Studio Lights

Studio lights

One of the most important elements of a photographer's studio equipment is the studio light. It is an essential part of the lighting equipment, especially for factual and product photography. There is a wide range of variations and manufacturers under the permanent lighting category. In addition to traditional studio luminaires with daylight tubes or spiral lamps, LED studio luminaires are becoming increasingly popular among photographers. These LED studio luminaires are available in a wide variety of designs and range from surface luminaires with different panel sizes to strip lights and ring luminaires.

Without appropriately adjusted studio lighting, the photographic results cannot meet the demands of a studio photographer. Studio lights provide perfect light for the respective shooting area. Separate equipment is required for each type of lighting, whether foreground, background or area lighting.

Ring lights

Product photographers in particular appreciate the lighting properties of a ring light. The round structure of this lighting makes it possible to position an object directly in the centre of the illumination. This produces a special effect that draws the viewer's attention specifically to the desired object. Depending on their size, ring lights can also be attached directly to the camera's hot shoe or controlled by remote trigger and attached to a tripod. Ring lights are also ideally suited for potrait photography. The ring-shaped structure creates a ring effect in the eye, which can be a great highlight to embellish the shot. Ring lights are available with both fluorescent tubes and LEDs.

Area lights

Surface lights should also be part of the standard equipment of every photo studio. Thanks to their large surface area, they are ideal for illuminating larger objects in product photography, or for illuminating backgrounds and large parts of the studio. Equally, area luminaires can be used for staging people and groups of people and achieve great results here. Nowadays, the majority of area lights are equipped with LEDs instead of fluorescent tubes, which is much more energy-efficient - a considerable factor for a continuous luminaire of this size. Despite their potentially large dimensions, area lights can also be mounted on suitable tripods and adjusted for the appropriate shooting situation.

Studio luminaires with spot function

In addition to conventional studio luminaires that can be adapted to a wide variety of shooting situations using light-shaping attachments such as softboxes, there are also studio luminaires that allow the light to be shaped with the aid of a pre-mounted lens. So-called Fresnel lenses ensure that the light is focused. The distance of the lens from the light source determines the degree of concentration. With such a Fresnel lens, the pre-mounted glass can be moved in the direction of the optical axis. In this way, the appropriate setting between spot and flood light can be determined continuously.

Daylight with a studio luminaire

In many everyday studio lighting situations, it is desirable to simulate a lighting situation similar to daylight. Modern studio luminaires are also equipped for these requirements. Here, there are special daylight luminaires that can achieve the required colour temperature of 5000 K to 8000 K. This is particularly suitable for motifs. This is particularly suitable for motifs that need to be reproduced in great detail. In this way, not only are the details ideally emphasised, but the viewer's attention is also aroused. This is why daylight luminaires are often used in product photography. Softboxes, reflector umbrellas or soft diffusers are often used to ensure good distribution and attenuation of the cold light.

LED technology in studio luminaires

In the studio luminaire segment, too, LED technology has become indispensable. Especially the high energy efficiency, coupled with easy operation and high luminosity, make models with LEDs far more attractive than conventional light sources. LED technology also scores with a high durability, which is another good argument for the purchase. Almost all versions of studio luminaires are now equipped with LEDs as standard, so that they will soon completely replace the other light sources.

The Aputure LSc300D MKII kit represents an ideal example of a studio light. Founded in China in 2005, Aputure is a manufacturer of film equipment, particularly lighting equipment. It is one of the fastest growing companies specialising in LED lights, field monitors, microphones and follow focus systems.
Using the latest Aputure COB LED technology, the 300d Mark II produces a whopping 20% more light than its predecessor. Combined with the dual Fresnel attachment, the 300D Mark II can produce up to 80,000 lux, approaching the luminance of far more powerful professional studio lighting systems. As is usual for Aputure, the 300D Mark II with 5500K balance also offers impeccable colour fidelity with CRI and TLCI values of 96+ and 97+ respectively.
In addition, the Aputure 300D Mark II scores with a revised design, but remains true to itself in terms of form factor and still features the lightweight aluminium body, as with the original 300D. The new yoke allows for a total rotation of 360 °. Combined with the 120d Mark II's handbrake locking mechanism, you can attach the light in any position and with any modifier, this ensures maximum felxibility in all shooting situations.
The real advance, however, is in the complete redesign of the Control Box. By introducing a completely fanless heat sink, Aputure has ensured complete silence for the 300D Mark II's all-in-one control box - an innovation! The control box is made from durable aluminium alloy with a new concealed antenna and military grade paracord harness. The 300D Mark II control box is also the first product to use Aputure's new quick release plate and clamp. This is a system that allows you to securely attach the studio light to a tripod, carrier or quick-release rail.

NANLITE Studio Spotlight FS-200 200W

Specially in the field of continuous lighting, there is a wide range of LED studio lights from NANLITE. The brand was launched by the manufacturer NANGUANG. In the meantime, NANGUANG has been manufacturing products for the lighting industry for almost 30 years. The NANLITE FS-200 200W studio spotlight is a one-piece studio spotlight with LED array for particularly bright and soft light. It convinces with 5600 Kelvin, CRI: 96 and TLCI: 98, which provides great illumination for a wide variety of subjects. Of course, the brightness of the spotlight can be dimmed. It has a variety of different lighting effects (for example, endless loop with brightness change, flashing, pulsating, thunderstorm simulation, TV simulation, lightning storm, candlelight/fire, flickering lamp, fireworks, explosion, welding light simulation) as well as a built-in radio receiver and a pleasantly quiet cooling fan. In addition, a Bowens connector and a mounting bracket are included. The NANLITE FS-150 studio spotlight has a 225 W LED array and enables a brightness of 29380 lux at a distance of 1 m from the subject.