Aputure AL-MW LED Light & Fresnel 2x
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- In this episode, we take a look at two new lighting products from Aputure: The AL-MW and the Fresnel 2x. The AL-MW is a tiny LED video light with a daylight color balance and is waterproof to 10 meters or 30 feet. Its in-built battery will power the light for 85 minutes at high power. The color quality is very good with a CRI of almost 98 and the light puts out enough light to use even as a key light.
The Fresnel 2x is a new add-on focusing lens for lights with a Bowens mount like the Aputure COB series of lights along with lights from several other manufacturers. The lens focuses the light beam between 12 and 40 degrees so you can add a good bit of drama, texture, and dimension to your lighting design.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at school.learnli... including processing dialogue audio, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Links to gear used in this video:
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Aputure AL-MW LED Light
Amazon: geni.us/OwJcdHt
B&H: bhpho.to/2ILBUIW
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Aputure Fresnel 2x - Lens to focus your light into carefully defined beams.
Amazon: geni.us/GwmxXU
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Aputure COB 120DII LED Light - this is my main workhorse light for 90% of my video work.
Amazon: geni.us/iNVn
B&H: bhpho.to/2T7FtcR
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Aputure COB 300D LED Light - a BIG light for BIG jobs
Amazon: geni.us/JeMoO
B&H: bhpho.to/2z9UdxF
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Aputure Barn Doors - You can use this on its own, or with the Fresnel 2x to cut the light for even more dramatic lighting designs. I use this a LOT for lighting backgrounds.
Amazon: geni.us/Y7JzFL
B&H: bhpho.to/2FZCvFC
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Sennheiser XSW-D Portable Wireless Lavalier Set - used this to record all of the audio for this episode. Review coming soon.
B&H: bhpho.to/2IM0RUD
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1/4-20 to Light Stand Adapter - the adapter I use to attach the AL-MW to a light stand
Amazon: geni.us/SyjZaDs
B&H: bhpho.to/2J082ss
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Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - I used this to record most of this episode
B&H: bhpho.to/2JB7W5V
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Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 OIS Lens - Used on the Pocket 4K camera
B&H: bhpho.to/2i6s2gv
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Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Music Copyright 2019 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.
Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.
Curtis brings us most unbiased and professional reviews of equipment, why the hell put a dislike? At least argument your opinion!
Thanks TJ Motion Channel!
Curtis Judd Thank you for your work and videos. And just TJ for you, my friend😊
@@w140 👍🏻
Thanks for all the information that you provided. Extremely helpful for those of us that are still learning! Great lighting review.
Thanks Justin!
3:33 some epic acting right there! :D
😀
@@curtisjudd Guess it was a bit too late for this years Oscars!
We'll catch 'em next year. :-D
I assume the fresnel is glass and not plastic? Love the reaction shots: really demonstrated the effect. LENS drop!! Argggh!! Battling this right now with my 24-105 on my work in progress b roll table project. Any idea how to tighten that? Currently using gaff tape. 😁
The front lens feels like glass. Not sure on the internal lens. Haha - lens drop! I'm also in the camp that uses small strips of gaff tape to keep the zoom from moving. But if anyone out there has a better idea, we'd love to hear it!
they look great! thank you for the review :)
You bet!
I’d love to see a behind the scenes photo or video on how you got the lighting for the talking head shots, that lighting is super nice and even while still being interesting with the sliced light on the background.
Hi Neil, just used the AL-MW and the bounce board (foam core poster board) off to 45 degrees as show in the video. It isn't the most stylized look, but works and I was pretty surprised I could get enough out of this tiny light...
Always great. Thanks Curtis.
Thanks Ismael.
You rock Curtis! Thanks for the time you put into this helpful info
Thank you!
I think the water bottle shot can be interesting with different shapes or curves as you can see in the plastic bottle you used, much of the light forms were created from the shape of the instrument with the water.
👍
That little light is cool. Not too expensive for the solid build and performance. Maybe my next light or one in my arsenal. I am more serious about light and sound vs. the camera. My voice over and hopefully Podcast mic is the Shure SM7B. I love the sound of this mic with the cloud lifter and dbx 286s. I may upgrade the mic pre and we will see. So LED lighting is my next purchase. Staying 1080p because my audience is small screen watchers anyway. Love your videos as always. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks Vincent for sharing. I agree - focus on sound and lighting vs just camera is a good approach. :)
So few light reviews talk about photometrics or give the camera settings the test shots were done with. I don't care if a light has RGB if you have to expose at ISO 6400!
Thanks man 👍
👍🏻
Lol that first test with the light in the bottle, you can do this with an M9 outside the CLEAR bottle.
Fair point except that the M9 doesn’t put out nearly as much light.
As one who usually take a ETC light on interview shoots for background texture with use of patterns, I would LOVE if Aputure can add gobo holder for the ability to make patterns.
Good idea!
Can't wait for Aputure to release their leko mount.
Yes, the leko will be interesting.
I have a question about video editing. If I shoot 1080p 60fps, but edit on a 30fps timeline in Premiere, what complications or issues would I run into?
The biggest potential issue is that to shoot 60 FPS you have to use a shorter shutter time since every second is divided into 60 frames. When you drop that to 30, you can end up with a rather jittery look. It can be fine if that’s what you’re looking for and they do that in some movies in action scenes. But I wouldn’t do that for most narrative or talking head types of shots.
I've been using the XSWD as well. Took it vlogging with my GoPro7 and it's awesome!!! I am not tied to being close to my GP7 anymore to get good audio. I do have to say that the clamps are cheaply made and mine is wiggling on the top of my cameras when mounted. That tells me that I will need to stick with the AVX for when I purchase such a system for my students to use when doing ENG type of work. Also, the transmitter will slide out of the belt clips when doing run and gun type of work with talents. Overall, I love the size and weight, but not digging how cheaply made these things are.
Anyhoo, I'm glad to see the AL-MW review. I will test that against the Sokani lights that were sent to me for review. :)
Heng! Thanks for sharing your experience with the XS. Good to know how it works out in the real world.
I shoot a lot of run and gun doc stuff, and I've been looking for a really small light that I could use as a key. I think I'm going to pair this with a Lastolight Halo and add some Aputure MCs to the mix for a super portable and versatile setup.
👍
so i see about 5 years later or so
Aputure AL-MW is discontinued and overtaken by the MC PRO
and looking at that this was also $200, i feel good knowing both are insanely bright for being a portable light, probably still gonna get the MC PRO but least I know I already have a bright light on the go lmao swear it's 10X bright as the galaxy s24 ultra video flashight
Thanks Curtis. ì am a film director but always curious about what is going on. Great job.
Thanks Berry!
What would be your choice for a portable key light between the Aputure AL-MW and the Lupo Smartpanel? I mean, wich one has a better portability, better output, flexibility of usage and etc... I have the opportunity of buying one of the two, but I'm not able to test it.
Thank you for your content. I respect your opinions very much. (=
Hi Alan, it is a stretch to use tiny lights as key lights, but I'd definitely choose the Lupo in that case.
Good video I love your content are you going to NAB this year if so I hope to see you there.
Thanks. I’ll definitely be there. Hope to meet you there!
I'm finding that monolights don't do well as true fresnel fixtures because the COB chip on the monolight usually have a very wide angle (120 degrees) and I don't think a fresnel attachment can focus all of that light into a narrower beam. To my eye, my Genaray Powerhouse isn't outputting as much light with the Fresnel 2x attachment.
Interesting, thanks for the insight! somebody else below made a similar observation with their Generay light, noting that while it changes the beam angle, when the Fresnel 2x is spotted on the Generay, they don't get the 2x increase in light intensity. So it looks like the results we're seeing here may only apply to the Aputure COB lights.
A few questions:
1. Are you LDS? I am, just curious
2. How do you manage to reply to all of your comments? I have 8k subs and it takes me a lot more time than I have to reply.
3. What mic did you use? You sound amazing! I hope it is the rode video link. Just bought one from your link after seeing your review
Hi Megapizelers. 1) Yes 2) I use Tubebuddy to keep track of things which helps. Aside from that, it is just a matter of taking time. 3) I used the Sennheiser MKE2-II lavalier microphone which came as part of the Sennheiser XSW-D Wireless Lavalier kit (linked in the description if you are interested in the details). We will be reviewing this wireless kit next week. Thanks!
Looking at getting both these products, but availability (In Australia) is non existent. BUT... where do you get the barn doors? Are they designed to fit the Fresnel 2x? Do any others work?
Hi Ben, the barn doors are also made by Aputure. I tried a set of barn doors from another manufacturer on the COB120t, but it didn't quite fit seamlessly. I had to bend some of the part to make it work.
I aim putting together a small rig to pack in my motorcycle for on the rod interviews.Would this work w s my main key on one up interviews through a silk or a soft box, camera is the Pocket 4K. Or a small soft box ?. I have recharging would be a challenge but I do have a number of small batteries.
For short interviews it should be ok. By short, I mean about 60 minutes. I'm not clear on whether attaching a USB battery bank just slows down the rate at which the internal battery is exhausted or whether it allows you to run the light on full power from the battery. More testing to do on that.
Thanks
@@curtisjudd
Curtis, what light are you using to light the background?
Hi Shaheed, That's the Aputure C120T with barn doors: th-cam.com/video/wBFMZb56td8/w-d-xo.html
Just a heads up, ive tried the fresnel 2x on 2 genaray lights and im guessing the second glass element is made to be at a certain distance from the led chip, because it doesnt allow for spot or flood (it does narrow it but there is no change when twisting the barrel), and the brightness is the same as a standard 7in reflector.
Interesting. Thanks for the info, very helpful for those working with the Genaray lights.
Hey Curtis, great reviews as always. Out of curiosity, when you bounced the AL-MW into the foam board, roughly how far was the light from the bounce?
About 12 - 18 inches.
Curtis Judd Thanks for that!
Hi Curtis, Could you review the Yongnuo YN300 Air Mark2 RGB Light. The Mark 2 has a colour picker remote, I've ordered one recently as the price is insanely good for what you get. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Hi Billion Bites, will put it on my list. The budget is a little tight at the moment. What do you think of it so far?
@Curtis Judd Hasn't arrived yet, but I'm surprised it does RGB and light effects for the low price range. The CRI is better than the earlier Yongnuo lights. I also picked up the YN 360 iii light stick and it’s impressive. Might be quite vulnerable if you drop it due to the plastic build.
I'm thinking about buying the Panasonic Lumix G7, but since it doesn't have a headphone jack how can I monitor my audio while still being able to plug in an external mirophone (such as 2 lauv mics or a Rode mic)?
You could use an audio adapter: th-cam.com/video/B_0od_f_QkQ/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd Okay, thank you!
How would you compare the aputure fresnel and your lupo daylights? (I also own the daylight 1000)
Hi Michael, pretty similar. I like that the barn doors are included and always on the DayLED (at least the one I have). That makes the Lupo a bit more of a specific purpose light for me since I don't have the softbox for it.
@@curtisjudd yeah, though I made some cheap jinbei softboxes (k90 umbrella) fit, when you just screw off the Bowens mount ring!
Heh, just got 2 Fresnels for by 2 c 120d, but I think I'll be getting at least one of these pretty quick. I love the Fresnel, and a better one would be totally worth it.
Oh! The new one is a nice step forward.
@@curtisjudd I got the new Fresnels today. Certainly a better spotlight. Brighter and more well defined. I liked what I could do before, but this is another level.
About the only negative is that it takes longer to adjust the Fresnel because of the twist, but this also feels so much sturdier than the first version's adjustments and it's easier to dial in a specific angle.
It's also nice they included a bag this time. One of my problems with some of the accessories is figuring out how to store these things.
I'm sure people will still think about the first one because it's half the price, but I don't think it's even close.
@@kyleolson8977 Agreed on all fronts!
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Very informative - thank you. Does using the MW while plugged in affect the light?
Didn't seem to change things when I plugged it in.
Does it work while it is charging? Can you use it while plugged into a battery brick continuously?
@@notan... Yes. Depending on the output level you've set the light to, it may or may not charge but you can certainly power it with a USB battery bank while the light is on.
Could you share the approximate max setting you were able to use the MW light WHILE charging from your battery brick? I’d like to use this for 3-5 hour intervals via a battery brick.
@@notan... 100%.
do you think Aputure will make a softbox for the AL-MW?
I don’t think so since they haven’t for any of their other small lights but one never knows. There are a bunch of small softboxes for flashes used in photography that would potentially work.
@@curtisjudd any suggestions , i wanted to make youtube talking head vid, and yours looked perfect, but i was unable to see excatly how you did it. i was thinking of puschasing the aputure AL-MW and the Litra torch. small and portable.
I bounced the light off of a big white poster board (foamcore) which you can get at most art supply stores.
Great job my friend ! Keep going ! l believe on you ! Great channel !
my name is Kader ...
Thanks Kader and best wishes to you.
Can I use it with Godox SL200..
If the Godox SL200 has a Bowens mount, yes. I don't have any Godox lights on hand to test, but another comment below noted that while it fits, it does not increase the intensity of the light as much as I reported when working with the Aputure C120DII.
Nice review. Can the AL-MX Produce full output via USB-C power?
I need to run the battery down to empty to confirm in that case, but yes, it appears to go to full when you have at least some charge in the battery. Since it uses the USB-C connector, my hope is that it is using the USB power spec where it should be able to power the light on high *if* you use a proper USB-C to USB-C connection and a host or battery that can supply the necessary current/wattage.
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the reply, Curtis. Please test this with a USB-C power supply if you can! The battery life of 85 minutes is fine for most short interviews, but I'd loath to have it die without a backup power supply option.
@@davidp158 Good news, I depleted the charge on the AL-MW. Then when I connected to the following battery bank, I was able to power the AL-WM at full power: geni.us/MYLbA
@@davidp158 One further note: With the external battery, Booster mode did NOT work (when the internal battery was depleted). Not really an issue for interviews as booster mode is not practical for those situations.
@@curtisjudd Thanks so much for testing this! I doubt that I'd use the booster mode on the internal battery (limited time span), and I presume it doesn't work off external power to protect the LED panel. Regardless, its great to know that it can run of external USB C power.
As always, great review. Lets chat NAB this week.
Thanks Levi, good idea!
I’m a fartist...poot
Nice.