Fiilex Matrix LED vs Lightpanels Astra 6x

V

Vintegreo

Well-known member
Hello,

For anyone who has used both of these lights, do you have an opinion on one vs the other? I've rented the Matrix on a number of occasions and really liked it. I've rented the 6x on a few occasions and liked it as well.

The Matrix is far more expensive and I can't say I've drawn much of a conclusion as to what would make it so much better.

I'd love to know what others think.

Thanks!

Tim
 
well since no one else has responded... not sure how helpful this will be since I don't own the 6x - nor have I seen one in person - but am familiar with the 4x model. So I can't directly compare light output vs the Matrix. But I bought the Matrix a month or two ago and like it too. I would think - it's a bit more versatile than a 1x1 panel -- but of course - that comes at the expense of having to spend more to buy the fresnel lens & soft box to give you options. Without any attachments, it puts out quite a lot of fairly soft light - that's softer than my Dracast 1x1's and as you know, the fan is quiet. I've used it for key light through silk for interviews (have not bought the soft box yet for it) in front of windows or other bright backgrounds and have also used it similar to an HMI to light up exterior of house against sky at dusk. My only minor complaint is I wish I could power it with v lock battery like a 1x1 panel to be a bit more mobile with it.
 
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Great point about the battery, and thanks for responding. The sound of crickets on this thread was getting rather deafening! I'd love to see a Matrix go on sale as I really do like it. We shall see what the future lighting purchase holds. I'd love to hear other opinions, too!

Thanks!
 
I'd love to be able to comment, as I just added two 6X bi-colors to my fleet, but I've never used the Matrix(or heard about it until this thread). It does look like a cool light, though. As much as I dislike the design of the Astra's, they are just so damn good and the reason I just added two more to the four 4x's I already owned.
 
Run&Gun said:
I'd love to be able to comment, as I just added two 6X bi-colors to my fleet, but I've never used the Matrix(or heard about it until this thread). It does look like a cool light, though. As much as I dislike the design of the Astra's, they are just so damn good and the reason I just added two more to the four 4x's I already owned.
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What are your lighting modifiers of choice for the 6X? I was thinking if I went that route I'd like a large softbox or my rag in a bag 4x4 silk, but haven't heard what works well. I'm put off by the 500+ price tag for the large softbox made by DOP choice, and am put off by the small size of the other softboxes for that light and would love to hear what you're doing.
 
Right now, I use the Chimera designed for 1x1's, most of the time. I have one for each light. I have used a 4x4 1/4 stop before with my 4x units. I just got the 6x's about a week ago and I've only used one of them once, personally. Used it "naked" for fill outside with my 800 HMI for a stand-up. One of my guys used them this past weekend for three days on some shoots. I'll talk to him tomorrow on our shoot and get some feedback. I still haven't had a chance to do a side-by-side with my 4x's to see how much brighter they really are in the real world, but I'd imagine they should work well with a 4x4 if you have the time and space.

How big is the large DoP soft box? $500 seems steep when a ~2'x3' Chimera Video Pro Plus is almost $150 less. If you had some unused speedings laying around you could rig something up and have a pretty good sized soft source. That is one of the nice things about the Matrix(and Nila's), built-in holes for soft box poles.
 
Run&Gun said:
Right now, I use the Chimera designed for 1x1's, most of the time. I have one for each light. I have used a 4x4 1/4 stop before with my 4x units. I just got the 6x's about a week ago and I've only used one of them once, personally. Used it "naked" for fill outside with my 800 HMI for a stand-up. One of my guys used them this past weekend for three days on some shoots. I'll talk to him tomorrow on our shoot and get some feedback. I still haven't had a chance to do a side-by-side with my 4x's to see how much brighter they really are in the real world, but I'd imagine they should work well with a 4x4 if you have the time and space.

How big is the large DoP soft box? $500 seems steep when a ~2'x3' Chimera Video Pro Plus is almost $150 less. If you had some unused speedings laying around you could rig something up and have a pretty good sized soft source. That is one of the nice things about the Matrix(and Nila's), built-in holes for soft box poles.
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In a chat with BH, I learned its about 16 x 17". Can you imagine paying over $500 for that? Ouch!

I also wouldn't say that 16x17 is "big". I guess it's all relative!
 
Kind of an obvious point I guess, but the biggest benefit of a softbox is spill control. I see Astras bounced all the time. If you can deal with an extra stand, you may be surprised with what you can get out of a piece of foamcore (if you want big, and cheap). An umbrella + adapter may be worth looking into also. Just for size/price. The Astra Soft is also something to think about... it's so quick and tiny for the soft source it creates. So many people make the case that it's a waste to have a diffuse-only source vs. a hard light that can be made soft, but if you play around with a Soft for a few shoots I'll bet it will become one of your favorite lights. It's pretty close to a Diva 400, but small, and bi-color. (Yeah yeah... penumbra etc... only 1' square surface, but I'm telling you... it's pretty decent with the wrap and fall-off).
 
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