Luxli Taiko - 2x1 panel at around $2k

[Run&Gun]

On rentals, it always comes down to a volume question... Here's the way I approach it. I'll rent it until the regularity of rentals exceeds what a monthly payment would look like if I bought the thing. Then I'll buy it and the needs of that ongoing job will magically and mythically change within no greater than three (3) months, leaving me to rent the new whatchamacallit2000 that everyone demands while the expensive thing I just bought sits home, eventually to be sold of for pennies on the dollar with nary a scratch on its finish. Enroute to its new buyer, it will be hijacked by porch pirates, leading to a lengthy, stressful insurance claim, which will leave no single party happy (including the porch pirate, who will discover that (unbeknownst to me) my cats whizzed in the case just before I shipped the thing off).

Off topic: Did you ever see the post or video about the guys cat peeing in his RED case and he didn’t know it and it got sealed up? You might as well pour industrial acid on something... And the acid would smell better.

 

[mcbob]

Off topic: Did you ever see the post or video about the guys cat peeing in his RED case and he didn’t know it and it got sealed up? You might as well pour industrial acid on something... And the acid would smell better.

In my case, it was just a Panasonic HMC150... guess i got off easy

 

[Run&Gun]

In my case, it was just a Panasonic HMC150... guess i got off easy

Considering a thief ended up with it, I'd say you may have won that one...

My dogs are scared of my gear and usually won't get anywhere close to it(and they're housebroken). Although one of my boys did jump from the front seat into my empty Porta Brace Quickdraw case in the backseat when he was a puppy(nervous rider). I think I just let him stay in there until we arrived.

 

[rob norton]

Good call on the beam angle and punching through. By removing the diffusion of the Taiko I can put almost as much light on my subject as the Rotolight Titan X2 (15,500 lux vs. 16,800 lux ratio) if I want. It's very versatile as long as you don't need 120 degrees of coverage at really close range.

DOP choice snapbag 2x1 "might fit" - https://www.dopchoice.com/product/sbm21/. Otherwise there's the chimera pop you mentionend. At these prices I'd rather a dedicated softbox that's a perfect fit but maybe these general 2x1s would be good enough. I don't know why I'm even talking about it, I don't own a taiko.

 

[theraptor56]

hahaha maybe there's a Taiko in your future. Or you understand you have helpful information and are putting it out there so others might benefit.

After assembling all that info about 2x1s I figured I shouldn't keep it to myself, so I may be projecting.

 

[mcbob]

Considering a thief ended up with it, I'd say you may have won that one...

I never actually mailed anyone a peed-on camera (that I’m AWARE of)... that’s just an amalgamation of gear-related sadness and mopery

 

[puredrifting]

I guess...but given how many times even at the best rental houses we are delivered gear at prep that needs attention for one reason or another, I'd personally be pretty reluctant to rely on this model. I suppose if it's one or two items that are nominally stock, it's not nearly as much of a risk as it seems.

I always have a spare camera, lens and I always bring extra lighting to every shoot, just in case...
So far, I have not yet been stung although my A camera did semi-stop working during an important
race.

It was still recording but the LCD touch screen filled with ocean water and stopped working. Luckily
the EVF still worked so the shoot went on, but I was 26 miles off shore and couldn't bring any spare gear
with me on the tiny Boston Whaler I was on. Stuff happens and that was definitely my fault.

 

[CharlesPapert]

I wasn't referring as much to gear breaking down, but more about nuances of how things fit together, what parts and accesories are included. Some builds are simple, some are not.

 

[robotfist]

I just pulled the trigger on the Luxli Taiko and should be receiving it next week. Interesting dialog in here.

It's impossible to compare all the different 2x1s unless you have them all sitting in front of you, but I spent a good chunk of time watching YouTube reviews over the past few days and compiled some photometrics data on a few of the 2x1 options.

Best thing I could do is track down stats for each 2x1 with a standard level of diffusion since some of these units have a permanent diffusion panel. This shows lux at 1m. Current retail price. And $/lux for a value comparison.

Yidoblo A-3000: 8676 $1,399 $0.16
Skypanel 60-C: 11097 $6,550 $0.59
Luxli Taiko: 9800 $1,699 $0.17
Lupo Superpanel Bi-color: 8500 $1,790 $0.21
Lupo Superpanel Full: 8500 $2,598 $0.31
Rotolight Titan X2: 16200 $4,999 $0.31
Rayzr MC 400: 10068 $1,999 $0.20
LP Gemini: 9713 $3,795 $0.39

https://www.bannerengineering.com/us/en/company/expert-insights/lux-lumens-calculator.html

Where are you getting that lux rating for the Lupo Dual Color 60? I’m seeing 67,000 lux at 1 meter. Significantly higher than what you have there.

To me, I have been back and forth between the Taiko and the Superpanel Dual Color. Both have narrow beams (Lupo’s being 40 degrees). But the Lupo is also twice the power draw and is only bicolor so it is significantly brighter than the Taiko. The Taiko is similar in brightness to the Gemini, which makes it a great deal. I’ve just always found myself in situations where I’ve wanted the Gemini to give me just a little bit more than it’s capable of, which makes me hesitant on the Taiki.

 

[theraptor56]

Where are you getting that lux rating for the Lupo Dual Color 60? I’m seeing 67,000 lux at 1 meter. Significantly higher than what you have there.

To me, I have been back and forth between the Taiko and the Superpanel Dual Color. Both have narrow beams (Lupo’s being 40 degrees). But the Lupo is also twice the power draw and is only bicolor so it is significantly brighter than the Taiko. The Taiko is similar in brightness to the Gemini, which makes it a great deal. I’ve just always found myself in situations where I’ve wanted the Gemini to give me just a little bit more than it’s capable of, which makes me hesitant on the Taiki.

Yes sir. That's the reading for the Lupo Superpanel Soft Dual Color 60. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1478134-REG/lupo_414_superpanel_soft_60_dual.html

The rest of the measurements were from soft panels or with the hard panels with their soft diffusion applied. It's not easy comparing all these different lights but sticking to the diffused versions seemed most fair.

 

[robotfist]

Yes sir. That's the reading for the Lupo Superpanel Soft Dual Color 60. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1478134-REG/lupo_414_superpanel_soft_60_dual.html

The rest of the measurements were from soft panels or with the hard panels with their soft diffusion applied. It's not easy comparing all these different lights but sticking to the diffused versions seemed most fair.

Ok, got it. I thought you were citing the original Lupo Superpanel Dual Color 60. That makes sense.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Has anyone any experience with the Rayzr (panel) lights?
Especially the MC200and/or MC120panel (the 400 max is out of my budget)

Didn't want to start a new thread, but tell me if I should have done that.

 

[M.R.]

Would a softbox on a 2x1 panel with a wide beam angle like the Rayzr MC200 do much?
The softbox they offer with their fixture seems not much bigger than the light itself...