7:03 Curtis describes having fun the same way my middle school biology teacher describes it. Don't be fooled, this man gonna be throwing some hardcore parties! And thank you for the in depth video on this spotlight!
Great review as always! I picked one up today. Much discussion over the 19 degree lens vs the 36. I am more interested (I think) in projecting onto smaller spaces like product shoots, etc. So, I chose the 19. Odds are I will add the 36 at some point. I did find that having some sort of ball head control on top of your light stand helps with shaping the geometric gobos (like the window blinds, etc): create the level of straight horizon vs angled perspective. Overall I find the cutters work well enough with a little practice. Fun toy!
I just picked it up and it is so much lighter and nimble than the original one! It states that don't use it on lights over 300w but I used it on small rig's 450w at 100% without problem.
I honestly like the spotlight se but I got the nanlite projector mount for the forza 60c months before and and it’s a much more solid build all around with quicker knob with solid wings for precise and much cooler the touch, but both are great.
The review is a little too kind to the Spotlight SE (that Aputure sent you), because it desists from mentioning the "flood" (pun intended) of other better options around the same price point - sticking with one brand is irrelevant too, cuz Bowens mount is Bowens mount. There are many reports of flimsy construction, spill beyond the center circle, and fidgety zoom. Westcott's Optical Spot kit is the far, far better bargain and choice, adding gel capability too.
Thanks Curtis, this looks like a useful modifier that's relatively affordable lightweight and versatile. I may well buy a kit as it looks better than my current options. I had been considering using an old Kodak Carousel projector with aluminium foil, needle punched, held in a 35mm slide mount. Currently I have 3 Amaran 200X-s units (so this will fit those). I'm really just a hobbyist and fairly new to videography but was recently attempting to create an interesting background with one of my lights and an Apurture fresnel 2X lens. Although it's a Bowen fit I bought the fresnel about 2-3 years ago, intending to use with flash lights. It's a little disappointing on a 200X and hardly seems to focus in properly as the spot stays a similar size?! Maybe my fresnel was designed for their lightstorm pro light range and works better with a COB source in a different position? Are you familiar with the limitations I encountered? Anyway the newer SE projection kit with a range of gobos seems a better fit with my needs. Also if I later bought a 300C for it's versatility, Sidus compatibility and RGB capability then that looks like an excellent complement to the SE projection kit, obviating any need to DIY mount gels.
@@rickymcc9072 the cutters work, you just have to finesse them a bit more than on other lenses I’ve used. It isn’t an issue of light leaking outside of the lens so no need for cinefoil.
@@curtisjudd I thought it would have weird ghosting around the edges because of the way the LEDs are arranged on the 200xs, or at least that was the issue with the original spotlight. Is this new one better? I'm super stoked for this if it works I have so many ideas for a spotlight
Can a spotlight with an iris inside replace a fresnel lens? After all, if you change lenses and close-open the aperture, the fresnel lens is essentially unnecessary?
I have had the Godox projection unit and it cuts down alot of light on a 300W head. Does this cuts the output of light as much? With the Godox it cuts my light out put to really low even with strobes firing through.
I was going to order one, but then I saw the small difference in price with the Aputure Spotlight. In your opinion why someone should choose one or the other?
hi Curtis, have you had a chance to compare the sharpness of projection between amaran's 150c and 300c models? Andrew Locke found that results in this area were best with the 150c. thank you for your review! This product makes me consider buying an Amaran system composed of one 200xs plus one or two 150 or 300c as well as this projector.
It was optimized for Amaran lights, but you *might get lucky with other lights. It all comes down to the size of the LED chip and its position relative to the Bowens mount. So I can't tell you with confidence that it will work perfectly with other lights.
What power output you set for Amaran 300c for this kind of scenario (to fill the background)? I'm wondering if you have less power (for example 150W or even 60W) would it be enough for this kind of work? Another question is how does it work with different brands of light fixtures (not Aputure/Amaran) while it's big brother had some issues with that?
How do you chose between the 19 or the 36? Is it based on distance only? 36 degrees for smaller spaces and 19 degrees if the light is far or in a larger studio?
Pretty much always based on distance and what size of beam you need. The 19 will be generally sharper when you use your shutters and gobos, but optics are so good that the difference is small.
When I first got the original Spotlight mount with the 19° lens, it was hard to use it because I only had about 3-4 meters to work with and I wanted to fill the entire wall with the light pattern. So I see distance as the primary factor, yes.
@@aristotle_4532 Indeed. I have no reason to suspect the angle spec is far off. Would you happen to have the math at hand to calculate the size of the light circle at a given distance?
@@curtisjudd For a distance d and an angle a/2 and a radius of projection r, by the tangent equation it is tan(a/2)=r/d so the diameter of the projection is 2r=2dtan(a/2), so the diameter for distance d is 0.334d for 19 degrees and 0.650d for 36 degrees.
It uses a Bowens mount but it is optimized for the size and position of the Amaran COB lights. That means it might work with Nanlites but may not work optimally. (may have a hard time focusing it and such)
I’d imagine it’s a YMMV situation. The accessory is designed specifically for Aputure units. This means that the distance between the COB and the mount are a factor (as an example). The Bowens “standard” is purely mechanical for the physical amount.
@@MariusVikenIt might fit the physical hardware, but it might not perform equally. The distance from the COB to the mount is not equal on lighting units across manufacturers, and that’s a huge factor for accessories incorporating optical elements (lenses). The reason is that elipsoidal (and fresnel) lenses are used to focus the light. For soft boxes, you are 100% correct.
Phenomenal! Because I had my questions, but all of them are gone. Great great review, thank you.
👍
7:03 Curtis describes having fun the same way my middle school biology teacher describes it. Don't be fooled, this man gonna be throwing some hardcore parties!
And thank you for the in depth video on this spotlight!
Haha!
What a great review and this is indeed awesome to be able to modify the light output so precisely!
👍
Great review as always!
I picked one up today. Much discussion over the 19 degree lens vs the 36. I am more interested (I think) in projecting onto smaller spaces like product shoots, etc. So, I chose the 19. Odds are I will add the 36 at some point.
I did find that having some sort of ball head control on top of your light stand helps with shaping the geometric gobos (like the window blinds, etc): create the level of straight horizon vs angled perspective.
Overall I find the cutters work well enough with a little practice.
Fun toy!
Glad you like it!
Thank´s been pondering these for some time now.
Santa´s letter just got big PS to be taken care of ASAP on it.
😀
Really cool ways to shape light! Great video Curtis!
Thanks, Matt! 👍
I just picked it up and it is so much lighter and nimble than the original one! It states that don't use it on lights over 300w but I used it on small rig's 450w at 100% without problem.
Glad its working for you 👍
Thanks for the heads up. I can really use this on several projects of mine.
You got it! 👍
I honestly like the spotlight se but I got the nanlite projector mount for the forza 60c months before and and it’s a much more solid build all around with quicker knob with solid wings for precise and much cooler the touch, but both are great.
👍 Thanks for sharing!
That's not Bowens though is it? Isn't the 60 a smaller mount? The SE can go on any Bowens light which would be a big pro
@@evocati6523 yeah the one I have is the s mount but they have one for bowens but it’s more expensive
Great review as always. I’m wondering how’s the heat dissipation compared to the larger one. Would guess that’s a pro for its bigger size.
Haven’t noticed it running hotter than the original but I generally have the dimmer between 50 and 70% on the 300x or 300c.
The review is a little too kind to the Spotlight SE (that Aputure sent you), because it desists from mentioning the "flood" (pun intended) of other better options around the same price point - sticking with one brand is irrelevant too, cuz Bowens mount is Bowens mount. There are many reports of flimsy construction, spill beyond the center circle, and fidgety zoom. Westcott's Optical Spot kit is the far, far better bargain and choice, adding gel capability too.
Thanks for sharing about other options.
Can you list more options here please
The wescott branded optical snoot is about twice the price of the same product on Amazon. I bought one for under $150
Very nice light Curtis. :)
Thanks, Kev!
Thanks Curtis, this looks like a useful modifier that's relatively affordable lightweight and versatile. I may well buy a kit as it looks better than my current options. I had been considering using an old Kodak Carousel projector with aluminium foil, needle punched, held in a 35mm slide mount.
Currently I have 3 Amaran 200X-s units (so this will fit those). I'm really just a hobbyist and fairly new to videography but was recently attempting to create an interesting background with one of my lights and an Apurture fresnel 2X lens. Although it's a Bowen fit I bought the fresnel about 2-3 years ago, intending to use with flash lights. It's a little disappointing on a 200X and hardly seems to focus in properly as the spot stays a similar size?! Maybe my fresnel was designed for their lightstorm pro light range and works better with a COB source in a different position? Are you familiar with the limitations I encountered?
Anyway the newer SE projection kit with a range of gobos seems a better fit with my needs. Also if I later bought a 300C for it's versatility, Sidus compatibility and RGB capability then that looks like an excellent complement to the SE projection kit, obviating any need to DIY mount gels.
Thanks for that great review, do you know if it will work on a aputure LS 60 with its bowensmount adapter?
Hmm, not sure. You might check the compatibility tool at aputure.com
Great review. I'm curious though, what's the advantages of the Aputure spotlight compared to the smaller Amaran spotlight?
The Aputure one is made for the bigger lights. This one is specifically for the amaran line of 300 watt and below.
I would pass on this one. The cutters have ALOT of light leak. I sent mine back
Thanks for sharing.
Would black aluminium cine foil wrapped around the lens periphery help overcome any 'edge of circle' light leak? Or perhaps the separate iris unit?
@@rickymcc9072 the cutters work, you just have to finesse them a bit more than on other lenses I’ve used. It isn’t an issue of light leaking outside of the lens so no need for cinefoil.
Thanks! Another awesome video! Would you say that the image circle is about 1m when 3m from the wall with the 19 degree spot?
Bit smaller than that. Maybe 60cm(?)
Does it work on the 200xs? It doesn't show compatible on their website
Just set mine up today with the 200xs. Works great.
Definitely yes.
Does not work great on the 200x. Tons of leaking if you're trying to create a slash of light of any size
@@framewavemedia4831 as I noted, the cutters are fiddly but I was able to get clean cuts with the 200xs.
@@curtisjudd I thought it would have weird ghosting around the edges because of the way the LEDs are arranged on the 200xs, or at least that was the issue with the original spotlight. Is this new one better? I'm super stoked for this if it works I have so many ideas for a spotlight
Can a spotlight with an iris inside replace a fresnel lens? After all, if you change lenses and close-open the aperture, the fresnel lens is essentially unnecessary?
Yes.
Thanks for the review. I wonder what is the light output level compared to the elipsoidal spotlight from aputure.
The original appears from the specs to put out more than 2x but in practice, it didn’t seem like that much more.
I have had the Godox projection unit and it cuts down alot of light on a 300W head. Does this cuts the output of light as much? With the Godox it cuts my light out put to really low even with strobes firing through.
This system uses lenses which seem to concentrate the light so, no, I would not say this cuts down the light output. It concentrates it.
I was going to order one, but then I saw the small difference in price with the Aputure Spotlight. In your opinion why someone should choose one or the other?
This one is way smaller and lighter. That’s its selling point.
hi Curtis,
have you had a chance to compare the sharpness of projection between amaran's 150c and 300c models?
Andrew Locke found that results in this area were best with the 150c.
thank you for your review!
This product makes me consider buying an Amaran system composed of one 200xs plus one or two 150 or 300c as well as this projector.
No, but did try it with the 200x S and that worked well.
will it work for other brand LED lights and even studio flash with Bowens mount such as Godox?
It was optimized for Amaran lights, but you *might get lucky with other lights. It all comes down to the size of the LED chip and its position relative to the Bowens mount. So I can't tell you with confidence that it will work perfectly with other lights.
does this amplify light like the other one?
Yes
What power output you set for Amaran 300c for this kind of scenario (to fill the background)? I'm wondering if you have less power (for example 150W or even 60W) would it be enough for this kind of work?
Another question is how does it work with different brands of light fixtures (not Aputure/Amaran) while it's big brother had some issues with that?
These projectors really ‘suck up’ light from my experience- you need higher output fixtures if you want studio sized effects…
It depends on the rest of your lighting design but I’ve found 120w is about the lower limit for my designs.
Hi Curtis,
are you doing a review on the deity theos?
Yes, still waiting for my preorder kit to arrive.
Do you know how this compares in size to the Godox spotlight lens combined with their Bowens adapter?
I don’t, but a look at the specs for each online should tell you.
How would you compare the value of the a Spotlight SE + a aputure 200x compared to a aputure 60x?
Hmm, really depends on what you need. All of them do what they do well.
Does this work on or have you tried it on the Amaran 60DX or ^0D COB ?
Not officially supported. I’m not sure that tiny light can support the weight of the spotlight.
How do you chose between the 19 or the 36? Is it based on distance only? 36 degrees for smaller spaces and 19 degrees if the light is far or in a larger studio?
Pretty much always based on distance and what size of beam you need. The 19 will be generally sharper when you use your shutters and gobos, but optics are so good that the difference is small.
When I first got the original Spotlight mount with the 19° lens, it was hard to use it because I only had about 3-4 meters to work with and I wanted to fill the entire wall with the light pattern. So I see distance as the primary factor, yes.
If the angle spec is accurate, you can use it to calculate the size of the projection for a known light distance from the subject.
@@aristotle_4532 Indeed. I have no reason to suspect the angle spec is far off. Would you happen to have the math at hand to calculate the size of the light circle at a given distance?
@@curtisjudd For a distance d and an angle a/2 and a radius of projection r, by the tangent equation it is tan(a/2)=r/d so the diameter of the projection is 2r=2dtan(a/2), so the diameter for distance d is 0.334d for 19 degrees and 0.650d for 36 degrees.
Is the spotlight compatible with Nanlite lights?
It uses a Bowens mount but it is optimized for the size and position of the Amaran COB lights. That means it might work with Nanlites but may not work optimally. (may have a hard time focusing it and such)
Does ist work with bowens mount lights other than from Aputure, like Godox? Aputure products tend to not work with other manufacturers lights
A bowens mount is a bowens mount. Easy as that.
It doesn’t work with my Zhiyun Molus G200….
I’d imagine it’s a YMMV situation. The accessory is designed specifically for Aputure units. This means that the distance between the COB and the mount are a factor (as an example). The Bowens “standard” is purely mechanical for the physical amount.
@@MariusVikenIt might fit the physical hardware, but it might not perform equally. The distance from the COB to the mount is not equal on lighting units across manufacturers, and that’s a huge factor for accessories incorporating optical elements (lenses).
The reason is that elipsoidal (and fresnel) lenses are used to focus the light. For soft boxes, you are 100% correct.
Agreed with others here. It might work but the distance from the COB emitter may affect focus ability and the size of the circle of light.
Can these work with Godox light?
It is optimized for the Amaran and Aputure lights listed but should work with any Bowens Mount light 300 watts and lower.
Are you having a problem getting the entire gobo in focus? I am.
If the light is not square to the surface you’re projecting to, yes. That’s expected.