Aputure Fresnel 2x Review

It's not a lens review...or is it? I mean, technically it's still a lens. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Let's have a look at this hot (literally) new light modifier from Aputure!
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[@simonfuller76]

Hi Wes. I know this is an old one, but as I am researching fresnel adaptor options before purchasing for my photography uses, I watched this video a couple times. I would have been keen to see some numbers and some colour fidelity checking, but that wasn't really my main focus, I am keen to know what the beam looks like with the AD200 on there. I only have the fresnel head, not the round head, but I could always test with my V1 if that helps it become a hulk of a light with this 2x adaptor. I was also keen to use this with either my AD300pro or my AD600pro but I understand the optics gets in the way. This leads me to Godox, who have their own fresnel units, namely the FLS8 Fresnel and the FLS10, but due to the weight and size the FLS8 would be as big as I would go. How would they compare? can you try to organise that as a test perhaps? Please please please? PS I also have the FV150 and it is great but as I a shoot photo predominantly and the power of it as a flash was disappointing, due to it's slow speed, I mostly use it as a modeling lamp. Yeah, weird I know but aim that into a 130cm white umbrella, which is already setup with the real firing flash like an a AD200pro or AD300pro, just next the FV150, and boom, real modeling and real power!!! it's great.

[@WesPerry]

I have a newer video using a Wellmaking Gobo, in which I mostly used it with flashes, and it worked great for that! The square head flashes aren’t fantastic for it, and there is of course significant light loss with a normal bulb flash, but something like the AD100 Pro is phenomenal for this, as it can focus all its light forward, and it’s round!

[@simonfuller76]

@@WesPerry Thanks Wes. Think I saw that video. The thing is that locally I can get either the lighter weight but smaller size Aputure 2x or the slightly larger but I believe much heavier 2kg Godox FLS8 or the huge 3kg Godox FLS10 which is just impractical. I would love to use my FV150 for some old hollywood style photo shoots, if this can give a good control on the light with increased power, but also a good shadow shape, but there is so little info out there especially comparing the Godox and Aputure, and especially used on strobes. Ps the FLS8 would fit on the AD600pro, but nobody has written about that. Anyway, have fun with your 2x, Robert Hall seems to like his 2x with AD200 also.

[@jonathanrichards7733]

Weird light review. Why was doing it in front of a diffused window, with a massive soft key, a good idea??

[@bluefilmsltd]

Interesting review and an excellent opening scene. The only criticism I have is that at 5.37 you seem to suggest that you lose light through the fresnel lens which is not true as the point of a fresnel is that you gain extra stops of light in a concentrated area!!!

[@WesPerry]

What I was mostly meaning to say say is that the grid loses way more light than the Fresnel. The light loss from the fresnel would be much lower, if not negligible, but it gets INCREDIBLY HOT while in use (much hotter than the standard reflector with grid), which means there must be some light being absorbed by it, and not transmitted. The interior surround is all matte black metal, and that’s likely where it’s being absorbed.

[@bluefilmsltd]

​@@WesPerry Ah, I see, that sort of makes sense. Yeah, I dislike grids for those reasons and don't find them appealing at all. Better than barn doors, but not great. I actually don't use the Aperture one, I use the nanguang ng-10x and while it feels frail and cheap, it actually does a pretty good job of concentrating the light and getting a decent spot. That's tried on the Godox SL-60w though, not sure if it's the same with a more powerful light.

[@enduraman1]

Very cool use of the Aputure Fresnel 2x using Godox round head on AD200 flash. I plan to use Aputure Fresnel 2x on the new Aputure 100d LED light to magnify the light. I want to see if this setup allows me to shoot video outside in daylight at 50 shutter speed using a 3-stop ND filter at ISO 100. I'm looking for the beam to measure f/16 or greater at 5 - 6 feet away so I can shoot at f/5.6 to get a shallow depth of field and create a balanced ambient light exposure. I will also try the Godox round head with the Aputure Fresnel 2x. I believe this setup would be excellent for creating a hair light from a distance so the light stand is not in the shot.

[@WesPerry]

I would be quite surprised if this allowed you to get enough light out of the 100D in broad daylight.

[@brezdenuk]

Did you try Aputure Fresnel 2x with Godox Led light? is it suit for Godox mount?

[@Willymaze]

Hey Wes, excellent video. I see that the FV150 is your main light and you said color is excellent. If you had the chance to decide again would you go for the 200 or is it the 150 just fine?. Have you tried the SL150 II or any of the LV Series?

[@WesPerry]

Yeah, I’m working with the SL150ii right now. It’s essentially the same as the FV, but without the flash. I do kindof wish I had the 200, though, to more easily balance out my window light. It’s all about what you really need. Most don’t need That much power.

[@Willymaze]

@@WesPerry Thanks for replying, in my mind I know the SL150II is a better choice noise wise but I just can't get rid of the thought of having a flash (underpowered but a flash nonetheless) immediately accessible.

[@WesPerry]

I can’t say I’ve used it as a flash since testing it for the video 😏

[@DT-vc7hd]

Any focus creep if the fresnel is pointed downwards for long periods?

[@WesPerry]

Definitely not. It takes some effort to turn the adjustment ring.

[@tubeman1983]

Does it work better with Aputure lights than wth Godox?

[@WesPerry]

Nah, as long as you get the light in the right position it’s all the same.

[@ZadieBear]

Instead of using a fresnel lens, I wish they would use clear glass lenses like on a source four or Altman 360Q. That way you would get a sharp edged beam instead of a fuzzy mess. I still might buy one for my studio. And I think their prices for the Leko lenses are too much....you can get a Source Four or 360Q for half the price that would give much more versitility.

[@WesPerry]

It’s possible to get a sharper beam than this out of a fresnel, but yeah, a real lens would be optimal (and probably a lot more expensive).

[@ZadieBear]

@@WesPerry I am not sure if it is bright enough, but check into the Source Four Mini LED for $365. Maybe once the rental houses open up again, I will rent one.

[@WesPerry]

Yeah that little light, though very good at what it does, is less than 1/10th as bright as one of these approx 200W cob led lights.

[@CharlieMcCormack]

Sound is excellent :-)

[@WesPerry]

It’s a cheap wireless lav setup I’m testing. I’m quite impressed with the sound quality, BUT I think the lip sync is off by just a few milliseconds. Which might be a bit of a dealbreaker.

[@dpfreedman]

From somewhere in the hereafter, George Hurrell is giving this thing a big thumbs down. I have a first generation version of the Aputure faux Fresnel adapter and find it to be essentially useless :-( On a more positive note, I'm very jealous of your HIGH ceilings.

[@WesPerry]

The high ceilings are for photography work more so than youtube. Though it certainly comes in handy regardless 👌🏻

[@jlunddk]

Definitely not the best review you have made. It would make much more sense to test it in a normal situation ie. in a. dark room or on a dark background and on a subject.

[@WesPerry]

The test shots were in a dark place with a dark background. Not quite sure what you mean.

[@WesPerry]

I guess if you mean the light dispersion test in the studio, I don’t see that much point in doing that in the dark. In the video the shape of the light is still pretty clear.

[@jlunddk]

@@WesPerry Yes, that's what I mean, I don't agree that the shape differences were that easy to see above a very bright window as it would be on a dark background. I know it won't be a modifier that I will get (as I don't use Led lights), just didn't agree on the way it was presented. Still, I love your reviews as they always are very honest and not biased to certain brands or companies. So keep up the good work :-) Btw. it looks like a very nice studio you have gotten there..

[@Mikeyyshoots]

Let’s go Wes 😂

[@mark_wangerin]

Pronounced fre-nell.

[@WesPerry]

Yes.