Gaffer & Gear 163 - Aputure Light Dome 150

[@mylesaquino]

as a student primarily doing cinematography and gaffing, god I love your work

[@gaffergear]

Best of luck with the studies and beyond

[@brightlightfilm.]

I watched an episode of Luke Seerveld's "Meet the Gaffer" yesterday in which he mentioned your KZbin channel, and I have been binge-watching your episodes since then. Your channel is terrific. Thanks for these entertaining AND informative videos!

[@gaffergear]

Luke's actually a really nice guy

[@brightlightfilm.]

@@gaffergear Yes, I have watched many of his episodes as well and greatly enjoyed them.

[@iamfemo]

Thanks for this video. Didn't realise how large this softbox was until i played this video. thanks a lot.

[@candyartstv]

Ok! That window reflection tip was gospel!

[@Sean-tc6fg]

I love your reviews because you're a working professional and can put this kind of stuff into the context of a professional production -- the bit about fan noise vs using the right mics is very important. Excellent material as always, thanks!

[@assai74]

I love the pedantic match of color temperature just to see the colors graded to absurdity in post

[@DavidJonesImages]

Great info thanks. Also could double as a tent for overnight shoots

[@EugeneMaynard]

Outstanding review again! Andrew, how on Earth do you find the time to go into so much detail in these exhaustive reviews plus being on production and running your Gaffers production company? The hardest working man in Australian show-business!👏🏾👍🏾🙏🏾

[@gaffergear]

Some times I don't. That's why I have 12 products sitting in the workshop waiting for review.

[@Lebanto]

I would call it love and passion for he does

[@bryanwithay5523]

I think the diffuser overlapping the dome issue is because the diffuser is put on after the whole thing is upright on the light, and the upper rods are sagging thus making the dome somewhat egg shaped. I found the same issue with the light dome 2 to a lesser degree. I just stick the diffuser before i put the dome on the light. When the whole thing is on the ground facing up (speed ring on the ground) gravity will pull all the rods evenly, thus spreading the dome as wide as possible.

[@gaffergear]

Thanks, I'll try that out

[@rhubarbfilms]

Awesome review, all my questions answered without having to actually ask

[@LarsGoldbachDP]

Fastest 12min of my life! You're true master of your craft!!!

[@2181425]

Great video Andrew! Interesting about the diffuse not fitting the dome correctly.

[@NelsonsReview1]

Keep up the quality and consistency, and you’ll have a million subscribers in no time.

[@igetitlitsoicansit2950]

I was thinking " theres no way it comes with the LCD for that price. NO WAY." You pulled it out of the bag and i was floored. what a deal .

[@TylerEdwards]

This softbox looks awesome. I have the Glow EZ XXL which is a 60" dome as well but not as deep but still works great with the 600D since it has an inner diffusion as well. Great video as always Andrew!

[@davidmultimedia2024]

This guy KNOWS! Thanks for the amazing content! SUBSCRIBED!

[@DavidSmith-xm9mk]

Just came across this channel. Really great reviews, so helpful, sending thanks from the UK!

[@alekseyleonov]

Amazing as always. Thank you.

[@anttiranki3690]

Hmm...as mainly a photographer I've always wondered about these lightdomes...they just seem unnecessarily large compared to an e.g. octabox. Yes, the catchlight is different but you could put in a "scrim" to block the corners to make it into a circle. And here's an idea about the heat, maybe make a softbox with a "hatch" that you could open to vent out heat. Yes, there'd be light spill but at least one would have the option to use an inner baffle. Cheers for the content Andrew and Merry xmas!!

[@david_gaffer]

Old chimeras have latches, but id prefer a light dome or lighbox from aputure anytime

[@gaffergear]

Accumulated heat inside the dome would not be the problem, so flaps would make little difference, the direct radiant heat off a 1200 watt COB could be the issue. But that's just speculation. My old 5K Chimera soft boxes were made of fire retardant materials but cost thousands. So I think it's down to cost of manufacturing.

[@cagf2013]

@@gaffergear sounds right! Heat resistant soft boxes can easily double the price..

[@andilematomela2043]

you're a legend bro. thanks for this video. You break things down so well.

[@cagf2013]

You do get a lot for your money given it includes the crate, and two different diffusers. I suppose the depth of the softbox allows them to skip the inner diffuser. Still surprised it’s not included. Gotta say the fitment of the crate and front diffuser would trigger my OCD haha

[@AbSesayPhoto]

Love this. Great detail. Everything you produce is amazing!

[@mitchgross592]

This would work well with the Prolycht Orion 400 FS. The yoke has been improved and is quite strong.

[@timjames_TV]

Is the beam angle on the 400 similar enough to evenly fill the dome?

[@mitchgross592]

Oops, typo by me. I was referring to the Orion 300 FS, not 400 (doesn’t exist). The beam of the Orion is tighter but Prolycht is working on an accessory that can go over the COB to spread out the beam. This would work in conjunction with the dome and other Bowens mount accessories.

[@timjames_TV]

@@mitchgross592 thanks Mitch, still refer back to your Able Cine videos occasionally. Thanks for being a trusted resource over the years!

[@TheBjornarv]

Thanks for the video! But could you answer who this dome is for? I am wondering if i really need it. And also, how one can benefit from using it, when is it an advantage to use such a big dome. Is it useless one a one-person-interview? I sometimes think my regular aputure dome is a bit small when i shoot 35mm in a one-person-interview.

[@gaffergear]

I have another video covering domes from a few years ago, explaining the advantages and disadvantages. That should help you decide if this is a good idea or not. To be quite honest, I think this is great for gaffers to have in their kit, or maybe if you have a studio space. But I definitely wouldn't have it as my only dome option if you are a one man band. It's too big for that and would be an unnecessary struggle on many shoots.

[@305kubrick]

As far as fan noise on the 600D: I was between the Forza 500 and 600D. There was conflicting info everywhere. I closed my eyes, took the chance on the 600D. Gotta say the fan noise is virtually non existent. I use it mostly for interviews and it is SUPER quiet, even when close to talent. I have never experienced intermittent fan noise either.

[@kimkrohnberle]

Same

[@gaffergear]

I've come to the conclusion that some people must be magic arming microphones to the lights. I have not had one complaint about fan noise from the 600Ds on set. Bit I had a lot of complaints about the buzzing on the HMI lights they replaced

[@GBOtech-ukraine]

Fantastic review . This thing I will ask Santa to take me :)

[@rezik2]

I was about to buy this monster.. It didn't look so huge in web shops, probably I'll switch to something more subtle and bigger than my light dome mini III

[@Maxdigital01]

Thanks Andrew. Great video.

[@nshea3286]

Hmm. I wonder if Aputure can make a 1/8-1/4 plus green front diffusion to compensate for the magenta shift for the 600d.

[@gaffergear]

Have a tint in it, not a bad idea. They should sell it as a seperate item. But it wouldn't be cheap to make because if quantity and I suspect it would cost more than the dome (but only because the dome is so cheap)

[@dylanproctordp]

would this be suitable with a forza 500?

[@stephanefiore4585]

Always a trill to listen your review ! Thank you🌎🎬📸👍

[@attilafilmhouse6345]

Terrific review!

[@dbcinematographer1830]

outstanding review thanks

[@UnchartedWorlds]

No problem with noise, Ai can cancel the noise out, even Davinci Resolve 18 added noise canceling in audio and it works great...

[@kidcoma1340]

lmao you can't be serious, you probably never worked in a serious film production, keep making youtube content...

[@reynoldsc]

Many thanks Andrew. That's one beast of a dome for sure! Is there any way that Aputure could put a 'coating' (for want of a better word!!) on the silver inside of the dome to stop the colour shift, or would that just prove massively problematic both in manufacture and if using the Dome on non-Aputure lights?

[@gaffergear]

It wouldn't be cheap, and as it ages it would shift anyway.

[@luisa9628]

Looks more like something for photographers. Have you ever tried using one of those Bowens LEDs like the Forza 500 with a parabolic softbox with a focusing rod system? They get as big as 180cm so it would be a nice large source. The more expensive ones are heat resistant, but still under 1k usd.

[@gaffergear]

I've only seen them with flash units

[@ListenHereOldMan]

hey, i'm poor, and can't find this for cheaper than 269... you mentioned "hunting around," any chance you could recommend any sites? or maybe an search aggregator/price tool, either specific to camera gear or that i could apply to it? i'm new to photography, need a lot of stuff, so any info would be so, so, so greatly appreciated! thanks much, fantastic vid! subbed!

[@diegoramosg]

Amazing work!! Could you do a review on the speedbox megabox 180?

[@themarclevy]

This is awesome. Thanks!

[@michaelpoczynek]

Thank you. Great info! That sucker is HUGE! 😀

[@peco2469]

Great video, thank you so much ! I just bought " Nanolite forza 300b " and i am thinking witch soft box should i buy. How you would compare this soft box with Nanolite parabolic 150 softbox ? Do I need 150 size or 120 size is good enough. They are same price ( Nanolite version are around 200 e , but 120 size have " easy setup" comparing to 150 ? I have small studio ( around 7 x 4 Meters ) I shoot videos there most of the time , and 30 % of my work is out side my location. Thank you so much !

[@Trevellian]

Could the 300X handle this? Have seen large boxes with the light stand clamped to the speed ring instead of supporting the light directly.

[@gaffergear]

I suppose if you could some how clamp the dome to a stand, or make some sort of brace up so that a stand takes the weight and not the light. I'm sure some clever person will 3D print some sort of inbetween mounting bracket. There are some cleaver people are n the user groups

[@Praxiszooms]

that is fantastic!!!

[@harrybasey9661]

Hey Andrew - which low combo stand are you using? Had a look around and wondering which is sturdy enough but still low

[@cinedorks9331]

Another stellar review as always, Andrew! Out of curiosity, did you have any issues extending the locking rods upon opening it up for the first time? I opened one up for a customer at our camera store here in the states where I work and I found the rods to be incredibly rigid to the point where when I was opening it up to display it for them, one of the rods bent because it was so difficult to lock into place. With the older light domes a lot of people just place it on its back and push it open to lock it into place but this thing is so big that's simply not an option for this product, IMO, so the rods need to be manually pulled open and that's where I found the rigidity issue. Also, I personally invested into the Phottix Raja 150 which is the same size, but it's a push open umbrella style softbox, not unlike a Westcott Rapidbox. It's about $125 cheaper, but it doesn't come with a grid which was really disappointing, but beggars can't be choosers at that price point. I love mine, though, and use it with my Nanlite FS-300 and it worked wonders so I think this Light Dome 150 would probably work okay with the 300D as well, though the Light Dome is significantly heavier than the Phottix because of the speedring weight. That part is definitely more robust. I'm rambling now, I'll stop, lol. Great work as always, Andrew.

[@creativegreats6924]

Which one is more robust ?

Andrew, one last question... I was talking about domes with a friend, and he said that it's a waste of power have to took off the fresnel of aputure lights, for use the domes, because in cases like the 300d II the fresnel increases the output in a twise close... So, do you think that there's a safery way to use the fresnel mount and dome and it would be work for get more output for light even bigger areas? Great Review as always!

Can You use the gel holder of the lightdome II? That would solve the problem of color shifting(?

[@gaffergear]

I suspect it would melt the gel very fast with a 600 or 1200 and make a mess of the dome.

[@parkercreative_au]

Two different price points but would you say these is similar to the octaplus by chimera? Tossing up between the two for my 1200ds. Thank you

[@gaffergear]

I have not seen octaplus

[@SharkmenMovie]

Another Amazing video, thanks Andrew!! Can I ask a rigging question?? Would it be possible to rig a Aputure 600D to an Avenger D650 Boom? The weight specs state it can take 10kg fully extended? I'm looking at using 600D's on D650 Boom Arms with Lanterns on Combo stands, to light a large room (with high ceiling), for a 360 Video. I need to have the lights to evenly light the space (so overhead evenly light the subjects in the space), but need to have the lights/stands far enough out so I can shoot plates and then comp those light stands out. Thanks again, hope your keeping safe and well done in Melbourne!

[@KevinWilling]

Seems like you would be fine, just weight the stand and counter weight the boom arm. Not gonna be fun to lift into place so maybe consider a crank stand?

[@gaffergear]

I think you would be better off with a menace arm. As I think you would struggle by the time you counter weight the back of the boom. I think you would only get as far out as a c-stand arm before you couldn't counter weight it with an additional shot bag and it would be nasty to lift up without a wind up stand. Possibility is to have some sort of ratchet straps configuration to the base of the stand instead of counter weight, but my gut feeling is it's too close to the limits

[@JoATTech]

Great review. Thx.

[@JoATTech]

Hi Andrew, Light Dome 150 allows to mount a gel holder (the one from Light Dome II). It's safe to mount it with LS 1200D pro? Or it will just burn?

[@gaffergear]

@@JoATTech melt super fast

[@JoATTech]

@@gaffergear Thanks m8. That means I have to look for bi-color 1200W :D.

[@SeanvanBerlo]

Outstanding review! Since there's no gel holder, how would you gel this dome? Thanks in advance!

[@gaffergear]

With great difficulty, if I needed color I would go another system, I see this as a bright daylight solution only.

[@Pierluca72]

Thank you for another great video. Any suggestions for gelling the 600d in this dome without burning anything?

[@gaffergear]

I have no suggestions at all, a melted gel would make a mess, and the front being 5ft is wider than a gel.

[@DJn00b94]

​@@gaffergear I'm quite new to the lighting department, so I'm sorry for my ignorance, but aren't there correction filters made out of glass on the market?

[@gaffergear]

@@DJn00b94 Wow, yes, I haven't seen them in years, and totally forgot about them. They were called dichroic filters, and the actually worked by changing the light waves as apposed to just filtering. They were glass or I think a polycarbonate, dam expensive and faded with use. They were way more efficient than a gel. We used to use them back in the tungsten days on 24K Dino lights (they had 24 X 1K par lamps) to convert them from tungsten to daylight, we did this because we couldn't dim HMIs. I haven't seen one in must be 15 years. Could be worth a solid Google session, you might find something! "Dichroic Lighting Filters" try "Lee" or "Rosco" in the search as well.

[@Pierluca72]

@@gaffergear Thanks

[@MichaelSpeckartMedia]

@@gaffergear Kupo Dichroic Filters - but could you actually fix this to the cob without damaging the emitters or overheat and get that color shift? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioKnkGaZrKyaf68

[@DP_Daro]

It's enormous!... That what she said

[@SPOKENproject]

Really appreciate your content. So you think the yolk of the aputure 300d ii is not strong enough for this?

[@mareeprokos3760]

Great video! Is this compatible with the godox M600D?

[@gaffergear]

I would say yes, I think the godox had a strong enough yoke

[@MissDemonaable]

Hy! I'm in some doubts here :) What would be 'negative sites' of using Aputure LS 300d II with Light Dome 150 softbox? I'm currently having that light and just cannon't take my eyes out of that softbox! :D Every information is useful so thank you in advance!

[@gaffergear]

The 300d ii can't take the weight on the stand mount. But possibly you could find a solution to mount the dome to a stand with the light attached

[@misfitmonarchs2745]

I’m dealing with this piece of trash falling apart after a year of use. In your opinion who makes the most sturdy soft boxes? I’d love for it to be round, have no droop when used in top down configuration and normal usage. And I’m okay with it not being quick release. I’m so frustrated with quick releases failing on large soft boxes. I can’t find much information online. My light dome 150 is oval and when I use the grid it droops out and makes the light fan out.

[@gaffergear]

So far the DoP choice rabbit rounders for me, but that's serious bucks

[@misfitmonarchs2745]

@@gaffergear the rabbit rounder is just the adapter to use their soft boxes to Owen’s mount correct? Your review on soft boxes made me realize that snap grips are the solution to my droopy grid, but I’m still not sure if a sub $1000 softbox exists that meets all my requirements.

[@holdmedear]

How would the Lux output compare between gelling the aputure 600D to match the 600x at 3200k?

[@gaffergear]

I think you would get more light out of the X, plus it would be a nightmare to gel.

[@LupinYonderboy]

Can't be much output from that. Sometimes I feel like they're trying to make LEDs do every job, even one's they're not suited for. A 1.2 HMI and chimera can still run off domestic and will give heaps more output. Yes gelling is a bit of a hassle but it's not that hard.

[@LupinYonderboy]

The point about the circular eye reflection is a good one though.

[@creativegreats6924]

What do you mean gelling ?

[@AntonyDyer]

Thanks mate!

[@StephanBechert]

do you think I can use it on an 300c and what light stand do you suggest?

[@gaffergear]

@@StephanBechert I don't think the 300c build could support this. But I could be wrong.

[@nshea3286]

Is the Orion 300 FS - newer model with the better yoke - strong enough to support this softbox?

[@cagf2013]

you would have issues filling up this softbox with the Orion 300FS. The beam angle is too narrow, and this aputure softbox doesnt come with an interior bafold to spread out the light.

[@gaffergear]

I don't know, but the beam off the Orion would not light up the whole surface area, my guess is it might light 50%

[@jovannialberto1421]

Just for People wondering you can shut off the fan if you need to.

[@gaffergear]

Yes, but very reduced output.

[@apmanti12]

so it's only gonna work with aputure lights? i won't be able to use it on my gvm 600s?

[@gaffergear]

It will mount onto any Bowen mount light, but can the light hold it! I have a friend that uses these with the Forza 720s and now both his lights have broken lock offs

[@apmanti12]

@@gaffergear ugh... not good, but good to know, thanks.

[@Beaukester]

Can this be used with the Nanlite Forza 500?

[@gaffergear]

Yes, it's a bit of a load on the syrup lock offs, but if your lock offs are holding ok it can be done.

[@filx5466]

Can it Work With new amaran 300c?

[@DavidKfilmmaker]

Has aputure fixed the gapping in the grid? Anyone know?

[@gaffergear]

@@DavidKfilmmaker nope

[@TruckSpottingbigrigs]

Hi would this work with nanalight 720b

[@gaffergear]

Yes, but the tilt locker can only just take it, mine tend to fall forwards if they are bumped.

[@TruckSpottingbigrigs]

thanks @@gaffergear

[@OmarSpruell]

Will this work with the Aputure 300x?

[@gaffergear]

Yes, but the stand mount may struggle with the forward weight. So with some additional support

[@Channel60291]

Theoretically, could you use an aputure ls 60d? 😳

[@gaffergear]

Sure, just figure out some way to hold the dome in place and mount the 60D to the back. It could be as simple as a second small stand resting the front of the dome on it

[@Channel60291]

@@gaffergear gotcha thanks. I think it would be funny to see such a small light used in conjunction with this dome!

[@williamsparkes]

will it work equally well with the Aputure 300DII?

[@gaffergear]

The 300Dii can't take the weight, and that's Aputures claim. But ... Possibly you could find some way to mount the dome to a stand so the light isn't taking the weight!

[@williamsparkes]

@@gaffergear any suggestions how to do that?

[@ГорПогосян-ц4ш]

Is it compatible with LS 300 x ?

[@gaffergear]

Aputure say the 300 series stirrup can't take the weight. But you could possibly finger out some way to mount the same directly to a stand and then mount the light to the dome

[@Skulclaimr]

Will this fit on my Amaran 60d?

[@gaffergear]

You could possibly make some sort of a mount to support the weight of the dome on a stand and then mount your 60 to the back. But a 60w led distributed over a 150cm surface may not do much. In a daylight filled room the diffuser might have more light bouce off it then would pass through it from the light. It would have to be a very dark room to be of use I feel

[@dinbali]

😂

[@UnchartedWorlds]

Now this is knife!, NO this is KNIFE!!!

[@JeffBourke]

Ummmm. Do you have anything bigger? 😂

[@husainfoolath4287]

Its too big

[@gaffergear]

It's definitely NOT your take on every location soft box. I use something like this, maybe 6 times a year.

[@MrAndrewClaycomb]

It’s way more manageable than a 6x frame for smaller crews, and those are the gold standard of big soft location diffusion.

[@fernandocf1234]

Can I use it with Nanlita Forza 720?

[@gaffergear]

You can, and we do, but it will result in issues. The weight wares down the stirp lock off on the 720, so after a year or so you hay have to replace that part as it may break. I also discovered (just last week) that the weight of the dome pushing against the inside of the Forza Bowen mount chips away at the Bowen mount on the dome, which can result in the dome being hard to attach. So yes you can if you are happy to do a bit of maintenance along the way. If you could put something under the done (like a second stand) to support the weight, that would help remove the above issues.

[@fernandocf1234]

@@gaffergear thanks for the quick reply! I had it in the cart already but since not everybody will be taking care of things the way I will do I will not buy it then. Thank you so much for all the videos. Greetings from another island Puerto Rico 🙌