Aputure LS-1S or 120D? +Extra Lights

M

MagicMountainMan

Member
So after driving myself crazy reading and watching tons of reviews and examples, I still can't decide what to do for a lighting package so I need some help here.

A little bit of background:

I'm looking at doing a strictly night shoot on a GH4 that might span a month or two (no rentals).
I currently own no lights to speak of and am looking to get some lights that will last me a good while.
I don't really care about bi-color LEDs, while nice, I can just gel them.
On that same note, if I don't get bi-color, I'm looking at a full daylight kit.
I really love soft keylights. (Definitely looking at some modifiers)
Having at least one light in the kit that is pretty powerful is definitely a must.

Currently I've really been eyeing this LS-1s with Amaran 672 kit on Amazon that looks pretty tempting for $1200, however I have my doubts about the Amarans and how long they would actually last as most people roundly criticize their build quailty (that the Tri-8s look to solve but they aren't even being sold yet and they are unproven). The LS-1s really pumps light out which is what makes it really attractive to me, especially as I am only going to be running around with a GH4 at night.

I'm also rather tickled by the Aputure 120d (hopefully it becomes available soon) and I would love to pick up the Fresnel and softbox attachments. The 120d also seems to be the more versatile light as I can use it as a really wide flood or a more focused source-y light depending on how I modify. The LS-1s and Amarans/any other LED 1x1 type light aren't as versatile as a single source LED which is probably what has stopped me from jumping all over the Lightstorm/Amaran deal. I'd also get a few more lights to supplement the 120d as again I have no lights to speak of. The Boltzens look nice for their price as well and being able to have a full LED kit that mimics a nice conventional kit is really intriguing.

Now before all of you jump in and tell me to just get ALL TEH LITES! I do have a budget in mind and I don't really want to be spending over $1200-1300 USD for just a bare light or two as I still have to buy stands, modifiers, etc to fully kit it out.

So my question to those of you that have experience with some or all of these lights, what lights have served you best and which lights would you grab?

TL;DR: Typical 1x1 LED panels vs single source LEDs...
 
I do have access to a bunch of Leikos with different barrels (even some 50 degrees) and I'm not looking at investing in Tungsten. I'm definitely interested in investing in some LEDs to keep it light, portable, and cool. Thanks though!
 
Well it depends how you're carrying both types of lights. Cases for LEDs are big bulky cubes. Without cases both can fit in milk crates. Add several V-lock batteries or a charger then tungsten lights become lighter and more portable. LEDs hands down win in the heat department, although in my experience is rarely a real problem.

It's clear you have your heart set on the LEDs though. I'd at least get the light storm then maybe the smaller boltzen which last longer than the larger one when powered with sony np batteries.
 
If there were a one size fits all light kit, then there wouldn't be hundreds of different lights available.

"I'm doing a night shoot" doesn't really narrow things down. Are you lighting a talking head, a group of people at an outdoor rave, a semi truck being unloaded?

Do you need to light wide shots, or just tight shots with the diffused LED light just out of frame?

What is portable to you.... Fit in a backpack, trunk of a car, Van?
 
Elaborating on what I'm shooting: it's a narrative film that will have all kinds of different compositions. It's also going to require us to climb almost 400ft up in a stairwell with gear but I would downsize for that... All in all it's a very small shoot.

Portable to me is it fits inside my trunk.

Overall I think my main question is, do I get the LS-1s or the 120d? That's what I'm really stuck on, and everything else is secondary.
 
Get one of each and the fresnel plus a few large V-Mount or Gold mount batteries. For the COB 120d the battery needs to be 11amps. I have two of these ROLUX 160Wh RL-160A

If you can. Get two 4x4 frames and a few sheets of 1/2 stop diffusion. You will also need C-Stand and grip heads for the 4x4's. This would round out a tight little package.
 
Erik, I've read in another thread that you or someone else mentioned that the two lights really don't color match very well... Is it something that's so apparent that it's hard to overcome or something that is easily taken care of with a bit of gel or work in post?
 
Regarding the frames, ironically it's easier to carry a 6x6 (aluminium from hardware store with plastic connectors) than a 4x4 knife blade frame. Extreme portable frames like scrim jims etc. can be handy but are a ripoff in my opinion. You'll need an extra stand but 4x4s are among the worst things to carry. If you have help, which it sounds like you will for your short then you can manage a 6x6 set up.

It sounds like you'll be happy with a soft box though so go down that path if the results please you.
 
So I just bought the 120D with the Fresnel combo (off Amazon) and it says it will be here in a few weeks. Still curious to know how well the 120D and the LS-1s combo color matches before I spring for the latter...

Also, with these bigger LED lights, what kind of stands have you all had the most luck with?

Thank you guys for your help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top