can be one of many causes I write about cinema know-how!
Each the 300c and 150c ship in these circumstances. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
Certainly one of my quibbles with previous amaran launches was their Styrofoam circumstances. At this value level, you’ll be able to’t anticipate wonderful semi-rigid circumstances from the pricier Aputure line. Nonetheless, the Styrofoam circumstances have been so tight with their inner dimensions that returning the sunshine itself was tough as a result of there wasn’t a number of flexibility – it matches just one method, and that was that. Now with the circumstances for the 150c and 300c, it’s simpler to pack up. Nevertheless, in case you journey quite a bit together with your lights, I’d nonetheless counsel altering to a tough case for transport to forestall injury from hits. There are many third get together case choices in the marketplace from manufacturers like Pelican and HPRC.
This case design is rather more forgiving. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
The lamp heads have a curved design with fashionable handles for panning, tilting, and carrying. Word that a lot of the electronics and controls are within the lamp head. That is superb if you’re utilizing the sunshine near the bottom, however increase this fixture within the air, and also you both have to decrease the stand once more to vary settings or use Sidus Hyperlink over Bluetooth. The 2 rear “fast management knobs” function a simple strategy to navigate the settings — a single button press on both knob will both leap between completely different modes or to presets within the case of traditional CCT mode. There’s a smoothness to the controls that can be satisfying, as you don’t really feel such as you’re leaping previous the settings you’re attempting to hit.
amaran 150c and 300c management panels. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
Usually, the buttons and menu navigation are sooner and simpler than with the amaran 200d S, and I hope amaran continues utilizing this button structure on future fixtures. The devoted BT Reset button (current on different amaran or Aputure merchandise) can be useful in case you’re handing these fixtures off to buddies or colleagues to be used, because it makes connecting to Sidus Hyperlink simply that a lot sooner. I additionally benefit from the exterior design of the lamp heads over earlier amaran COB generations.
Equipment
The 300c features a 65-degree reflector, or you’ve a 90-degree beam angle in case you take away the package reflector and go together with the “naked bulb.” That very same included package reflector on the 150c creates a 63-degree beam angle or an 83-degree beam angle if a reflector isn’t hooked up. Each fixtures use the ever-present Bowens S-Sort mount, the benefit being that the mount opens up a variety of accessible 1st and third get together equipment. Remember the fact that outcomes might differ as accent producers have designed completely different equipment with numerous lights in thoughts — they received’t all be appropriate regardless of utilizing the Bowens S-Sort.
amaran 150c. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
amaran has created a couple of equipment designed for the 150c and 300c, particularly the Highlight SE (with a 19-degree and a 36-degree lens accessible) and Mild Dome Mini SE. We took a take a look at each of those equipment at NAB 2023, and that video is right here.
Having hassle protecting observe of what amaran or Aputure equipment will work together with your lights? Me too! Fortunately there is a helpful chart the place you’ll be able to verify compatibility previous to utilizing an adjunct in your amaran or Aputure product.
Who’re these lights for?
As I discussed beforehand, amaran is closely advertising the 150c and 300c and the amaran line itself in the direction of Vloggers and content material creators. The quick setup time, small measurement, ease of use, and quiet fan all counsel these can be excellent choices for a house studio or perhaps a streamer wanting so as to add a pop of shade to the background.
The amaran 300c in “restricted version” white. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
When you typically keep on with CCT mode in your inside work, you’ll possible be superb with the amaran COB 200x S with its $349 price ticket. In a hypothetical streaming direct-to-computer state of affairs with the Bowens softbox, I’d select 3200K for my key gentle shade temp and use the amaran 150c/300c for the background intermingled with amaran SM5c strip LED lights. Add an Aputure B7c bulb in a classy sensible lamp and a few fill gentle (perhaps a hair gentle?), and you’ve got a really solid-looking studio setup that’s all Sidus Link linked for enjoyable results or triggered lighting transitions.
I may envision a standing grid of a number of dozen amaran 150cs within the background of a shot operating results behind key expertise in a recreation present or music video state of affairs. True, the per-fixture price makes this an costly, however hopefully not bank-breaking proposition. That very same per-fixture price plus the reliance on the plastic makes this an unlikely rental stock merchandise, in my view – Aputure 600Cs really feel extra at house in that atmosphere.
amaran 300c. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
Did I miss something? Let me know within the feedback you probably have one other excellent use case for the 150c or 300c.
Different enhancements
Just a few extra design enhancements deserve an added point out right here — for one, each fixtures characteristic an improved “silent” energetic cooling system that I’m joyful to report is quieter than the previous amaran merchandise I’ve used.
The yoke is now metallic and doesn’t really feel as breakable as prior generations. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon
The plastic yoke of previous amaran merchandise is gone in favor of a metallic yoke (thanks!). The cable locking connectors are one other enchancment. The top cable and AC cable for the facility provide are significantly strong right here — particularly over the locking barrel connector current within the amaran COB 60x. The ability provide of the 150c/300c is held in place by a metal chain that appears like the identical materials frequent to most security chains we use on set. Word that with the 150c/300c, you don’t get the favored $68 Aputure Lightning Clap for connecting the facility provide to your stand.
The ability provide is completely different for the 150c and the 300c and they don’t seem to be interchangeable. The ability provide for the 300c is a little bit slimmer. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
The discharge latch that holds the Bowens accent in place additionally feels extra rugged on each fixtures, and a easy slide transfer unlocks any linked Bowens accent. I’d name all these small however significant quality-of-life enhancements for the amaran line as a complete.
Output & Kelvin dealing with in CCT Mode
I went forward and examined the output utilizing lux and shade dealing with (utilizing Kelvin) at a distance of three toes of each fixtures with my Sekonic C-700U Spectrometer. Listed here are my outcomes for the amaran 300c, beginning with a goal of 5600K with the package 65-degree reflector hooked up. I recorded a implausible common CRI (R1-R8) of 97.6 for the 300c and 97.7 for the 150c all through testing.
A results of 5716K is a strong consequence for the 5600K goal and a very good total consequence relating to Kelvin accuracy. A lux studying (a measure of output additionally expressed above in foot candles) of 23200lx at 3ft with the reflector on can be very near Aputure’s publicized numbers, too — which I respect.
Now for a goal of 3200K:
A results of 3248K is nearer to the goal of 3200K when in comparison with the outcomes on the daylight finish of the Kelvin vary. Only a minimal drop in output with this goal.
Okay, now let’s check out the amaran 150c with a goal of 5600K and the package 63.4-degree Hyper Reflector hooked up:
A results of 5590K is totally implausible for the 150c and extra spot-on when in comparison with the 300c.
Now for a goal of 3200K:
Additionally wonderful marks for the 150c with a results of 3183K with a goal of 3200K. Once more, an output drop right here when in comparison with the daylight finish of the CCT vary.
Now for a deeper take a look at the colour rendering scores of the amaran 300c particularly. General, these are wonderful outcomes with the one exception being blue R12. I hoped for an R12 measurement within the 80s or 90s and it does appear frequent for R12 blue to be a troublesome space for a lot of fashionable LED COB fixtures once I examine my different check scores over time between quite a lot of manufacturers.
I requested the Aputure engineering workforce for feedback on R12 Blue and the complexity across the blue gentle emitter generally and so they got here again with the next remark:
“At current, most lighting fixtures use a single blue gentle emitter to excite the LED phosphor. To considerably enhance the R12 worth in daylight shade temperatures, a multi-blue gentle emitter is usually used. You possibly can see that the R12 of our dual-blue LED lights just like the amaran 200x S and Electro Storm CS15 is 92+. You possibly can see this discrepancy throughout the lighting trade in fixtures with Excessive SSI shade applied sciences vs these that don’t. It pertains to the blue spike that folks typically point out about LED’s spectral energy distributions. A whole lot of lights that solely use a single blue gentle emitter will end in related R12 values within the 70s to low 80s, relying on the colour science, mixture of chips, and the LED chips used.”
Conclusion
The amaran line, with the 150c and 300c, is getting higher and higher. So significantly better that I ponder whether it would take a little bit of the sheen away from comparable Aputure merchandise. I’m prepared for a couple of new onerous gentle releases from Aputure that characteristic shade to enhance the superb Light Storm 600C. I hope amaran engineers keep on with this design for the buttons and the lamp head exterior and handles.
amaran 300c. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
In case you are primarily price saving and don’t want shade in your pictures, you then could be greatest served by earlier Bi-Colour amaran merchandise just like the amaran 200X S. However, the 150c and 300c are a extra versatile pair of lights that can serve you nicely as your profession progresses, significantly as bodily shade gels grow to be more and more scarce.
amaran 150c and 300c. Picture Credit score: Graham Sheldon/CineD
Remember the fact that the 300c doesn’t fairly have the punch essential to compete outdoors on a sunny day, and it received’t take many impacts like its pricier Aputure cousins that depend on metallic development. Nonetheless, it is going to be wonderful in an inside the place ambient gentle could be managed.
What do you suppose? Will you be including the amaran 150c and 300c to your package? Tell us within the feedback under!