These new daylight balanced and bi-color Bowens-mount LEDs are friendly on your wallet
(Image credit: Aputure)
Aputure has lifted the curtain on four new Amaran series COB LED lights: the 100d, 100x, 200d and 200x. All these new models come with Bowens lamp-compatible fittings, but are aimed towards the economy end of the market for the more budget-conscious users.
The 'd' suffix indicates that the lights are daylight balanced, for easy control of color reproduction in the studio. Those bearing the 'x' nomenclature, meanwhile, are bi-color units, with adjustable color temperatures on a scale ranging from 2700–6500K.
While this offers color correcting options when using the lights in less controlled environments, it also opens up creative lighting opportunities and increases the versatility of the units.
Adding to this further, all of the models are equipped with built-in Bluetooth remote control, which is compatible with the Sidus Link system. By using a smartphone app, the user can control lighting settings without having to physically access the controls on the unit heads themselves.
The Amaran 200d has a power of 200 Watts and is daylight balanced (Image credit: Aputure)
Each of the 100d / 100x units has a power output of 100 watts, while their 200d / 200x siblings provide 200 watts. Unlike Aputure's high-end C120D II and C300D models, though, the 100d/x and 200d/x don't have DMX (Digital Multiplex) support.
The new models are all monolights, meaning that they have their own independent power supply – in this case a 48-volt XLR connector, which can either be plugged into Aputure’s battery power station or a mains connector. The light stand type is a simple tilt bracket.
Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
The Amaran 100d is priced $199 / £221 (approximately AU$261), with the Amaran 100x at $249 / £277 (AU$327). Meanwhile the Amaran 200d can be found for $299 / £321 (AU$392) and the Amaran 200x for $249 / £277 (AU$327).
As the Editor for Digital Photographer magazine, Peter is a specialist in camera tutorials and creative projects to help you get the most out of your camera, lens, tripod, filters, gimbal, lighting and other imaging equipment.
After cutting his teeth working in retail for camera specialists like Jessops, he has spent 11 years as a photography journalist and freelance writer – and he is a Getty Images-registered photographer, to boot.
No matter what you want to shoot, Peter can help you sharpen your skills and elevate your ability, whether it’s taking portraits, capturing landscapes, shooting architecture, creating macro and still life, photographing action… he can help you learn and improve.
