Aputure Araman lighting kit

Michael Thames

Michael Thames

Carbonite Member
Hi guys, I just recently got the Aputure Amaran 672 kit. Man what a difference these lights made from my potpourri of fluorescent, and incandescent lights. I can now do a proper white balance!

I know most likely a few of you have this kit, and I'm wondering if you have run into this problem...... I charge up the batteries, and then leave the batteries on the unit after being fully charged, turn off the lights, but then then next day the batteries are completely drained! If I take the batteries off the unit the batters are fully charged the next day...... what up with this? Anyone else have this problem...... Am I doing something wrong?
 
I haven't seen them go completely flat in just a day, but yes, there is some drain on the batteries even with the switch off on the 672's. I just make it a point to take the batteries off the light after charging, and store them separately. The standard case kind of forces you to do that when putting the light away, anyway. It's hardly a desirable feature but just something I accept as normal for these lights, and not a huge annoyance in the scheme of things. A couple of my cameras have the same issue to a greater or lesser degree.

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
I haven't seen them go completely flat in just a day, but yes, there is some drain on the batteries even with the switch off on the 672's. I just make it a point to take the batteries off the light after charging, and store them separately. The standard case kind of forces you to do that when putting the light away, anyway. It's hardly a desirable feature but just something I accept as normal for these lights, and not a huge annoyance in the scheme of things. A couple of my cameras have the same issue to a greater or lesser degree.

- Greg
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Thanks Greg, I tend to leave them on a light stand here at home with the batteries in and grab the light from time to time when I need them. I was kind a shocked to see the batteries were dead on them. The only inconvenient thing I've found so far on these lights other than that they are great.
 
I once had a Z-96 LED accidentally get turned on while in the bag since I left the batteries in it. Since there was no ventilation, it got so hot that the plastic bent, it started smoking, the batteries were burning hot, etc. The light did survive, but since then I always take out the batteries when storing my LEDs.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
I once had a Z-96 LED accidentally get turned on while in the bag since I left the batteries in it. Since there was no ventilation, it got so hot that the plastic bent, it started smoking, the batteries were burning hot, etc. The light did survive, but since then I always take out the batteries when storing my LEDs.
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That's a PRO-TIP for ya right there!
 
Eric Coughlin said:
I once had a Z-96 LED accidentally get turned on while in the bag since I left the batteries in it. Since there was no ventilation, it got so hot that the plastic bent, it started smoking, the batteries were burning hot, etc. The light did survive, but since then I always take out the batteries when storing my LEDs.
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Dang......holy smokes!

The carrying case on these won't allow you to store them with the batteries in the lights. But if I'm shooting something throughout the day at different times it would be nice to use them then turn them off for a while not having to worry about how much the battery just drained.
 
Michael Thames said:
Dang......holy smokes!

The carrying case on these won't allow you to store them with the batteries in the lights. But if I'm shooting something throughout the day at different times it would be nice to use them then turn them off for a while not having to worry about how much the battery just drained.
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I have 2 of these lights and get the same issue. I always keep them plugged in and charging when on set and in between shots during the day. I break them down and keep them in their little carry cases between shoots. Just make sure you always have the power adapter and an extension cord for security.

btw, curious how you use them... I use umbrellas to keep them soft. do you use a diffuser or try to block side light with them? Great flood lights but I have to mix them with tungsten lights with gels and id love some different options.
 
Looking to get one of these kits. Had my mind set on the Light Storms but the kit with 3 Amaran HR672s is €680 and the Light Storms are over €600 each, so I figured a kit is a good way to start and complement that with a more powerful Light Storm or two down the road.

Aputure claim that one 672 is about the the same as a 400W, is that about right?

How long do the included batteries last?
 
The 400W equivalent claim seems reasonable to me, or perhaps even a little conservative.

With the two provided batteries, mine run about 90 minutes at 99% on the dimmer. (It doesn't go to 100%!) They do lose a little intensity toward the end of the battery run.

I have two of the Amaran 672's, one spot, one flood, and one of the Lightstorms in the daylight spot version.

I posted some measurement results in this thread, reply #15:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...get-Led-Lights-for-Indoor-interview-Use/page2

- Greg
 
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dmitrizigany said:
Looking to get one of these kits. Had my mind set on the Light Storms but the kit with 3 Amaran HR672s is €680 and the Light Storms are over €600 each, so I figured a kit is a good way to start and complement that with a more powerful Light Storm or two down the road.

Aputure claim that one 672 is about the the same as a 400W, is that about right?

How long do the included batteries last?
Click to expand...

I might have spoken too soon regarding the battery life, or leaving them on the light and how quickly they drain. I noticed they discharged quickly the first day I got them, I charged them up the first day left them on the unit and the next day they were drained. However now that I've had them for a while and use them a lot, they seem to have gotten much better, the batteries don't discharge if I leave them on the unit now, at least I haven't noticed much discharge.

As as far as how long the batteries last I got two hours at full power, although I didn't do a test on how much they dimmed towards the end of their cycle. It would be logical to assume you could get more time if the lights were set to 30% instead of 99% that I did.

I really love these lights...... The carrying bag is great too.
 
Thanks Greg and Michael!

Yes, the 3 piece kit looks like a sweet deal and a great starting point. The 672s and the Light Storms seem to be well regarded. I only have one Aputure product, the VS3 monitor. It's pretty damn useless as a monitor so been a bit sceptical towards Aputure ;)
 
dmitrizigany said:
The image is just too damn bad. I don't trust it at all.
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I still don't understand what is wrong with the image. "Too damn bad" doesn't explain anything.

The reason I ask is that I'm looking for a monitor and have read good reviews about the Aperture VS2 and assumed the VS3 was equally as good.
 
It's been almost a year since I used it now. But to start with the resolution's too low for a 7" monitor, the colours Are not very accurate at all... Luminance is incorrect. I did the mistake of trusting it when I just got it and it pretty much ruined that shoot. It's just not a good monitor. I guess it's the old "you get what you pay for". I really cannot recommend it to anyone. Unless you just need an extra monitor as an overview... The monitoring functions are rather clunky to get to quickly...
It's light weight and the black rubbery finish is rather nice. But that's about the only good thing about it ;)
 
But the lights have gotten pretty good reviews, but that has been mostly the Storm Lights, so I remain a bit sceptical towards the Amarans, but would be amazing if they are good. I don't use them in regular production but rather a few times a month so if they are not the sturdiest that's not such a big deal, as long as the light is good.
 
dmitrizigany said:
It's been almost a year since I used it now. But to start with the resolution's too low for a 7" monitor, the colours Are not very accurate at all... Luminance is incorrect. I did the mistake of trusting it when I just got it and it pretty much ruined that shoot. It's just not a good monitor. I guess it's the old "you get what you pay for". I really cannot recommend it to anyone. Unless you just need an extra monitor as an overview... The monitoring functions are rather clunky to get to quickly...
It's light weight and the black rubbery finish is rather nice. But that's about the only good thing about it ;)
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Not to belittle your review, but as far as resolution goes they do provide display info online before you purchase that the monitor is 1024x600. Also be aware that there are very few 7" field monitors that have an actual resolution of 1920x1080.

As far as the color and luminance being incorrect, you can adjust both via menu controls.

And concerning your shoot being ruined, the monitor does display histogram, peaking, zebra, and false color for judging focus and exposure.

All the best!

Dave
 
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David W. Jones said:
color and luminance being incorrect, you can adjust both via menu controls.
the monitor does display histogram, peaking, zebra, and false color for judging focus and exposure.
Dave
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So, in essence, you are suggesting that the monitor has all the tools required to help us shoot video.

I guess for me the only other issue is whether a 7" screen is too big and perhaps a 5" is a better size.
 
There are a couple of newer 5" monitors which have just come out which are 1920x1080 and also do recording.

I would investigate those.
 
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