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Litepanels has just introduced its latest (and brightest) 2×1 panel: According to the company, the Gemini 2×1 Hard RGBWW LED panel is brighter than any other 2×1 panel, delivering up to 23,000 lux of light output @ 10ft (3m), even though the whole thing weighs only 25.3 lbs (11.5kg), including yoke and power supply.
Although 11.5 kg may not exactly be considered lightweight, this new device offers an impressive power-to-weight ratio. The promo video even shows one of these new lights mounted on a drone!
The term hard in the name of the new Litepanels Gemini 2×1 Hard RGBWW LED panel refers to the narrower beam angle of only 20°, which results in a more focused light beam with an output that can combat high bright ambient light, such as bright sunshine. Of course, diffusion is possible with the included Ultra Light Diffuser and Domed Diffuser.
So the main idea behind this new fixture seems to be to reduce the beam angle to amplify the output as much as possible. If you need a wider beam angle, use the included diffusers. The hard panel uses the familiar design (including interface and menus) of the Gemini 2×1 soft panel.
However, some features have been added (or rather, removed): You can now completely remove the diffuser for maximum light output. The LEDs are still protected by an impact-resistant polycarbonate. A new DMX profile mapping system and X/Y coordinates have been added via firmware.
Each LED has its own lens for a very focused beam of just 20°. This, of course, maximizes the amount of light each LED can emit, which was clearly the goal of the design process.
Litepanels splits the specifications into four parts, see the complete list below:
Optical:
Mechanical:
Operational:
Electrical:
Things to note: You can’t juice this light with 14V batteries, you need 26V ones if you want to run it off the grid. Also, 500W power consumption is quite substantial for an LED light, but tremendous power comes at a price, I guess.
This new flagship panel also offers a wide range of professional wired and wireless lighting control protocols such as DMX, CRMX and RDM. So daisy-chaining fixtures or creating extensive studio setups with a single console to control them all is not a problem.
With no color shift or flicker at any frame rate, any shutter angle, or at any intensity from 100-0.1%, the new Gemini 2×1 panels are clearly aimed at professional customers or, perhaps even more so, rental companies.
The Litepanels Gemini 2×1 Hard RGBWW LED panel is one of the most expensive 2×1 panels on the market. With a price of $5,985, it is surpassed only by the ARRI Skypanel S60-C ($6,820). But as mentioned above, the new Litepanels fixture is aimed at professional customers and rental houses, so the excellent build quality, extensive feature set, and versatility trump the high asking price. Another option in this price bracket would be the Creamsource Vortex8 ($5,499 – article here).
The light is available for pre-order now. If one panel is not enough, you can stack them together in an array of two (or even four) Geminis. The price will increase accordingly, of course.
Link: Litepanels
Are you on the lookout for an LED light with such high output? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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Olaf von Voss is a freelance cameraman who is in business for well over a decade. He is living in Berlin, Germany but has traveled the world as well while shooting mostly documentaries.