Litepanels Astra Soft

[M Harvey]

Does anyone have any experience with the Litepanels Astra Soft 1x1 panels? I'm evaluating key light options for an interview project, and I was impressed with the beautiful light quality of these panels. The output is pretty good, too. However, as bright as they are, the soft panels are at least 2 stops dimmer than the current Astra 6x. Before I move on, anyone spent some time with these and want to recommend? My presumption is that it makes more sense to get a brighter light (Astra 6x or Aputure/Rayzr/etc.) and diffuse across a softbox or 4x4, so that the ultimate light quality is softer (=effectively larger source relative to the subject).

But am I missing something? Or put another way, what's the intended purpose of the "soft" version of a litepanel-- situations where you don't have space/time to set up additional diffusion (ENG, etc.)? Situations where the much broader beam angle is needed (raising ambient, filling background, etc.)? The light quality really is beautiful, but is it much different from putting an opal on a standard panel?

Thanks for your input! (And other suggestions for interview key welcome, btw. I've liked the traditional flourescent Kinos in the past, but feel like the LEDs have finally caught up in output at reasonable prices...)

 

[Phil Holland]

I personally prefer the "vanilla" Astra 6X and I add diffusion as I see fit. When you add the diffusion you are cutting the light obviously and that's the difference here.

Some just always want that soft feel from the get go, and that's who these are targeted at. I've seen them rigged in TV studios for instance where they know they just want a soft light all the time.

I've used my Astras a whole bunch in the last couple of years. I decided to pick up their Nanoptic Lenses for the regular 5X and 6X units and those are pretty handy to have when shaping your light. Sort of wish those were a hair less expensive, but I haven't thought of it much since pulling the trigger as they are used pretty much every time I shoot with them.


To the other point, yep, LEDs are leaps and bounds better than where they were a few years ago. I mean, you reference Kinos, and even they make LED sources now.

 

[Kenneth C Merrill]

Softness is largely determined by the relative size of the light source compared to the subject. Sure, the frosted front on the "Soft" Astra's may take a small edge off, but unless the light is less than 2 feet away, it will still be too small compared to your interviewee to be a truly soft source that wraps the subject. From 6 feet away the Astra Soft won't look much different from the standard.

If you want a truly soft light, I can't recommend Litemats enough. In my opinion the Litemat 4 is the best simple interview key solution.

 

[M Harvey]

Thanks-- appreciate the feedback!

 

[M Harvey]

A follow-up: any feedback from those who participated in the group buy on the Intellytech Litecloth LC160? Significantly cheaper than the Litemat 4, though close in size. It also claims a much higher output. I'm guessing it's a much less refined product, but looks like a good value...