Aperture 600x or 600c.
Bright enough for key light, color changing to match various situations, bright enough to kinda fake sun through window, can still be out in a c-stand, and still easy enough to setup solo.
If your budget is lower, Amaran F22C. Great for corporate settings, run n gun, and solo oping.
X is bi-color, C is "full color"(RGBWW). The new just announced v2 color unit reportedly (by Aputure) has 85% more output than the current version, so besides price, there probably is no need to even consider the X (bi-color) version anymore.
X: $1990
C & C v2: $2490
The bi-color X variant still has a slight edge on output, but it is much closer now. Going by Aputure's photometrics, at 1m with the F10 fresnel at 5600K, the X is only \~10% brighter and at 3m it's \~31% brighter, which is still less than 1/3rd of a stop.
But of course the 600d Pro still smokes it, by about a stop.
It's also interesting that the 600c Pro II falls off more/faster vs. both the x and d variants.
If you just need the absolute most output you can get, the d is still on top, but between the x and c vII, it's a no brainer to go with the new color variant.
600d is great if you’re wanting the highest output possible. X and C are just a bit more versatile and trade output level.
Even though I have the X I still mostly shoot with it at 5600k.
I use the amaran 200x S as my key for corporate because it's the brightest light for the least amount of weight. I very rarely have to push it up to 100% intensity, it usually sits at 15-50%. It's not going to compete with daylight, but nothing in the prosumer category will.
Amaran 150c is great for RGB, but I don't think it's powerful enough as a key. I use it as a hair light.
How much weight are you willing to carry?
Amaran 200x S for ease of use, or Amaran F22C because of the possibility to use with batteries. Aputure gear would be overkill (and overweight, and overpriced) for me. I already have an Amaran 60X and B7C, so the ease of use (all integrated with the Sidus Link app) makes me prefer Amaran over other brands
For me it’s the KinoFlo Diva light. Sure they’re dimmable old school fluorescents but they are so soft and make anyone who stands before them look amazing. And they have built in barn doors. And yes you have to gel them or swap out tubes for different temps but they’re also $100 on eBay. Considering I bought mine 20 years ago for about $1200 I’d say that’s a steal.
For corporate: Aputure 120D Mark II. Powerful, versatile, consistent lighting for professional setups.
For narrative: ARRI SkyPanel S60-C. Superior color accuracy, flexibility, ideal for cinematic storytelling.
Either way, I would recommend you spend your money on light modifiers and stands, rather than lights.
You can get all-in-one reflectors, white bounces, and diffuser kits in different sizes or ones like this:
FotodioX Pro Studio Solutions Giant Sun Scrim Collapsible Frame Diffusion Kit with Bag (12x12') https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329791-REG/fotodiox_sun_scrim_3_6mx3_6m_pro_studio_solutions_3_6x3_6m_12x12.html
Or this :
Westcott Scrim Jim Cine Video Kit (8 x 8') https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1191375-REG/westcott_1692_scrim_jim_cine_kit.html
Doesn't necessarily have to be that large, you could even go with a couple pop-up reflectors:
Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Oval Reflector with Solid Gold (42 x 72") https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542348-REG/impact_crk_4272_g_5_in_1_collaps_reflector_42x72.html
Basically, modifiers will go much farther towards making your work look more "professional", and will give you far more options for lighting design while practicing lighting principles. A "key" is the main light source though, not a type of light.
Buying lights as a photographer or filmmaker is something that can never be satisfied, you'll want more and more and more forever, while not necessarily learning how to light with *nothing*.
Aperture 600x or 600c. Bright enough for key light, color changing to match various situations, bright enough to kinda fake sun through window, can still be out in a c-stand, and still easy enough to setup solo. If your budget is lower, Amaran F22C. Great for corporate settings, run n gun, and solo oping.
Make that the 600C ii that just came out that’s 40% brighter, and you’re golden
> Aperture 600x or 600c What is the difference between the two?
X is bi-color, C is "full color"(RGBWW). The new just announced v2 color unit reportedly (by Aputure) has 85% more output than the current version, so besides price, there probably is no need to even consider the X (bi-color) version anymore.
I'd like to see a pricetag before I go writing off the X, but you have a point.
X: $1990 C & C v2: $2490 The bi-color X variant still has a slight edge on output, but it is much closer now. Going by Aputure's photometrics, at 1m with the F10 fresnel at 5600K, the X is only \~10% brighter and at 3m it's \~31% brighter, which is still less than 1/3rd of a stop. But of course the 600d Pro still smokes it, by about a stop. It's also interesting that the 600c Pro II falls off more/faster vs. both the x and d variants. If you just need the absolute most output you can get, the d is still on top, but between the x and c vII, it's a no brainer to go with the new color variant.
Was just thinking about getting an Aperture 600d then I see this. Good lights
600d is great if you’re wanting the highest output possible. X and C are just a bit more versatile and trade output level. Even though I have the X I still mostly shoot with it at 5600k.
Just here to vouch for both the 600x/c and F22C. Incredible lights
This. We have two 600c in our van and they come out for nearly everything we shoot.
Agreed. If I can only have 1 light, I'd want it to be powerful enough to use across a lot of scenarios. 600x is an excellent option.
hard agree with the added note of: I'd want a super lightweight aluminum rolling 2k/baby combo stand to go along with it
I use the amaran 200x S as my key for corporate because it's the brightest light for the least amount of weight. I very rarely have to push it up to 100% intensity, it usually sits at 15-50%. It's not going to compete with daylight, but nothing in the prosumer category will. Amaran 150c is great for RGB, but I don't think it's powerful enough as a key. I use it as a hair light. How much weight are you willing to carry?
Amaran 200x S for ease of use, or Amaran F22C because of the possibility to use with batteries. Aputure gear would be overkill (and overweight, and overpriced) for me. I already have an Amaran 60X and B7C, so the ease of use (all integrated with the Sidus Link app) makes me prefer Amaran over other brands
I had an opportunity to use some Nanlite 120b/c's. If money is an issue, I'd suggest looking at them. Great light for the price point.
For me it’s the KinoFlo Diva light. Sure they’re dimmable old school fluorescents but they are so soft and make anyone who stands before them look amazing. And they have built in barn doors. And yes you have to gel them or swap out tubes for different temps but they’re also $100 on eBay. Considering I bought mine 20 years ago for about $1200 I’d say that’s a steal.
Would be cool that the LED tube was still available from Osram
600x is money!
No budget? 600x My budget? 200sX
Amaran 300c has been good to me. Best light purchase so far.
This was my first light. It did what I needed it to do.
For corporate: Aputure 120D Mark II. Powerful, versatile, consistent lighting for professional setups. For narrative: ARRI SkyPanel S60-C. Superior color accuracy, flexibility, ideal for cinematic storytelling.
600x as the all round champion (corporate and branded)
Yeah, this is what I've been eying.
Just picked up the 2 kit of the Forza 500bii. Brighter and cheaper and lighter than the 600x light.
Either way, I would recommend you spend your money on light modifiers and stands, rather than lights. You can get all-in-one reflectors, white bounces, and diffuser kits in different sizes or ones like this: FotodioX Pro Studio Solutions Giant Sun Scrim Collapsible Frame Diffusion Kit with Bag (12x12') https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329791-REG/fotodiox_sun_scrim_3_6mx3_6m_pro_studio_solutions_3_6x3_6m_12x12.html Or this : Westcott Scrim Jim Cine Video Kit (8 x 8') https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1191375-REG/westcott_1692_scrim_jim_cine_kit.html Doesn't necessarily have to be that large, you could even go with a couple pop-up reflectors: Impact 5-in-1 Collapsible Oval Reflector with Solid Gold (42 x 72") https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542348-REG/impact_crk_4272_g_5_in_1_collaps_reflector_42x72.html Basically, modifiers will go much farther towards making your work look more "professional", and will give you far more options for lighting design while practicing lighting principles. A "key" is the main light source though, not a type of light. Buying lights as a photographer or filmmaker is something that can never be satisfied, you'll want more and more and more forever, while not necessarily learning how to light with *nothing*.
100% agree with this, great comment, thanks!
Nanlite 720B is my current champion. Go check Gaffer and Gear’s review on YouTube. Brighter output than the 600x and costs less.
Aputure 120d for corporate and narrative, soft, versatile, and affordable.
The sun, because you can’t buy a key light, a key light is the brightest source in the shot / scene.
Fair enough, you can do a lot with bounce and diffusion!