Aputure Fresnel 2x Light Modifier Review

[@mauriciolee7349]

Thank Rob for this DETAILED video. I love it when you demonstrate the Aputure Fresnel 2x increases the light brightness by 2 and 4/10 fstop.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

Thank you for both videos about fresnel lenses. After watching the first one, I got the original Aputure modifier, deciding to save the money compared to the 2x version. Watching this, I'm really glad, since I only use it on the AD600Pro!

[@tfrerich]

I purchased one, and have done some limited testing with monolights. Here's what I've learned. I only tested on Orlit strobes, which are Jinbei rebadged by Adorama. Those were the only strobes that I own that do not have a modeling light that interferes with the rear lens of the modifier. On the Rovelight RT610 and 800AC monolights, the glass protector/diffuser will prevent you from mounting the Fresnel. You can mount the Fresnel if you remove that dome, but your flash tube is very close to the plastic that supports the rear lens. The tabs on the Aputure modifier are incredibly tight on both of these lights. The tabs themselves are too big to allow it to be mounted on the Orlit Rover RT flash, although that flash does not have the clearance issues. Spoiler alert -- I liked the results of this modifier enough that I dug out a Dremel tool and made the plastic Bowens mount tabs narrower and shorter. By doing that, it fit on the Orlit Rover RT 300ws flash easily. The light is, indeed, sharply directional and very hard...which is what I wanted. It works MUCH better than the Impact attachment mentioned in the video. It works far better than a grid or even a snoot with a grid, and you don't pay any light loss penalty. There is caveat, however. When I had the modifier set at the widest settings and on the RT610 and 800AC lights, I was getting a ghost image of the modeling light bulb...not the light, but the yellow LED itself. There was a yellowish, indistinct circle that was about half to two-thirds the diameter of the light. Again, this was NOT the modeling light...that was turned off, but the reflection of the flashtube being bounced off the LED. I didn't notice it on the Rover RT light at all, but in all honesty I wasn't shooting at large white walls. It may have been there, but if it was, it wasn't noticeable. This may also be because the flashtube for the Rover RT is much closer to the back of the modifier and there's more room for the light to bounce around before it has to go out of the rear lens of the modifier. Edit: I did some more work with the Rover RT, and it also has the slight yellow-orange spot. But I can live with it.

[@jrshaul]

As usual, Robert Hall provides a no-bullshit useful review.

[@tugwilson]

Robert I use this on my AD200 and AD400Pro. I use a Bowens to Profoto adapter and put the AD200 in an AD-P. I put the Profoto adapter on the AD400Pro. It looks like you would need to do the same sort of thing with the upcoming Spotlight Mount.

[@half-decentphotography6544]

For those who really want an inexpensive fresnel lens that will work with strobes like the Godox AD400 or AD600, the Pixapro Optical Fresnel Lens is worth checking out. it's sold in the UK at £42.50 (about US$53), which is less than half the price of the Aputure 2X.

[@mverick160]

I use a lot of different Fresnels. You have to also watch that it doesn't concentrate hot spots. As I found the barebulb on the ad200 would do. The wire wrap on the bulb showed up on images. So the round heads diffusion really helps. I wish the Fresnels focused to tighter spots. So I went to projector lenses.

[@parthamajumder7224]

Hi, can u suggest me which one will be best for Godox SLB60W ?

[@sanjaykrdas4u]

Hi Rob, I found a way to mount the Fresnel 2x Light Modifier on AD400Pro by a workaround ... you can mount the Fresnel 2x Light Modifier on a Godox S2 Speedlite Bracket (S-Type) and insert the GODOX H400P Extension Flash Head from the other side. Keeps the set-up lighter on top & quite stable at the same time when raised to heights, as the main AD400Pro can be clamped at a lower height to the center rod of the light stand to act as a stabilizing weight.

[@thienhao0910]

Looking forward to seeing if their Spotlight mount will work on Godox mono lights

[@simianinc]

Would love to see the Aputure lights compared with the Godox SL lights. Godox are cheaper where I live and I’m curious to see your opinion

[@alexanderlevy2538]

Are there barndoors for the Aputure Fresnel 2x?

[@TheGabrielStudios]

Get in touch with someone with a 3D printer. You could probably design an extension tube with female-male Bowens mount to use with the AD600.

[@fletcherdavies8749]

Hi Rob, can you use the Aputure Fresnel 2X with Godox AD300 pro (will it fit?)

[@EvanWisheropp]

I’m assuming it could be used on a Godox 60x if it’s mounted in the S2 bracket

[@sknemani]

HI, how were yo able to fit this 2x fresnel onto the CLAR Illumimax 300 light? I tried on mine a lot, but just can't seem to get it to fit. Please show in a video if you can, I am really curious.

[@mediocreman6323]

3:06 - thank you for that piece of information I was looking for, which means that I can't use this fresnel. Too bad.

[@KeithCasper]

You can control how wide the light is with a zoom, what if you put a diffuser over the top of it?

[@SeamlessMedia]

One idea to use this with your AD400 would be to get the "Flashpoint Mount Adapter for XPLOR 400 Pro Profoto Mount", as well as the "Glow Profoto to Bowens Mount Converter", that would probably give the additional room for the flash tube to clear the inner lens, as well as reflect the light from the omnidirectional bulb forward, as the mount adapter had the reflective interior. It would be nice if someone simply made a Bowens male/female extension tube with reflective interior.

[@jeffcravotta1900]

Hi How exactly would you do this with these converters? Thanks in advance!

[@davidecapri]

Hi, thank you for this video! Power wise, is there a noticeable difference between the two fresnel lenses discussed here when both are at their narrowest setting? For a hot shoe speedlite flash would make more sense to get a magbeam instead of adapting these (I'm interested power wise)? Thank you

[@akshaytalari9351]

Robert sir by adding frenel 2x to ad200 light output increased or decreased plz reply thankq for creating such content i am from India

[@robhallphoto]

Increased, a lot!

[@akshaytalari9351]

I am guessing 2 stops light output sir

[@nightdonutstudio]

So when zoom out power pretty much equal to standard reflector. I was hoping to see more power from it.

[@mapioskoloni9784]

Following your reviews, I bought the Clar Illumi lights, both the 120 bicolor and the 300. One of the Adorama bundles I got, came with the Aputure Fresnel 2x. I tried putting it on the lights, both the 120 and the 300 and ... it would not go in. Oddly enough each prong of the Fresnel mount would recess into the individual slot on the light but for some reason, when I would push it in, it would not fit. I saw in this video that you've actually mounted it on a Clar Illumi with no problem. Have you had any people comment on difficulty fitting the Aputure 2x fresnel onto the Clar Illumi lights?

[@FrederikHeringa]

Hey Robert, thx for this test. Could you do a photometries comparison between the Clar Illumi models and the Aputure lights? I know the Illumi 120 is bicolor so just set that the midway kelvin value. Thx :D!

[@dennypilot9856]

Can this modifier be used with Godox sl60w?

[@robhallphoto]

yeah, any led is fine.

[@davidrobertnewman]

How would you compare this with the Magmod Magbeam? Different beast altogether? Thanks.

[@LangstoniusRex]

Ha, i had the same thought to try it on my flash equipment and was slightly bummed. Its designed for a different style light, so I didnt care too much :D This is a good public service announcement though for people who wondered about its crossover ability between flash and constant LED lights.

[@ranicaptures]

HI DOES THIS GO WITH GODOX SL 200W

[@mannpha1753]

hope someone will make the review for this

[@Dceridavies]

thanks for the video - so this won't work with a AD600 ? unless i start taking bits off inside?

[@abelcotofernandez2500]

Will this Aputure 2X or the first version work with paul c buff einstein strobes (with a Balcar adapter)? i think there is one balcar - bowens adapter, and is somewhat thick, so it is likely that the flash lamp will not touch the fresnel lens.

[@bbrussard]

Hi Robert I really appreciate your reviews. So is this attachment able to work with the 200r head on the Godox ad200 Pro? I would think this would be the best option ??

[@darnellwilburn]

Just found this video. I hope you’re using sandbags now!

[@ovidiugrovu3025]

Have you tried on Godox RS600P? The lamp is completely different than AD600, so I hope I'll give it a new life :p (if it will fit, of course)

[@eduardonakamura3582]

Is it compatible with the Godox DS400ii/DS300ii without the modeling lamp?

[@KarsonsChannel]

Will this work with the godox ul 150?

[@robhallphoto]

Yeah

[@johnallan9548]

Any luck with using it on the UL150?

[@ChuckTipton]

Interesting light modifier. So assuming this would work with Godex AD200, it will also work with AD200 Pro? Thanks as always for the great videos Robert. Very helpful.

[@robhallphoto]

Yes it will work just fine with the AD200 Pro!

[@ChuckTipton]

@@robhallphoto Thank you Robert I have purchased an 865 and am looking at an AD200 Pro, very helpful thanks.

[@winnerpulakhandam6712]

Can you please let me know if this is compatible with CLAR Illumi Max 300. I own CLAR Illumi Max 300 but not sure if the Aputure Fresnel 2x fits on it.

[@Efin89]

Have you tried this with the ad300?

[@bengtpettersson6958]

Is it working with Godox AD300Pro?

[@magicwordxyzzy]

Anyone know if this would fit on the Orlit Rovelight RT601?

[@davis128]

The rear lens could be removed fairly easily. At least that's how I use it with my AD400Pro.

[@robhallphoto]

Awesome, do you find it leaks a lot that way?

[@davis128]

@@robhallphoto Didn't notice any. The whole thing is still sealed pretty nicely. Not sure how removing it affects the beam angle though since I only use it for studio strobe. Putting it back is also easy so it could be utilized between LED and strobe without much trouble. :)

[@digitalvizun5678]

Will this fit on a Godox SL-60W?

[@robhallphoto]

Yes, there's nothing to possibly obstruct it on the SL-60

[@parthamajumder7224]

Hi, is it working with SL60W ?

[@philiplaurell1163]

Good review and super helpful to get to know it doesn't fit on my flashes. No to the important stuff: It's so funny how Americans, who normally can't pronounce ANY foreign word picked the awkward sounding fresnel or "frehnell" as they like to call it. This they like to try and get right, while sounding like they made some letters evaporate inside their hamburger traps, while happily saying silly stuff like VAN Morrison or VAN Halen or VON Goethe. (All of these should be pronounced FAN, with a straight a like in Santa not like in bank, but don't bother, keep saying frehnell.

[@Digitalillness]

Your blacks hard so harsh bro but good video

[@alltj]

I don’t know why aputure call their light bowens mount coz they only work with aputure bowens accessories… not universal bowens accessories… their mounts are just proprietary bowens looking mounts… learnt the hard way, wasted a lot of money to destroy this.

[@brettharrisphotography7463]

No good for me, needs one that can fit any of my Godox strobes.