At Cine Gear 2023, we stopped by the Astera sales space to study extra about their freshly-introduced PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel fixtures. These arduous lights characteristic a full-color RGBMA LED engine, are appropriate with a forthcoming projection lens, and combine an inner battery for straightforward operation within the area.
Lighting producer Astera is mainly-known for producing high-quality tube lights, resembling their AX1, Titan, Helios, and Hyperion fixtures. Furthermore, in the previous couple of years, their lineup expanded to incorporate the NYX lightbulbs, the PixelBrick dice lights, and the tiny 25W HydraPanel.
Now, the corporate is able to implement its Titan LED colour engine into a brand new collection of LED Fresnel lights. On the present ground at Cine Gear 2023, my colleague Graham stopped by the corporate’s sales space the place Thor Andre from Astera launched him to the brand new PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel fixtures. Let’s take a better look!
Astera PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel – overview
The Astera PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel are respectively 80W and 250W LED Fresnel fixtures. On the coronary heart of each lights is the corporate’s Titan RGBMA (Pink/Inexperienced/Blue/Mint/Amber) LED colour engine. This gives a large colour temperature vary spanning from 1,750K as much as 20,000K and 96+ TLCI/CRI Ra scores. However most significantly, this makes it simple to combine and match Pluto and Leo with different present Astera fixtures.
In response to Thor, at 3,200K the output of Pluto is akin to that of conventional 300W tungsten Fresnel lights, whereas Leo can compete with 1K tungsten fashions. The native beam angle is adjustable between 15 and 60° on each variants and the Fresnel lens is detachable, so you may flip Pluto and Leo into open-face fixtures. An 8-leaf barndoor is included that can assist you form the sunshine supply.
Moreover, a projection zoom lens attachment is within the works and may develop into obtainable by the top of the yr. It’s going to supply a 16-36° zoom vary, guide focus, 4 shutters, and compatibility with E-size Gobos for Pluto and B-size for Leo.
Energy, design, and management
What units Pluto and Leo other than the competitors is that these Fresnel lights combine an inner battery. This could present about 3 and a pair of hours of working time when working Pluto and Leo at full brightness.
Moreover, Pluto accepts battery energy utilizing the present RuntimeExtender battery plate that is available in both V-mount or Gold mount choices. Then again, Leo has a 3-pin XLR DC port (12-48V) however solely runs at half energy when utilizing an exterior energy supply that gives lower than 24V.
All 4 sides of every gentle characteristic an Airline Monitor system that permits you to shortly regulate the place of the yoke. This could assist to steadiness the lights, particularly when utilizing lengthy modifiers, such because the upcoming projection lens.
On the subject of controlling Pluto and Leo, you’re spoilt for alternative. Certainly, each fashions have onboard controls, help wired and wi-fi DMX, and are appropriate with the AsteraApp (iOS / Android).
Worth and availability
The brand new Astera PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel are going into manufacturing now and may begin transport in direction of the top of June. In response to Thor, pricing ought to begin round $1,700 for Pluto and $4,300 for Leo.
Within the fundamental equipment, you will see the sunshine, Fresnel lens, 8-leaf barndoor, yoke, YokeBase, TVMP adapter, and deal with. Moreover, Leo comes with a Rabbit Rounder adapter to make sure compatibility with DoPchoice modifiers.
The corporate additionally gives the PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel arduous case kits. The previous contains two fixtures, whereas the latter is designed as a single-light equipment.
Lastly, the corporate introduced {that a} studio-oriented model of those lights must also develop into obtainable by the top of 2023. They may characteristic a pole-operated yoke and zoom, however lack the inner battery.
For extra data, please go to Astera’s web site (PlutoFresnel / LeoFresnel).
What do you consider these new additions to the Astera household? Do you assume having LED Fresnel lights with a built-in battery can have a constructive affect in your work? Tell us your ideas within the remark part beneath!
