Sourcemaker LED Blankets

Eric Coughlin

Eric Coughlin

Veteran
I'm always looking at wattage in relation to size and weight of a light as wattage is often a big indicator of brightness, and I want the smallest and lightest number in relation to the highest wattage, while also being easy to setup (which often isn't the case for flex lights).

In comes the Sourcemaker LED Blankets. I'm looking at the bigger ones and comparing here to the Arri Skypanel S360. The two I'm looking at are the Sourcemaker RGBH LED Blanket (4 x 8') and the Sourcemaker Hybrid 2X High Output LED Blanket (4 x 8').

Looking at specs...

Sourcemaker Hybrid 2X High Output LED Blanket (4 x 8')
2675 to 6010K variable
1840w
17 lbs + Power Supply (Pelican case, unlisted weight, maybe 10-20 lbs)
$7,219 for the blanket, $1,199 for power supply, $8,418 total
Size: 4' x 8'
Transport size, rolls up to the size of a tall tripod or combo stand, easily fitting in standard vehicles

Sourcemaker RGBH 4x8
920w
9.5 lbs + Power Supply (Pelican case, unlisted weight, maybe 10-15 lbs)
$7,219 for the blanket, $1,199 for power supply, $8,418 total
Size: 4' x 8'
Transport size, rolls up to the size of a tall tripod or combo stand, easily fitting in standard vehicles

Skypanel S360
1600w
90.4 lbs light + 24.7 lb power supply
$17,900.00
Size: 4.2' x 2.9'
Transport size, very large


Now, the real kicker for me, who often work as a one-man-band or with small crew, small vehicles, etc., is that the Sourcemaker, unlike the Skypanel, can be setup by just one person, due to its small weight. So essentially what we have here is a dimmable 1860w light that weighs 17 lbs, is a large source so already diffused, and can be setup by a single person. I'd imagine this as an alternative to an Arri M18 as well, which people typically are going to diffuse anyway through something like a 4 x 4 or 8 x 8 source (whoa, I just got what "Sourcemaker" means). As the size of these lights is really quite large, I'd imagine adding additional diffusion being less necessary, which means setting it up could be about as much work as just the diffusion setup alone you'd need for something like an M18 (plus the time to plug the light in). Souremaker also has an 8' x 8' light, but no High Output option on it so it's the same power as the 4' x 8', so just useful if you want a larger source.

Sourcemaker also sells smaller ones with less power but the big ones are most interesting to me. Still, the 2 x 4 bi-color high output at 460w and just 3.5 lbs for the blanket could be a viable alternative to a Skypanel S-60 (425w) or Litepanel Gemini (325w), particularly for traveling.

Thoughts? Anyone use these?
 
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Thanks for mentioning these. I have not used them but I too am intrigued. Not a lot of reviews on-line.
They look like an old-school kind of Hollywood company that makes quality stuff, but it would be good to read some reviews from skilled gaffers.
 
They use meanwell psu units, rebranded dmx dimmers that are 35 use on alibaba and simple led strips.
I personally would at least get the accessories from China directly.
 
They use meanwell psu units, rebranded dmx dimmers that are 35 use on alibaba and simple led strips.
I personally would at least get the accessories from China directly.
 
Like the LiteGear LiteTiles on steroids. I was actually thinking about getting the 4x4 LiteTile package(Two 2x4 LiteTiles and Dimmers/PSU's) last year. Easy way to make a pretty portable 4x4 light source. Just clip the two LiteTiles to something like a collapsible Chimera 4x4 frame and throw some diffusion like a 4x4 1/4 stop over it and you have a pretty big source that could breakdown and pack-up really small. The stands would take up the most space...

It's pretty cool what we can do with LED's today.
 
I was also reading Erik Naso's review of the Intellytech 160, that's a pretty cool setup for under a grand and they come with the softbox and egg crate. American company too although I am sure they source the actual SMD panels from China because that's who makes them. Easy to buy one and then another later and stack them for a 4' x 2' strip.
 
I bought two of the 160's last year during the Group Buy. Lots of power, quality of light is good, and it all packs up into a fairly small case(a little bigger than an Astra). The only drawback is the assembly can be a PITA and the controller and separate PSU are huge for such an otherwise lightweight light. The controller should be 1/3 the size that it is with the A/C PSU built-in. Again, I have no problems with the light/results it produces, but the controller definetly screams cheap Chinese sourced design.

I actually like them, but I've only used them on a shoot once. They just take too long to set-up and tear-down/pack-up. I can have one of my Gemini's up on the stand with the the 2'x3' softbox on it in half the time or less that it takes to assemble an LC-160. But I leave them in the truck, because they don't take up much space and, well, you never know when something may go down and you need to call in someone from the bullpen.
 
Run&Gun said:
I bought two of the 160's last year during the Group Buy. Lots of power, quality of light is good, and it all packs up into a fairly small case(a little bigger than an Astra). The only drawback is the assembly can be a PITA and the controller and separate PSU are huge for such an otherwise lightweight light. The controller should be 1/3 the size that it is with the A/C PSU built-in. Again, I have no problems with the light/results it produces, but the controller definetly screams cheap Chinese sourced design.

I actually like them, but I've only used them on a shoot once. They just take too long to set-up and tear-down/pack-up. I can have one of my Gemini's up on the stand with the the 2'x3' softbox on it in half the time or less that it takes to assemble an LC-160. But I leave them in the truck, because they don't take up much space and, well, you never know when something may go down and you need to call in someone from the bullpen.
Click to expand...

Good feedback, thanks! Same issues with my Aputure LS-1S, the light itself and the output is great for the money. But the power supply and control unit are a hot mess. Takes three cords when it should be one and the power supply, I have those Neoprene holders that attach them to the base of your light stand but it's a PITA to setup and break down, lots of extra parts and cables to keep track of. Bad design. Also, the LED lights on the control unit are so weak, you can't even read them unless in a dark room. Instead of the Intellytech, I will probably still go for the Aputure 120D II and the Aputure Briese knock-off Parabolic light box that I want. They did improve the power supply setup on the 120D II over the original.
 
The controller for their newer 160 RGB lights has been redesigned and is a lot shorter(and looks more sturdy), but if you're using A/C power, you still have a separate PSU that you plug into the wall and then into the controller and then the controller into the light. It's still a hot mess. That's still one of the problems I have with a lot of LED fixtures: separate power supplies instead of just plugging in a power cord(or putting a battery on it).
 
Run&Gun said:
The controller for their newer 160 RGB lights has been redesigned and is a lot shorter(and looks more sturdy), but if you're using A/C power, you still have a separate PSU that you plug into the wall and then into the controller and then the controller into the light. It's still a hot mess. That's still one of the problems I have with a lot of LED fixtures: separate power supplies instead of just plugging in a power cord(or putting a battery on it).
Click to expand...

I know, that's what I really dug when I tested and reviewed the Lite Panels Gemini last year, one cord to the wall and done. All of these lame PSUs and control units are for hobbyists, not working pros who don't have time or room to deal with all of the Spaghetti. I get it that it can be nice to have the control unit down below when the light is working high up on a stand but so many lights now have phone or iPad apps, not sure if that is a big factor anymore? I love the little wireless remotes on the Aputures, so cool to be able to stand at camera and adjust all of your lights while looking at the screen.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
I'm always looking at wattage in relation to size and weight of a light as wattage is often a big indicator of brightness, and I want the smallest and lightest number in relation to the highest wattage, while also being easy to setup (which often isn't the case for flex lights).

In comes the Sourcemaker LED Blankets. I'm looking at the bigger ones and comparing here to the Arri Skypanel S360. The two I'm looking at are the Sourcemaker RGBH LED Blanket (4 x 8') and the Sourcemaker Hybrid 2X High Output LED Blanket (4 x 8').

Looking at specs...

Sourcemaker Hybrid 2X High Output LED Blanket (4 x 8')
2675 to 6010K variable
1840w
17 lbs + Power Supply (Pelican case, unlisted weight, maybe 10-20 lbs)
$7,219 for the blanket, $1,199 for power supply, $8,418 total
Size: 4' x 8'
Transport size, rolls up to the size of a tall tripod or combo stand, easily fitting in standard vehicles

Sourcemaker RGBH 4x8
920w
9.5 lbs + Power Supply (Pelican case, unlisted weight, maybe 10-15 lbs)
$7,219 for the blanket, $1,199 for power supply, $8,418 total
Size: 4' x 8'
Transport size, rolls up to the size of a tall tripod or combo stand, easily fitting in standard vehicles

Skypanel S360
1600w
90.4 lbs light + 24.7 lb power supply
$17,900.00
Size: 4.2' x 2.9'
Transport size, very large


Now, the real kicker for me, who often work as a one-man-band or with small crew, small vehicles, etc., is that the Sourcemaker, unlike the Skypanel, can be setup by just one person, due to its small weight. So essentially what we have here is a dimmable 1860w light that weighs 17 lbs, is a large source so already diffused, and can be setup by a single person. I'd imagine this as an alternative to an Arri M18 as well, which people typically are going to diffuse anyway through something like a 4 x 4 or 8 x 8 source (whoa, I just got what "Sourcemaker" means). As the size of these lights is really quite large, I'd imagine adding additional diffusion being less necessary, which means setting it up could be about as much work as just the diffusion setup alone you'd need for something like an M18 (plus the time to plug the light in). Souremaker also has an 8' x 8' light, but no High Output option on it so it's the same power as the 4' x 8', so just useful if you want a larger source.

Sourcemaker also sells smaller ones with less power but the big ones are most interesting to me. Still, the 2 x 4 bi-color high output at 460w and just 3.5 lbs for the blanket could be a viable alternative to a Skypanel S-60 (425w) or Litepanel Gemini (325w), particularly for traveling.

Thoughts? Anyone use these?
Click to expand...

Do you need the ability to tilt the sourcemaker? You'd have a hard time tilting a 4x8 sourcemaker tied to a frame by yourself. Also, If space is limited, I wonder if it's easy enough to roll part of it and mount in a 6x4 configuration?

Have you looked into the Litegear LiteTile+? You could get 4x 2x8 strips for a really nice 8x8 source that requires very little depth, but at this point you exit the OMB by needing extra help moving the stands/frame.

While something like a sourcemaker is probably easier to create really soft light in the situations you'll be shooting in, the m18 is way more versatile. But if you wouldn't exploit the m18's versatility then maybe the source maker wins.

Obviously I'm more speaking about the form of the light rather than reliability, field use etc. I've seen the LiteTile in an 8x8 on BTS from a decent sized shoot. I haven't really heard about sourcemaker before, although I'm really curious.

Arri gets you over the line with producers/name dropping equipment and sourcemaker may be a tougher sell, plus I assume Arri wins for outdoor use.

I guess there's no real blanket solution (get it?).
 
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