Is This My New Favorite Light? A Review of the Stella Pro Reflex

[@RvSun]

This review is very thorough, unbiased and very clear. Thank you for all the hard work that you put in making this video. You are the best, Steve!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeanninepound8261]

You’re a great teacher!! Explained so thoroughly, thank you!

[@steveh2268]

Steve, great review. You spent a lot of time and thought on this review and covered real world reasons these would be perfect or not perfect for a photographer, just as it appears Stella spent a lot of time to make these as flexible and useful as possible. They don't fit my use case, but this was 55 minutes well spent for me. Thanks

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks so much, Steve. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch. Also appreciate you noticing the time involved. This one took awhile, hahaha. I love these, but no question they’re not for everyone.

[@marcomark8]

Thank you for the menu overview. Very well explained. Thank you for not having some annoying repetitive music playing on the video. I love the spider holster and the extra clips to hold my light meter and lenses. So all your test were with the flash part of the light or with the constant light of the flash?

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks for watching, Mark. Yeah, I only recorded tests with the flash. I played with the constant light a little bit, in fact I used the constant to help aim the light. That was huge actually. I was able to get the spot optic where I wanted it because I could see it. Still, I’m not a video guy, and for stills I’ve always leaned to flash instead of constant. Part of my thought process was that the flash was brighter than the constant, and it would give me a better idea of how much I could get out of these. It anything, I knew I was starting from a point of LED lights not having the power we are used to from strobes, so I wondered how far I could push them. All of that is a way of saying I really wish I’d done more constant light testing. Hahaha. My mindset changed after I’d finished. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@BryanSLawler]

Such a great video, thank you! I've been enjoying the versatility of the Reflex for my videography and photography work. I am still searching for my ideal setup, though. Your video has sparked some questions, but I'll start with just one. I'm interested in the Apollo Orb and curious about the lens attachment you prefer to use on the Reflex. I prefer softer lighting and I'm unsure whether to opt for the 36 or 65 degree lens due to the significant light loss they may cause. I am worried about having a hot spot in the image instead of nice consistent soft light. Thanks!

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Bryan, Thanks for watching. I love the Orb, it’s a great modifier. Obviously, try both to see what you like, but for me the Med-Wide (36) is a good balance of not losing too much light and dispersing it. Even the regular Med works well in the softbox. Since you have them you’ll know, the optics spread the light very differently, but are never “soft”, as they’re just to small of a source and due to the fresnel design. Even a Spot optic in the box helped.

[@BryanSLawler]

I only have the Med-Wide Spot (24) that came with the Reflex. So, I might purchase the Med-Wide (36) and try it out. Thanks for the feedback.

[@BehindTheShot]

@BryanSLawler Personally I think the 24 will be fine. I’d start with the Apollo and that and see before buying another optic.

[@BryanSLawler]

@@BehindTheShot Thank you very much for your honest opinion. That sounds like a good plan.

[@cre8tivity06]

You are right about the folks at Light n Motion accepting feedback. I’m a photographer that enjoys using gels on certain shoots so a RGB light would be ideal and they wrote me back saying they liked my idea and would pass it on to their R&D department. If not make a RGB light, I also suggested they create a pack of colored glass gels to use along with the CTO gels. I’m a big fan of their lights having a continuous CLx10 and CL8000 as well as the Stella Pro Reflex S in my camera bag. I just ordered the updated battery too. On some shoots I use continuous LED lighting and other shoots I will use my Godox strobes. So far I’m liking the Reflex S. My only real complaint is not being able to use it with my Bowens mount softboxes. The Bowens adapter Stella Pro makes is not a favorite.I’ve had the light slip out of there once when it should have been locked in. I think they just want you to buy that speedring and softbox from Chimera.

[@BehindTheShot]

Yeah, they’ve been great every time I’ve dealt with them. I just did an updated video on the new batteries, and they give a good amount of more light. I asked them about the RGB option and they explained that had some drawbacks in design that would result in a larger light. On the Gels, I’d love to see some sort of single glass gel that slid over the optic, rather than the big mount thing. Overall though, the Reflex are so small and portable with such a great feature set, and the Black Friday weekend (while I’m typing this) is just insanely good, with a free hard case too! Thanks for watching!

[@charlie0742001]

@@BehindTheShot I just got the kit with the hard case! Was hard to say no. Shannon in their customer service dept. is great too!

[@charlie0742001]

Awesome video, best i've found on KZbin, thank you!

[@collegemtl]

Great review 👏 thanks , any idea if we can use a vmount battery? Thanks 😊

[@BehindTheShot]

The power is delivered to the head via a USB-C connection, so you couldn’t use a V-Mount directly. The handle connects and uses a short cable, or you can use the AC 100w power supply. I suppose if there was a way to get juice from the V-Mount over a cable it might work, if all the deliver specs matched what the head needs.

[@collegemtl]

@@BehindTheShot Thanks a lot , i guess will be dtap to usb c cable from the vmount of course if the cable supports 100w , i found kondor blue cable but only supports 65w , ill continue the research, thanks again 👍 😉

[@papsny]

I'd recommend to get the bowens mount and use the magmod XL with it or an umbrella. Wish they can come up with a magmod adapter mount

[@BehindTheShot]

A MagMod adapter would be awesome. I have the Chimera adapter and softbox now. Work great.

[@cesarebonazza]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I just bought this light for still usage. But I will not use it for Video interviews 🔥 but for B roll and outdoor video with sound it may work without to much noise. What I need is CTO and CTB Glass gel so I can do stills photos inside interiors with human that is much faster then messing with flash settings. Otherwise your review is spectacular.

[@BehindTheShot]

Thanks. The StellaPro glass gels should work well for that use, but gels and kits aren’t cheap. Maybe they’ll have a sale this time of year.

Should I get one of these or an LS 60x? Deciding between both

[@BehindTheShot]

Great question. I haven’t used the Aputure LS 60x, but I’d suggest they are completely different. The Aputure is bi-color, the StellaPro isn’t. But, the StellaPro is much more portable, and easier to use handheld. The StellaPro is smaller and perhaps more flexible, but the Aputure has adjustable beam vs changing optics on the Stella. Both are bright, but I suppose it really depends on your use case.

[@ChristianGraf-f1d]

Hi, I have a question for you, since you use the reflex s a lot. I have the Profoto adapter for the reflex s and I am unfamiliar with profoto at all. Can I use any profoto softbox with the adapter? My understanding is, that the ocf versions of profoto need an extra adapter, but that would not apply for the reflex s profoto adapter right? Thank you for your videos about the reflex s. I have two of them and try to implement them in my workflow as much as possible.

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Christian, I don’t use any light as much as some other people, as my primary genre is live music, and I’m not a Profoto guy either. That said, yes, it’s my understanding that it’s a standard Profoto mount. The one issue you might see, is that some large soft boxes may be a bit on the heavy side when hanging off the Reflex. To be safe I did send this to Stella Pro Lights, and if they answer I’ll post that here too. ~ Steve

[@DannyRako]

Thanks!

[@BehindTheShot]

Thank you so much. Very kind of you, Danny. Appreciate the support.

[@staceyadamsphoto]

I love my stellapro reflex light, but i have the recurring problem of the optic attachment constantly coming loose and falling off. It screws on easily but there's not a way to lock it on? Do you have any suggestions/tips for this?

[@BehindTheShot]

Hi Stacy, Great question. I’ve not had that issue with mine. Have you tried contacting StellaPro Lights? They been very helpful when I’ve contacted them. If you do, and if they have a solution, could you post it here in case others have the issue?

[@KJ_nyc]

Superb review, but word on the street among NYC pros is that the product is not yet ready for prime-time, especially at its current cost. Pros seem to be experiencing way too many problems and challenges, and nobody has time or patience for proprietary incompetence. StellaPro gets 5-stars for cool looks, but if actual use is little-to-no fun, then what does the future hold? I don't know any photographer in advertising who loves this product, and some of the leading retailers won't even carry the brand. Buyer beware.

[@BehindTheShot]

Interesting points. I do know of some serious pros using them, Nikon Ambassadors, Canon Explorers, and levels like that. I haven’t heard of the issues that you mention myself, which is not to say they don’t happen, just not something I’ve heard in my circle. The price, since this recording has been cut extremely far. I did a follow up video on that. It dropped below the cost of most top line speedlights. Can’t remember if the top of my head, but something like from over $1,200-ish to around $850 - and they trimmed the product line to only the S and Studio. Lastly, they released a battery upgrade, so instead of two power ratings where the battery was 60W and a 100W A/C supply gave you more output the battery is now 100W. The result is you get max power from the battery now - I found in the follow up you get about the 50% more they claim. That said, the biggest issue I see for many is that we all seem to try to get the softest light most of the time, is these by nature are a harder light source. You can use them in a softbox and they work great, in my experience, but you lose a lot of power. So for run and gun weddings, quick street portraits, or if you are actually aiming for harder more dramatic light, these are really nice. But as you indicate, yes, if you’re really looking for power then you need a true moonlight, bigger better studio light. A bulb really. Thanks for checking it out.

[@KJ_nyc]

@@BehindTheShot The photogs in NYC are a tough crowd to win over, especially in advertising, where all the big bucks are. To sell new tech here, you better be GREAT at your game. When FotoCare starts selling StellaPro, maybe then I'll re-visit this research. Way too many complaints about managing the power cord. Modifiers are an issue. The ones that work are limited. And then there are the complaints about remote transceivers not working. Nothing worse than getting on a job and having your equipment fail. Looking cool, and screaming promising specs aren't enough. You gotta stand the test of time. Maybe the Instagram crowd can save them. I don't think this is a hot seller at B&H. Very good review, though.

[@BehindTheShot]

@KJ_nyc Thanks for the kind words. I agree, when you show up gear has to work. I’ve not had those issues myself, but oh yeah. The limited modifiers make the light usage scenarios limited. I wanted a small GoDox softbox that was the right mount, but was told by Stella that the GoDox modifiers didn’t fit right. The power cord has been a non issue for me, but again, everyone has their needs, wants and preferences. The good thing is we all have lots to chose from in a lot of different quality, build quality, feature sets and prices. Thanks again, and have a great week! Steve

[@stkuj]

ISO 1600 in the studio…I’ll stay with my flash

[@BehindTheShot]

Again, the point was that this wasn’t a studio. This was a family room with mixed light - from outside through French doors and ambient. I wanted to maintain a shot with only ambient + outside and then add the flash. The ambient exposure I chose was at 1600, then I added flash. You wouldn’t need 1600. Secondly, 1600 is clean enough for my uses. Chose lower if you want and these would work fine in a studio.

[@HectorRiveraPhotography]

no thanks , thanks aputure , westcott !! overprice lights !

[@BehindTheShot]

Every light has a different audience, and a balance of trade offs. Some of the less expensive lights (compared to these) have advantages or negatives just like these lights have. There are much more expensive lights that miss features other less costly lights have. Different intended usage. As I mentioned multiple times in the show, these are not for everyone, but if a light like this is right for someone they’ll know it. Clearly it’s not for you, and that’s ok. It’s not what I’d use for some scenarios, yet it’s the first thing I’d grab for others.