Light dimmers are not as expensive as they used to be. However, some quality and flexibility was lost in the implementation.
There is a new middle ground on the market that Aputure has helped to promote. Don’t get me wrong: I love Aputure’s innovations. I think their softboxes and lanterns are brilliant for the price. Hopefully this article helps readers understand what they’re missing and why Aputure’s modifiers are such a game changer.
Aputure Lantern vs Chimera
Let’s compare Aputure’s lanterns ($89) to Chimera’s Medium Pancake Lantern ($460). These two modifiers are a great example of what I’m talking about. Both spread light in similar ways and both come with a skirt to control the light. That’s where the similarity ends.
Flexible
Firstly, the Aputure Bowens mounting speed ring is permanently attached to the lantern. For some experts, this is a deal breaker. They want to be able to switch between a K5600 Joker speed ring, all the way to a file speed ring.
Left: Aputure’s Lantern and Dome Mini next to Chimera’s Medium Pancake lantern. Right: Both lanterns are lowered.
Size
The speed ring mounted on the Aputure lantern also makes packing a nightmare. That’s why all of Aputure’s product shots show the dimmer on top of the lamp housing. That’s fine if you’re driving to your destination, but annoying on the fly.
Aputure lanterns don’t suit me 1615 pelicans case, while Chimera’s average pancake slips in easily. With Chimera, you can fit a lightweight interview light system setup into a single Pelican.
Chimera Lantern encapsulated in a 1615 Pelican box with its own speed ring.
Even if you choose a more appropriate case, the problem persists. Aputure’s lantern/softbox makes up the majority of Tenba’s 38″ containers. If I Pack Chimera Video Pro Plus Softbox, I can easily fit many lamp holders, handles, tripods and accessories. This makes air travel and on-site photography a lot easier.
Durability and heat resistance
The third problem with Aputure’s dimmers is durability. On two occasions, I had to send the Aputure modifier back to the studio’s equipment room for a replacement. It’s safe to say that they may not last a lifetime. Chimera feels more solid in your hand and I’ve never had a problem. Thankfully, the bars are easy replaceable also.
Durability also extends to flexibility. Aputure’s regular-sized lanterns cannot be used with their 600D or 1200D luminaires. Unfortunately, they are so hot, the lanterns will burn and smell horrible.
That’s why Aputure created lantern 90 and 150 . dome. Both work excellently. They are not compact or easy to carry. The average Chimera lantern here will happily accept Joker 800HMI lights are much hotter.
Conclusion
Aputure’s dimmer offers a lot. They are quick and easy to install, affordable and still lightweight. I don’t despise them at all. Sometimes, you need more flexibility and reliability. For that, there are more expensive options on the market.
I will also add that speed ring in this post, the image has only four sticks, so it can’t work with octabox. However, quick release makes life easier and saves me from struggling with a small set.
