Aputure

Technical Details

The Light Storm series includes COB LEDs from 60W (LS 60d) to 1200W (LS 1200d Pro) with an illuminance of up to 102,000 lux at one meter. The MC series offers full-spectrum RGB panels with a 360° color wheel and HSI control via the Sidus Link app. Flagship models like the LS 600d achieve a light output of 58,500 lux at 1m with the Hyper Reflector and feature DMX512 control, 2.4GHz wireless control, and Anton Bauer/V-Mount battery mounts.

History & Development

Ted Sim founded Aputure in 2005, initially for camera remote triggers and monitors. In 2014, the company entered the LED lighting market with the AL series. The breakthrough came in 2018 with the Light Storm LS 300d, followed by the LS 600d (2020) and LS 1200d (2021). In 2019, Aputure acquired the German manufacturer Came-TV and expanded into Europe. Sidus Link technology for app-based lighting control became an industry standard in 2020.

Practical Application in Film

DoP Hoyte van Hoytema used Aputure LS 600d arrays for night shoots in "Tenet" (2020). The compact MC lights serve as practical light sources in vehicles or as RGB accent lighting. Typical workflow: LS 300d/600d with softboxes for key light, AL-M9/Amaran series for fill light, MC panels for color effects. Advantages include flicker-free recording at 25/50fps, silent operation, and battery independence. Disadvantages: limited light output compared to HMIs for daylight exteriors.

Comparison & Alternatives

Main competitors include ARRI SkyPanel, Kino Flo Celeb, Litepanels Gemini, and Quasar Science. Aputure positions itself price-wise between consumer LEDs (Neewer, Godox) and high-end systems (ARRI). Compared to traditional HMI fixtures, Aputure LEDs offer lower power consumption and heat generation but do not reach their light output. For streaming and low-budget productions, Aputure dominates, while for major film productions, ARRI and traditional tungsten systems remain standard.