In August, Litepanels released the Astra 6X. We took an in-depth look at this LED fixture, and it may be the perfect tool to have on set.
Litepanels LED lights have been a staple in the industry since the infancy of the LED light revolution. Their latest release, the Astra 6X, is an impressive LED fixture bound to find its way onto many film sets .
Evolution
LED lighting has come a long way in the last six years. When Litepanels first debuted, they didn’t feature a great deal of output. However, what they did have was the potential for this lighting technology to really take off and transition the industry into a more efficient future. The Astra 6X is the next step into the future for Litepanels. It features six times more output than the original Litepanel fixture.
Portability
A great perk of the Astra series is its form factor and portability. If you’re a traveling filmmaker, the Astra 6x is an exceptional option, offering portability and ease of use on set. Now, I’m a big fan of the ARRI Skypanel series; however, traveling with those fixtures is a challenge. The Astra 6X overcomes this. However, you do sacrifice output from the fixture in comparison to an ARRI Skypanel. With many softbox options for the Astra, keeping it compact and getting a pleasant light quality is not a challenge.
Quality
With a 95 CRI, the Astra 6X is perfect for any production. The light is fully dimmable from 0 – 100% with no color shift. If you’ve ever dimmed tungsten fixtures, you know how color shift can be an issue with dimming; however, this is not the case with the Astra 6X.
Also, in comparison to other LED fixtures of similar build, the Litepanels feature some of the strongest construction. This will ensure that the light will last you a long time and find itself on many of your sets.
Functionality/ Output
With optional bi-color functionality, the Astra 6X gives you options regarding the variety of light fixtures you can use on set. You’re not locked into daylight or tungsten only. This light also packs a punch. It’s comparable to the output of a 2000W softlight or a 1,000W hardlight equivalent. Earlier Litepanel fixtures would not allow you to diffuse your LED fixtures with heavier diffusions like some 216, 250, or even silk. The 6X solves that problem.
LED lighting has evolved immensely in just the few years it’s been on the market. The Astra 6X is a huge step into the future of LED lighting. It’s portability, output, and quality make it a strong contender to be on your next set.