Aputure Light Storm LS 60d and LS 60x LED Lights Introduced

by Jeff LochMay 8^th, 2020

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During our cinema5D Virtual Show, we caught up with Ted Sim from Aputure to talk about their newly announced Aputure Light Storm LS 60d and 60x LED lights. The LS 60d is a daylight-only fixture with a maximum output of up to 50.000 lux at 1 meter, while the LS 60x is a bi-color light with a maximum output of 30.000 lux at 1 meter. These new COB LED fixtures feature an adjustable spot/flood beam angle from 15 to 45°, they are IP54 waterproof (dust and water-resistant), and they can be powered via many different ways. Also part of the announcement is the Spotlight Mini Zoom light modifier for the LS 60d/60x and an update about the AL-RC lightbulb. Let’s take a closer look at all these new compact Aputure lights!

Image credit: Aputure

Aputure LS 60d and LS 60x Features

During this particular time, Aputure is announcing one new product or update every week. If you missed it, you could watch our Aputure LS 300X review here, or the Aputure Sidus Link 1.2 App update here. There is one more week to go, but this week Ted Sim just introduced not one, but two new small fixtures to their Light Storm lineup: the Aputure LS 60d and LS 60x.

The LS 60d is a daylight-only COB LED light, while the LS 60x is a bi-color version. Here are the main features that are common to both lights:

• Made entirely from aircraft-grade aluminum, they are IP54 waterproof (dust and water-resistant).
• All in one 60W LED light, no external ballast needed.
• An accurate color rendition and light quality with a CRI of 95 and TLCI of 95.
• You can adjust the spot/flood beam angle at the back of the light from 15 to 45°. Also, you can dim the fixtures from 0 to 100%.
• There are three dials at the back of the light (menu/settings/flood-spot) as well as an LCD screen.

Image credit: Aputure

• Both lights support the Sidus Link App. Some lighting FX are built-in such as Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, Explosion.
• The lights feature a “mini-mount,” and they come with removable barndoors to shape light. But, a mini-mount to Bowens mount adapter is available to attach light modifiers. There is also a new “Spotlight Mini Zoom” projection lens (more on that later).
• The light can turn 360° around the yoke. Talking about the yoke, there is a V-Mount plate built-in on the side of it to attach the AC adapter, a V-Mount battery, or the included Sony NP-F to V-Mount power adapter. You can use one NP-F battery for half power or two for full potential.
• For Gold Mount users, you can’t mount your battery directly to the yoke, but you can power the light via a D-tap cable and attach your battery to your light stand.
• The lights have a fan to cool the LED chip, but it is “ultra-quiet at around 18dB,” according to Aputure.

Image credit: Aputure

In terms of output, the LS 60d has a maximum output of 50.000 Lux at 3.28’/1m in full 15° spot according to Aputure. The LS 60x is bi-color (2700 to 6500K ) and can output 30.000 Lux at 3.28’/1m in full 15°. These metrics are impressive compared to the LS 120d II, which “only” outputs 7000 Lux at 1m with the reflector. Otherwise, keep in mind that the LS 60d/60x features a built-in aspherical lens, which is “comparable” to a fresnel-style glass. If you attach a fresnel lens to the Aputure LS 120d II, it can output around 67.000 Lux.

I think that these compact and lightweight new Aputure fixtures are an excellent addition in the Light Storm lineup. Indeed, they are filling filmmakers’ need for small lights and a direct answer to the very popular Nanlite Forza 60 and Dedolight DLED7.

Image credit: Aputure

Aputure Spotlight Mini Zoom

The Aputure Spotlight Mini Zoom is explicitly designed for the LS 60d and LS 60x. It features a mini mount, and it can be seen as a mini Aputure Spotlight that we already reviewed here. The Spotlight Mini Zoom has a 15 to 30-degree focusing range and has internal shutter blades for shaping the beam. With this light modifier, you can project a 4.6’/1.20m to 9.2’/2.80m image circle at a distance of 16.4’/4.90m.

Image credit: Aputure

You can put M-series gobos at the back of the Mini Zoom, and it comes with ten of them as well as a gobo holder. If you need extra control, an iris will be available as an additional accessory.

Aputure AL-RC Lightbulb Update

The Aputure AL-RC lightbulb is not a brand new product as we already saw it during NAB 2019.  Ted gave us an update on this one-of-its-kind smart bulb for filmmakers:

• The Aputure AL-RC is an RGBWW smart bulb that can go from 2000 to 10.000K.
• It is flicker-free and dimmable.
• The AL-RC reproduces light very accurately with a CRI/TLCI of 97+ and an SSI (tungsten) of 95.
• This 7W bulb has a built-in battery with an approximate battery life of around 70 minutes at full power.
• It is compatible with the Aputure Sidus App.

Aputure updated the overall design of the AL-RC smart bulb with two new buttons on the light itself to dim it without the need to use your smartphone. Also, there is now a small metal ring in the middle of the bulb to cool it, which makes it the “brightest 7W smart bulb on the market,” according to Ted Sim.

Pricing and Availability

All products should be available this summer, but there is no word on pricing yet.

What do you think about Aputure products? Do you own one of their lights? Let us know in the comments below, we like to hear what you are using them for.