Battle: LitePanel Astra 6x vs LitePanel Original
By Patryk Rebisz
In this article we'll compare LitePanel 1x1 Astra 6x unit to LitePanel 1x1 original version
I understand that this comparison is somehow nonsensical as we are comparing an old light to a much newer, thus obviously brighter unit, but the purpose is not to decide the winer of brightness, as that's already settled in favor of the Astra, but rather to see how much brighter the newer unit can be.
Thought the original LP 1x1 lights were revolutionary (LitePanel somehow managed to patent the LED diode array), they were never particularly bright. In my own work I used them mostly as uplight, accent lights to shine some interest on an element of the background or, in some cases, as a feeble back light. LitePanel came out with a revised version (not tested here) substitution all mental housing for plastic, unfortunately that problematic decision was passed on to the Astra units. Indeed, unlike the original LP 1x1s that feel sturdy due to their all-metal construction, the body of Astra does feel a bit toy-ish and plastic-y. Though it shouldn't be an issue on most productions where the units are cared for, but there are shoots (music videos) where a lady of questionable morality, half-drunk and in high heals might stumble on your 1x1 sending it flying across the room. I'm not sure that the Astras can withstand that sort of abuse. That said, the light indeed is bright in both daylight and tungsten mode, easily outshining the original 1x1 (here, you can't even see that the original 1x1 on the left is on):
Putting the Astra against original 1x1 Spot doesn't make much difference:
And just for the curious onse, here are the original LP 1x1s Spot (left) against Flood version (right). Though Spot is indeed brighter by focusing their beams, the flood version provides more general illumination.
Eithether way you look at it, the light represent a major step in the developmnet of LED technology and LitePanles were responsible for bringing thi stechnology for wider general use. But, despite their wonderful metal construction, the original technology simply doesn't stand up to the modern options.
Hopefully you found this article useful. You can find all lights for rent at PAT Rentals (www.patrentals.com).