Lets hear some user feedback on the Aputure 120d II and the Aputure LightBank II

puredrifting

puredrifting

Major Contributor
Thinking of buying this pair and for my needs, seems like a great setup. Briefly considered the 300d but fan noise negates me using that and it's bigger and heavier, which for my small car, crew and OMB shoots, isn't a plus. I already have three of the Lightstorm LS-1S and overall, have been happy with them other than the cable gak and the tie down plate on one of them stripped out but that was from overzealous tightening to hold up softboxes. They have good TLCI and output for $650.00 lights so adding the 120d II to the mix seems like a smart move. Love and actually use the wireless remotes quite a bit when OMB shooting.

Do you use the Fresnel attachment? If so, what do you do for barndoors?

Also, does the 120d II have enough output to punch through a 4x4 or 6x6 1/4, 1/2 or full grid cloth and leave you enough output to light things? I know it doesn't have the horsepower for unbleached muslin but I am wondering if quarter or half grid would work, maybe just bare with the fresnel lens?
 
The fresnel attachement is ****. It spills a lot due to the design, its supposed to let air in, but also lets light out. Also it weirdly when focusing the light, there is a point where the beam gets narrower but the output less. Bought immediately after it came out. Might have been an early versions fault. Happy to hear more opinions. BUT there is nothing comparable in that price range.
 
puredrifting said:
Thinking of buying this pair and for my needs, seems like a great setup. Briefly considered the 300d but fan noise negates me using that and it's bigger and heavier, which for my small car, crew and OMB shoots, isn't a plus. I already have three of the Lightstorm LS-1S and overall, have been happy with them other than the cable gak and the tie down plate on one of them stripped out but that was from overzealous tightening to hold up softboxes. They have good TLCI and output for $650.00 lights so adding the 120d II to the mix seems like a smart move. Love and actually use the wireless remotes quite a bit when OMB shooting.

Do you use the Fresnel attachment? If so, what do you do for barndoors?

Also, does the 120d II have enough output to punch through a 4x4 or 6x6 1/4, 1/2 or full grid cloth and leave you enough output to light things? I know it doesn't have the horsepower for unbleached muslin but I am wondering if quarter or half grid would work, maybe just bare with the fresnel lens?
Click to expand...

Going from being on a shoot with the original 120d, you'll be able to shoot through lighter 4x4 frames but it's probably not the right tool to evenlly fill a 6x6 with a single light. We've pushed 4 120d's through an 8x8 with good results.

I think it's best use would be in one of the softboxes.
 
I really like version 2, I had version 1 and didn't care for all the cord connects and the "weird" color of the light. Version 2 is much improved and the light's color seems fine. I also have the fresnel attachment the first version I don't have the barn doors as you need to wrap it with cine-foil anyways. I don't use it much, but if I need to throw the light a longer distance I feel it helps.

While Version 2 is stronger than v1 it's still not a light I can balance a scene with full sunlight window light. Granted my subject is the window so I can't have it blown out if your subject is a person in front then it might not be a problem for you.
Not sure I would get the 300d seeing the improvements in the 120dii with the idea that hopefully it also gets an update. I will have no problem buying another 120dii as I feel I can use this light for many years.
 
Off topic but I would like to see a Lightstorm that has the power to compete with some sun. Maybe outdoors in direct sunlight is asking a lot but maybe a window shot? Love the remote on these lights as well.
 
Hi,

so after probably shooting with your setup for a while now, would you like to share your experience?
I'm quite curious about using a hard source as a key instead of panels.
How much firepower did you get out of this, what is for example the maximum distance between softbox and subject(s) in the praxis without pushing ISOs.
I'm in the middle of a serious GAS attack as I really need a new key source.
thx
 
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