Which Off Camera Flash LED is Better? Rotolight Aeos 2 VS. the Stella Pro Reflex S

[@StellaProLights]

Thanks for the consideration - we know how much you love Rotolight so we can't say we're surprised by the overall recommendation! Ask Rotolight to send a unit to one of our ambassadors to do a comparison video too haha. A few things we'd love to point out. 1) On price, since the Rotolight doesn't come with a battery, a more appropriate comparison is the Reflex Studio, which retails at $650 compared to the $1400 for the AEOS 2. 2) Portability is such a big thing for our customers - Rotolight weighs much more than twice as much and is way larger to pack into a bag. The Reflex is basically like bringing an extra lens, and can fit in the bags photographers are already using. 3) On power output, it's not fair only to use the wide optic on the Reflex and compare; the ability to focus Reflex is the benefit of using a point source of light, and Rotolight cannot achieve greater power by narrowing the beam while Reflex can. If you compared using a light meter and put the spot optic on the Reflex, Reflex would be much higher lux. Reflex also gets half again as much power if plugged into a 100w source or the wall, and the flash is at a full stop more light than continuous, compared to the half stop increase with Rotolight when using as a flash 4) Similarly, talking about the softer light from the Aeos 2 as a win for Rotolight feels a bit unfair - being able to be a soft or a hard light is a huge advantage to Reflex; Rotolight is a softer light bare for the reason you mentioned, but again, it cannot be focused. Light can always be softened (put it in a box), but you can't make light that starts out soft into hard light, so your creativity is limited in that way. 5) On build quality, we think it's important to point out that the Reflex can be used in a storm and have no problem given its IP65 rating.

[@Photomeike]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Ok StellaPro with the rebuttal! Well done!

[@chinitopinoy1726]

Waiting for Rotolight response. *eats popcorn* 🍿

[@JohnathanAulabaugh]

Stella Pro has had my attention for a while. Having shot a rotolight 4-5 years ago with a buddy, I found it to be lacking. Stella seems to be more in what I am looking for to switch from my strobes to an LED system.

[@StellaProLights]

@@JohnathanAulabaugh Hey Johnathan, please let us know if you have any questions about our lights and we would be more than happy to help!

[@JohnathanAulabaugh]

@@StellaProLights Honestly I just need to get my hands on them and see if they will work for my style of shooting and locations. Being in FL and shooting 80% outdoors and all.

[@hollyandrebeccaphotography5027]

What an honor, for the two of us to be a part of some of your adventures💕

[@vincediliberto6653]

Thanks Jason for your always stellar (no pun intended) comparisons 🙂. The Aeos 2 is hard to beat. Looking forward to more great content.

[@rogeryoung2469]

Great comparison video Jason. The one area I think the Stella may have an edge is in portability. And I am a Rotolight owner.

[@robertatwell7615]

Nicely done comparison. I knew it would be a matter of time before we began to see other companies start competing with Rotolight for LED flash lighting. What we are seeing is a more traditional Monolight like approach from Stella. The Rotolight approach is what I think of as a more cinematic approach. For me I think that approach is more applicable going forward. My vision is that we are slowly watching the technology of video and photography merge. I think that sometime in the not too distant future the technology will successfully merge and then still photographers will have the option of using the rapid frame rates of video and be able to extract the exact frames that they need for their still images. The Rotolight system supports that today along with the creative effects that cinema requires. Competition is good for everyone and I am glad to see that we have more options entering into the LED flash field.

[@patdavisphotography]

Nice review. I like Rotolights and still own an Anova Pro 2. I also own Elinchrom strobes and light modifiers. The thing that I find appealing about the Stellas is the strobe head is natively compatible with Elinchrom light modifiers.

[@jean-claudemuller122]

Rotolight should make an Elinchrom speedring as Elinchrom modifiers are very common (not just Bowens)

[@adetunjiosisanya3809]

Your shoot is always inspirational

[@JasonLanierPhotography]

Thank you!

[@kspec2001]

great video! competition always makes things better for the consumer, it will be interesting to see what the next couple years bring when it comes to the LED flash lighting capabilities

[@JeffWeymier]

Awesome video Jason. I had seen the Stella on an add but it’s hard to see if it would work for my needs. I loved the comparison and it’s made my choice very clear. Hello Rotolight!

[@DreamReleases]

One small detail. Size and portability when traveling. That Aeos is rather huge.

[@johns6290]

Jason this is a great review. I need to get an Aeos 2 still and this might have pushed me to it. I have been using the first version of the Neo since I first met you.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Clear comparison, hope the future will bring more types and different brands that explore the possible of LED (in combination with flash) so prices will drop too, cause for most amateur photographers it is still a lot of money. Thanks for sharing (like the new 'gal' ;-)

[@AdamRelayson]

Great video, Jason. If I'd been exposed to the Stella Pro prior to getting my Neo 3's, I would have ha d to make a decision.

[@stillsandvideo]

Well done, thanks. How do the lights handle high speed sync when in sync mode?

[@GilbertTV]

good comparison & amazing lights and awesome new technology ...but the price of led's is the painful part , I cant afford a (bottom of the range) new neo 3 at 500 quid , its out of a lot of people budget sadly . .. maybe it will change in time & manufacturing LED's will come down in price

[@camerachris]

I’m glad the Stella came along because Rotolight won’t get another dollar from me

[@rebeccawilliamsgingersnaps458]

Awesome video! Even a sneak peak of your Fangirl! Lol. Love you guys 💕

[@jsavak99]

One thing you didn't test : CAN YOU ATTACH THEM ON A BOOM ARM. ???

[@climber950]

You definitely can with the Stella. Especially if you used the 1/4” on the top of the light itself and moved the battery onto the boom. It’s a VERY compact light.

[@jean-claudemuller122]

Two very very different lights in terms of photographic use. Stella best for the alone operating photographer without stand who has to be totaly mobile. Rotolight when having a stand or and an assistant for not ever moving subjects

[@ronaldcachoo]

Hey, what do you think is best for product photography? Aeos 2, or a flash monolight like the godox ad600?

[@Punkrockphotographer]

How many Aoes 2 lights do you typically use?

[@Dustin-me6mp]

I think Rotolight makes good products but their prices are insane. Plus nothing is included and all their accessories are over priced. I think strobe tech is still better than LED at this time for photography. When I bought the AEOs lights and used them on a few shoots I was not impressed in post. I bought the neos and they cooked through batteries and lacked power.

[@Photomeike]

👆🏾👆🏾👆🏾 Exactly.

[@ThreeDogsTwoCatsAndAWife]

Yes! I don’t have $1800 to blow on one light!

[@5125512551255125]

Muito bom!!!

[@shawnsee2688]

I need more work to justify it, but LED flash is high on the want light.

[@mikezupancic2182]

I'll buy rotolight when they can figure out how to be compatible with Godox triggers

[@jasonfance555]

Discount promo code on Aoes?

[@michaelblades917]

You could use a candle and still take great pictures.

[@rlpring78]

I’m not very big on flash photography, especially on occasions when it’s not even needed. Pictures come out too saturated, too contrasty, too warm and too orange. But for those who prefer that look, these two products are nothing short of amazing!

[@rebeccawilliamsgingersnaps458]

Keep watching. Give it a try. You'll learn to love it. Can't live without light!

[@holdmyown32]

If you know what you’re doing you can make it look very natural, and yes only when needed or going for a specific look. Both natural and artificial light have their advantages and disadvantages, to me a photographer should master both (not insinuating that you don’t know how to use both)

[@visionz_n_media]

I’ll take rotolight anyday over the current competition. Rotolight just seems to be more polished in the overall quality.

[@PsychicWorldTV]

Rotolight every time

[@jsavak99]

AOS 2 LOOKS BETTER , WARMER , BETTER COLORS

[@wellwhatthen10101]

LED crap price not worth the bucks

[@creepyloner1979]

they're both garbage compared to a real flash.