Normally that is not a unit I would use for the main source, but I’m sure there is an instance where it could be used in this way, but it would not be my go to unit for that application.
This is such a wide open question that depends on the actual location and what ambient light you’ll be dealing with and how much control you’ll have over the environment. There are so many variables it would be irresponsible to tell you an 80c will fulfill all your needs.
@@meetthegaffer Thank you for getting back to me. I operate a small studio on the fourth floor featuring a single large window and currently rely on natural light for producing TH-cam video content. However, during winter, inconsistent weather and diminished daylight hours create scheduling challenges. So, I am looking for a suitable key light solution. My budget is approximately USD 600, and I prioritize cutting-edge technology and superior color accuracy. I have limited experience with professional lighting equipment, so I would appreciate your expert recommendations. Could you please suggest three key light options within this budget, ranked in order of preference (first, second, and third choice), along with a brief justification for each?
@BahijVirtualAcademy You may have mistaken me for your personal shopper assistant😀 That said the Storm 80c could be a good option for you to start your lighting adventure. You may also consider the Nanlite or Amaran COB units, like the Nanlite FS300c which I have not worked with personally, but due its lower price would provide some room for you to add some diffusion frames or bounce card or soft boxes to help modify the light source. This is obviously a much larger conversation… All the best out there.
I own 12X Nanlite 60C and 60B units and use them predominantly with the spotlight attachment. Super curious to see what Aputure's spotlight solution is because that is how almost everyone I know uses these smaller specials. Either way, props to Aputure for taking a nice step forward with their new color engine and what looks to be much nicer build quality and innovation.
I have no idea, but I would prefer the Nanlite style with interchangeable barrels, and a barrel that is partially rotatable😀 At that size the barrels are not large.
at 16:30 what brand muzz flop and what sizes ? also what stands held them up ? thanks . I been waiting for these nanlite 60c response lights to come out and the aputure 80c at $600 each is such a great price , I believe aputure will come with a few solid spotlights for these 80c units
Thanks for this breakdown Luke, they look great! I own quite a few Aputure/Amaran fixtures and this new Storm series sound like winners so far. I’m just waiting for a replacement to the 300x as a more portable travel light for interviews 🙏
How is the fan noise with the 80c? I often use Nanlite 60cs but have learned to be careful with placement because the fan noise travels, especially in small spaces like a residential kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces. The 80c looks like a tremendous alternative. Hopefully it’s quieter in addition to having an IP rating.
Thanks! It’s annoying that mini-bowens cant be settled to a standard. But some seams to be cross-compatible. I have a couple of Ulanzi-mini bowens accessories that fits my Ifootage 130BNA.
In regards to the 80c am I right in thinking the output in terms of lux and foot candles is only slightly less than an aputure 300x? This is the conclusion I've come to after reading the specs of the 2 lights on the aputure website but I'm not sure if there's something I'm missing.
That’s the basic gist. In the same neighborhood in terms of output, but with a lot more capability. I have not done the tests, but it seams reasonable.
No doubt the competition will be fierce. Comprehensive, speedy customer support is often the hidden differentiator. Let’s see who competes to win our trust in customer service😉
@@meetthegaffer Indeed. We shot a TV show last spring where the main character was walking in the street at night in the pouring rain and we used a China ball with the Aputure 60X on a boom arm and a vmount battery in a ziploc bag. Worked incredibly well but even at the widest zoom option on the lens, it didn't fill the ball completely so we had to cover the front with a 216 diffusion to really get the effect we wanted. The new bare COB design is incredibly appealing so will still check it out!
@@mitchgross592 Yes, which is a shame that there is no standard agreed mount for our industry. It also makes designing optics a nightmare when the distance from the mount and the cob keeps changing all the time. 2 lights from the same manufacturer can perform totally differently when using their own leiko fixture for example. I still feel like this is a problem of our own doing. We figured out how to do this with lenses and mounts a long time ago with shims and adapters. Still thankful for the plethora of choices at our disposition! I can only buy so many accessories before the truck is filled haha
man I'm so tempted to sell my nanlite fs300b and move to neewer. I just love the affordability/options of their ecosystem and I feel like, nowadays its pretty good quality gear. That HB80c is on my mind and I want that F230b of theirs. Run if off a v mount and you get a 100w portable light that will run for 1.5 hours. Great video.
I think you’re the only person I’ve seen with the handgrip for the 80c. It’s like a treasure hunt, gotta watch all the reviews, everyone has different things 😅 The Neewer one looks like a Mac Mini!
LOL! Loved your first look/overview. I’m sorry you had to give the units back. I don’t actually know if the handle is included, just assumed😬 The HB80c is a fun size, right? $200.
Yes, we need more small/medium full color cob lights! Can you make a video about the nanlite line? Hey what ever happen to California base Hive Lighting ? Remember they ahead of their time in 2017 with 100w full color cob with 9 color chips. Almost 8 years later and the industry is catching up to them, but what happen to them 🤔🤔🤔.
The guy from Aputure at Cameraimage festival in Poland claimed that the 80C has more output than the 300X. Is that true? Could you please compare those two lights?
I noticed u did a corporate job ..nice . I live in Sacramento ca I'd love to go to a on set job to learn more . any chance at that ? if more lights are needed I can bring 2 600d lights with stands . anything coming up ? I also film with a red Komodo and c70 with filtration and nice rf and ef canon glass
Which units have you had that had a short life span? I still use two Prolycht Orion 675’s and the original Aputure LS600c on a regular basis, not to mention the Nanlux Evoke 900c.
Just looking at the light quality when it was hitting your hand… it’s beautiful! Such good quality light and so in line with natural light!
Would love to see a comparison video between the 80c and the new Astera quikspot. Thanks for the review!
Is the Aputure Storm 80C suitable for key lighting in interviews or talking head videos?
Normally that is not a unit I would use for the main source, but I’m sure there is an instance where it could be used in this way, but it would not be my go to unit for that application.
@@meetthegaffer Why? and what about Neewer HB80c?
What are your recommendations for interviews or talking head videos in 2025?
This is such a wide open question that depends on the actual location and what ambient light you’ll be dealing with and how much control you’ll have over the environment. There are so many variables it would be irresponsible to tell you an 80c will fulfill all your needs.
@@meetthegaffer
Thank you for getting back to me. I operate a small studio on the fourth floor featuring a single large window and currently rely on natural light for producing TH-cam video content. However, during winter, inconsistent weather and diminished daylight hours create scheduling challenges. So, I am looking for a suitable key light solution. My budget is approximately USD 600, and I prioritize cutting-edge technology and superior color accuracy. I have limited experience with professional lighting equipment, so I would appreciate your expert recommendations. Could you please suggest three key light options within this budget, ranked in order of preference (first, second, and third choice), along with a brief justification for each?
@BahijVirtualAcademy You may have mistaken me for your personal shopper assistant😀 That said the Storm 80c could be a good option for you to start your lighting adventure. You may also consider the Nanlite or Amaran COB units, like the Nanlite FS300c which I have not worked with personally, but due its lower price would provide some room for you to add some diffusion frames or bounce card or soft boxes to help modify the light source. This is obviously a much larger conversation… All the best out there.
I own 12X Nanlite 60C and 60B units and use them predominantly with the spotlight attachment. Super curious to see what Aputure's spotlight solution is because that is how almost everyone I know uses these smaller specials. Either way, props to Aputure for taking a nice step forward with their new color engine and what looks to be much nicer build quality and innovation.
Agree. Getting the spotlight attachments right on these units is key. They’ll never be as good as purpose built ellipsoidals, but close is the goal.
I can't believe the spotlight hasn't been announced for these lights. It's absolutely the most important modifier for lights of this size.
@ Totally agree.
@@meetthegafferwonder what they will do about lenses as well? Do you think it will be a zoom like the 60x? Or will we have to get a set?
I have no idea, but I would prefer the Nanlite style with interchangeable barrels, and a barrel that is partially rotatable😀 At that size the barrels are not large.
at 16:30 what brand muzz flop and what sizes ? also what stands held them up ? thanks . I been waiting for these nanlite 60c response lights to come out and the aputure 80c at $600 each is such a great price , I believe aputure will come with a few solid spotlights for these 80c units
Thanks for this breakdown Luke, they look great! I own quite a few Aputure/Amaran fixtures and this new Storm series sound like winners so far. I’m just waiting for a replacement to the 300x as a more portable travel light for interviews 🙏
This is apparently brighter at daylight than the 300x with their supplied dish, but the 80c has narrower beam
How is the fan noise with the 80c? I often use Nanlite 60cs but have learned to be careful with placement because the fan noise travels, especially in small spaces like a residential kitchen with a lot of hard surfaces. The 80c looks like a tremendous alternative. Hopefully it’s quieter in addition to having an IP rating.
I have not noticed the fan noise of either unit in my usage, and I’m usually kind of picky about that sort of thing.
I agree. Forza 60c probably my favorite or near most used light. this is cool upgrade
@@meetthegaffer I much prefer filmmaking but have a background in music which might make me more sensitive about stray noise than most.
Does it work the other way around, Aputure modifiers on the Nanlite mini bowens mount?
Good question! The ones I have available are not cross compatible.
Thanks!
It’s annoying that mini-bowens cant be settled to a standard. But some seams to be cross-compatible. I have a couple of Ulanzi-mini bowens accessories that fits my Ifootage 130BNA.
Does anyone know if the apurture spotlight mini will work with the 80c ?
Pretty sure it’s a “no” given the different mounts, but I haven’t actually tried to put them together.
@ I think the spotlight SE from Amaran just might work, given it has a bowens mount but I’ll have to test it to be sure.
Always love your reviews.
Glad you like them!
In regards to the 80c am I right in thinking the output in terms of lux and foot candles is only slightly less than an aputure 300x? This is the conclusion I've come to after reading the specs of the 2 lights on the aputure website but I'm not sure if there's something I'm missing.
That’s the basic gist. In the same neighborhood in terms of output, but with a lot more capability. I have not done the tests, but it seams reasonable.
It will be interesting to see how Nanlite/lux competes with the BLAIR tech? That is the future of pro LED imho.
No doubt the competition will be fierce. Comprehensive, speedy customer support is often the hidden differentiator. Let’s see who competes to win our trust in customer service😉
Having that millimeter difference in the mounts is such a bummer. Maybe it was an oversight but I tend to lean in the ''they meant to do that'' camp.
For sure. Different size COB would likely make most optical adapters incompatible …but the soft box!
@@meetthegaffer Indeed. We shot a TV show last spring where the main character was walking in the street at night in the pouring rain and we used a China ball with the Aputure 60X on a boom arm and a vmount battery in a ziploc bag.
Worked incredibly well but even at the widest zoom option on the lens, it didn't fill the ball completely so we had to cover the front with a 216 diffusion to really get the effect we wanted.
The new bare COB design is incredibly appealing so will still check it out!
Even some full-size Bowens mount devices are not cross compatible.
@mitchgross592 True, I just wanted to let people know, because I’d want to know🙂
@@mitchgross592 Yes, which is a shame that there is no standard agreed mount for our industry.
It also makes designing optics a nightmare when the distance from the mount and the cob keeps changing all the time. 2 lights from the same manufacturer can perform totally differently when using their own leiko fixture for example.
I still feel like this is a problem of our own doing. We figured out how to do this with lenses and mounts a long time ago with shims and adapters.
Still thankful for the plethora of choices at our disposition!
I can only buy so many accessories before the truck is filled haha
man I'm so tempted to sell my nanlite fs300b and move to neewer. I just love the affordability/options of their ecosystem and I feel like, nowadays its pretty good quality gear. That HB80c is on my mind and I want that F230b of theirs. Run if off a v mount and you get a 100w portable light that will run for 1.5 hours. Great video.
I think you’re the only person I’ve seen with the handgrip for the 80c.
It’s like a treasure hunt, gotta watch all the reviews, everyone has different things 😅
The Neewer one looks like a Mac Mini!
fr
LOL! Loved your first look/overview. I’m sorry you had to give the units back. I don’t actually know if the handle is included, just assumed😬 The HB80c is a fun size, right? $200.
Yes, we need more small/medium full color cob lights! Can you make a video about the nanlite line?
Hey what ever happen to California base Hive Lighting ? Remember they ahead of their time in 2017 with 100w full color cob with 9 color chips. Almost 8 years later and the industry is catching up to them, but what happen to them 🤔🤔🤔.
Hive went under. Victim of Covid + strikes.
Nanlite also has the fs300c and fc500c
Yes, I guess I had passed over them for not checking enough boxes🤪 My apologies!
@@theodorerobinson2425 But aren’t those RGBW lights rather than full spectrum?
@@theodorerobinson2425 the 300c is actually so great
This is very helpful boss! Thank you sir👏
The guy from Aputure at Cameraimage festival in Poland claimed that the 80C has more output than the 300X. Is that true? Could you please compare those two lights?
I don’t think I have 300x’s any more… but that’s quite a claim.
I think you ran into an overzealous Aputure rep there. The 80c does not have more output than the 300x.
@@meetthegafferI pulled out my 300x for a job tonight, she hadn’t been used in a while. It was like catching up with an old friend, made my week 😍
I’m doing the same with a 60x today😀
[Aputure]
I always use this standard measure for comparisons.
@3m & 5600K w/ standard reflector
STORM 80c = 1,924 lux
LS 300x = 1,700 lux
I noticed u did a corporate job ..nice . I live in Sacramento ca I'd love to go to a on set job to learn more . any chance at that ? if more lights are needed I can bring 2 600d lights with stands . anything coming up ? I also film with a red Komodo and c70 with filtration and nice rf and ef canon glass
Good to know you are in the Sacramento area!
@ not far .
Is Ernie still riding his BMW bike?
Maybe our politics will be messy but our lighting will be sweet 🤣 and the award for understatement of the year goes to.........
🤪
@@meetthegaffer commiserations from across the pond.
Boom first lol... But on a serious note. I see the prolycht integrations have started.
Nanlite have a 300 FS and a 500fc rgbww
"Our politics will be messy, but our lighting will be sweet." 😂😂😂
Better use Gels on COB, those full color lights don´t last, are expensive and can not be repaired
Which units have you had that had a short life span? I still use two Prolycht Orion 675’s and the original Aputure LS600c on a regular basis, not to mention the Nanlux Evoke 900c.
@@meetthegaffer Nanlite 60c, by the way I like your show never miss it, not personal.
@@felipehenaovideoDang! Were you taken care of?
@@meetthegaffer Yes One man band, never happened with any of my daylight Nanlite and CameTV Fixtures
@@felipehenaovideo I mean did you find a repair source and were you taken care of by Nanlite’s customer support services?
Borderline scummy to have a proprietary mount to force us to buy their modifiers.
Messy politics? TRUMP 2024