Aputure Light Storm LS 1s Review

PegLeg Media said:
awesome set photos Erik! I would love to see some results with that setup! I see a lot of reviews about the light storms right now, anybody compared them to the wescott flex light? I dont know exactly how bright they are but the one review i saw made them look extremely bright and they are much more portable and versatile than the light storm. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1098577-REG/westcott_7400_flex_daylight_led.html here is the flex light
Click to expand...

Flex light is bright but it's application is more specialized. I haven't compared the output but I feel the Light Storm is brighter. The Flex Light can be tapped to a wall or rolled up and inserted into a lamp. So many different ways to use it. The only thing missing is a battery powered option and I understand Westcott is working on one. It really needs it because how versatile it is.


11176324_462174233930338_349747846_n.jpg11282043_459182767593848_1169640878_n.jpg11352085_387669438084398_1334695922_n.jpg

Here is another graded frame grab from the shoot.

Jody Dagmar.00_15_11_12.Still001.jpg
 
Last edited:
How does it compare in brightness to the brightest Astra daylight or a Dracast 1000? If you have any formal experience with either of those two panels. I thought the Astra was plenty bright and am going to try a Dracast. However, I'd really like to know how these compare because they seem like they might be another good option to consider.
 
JK12 said:
How does it compare in brightness to the brightest Astra daylight or a Dracast 1000? If you have any formal experience with either of those two panels. I thought the Astra was plenty bright and am going to try a Dracast. However, I'd really like to know how these compare because they seem like they might be another good option to consider.
Click to expand...
I haven't used either. Whats the output of those lights? The Light Storm is approximately 1K.
 
Erik, thanks for the reviews. Do you have any experience with the Aputure 528? I've heard there is a green spike, but I am confused because supposedly there is a new model with a higher CRI (95)...
 
Aren't the LightStorm models supposed to be out now? I can't seem to find them anywhere yet have heard in two videos that they would be available now.

@Erik - Have your heard anything from Aputure about when these will be available? There is zero info out there and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking.
 
Erik Naso said:
Flex light is bright but it's application is more specialized. I haven't compared the output but I feel the Light Storm is brighter. The Flex Light can be tapped to a wall or rolled up and inserted into a lamp. So many different ways to use it. The only thing missing is a battery powered option and I understand Westcott is working on one. It really needs it because how versatile it is.
Click to expand...

I just received Aladdins Bi-Flex units which are truly great LED lights aimed at use when larger panels wont work. They do not have the punch of your Aputure but they are surprisingly bright and could work for almost all indoors shoots. Brighter than the Litepanels 1x1 at least. Outdoors I just bring reflectors unless it's late evening/night or during the winter when I might use LED.

Looking at the Aputure panels you've got I think they look like a product well designed with some great punch. If they do draw something like 130W I guess you need larger V-mount/Anton to really get full effect? Since the LEDs are packed so tight how's the multiple shadows you usually see with LED panels?
 
Due to the fact I have been doing more photo work I have been thinking of selling some gear to make room at home. Thinking of selling my tungsten kit and picking up a few of these and every review I have seen of them sure has me excited!
 
ScorseseFan, I'd stick to the 672's over the 528's for one big reason - power.
I have both and the 528 is 'just below' strong enough to be used as a key when shot through a diffusion screen, while the 672 is 'just above' strong enough.
Now neither of these are as bright as 1000-led panels of course, but since they are both the exact same size, that one issue - the brighter output - to me pushes the 528's just out of the realm of 'generally usable' as a key light.

Here's a place to get the 672's for only $202 -
http://www.lightinthebox.com/aputur...g-for-camcorder-or-dslr-cameras_p1856370.html
 
FrameFarmMedia said:
Aren't the LightStorm models supposed to be out now? I can't seem to find them anywhere yet have heard in two videos that they would be available now.

@Erik - Have your heard anything from Aputure about when these will be available? There is zero info out there and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking.
Click to expand...
They shipped to dealers on the 16th so we should see them on Amazon, B&H and other retailers pretty soon. I'm a little surprised that they aren't already. I spoke to Aputure on the 15th and thats what they told me.
 
Erik Naso said:
They shipped to dealers on the 16th so we should see them on Amazon, B&H and other retailers pretty soon. I'm a little surprised that they aren't already. I spoke to Aputure on the 15th and thats what they told me.
Click to expand...

I just looked and found them on Amazon. Didn't see them a few hours ago so it looks like they are just rolling out just as you said.
 
DPStewart said:
ScorseseFan, I'd stick to the 672's over the 528's for one big reason - power.
I have both and the 528 is 'just below' strong enough to be used as a key when shot through a diffusion screen, while the 672 is 'just above' strong enough.
Now neither of these are as bright as 1000-led panels of course, but since they are both the exact same size, that one issue - the brighter output - to me pushes the 528's just out of the realm of 'generally usable' as a key light.

Here's a place to get the 672's for only $202 -
http://www.lightinthebox.com/aputur...g-for-camcorder-or-dslr-cameras_p1856370.html
Click to expand...
Thanks, for the advice. I was planning on using the 528 as fill and the 672 as a key. Do you have any preference for the spot or wide?.. That's an awesome price for the 672!
 
scorsesefan said:
Thanks, for the advice. I was planning on using the 528 as fill and the 672 as a key. Do you have any preference for the spot or wide?.. That's an awesome price for the 672!
Click to expand...

Go spot if you plan on shooting through diffusion. Thats the model I went for.
 
scorsesefan said:
Thanks, for the advice. I was planning on using the 528 as fill and the 672 as a key. Do you have any preference for the spot or wide?.. That's an awesome price for the 672!
Click to expand...

Remember, they're DIMMABLE. So there's not much reason to have one that is less powerful.
 
FrameFarmMedia said:
Aren't the LightStorm models supposed to be out now? I can't seem to find them anywhere yet have heard in two videos that they would be available now.
Click to expand...
I think Aputure just announced they are shipping. Which probably means some time until they've reached all the retail channels...
 
Well that sucks. Now that they are shipping I will have to explain to the wife why there are 3 new boxes sitting on her dining room table with packing materials thrown about.
 
Damn Amazon won't ship to Canada. I guess I'll have to wait till B&H gets stock if they do at all. I had plans to use these on a project late next week. too bad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top