Adding RGB to the quiver..Thoughts on the Litepanels Gemini RGB 1x1?

L

Lkorver

Well-known member
Finally adding RGB capability to my light kit, likely used mainly for interviews or the occasional b-roll setup. Looking for something lightweight for airline travel and the Gemini seemed to have the best weight to light quality ratio (11lbs all in). Also just a single power cable keeps the kits small and fast. Are there any other fixtures I should consider that are lightweight, compact, simple, and with high quality light?

Also, how is the fan noise on this for interviews?
 
thanks McG...
Any chance you happen to know the size the unit with the yoke attached? B&H says "12.6 x 12.6 x 4.6" but wasn't sure if that was inclusive of the yoke. I'm looking to see if I can find a flight case to fit the Gemini and a Mozzie.
 
Having lived with both for a few months, stretch for the 2x1, it's a lot more useful I found. Bigger, heavier, more expensive but man does it have some horsepower.
The power connector on the 1x1 is flimsy compared to the 2x1 and horsepower can be important unless you never fight or deal with ambient. I agree with Matt,
the fans on the Geminis are a none issue, pretty quiet.
 
I have two each of the 2x1 and 1x1 Gemini’s. The 1x1’s actually see the most use, by far. I bet I haven’t taken the 2x1’s out in 11 months or so(right before everything shut down). And as a matter of fact, I went to update the firmware on all my Gemini’s yesterday and the rotary encoder for the dimmer on one of the 2x1’s is screwed up. It will only run the power up, no matter which way you turn it(!). I hate rotary encoders, in-general, but especially on the Gemini’s. They’re the worst thing about these otherwise great lights. With rotary encoders, it’s not a question of IF they will go bad, it’s WHEN will they go bad.

But back to the 1x1. I’d recommend getting a battery plate for each one you buy, as well. They did the battery plate right with the Gemini’s and tightly integrated them, compared to the Astra’s. Once you mount the Gemini plates and hook everything up, the fixture automatically detects whether it needs to run on battery or A/C. No more switching cables in the back(or forgetting to switch cables... lol).

Another high ‘light quality’ fixture that is lightweight is the Intellytech LiteCloth series, but they are not “simple” or quick set-ups.
 
Run&Gun said:
I have two each of the 2x1 and 1x1 Gemini’s. The 1x1’s actually see the most use, by far. I bet I haven’t taken the 2x1’s out in 11 months or so(right before everything shut down). And as a matter of fact, I went to update the firmware on all my Gemini’s yesterday and the rotary encoder for the dimmer on one of the 2x1’s is screwed up. It will only run the power up, no matter which way you turn it(!). I hate rotary encoders, in-general, but especially on the Gemini’s. They’re the worst thing about these otherwise great lights. With rotary encoders, it’s not a question of IF they will go bad, it’s WHEN will they go bad.

But back to the 1x1. I’d recommend getting a battery plate for each one you buy, as well. They did the battery plate right with the Gemini’s and tightly integrated them, compared to the Astra’s. Once you mount the Gemini plates and hook everything up, the fixture automatically detects whether it needs to run on battery or A/C. No more switching cables in the back(or forgetting to switch cables... lol).

Another high ‘light quality’ fixture that is lightweight is the Intellytech LiteCloth series, but they are not “simple” or quick set-ups.
Click to expand...

Interesting use case. When I had both, I always reached for the 2 x 1 as I liked the horsepower and the size of the 2 x 1 source, if placed close enough to talent for a stand up
or interview, meant I didn't have to break out a softbox like I did for the 1 x 1. Different strokes. I used the 2 x 1 a lot of shots of a Master Distiller doing his thing at a
client's Distillery and it was so much more versatile. YMMV.
 
I have both the 1x1 and the 2x1. I can't remember the exact specs but I know that the 1x1 outputs out definitely more than half that of the 2x1 (it is comparable to the S30 Skypanel, whereas the 2x1 falls short of the S60). I am possibly partial as I was consulted on the 1x1 while it was in prototype phase. The integrated battery electronics was a high priority on my list since I was an Astra owner and I had built a custom backpanel switch to have to avoid the cable swap.
 
CharlesPapert said:
I have both the 1x1 and the 2x1. I can't remember the exact specs but I know that the 1x1 outputs out definitely more than half that of the 2x1 (it is comparable to the S30 Skypanel, whereas the 2x1 falls short of the S60). I am possibly partial as I was consulted on the 1x1 while it was in prototype phase. The integrated battery electronics was a high priority on my list since I was an Astra owner and I had built a custom backpanel switch to have to avoid the cable swap.
Click to expand...

What did you think of their choice in power connector for the 1x1 in comparison to the 2x1? I was disappointed but it's possible I had a prototype you worked on, it was early days before the official announcement.
I'm not sure which power connector they ended up using for the production models?
 
puredrifting said:
What did you think of their choice in power connector for the 1x1 in comparison to the 2x1? I was disappointed but it's possible I had a prototype you worked on, it was early days before the official announcement.
I'm not sure which power connector they ended up using for the production models?
Click to expand...

The production version of the 1x1 uses a standard 3-prong IEC power cable connection. Although I’m not 100% sold on the “pigtail” on the PSU. It’s just one more point of possible failure.
 
puredrifting said:
Interesting use case. When I had both, I always reached for the 2 x 1 as I liked the horsepower and the size of the 2 x 1 source, if placed close enough to talent for a stand up
or interview, meant I didn't have to break out a softbox like I did for the 1 x 1. Different strokes. I used the 2 x 1 a lot of shots of a Master Distiller doing his thing at a
client's Distillery and it was so much more versatile. YMMV.
Click to expand...

The funny thing, the Chimera’s for the 2x1 and 1x1 are the same size front panels: ~ 2’x3’(technically 24”x32”).
 
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