Aputure 600D or Nanlite Forza ?

[Dominik Muench]

Hi Everyone,

was hoping there might be someone here who can shed some light on a question I have regarding these lights.
I've had my heart set on ordering a couple of 600D's plus fresnel lenses for an upcoming project.....however due to the global plague my dealer isn't expecting stock from Aputure till May.
The Nanlite Forza and accessories are more readily available though and I was wondering how the two stack up to each other and if anyone here has first hand experience using them both ?
I've owned the 120D in the past and thought it was a great light and value for money.

cheers.

 

[Sergio Perez]

Hi Everyone,

was hoping there might be someone here who can shed some light on a question I have regarding these lights.
I've had my heart set on ordering a couple of 600D's plus fresnel lenses for an upcoming project.....however due to the global plague my dealer isn't expecting stock from Aputure till May.
The Nanlite Forza and accessories are more readily available though and I was wondering how the two stack up to each other and if anyone here has first hand experience using them both ?
I've owned the 120D in the past and thought it was a great light and value for money.

cheers.

I've used the 600D recently (pro) and its an amazing, powerful light. The V Mount power adapter/converter is a beast. I don't know if it was an issue with the unit we used, but it didn't allow the precise % control of the other aputure units, like th 120D or 300D II- it only allowed power control until I believe was it 30% or 50% intensity? - then the next step down would be 0%. You could increment up in intensity like the other lights, however, just not lower than 50, or 30% .

What this means is - again from the unit we used- the 600D can't substitute a 300D or a 120D to do some subtle or low key lighting (not counting obviously putting something in front of the light). If this is not a deal breaker to you, all I can say is that the power is amazing, th quality of the light up to aputure's 120D II and 300D II standard. Loved it and have one in order. But I do have the 300D II's and 120D II's too.

 

[Dominik Muench]

hey Sergio, I'm definitely after something with a lot of punch that can run off V locks.
Problem seems I currently cant get a 600D so might have to go the Nanlite route. I hope they are fairly similar in output.

 

[Les Hillis]

Hi Dom,

Here's a review of the 600D that includes some comparisons to the Forza 500 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzaoyQRwJ4E

Apparently the battery operation with the 600D isn't as straightforward as it is with the lower-powered Aputure lights. Might be something to keep in mind.

 

[Dominik Muench]

awesome, thanks for that !!! very detailed.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Just to add another option, if you like what a big Fresnel does the 580W Desisti Super F14 hp is a great fixture. Bought one in November and it's been my keylight on over 20 days of beauty, fashion and product commercials. I have a few Aputure 300d ii and Rayzr 7 lights which I love for versatility and footprint but as a keylight the Desisti is in a different league.

 

[Bob Gundu]

I have both lights and they are both great. 600D overall is better because of the ballast and sidus app. However, the Forza is lighter and more compact. The 10" fresnel is nice on the Forza and actually works well on the 600D. The barn doors on the Forza Fresnel is cheap though.

 

[Dominik Muench]

thanks guys.

Martin the Desisti looks amazing but might be a bit big for me, portability is a bit of an issue. do you have any fashion samples I can check out ? I'm currently in Burgundy for a few projects.
thanks Bob I heard the sidius app is hand. Id love to go the Aputure route but apparently most dealers in europe wont be able to get the 600D for another 2 or 3 months.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Hello Dominik, sorry I habe nothing out yet to share, the projects are all in various states of client validation and post production. All advertising so I cannot share before the clients have published the final project. The Desisti is definitely a bit bigger and heavier, it's just about possible for one person to mount it on a wind-up and it's the size of a 5k Tungsten. For flexibility i would also consider 2x Aputure 300 ii, they should be easier to source than the 600 and unless you use them 100% and undiffused you could mount 2 heads behind the same diffusion screen.

 

[Dominik Muench]

totally understand.
thats indeed another consideration with the two 300 heads instead. I ll do some more research on availability on this end. do you have anyone in france you can recommend ? i know teltec in germany have a great range.

 

[Martin Konrad]

I bought my Aputures at Teltec, they are highly recommended. In France you can try TRM, equally recommended, they handled my Gemini upgrade or Missnumerique, more of a consumer orientated store but I ordered Filters, Aputure accessories and a couple of lenses with them and cannot complain.
I think Videoplus France also stock Aputure but you have to call them their websites is stuck in the 80s and I have had items show as "in stock" and when I turned up in their shop I could not buy as it was reserved for someone else. Luckily they are only a few hundred meters from my studio

 

[Dominik Muench]

thanks Martin, will check these guys out and see if I can get a gear order in asap.