Gaffer & Gear 153 - Cream Source Vortex 8

Gaffer & Gear 153 - Cream Source Vortex 8
Review of the 650 watt RGBW panel light which has a native 20 degree beam and can flood to 60 degrees with its optical attachments.
00:00 Into
01:41 Quick run-through of engine capabilities
02:14 Cost
03:11 The diffusers
04:09 Weather Protection IP65
05:51 No operating angle limitations
06:17 Looking at the back
06:37 User interface
07:17 Inputs and Outputs
07:35 Battery power input
09:52 Mountings / Grip points
10:32 Cons / Negatives
12:12 Using the 20 degree beam
14:02 Using the 20 degree beam with frames
15:18 CRMX control page
16:40 DMX smoothing
17:36 CRMX / Lumen radio operation
20:11 User interface modes
21:56 FX
22:42 User presets
23:03 Fixture settings menu (fans)
24:13 Dimmer curves
24:23 High speed mode
25:03 Vortex v Skypanel (color render)
25:03 Vortex v Skypanel (brightness lux)
29:18 Vortex v Skypanel (high speed modes)
29:48 CRMX to cable issue
30:13 Accessory slots
30:51 Build quality
31:06 Brightness (lux)
32:15 CCT accuracy
32:37 7000K to 15000K
32:52 Average TM-30
33:20 Hue (DuV)
33:56 2200K
34:22 2700K
34:53 3200K
35:24 4400K
35:52 5600K
36:26 15000K
36:47 Color Vectors

[@melankolikfilms]

Andrew's neighbours: "Oi, Locky, we're trying to watch telly, mate!"

[@michaelgrugal]

I bought this light for myself 2 months ago and it has been incredible. Absolutely love this light. Great review Andrew.

[@NYCgaffer]

The genie is out of the bottle, there is no going back to a lensless flat panel. You can always dumb down a hard light you can't harden a soft light. The slight loss of output with diffuser in place on a lens system vs native soft light like a skypanel is well worth it. We saw this start in Digital Sputnik and now the Vortex 8 and even Lite Panels releasing a hard version of their gemini. I'd be shocked if Arri does not follow suit... but like what has Arri been doing the last 3 years? This is hands down the best panel LED on the market, can't wait for Vortex 4 and here's hoping for a Vortex 32 (although weight is going to be issue, hoping they can figure that out). My only real complaint like Andrew mentioned is weight and although super awkward I really did like the goose neck on the S60 for being able to quickly(ish) rotate from horizontal to vertical or any angle. I can use the modern studio 2K right angle adapter but that offsets the weight in a less than desirable position. One thing not mentioned is the 5K might be a lot but the USD price on a skypanel has now increased to about $6600 and tops 7K if you add in cost of CRMX dongle -- and you get a light with ancient LED tech.... Mea culpa Arri? you best have a significant announcement at Cine Gear.

[@playingwithlight7276]

I just got my Vortex a few weeks ago. Regarding the weight, I’ve found it’s much easier to grab the light by the circular portion of the yoke tie down with the front of the light facing my chest. Feels much more balanced when trying to get it on and off a combo.

[@nononononononono379]

every single project i am on now uses this light. it is pretty much standard now

[@nononononononono379]

@@playingwithlight7276 flip it upside down and face the back side, that way when you pick it up its easier to put down standing upright

[@creativegreats6924]

@@nononononononono379 is is worth to buy this vortex 8 light with all the weight ? Isn't Arri lighter and how is the Arri color on skin tones ? I'd assume better than vortex 8 ? Maybe not though

[@cobymarcum1442]

Mind blown. Thank you Andrew for reviewing this light. I’m am learning of the existence of this light it for the first time on your channel. I shoot in the desert, so being able to put a light close to the ground where sand blows the most without compromising ventilation with a plastic bag is a huge plus, as is the output. Many LED panels feel like a compromise on output but this is the first no compromise light that I’ve come across. When people like myself will have to save up to buy only one of these as a permanent solution for many projects, having high output is high on the list of priorities. Some people may not need long throw capabilities or water and dust resistance, but I 100% cannot afford damage to equipment because of water or dust, so the water and dust resistance“insurance” on this light is huge, as I cannot afford two lights anytime soon. Thank you for daylight scenario in your van. I don’t do car scenes but seeing how the light works in direct sunlight is a huge plus and selling point of the light for me. Wow. Wow. Wow. Thank you Andrew for all of your hard work. I know that making detailed videos takes a lot of time so my sincere thanks go out to you. If I end up using this light for a film project because of your channel I’ll try to send you a link to the final results so that you can see the results of your hard work being put to use. I’d still want this light even if it were 10 lbs heavier. “Bring in the lighting crane camera left” 😊👍

[@nononononononono379]

for all those wondering out there. its heavy, way heavier than an s60. just to keep that in mind. he talks about it being offset, and this is important. If you face the light. flip it upside down so you are facing the pack panel, that is the easiest position to pick it up from since the weight will sit under the arms where you will pick it up from. make sure you dont kick off the sandbags from the combo when you are in a rush, or you will end up picking the whole stand up haha.

[@conrad2nr]

I've been waiting on this one

[@rufaiajala]

Same here! 🙏🏾

[@garydavies9210]

Thank you, pretty much got everything I needed to know about the vortex from this. On my next job I am using a combination of vortexes and sky panels, good to know the strengths and weaknesses for both when working in combo.

[@ericjm5264]

Fantastic breakdown. Great work.

[@cobralyoner]

great review Andrew. Thanks a lot!

[@emmettfrancis]

thank you for comprehensive review!

[@Jbtorresmedina]

🙌🙌🙌 YES! I’ve been waiting for this one.

[@xx1simon1xx]

im going to be gaffing my first (indi) feature in a few weeks and im thinking of taking a few of these instead of skypanels, the narrow beam, the weather protection, it all checks out.

[@petrhrdlicka8764]

Very nice review! It is very useful for some of us, when you mention if the light is flicker-free for highspeed shooting or not. You did mention it here and it would be great if you could check this for every light you test, if you have a chance.

[@_rhapsodist]

yes please!

[@krazy5k571]

Great review! 12:45 I found Hilarious. "I Took it outside and basically blinded my neighbors house" 🤣

[@cagf2013]

Another awesome review! Thanks for showing the 6x6 diffusion test. It seems this light is at its best (brightness wise) on bigger sets where you have the space to use it without the diffusion. Build quality does look impressive too.

[@gaffergear]

All the big gaffers in Australia just love this light. It is at home on a big sound stage. And the dust rating and build quality is a big deal for them on pyrotechnic FX shots. But for my corporate jobs, not so much

[@adambelanger]

@@gaffergear why doesn't it fit with your corporate work? Maybe you answer that in the video, I haven't finished it yet!

[@gaffergear]

@@adambelanger I think this really hero's when it is used at some distance, so the narrow native beam is used to it fullest. Even Trigg a diffusion frame. But most of my work is in smaller spaces and this unit isn't that bright for its power draw when used through its dome or flat diffusion

[@adambelanger]

@@gaffergear good point about the distance and small spaces. The room is always a foot or 10 smaller than you hope.

[@creativegreats6924]

@@gaffergear so the vortex 8 with its dome or diffusion is less brighter than the Nova 600c?

[@TUSHARDAFTUAR]

Thank you so much

[@Praxiszooms]

thanks

[@AustralianImage]

I just discovered that Creamsource is an Australian company, headquartered in NSW. Who'da thunk it?

[@onefingerproduction3180]

This will be a great light for bouncing...and more.

[@ianblackburn2645]

If arri don't make a new skypannnels I feel like people are gonna either be using the vortex or the nanlux 650c for the foreseeable future

[@dannylyann6082]

I would like to see a review of the Nanlux Evoke 1200..

[@duge30]

Have you considered talking about CRLS reflectors for example "Kflect", "Light Bridge" or "Light stream by dedolight"? How to use them, how they are different, what it can do for you as a gaffer?

[@gaffergear]

They have made contact with me, so given my backlog we should have an episode on that in 8 weeks

[@mikkojoona]

Hello! Thank you again for great review. Any chances that you will review Vortex4? Comparison for other 1x1 lights would be interesting to see.

[@gaffergear]

They are promising to send me one

[@conrad2nr]

Aaaaand Aputure drops their Nova P600c. I’d love to see your take on it in an upcoming episode. I’m already invested in 4x Nova P300c and not sure if the new fixture is worth it.

[@jul2027]

cant connect to pro wireless systems well

[@larramenpa]

Ahah i'm sorry but i couldn't help laughing when you said you stroke that light into your neighbor's house in the middle of the night just to show the world the fire power of it! Otherwise thanks for not being biased in that review, even though they sent you that light for free

[@timothyclark5900]

Is there an app than can be used with the bluetooth connectivity?

[@gaffergear]

I don't think they have anything released yet

[@DasArmageddonTV]

Will you do an episode on the new firmware version?

[@gaffergear]

I would do something, but not my usual garrage episode. It would have to be others footage. It's so next level I would not be able to do it justice.

[@leoquesto9183]

Gaffer & Gear Whoa, way to build suspense! Can't wait to see the coming attractions of new actions of this baby! Thanks !

[@conrad2nr]

If I’m not mistaken they juuuust revealed the update with FrameSync.

[@gosselinlin9831]

What is the name of he control box you use?

[@gaffergear]

Exalux control one

[@PancakeLighting]

Will you be trading in your S60s for these?

[@gaffergear]

No, I need the flood, especially for lighting cyc walls. I think these would be better suited to larger sets then I work on.

[@creativegreats]

@@gaffergear what do you mean by you need the flood of the s60s ?

[@Davidonthetube]

Fan noise is critical to me in studio- how is it?

[@gaffergear]

I no longer have these so I'm going from memory. I think it was on par with most 2x4 panel lights. Sometimes on studio jobs I step out to make a phone call and when I come back in I'm surprised at the symphony of fan noise. Lights, cameras, monitors, chargers, everything adds up.

[@Davidonthetube]

@@gaffergear ya I’m shopping because fan noise is an issue in our setup. Thanks for the reply - what did you end up getting instead?

[@gaffergear]

@@Davidonthetube I have two fully stocked lighting vans and just didn't need this light.

[@TheWaguilaS]

Skypanel X copied that. They should be sued

[@BrianNguyenIHASDACANSER]

Skypanels x looks like a knock off of the vortex 8

[@johngarveyire]

🤣Lots of room for everyone to do their best.