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Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the kind words. I think we do indeed have some good options for anyone using this camera or any camera for that matter. We're heavy into production now on the new stuff. Its been a tough year to get things out with labor shortages, olympics, development cycles seem longer than normal, competing schedules between other customers of our contractor factories, etc. Those of you that deal with getting various parts made can sympathize when I tell you about how it goes: send off a design, get back an early sample, make comments and changes, get back another sample, etc. It really takes a lot of time.
The LED panel PCBs are on their way to the assembly factory where they'll be finally put together, tested and boxed. All of you in Asia, Australia, Europe, who are getting things sent directly from China to you, will be the first to get in on the new fun which includes getting our popular portable flos 'P and 'PMD models back, 70w CDM (in 300w fresnel size package), low cost softbox kits/speedrings for the 150w CDM/650w tungsten and 1000w tungsten / 575w HMI models, and of course our LED panel.
Things we wanted to get in this time but didn't for various reasons. We just missed getting a 400w CDM fresnel because of availability of a good lens for it. Didn't like the optical effect of the lens I had so we'll have to throw that away and get a new lens. That delays us into next year for that model.
I also didn't get our T12 external ballast/4 foot portable fixture done this time. Yes, that would use Kino T12 four foot 75w tubes. Too much else going on to get it done for now.
Notable changes in the LED panel based on early feedback after the first introduction some weeks ago.
The LED600 panel will be made in flood and spot versions (3200K spot, 5600K spot and 5600K flood are available for now). I may eventually do a 3200K flood as well if there's enough demand, we'll see how many are interested in limited production we did of the 3200K spot first. Another possible configuration some should open their minds too would be an 8000K flood and spot version. Don't turn your nose up at it! Those 8000K 5mm leds are not only more efficiently brighter but higher CRI too. And, when you're in those odd situations like the desert at night, and that's your only light, 8000K with its extra lumen output will not be noticeable as long as you custom white balance to it. White will look white and not blue in other words (unless you try to balance at 5600K). We didn't produce an 8000K panel yet (other than for my testing purposes--I like it better than 5600K to tell the truth) because I think you aren't ready to hear this yet, but I'll continue to educate on the subject and see if we can get some interest in that version. 8000K only becomes an issue when you're trying to mix with other lights. If you use these panels where they really make sense, in isolated situations or where its inconvenient to have power, its not a big deal.
Lux output of the panels is not bad at all (.6m, 1.1m and 2.1m respectively for each fixture):
Cool Lights 5600K spot 7200L 2610L 740L
Cool Lights 5600K flood 6000L 1900L 600L
For comparison sake here are the specs of an Arri 650w fresnel:
Arri 650 12 degree spot 7694L 2770L 693L
Arri 650 30 degree medium 2542L 915L 229L
Arri 650 52 degree flood 1417L 510L 128L
And a Flolights (Lishuai) 500 LED Panel (50 degree LED):
Lishuai 500 3300L 1400L 360L
(*EDIT--looks like its hard to post tables with proper spacing between columns here).
Next change. Some commented that the input voltage range wasn't big enough so we added a buck/boost (DC DC converter) on the input of all voltage going into the panel either through battery plate or 4 pin XLR. Now, because of this change, the input voltage range is from 10 VDC to 24 VDC. That should give a super wide range of powering options. Thats the good news. The bad news was that change will cost an extra $20 so the new intro price for DVInfo.net is $399 but its worth it to get that capability for only $20 extra and at some point you may be glad you have the ability to power the panel from just about any kind of battery, charger or of course our own 12v supply.
In my tests with my RED V mount 140WH battery, I get 2:45. I also have a 160WH AB Mount battery that gets 3 hours even. So the wattage draw will be just a bit above 50w since we put in the buck/boost converter. Again, an OK cost for that added power conditioning.
Anyway, so as soon as the LED carrying cases and packaging come in and we start getting the first units off the line and tested, we'll be ready to send out to people in other parts of the world besides the USA.
Those in the good old USA will have to wait a bit longer for us to finish all the production cycle, ship everything to states and our warehouse by sea before we can start shipping within North America.
Next year, more and bigger LED fixtures and hopefully a 400w small par are on my hot to do list.
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