In 2014, the Aputure we now know and love was founded, and if you thought Aputure was just a form of misspelt branding like Lyft, the name combines the words “ aperture” and “ future.” Not only have they perfected the product quality in both build and performance, but they have also gained a reputation for outstanding connectivity and building an eco-system that allows all Aputure products to work together efficiently. Sidus Link enables users to connect to each one of their Aputure products remotely, allowing them to have complete control over multiple devices and link them to all be producing the same colour temperature and power output or tell each unit a different parameter of options depending on placement within the scene. The Amaran 100d & 100x and 200d & 200x. A series of lights aimed at online content creators, photographers, live streamers and solo filmmakers who need consistent lighting for a fraction of the price of the professional units. Along with intensity control, with the app you can apply one of eight different lighting effects: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, or Explosion. I could definitely see myself using one of these on a music video or horror film shoot. And ultimately, this is the difference between the two lines, so consider that when you see future Aputure and Amaran products that share similarities but land at different price points.

Please note – The Aputure 120d Mk I is now discontinued and replaced by the Mark II model. Which offers a slight boost in brightness performance, offering a 20w increase in power) The main philosophy behind Amaran products is affordability but powerful; nobody likes to have second thoughts after being disappointed by buying a cheaper product compared to a more premium feature riched product with all the bells and whistles.Update: Please keep in mind that a lx reading is not the only indicator of overall output. A tighter beam angle also contributes to a larger lx reading, so you’ll want to keep the beam angle in mind when comparing fixtures. Image Credit: Graham Sheldon / CineD Who is the Amaran 100d and 200d for? It’s hard to find fault with there being so many affordable LED options these days – a win-win for filmmakers to be sure. Given the cost of the Amaran 100d and 200d, they may become the new entry fixture for filmmakers with the Aputure 120d, 300d, and 600d Pro lines holding a place on the wish list for when need and opportunity arise. Surprise! Its Aputure! They have kept Amaran’s budget-friendly option and main professional-grade products separate. Still, they have always kept standards sky-high to innovate and bring the best products to the market regardless of the budget.

They have consistently been the professional standard for lighting units and accessories, offering customers and professionals innovative and unique ways to use light within their projects, from their tiny lighting units like the popular Aputure MC to the powerful and heavy Nova P600c. accurate color rendering, with increased CRI [96], TLCI [99], TM30 RF [96], and TM-30 RG [103] values. Built-In Lighting Effects. Toggle through Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, and Explosion, effects.Both Apertureand Amaranproducts are regarded as some of the best you can get in regards to lighting units for their performance, build quality and listening to consumers to improve on products/firmware updates. While I didn’t have a chance for this review to test the 100x and 200x bi-color versions in the Amaran line, you’ll want to consider color temperature. You can also find well-priced accessories for the LED units they produce (though very limited in choice); these include soft boxes and light modifiers, cables and handles and grips.

Featuring an all-new dual-blue LED chipset design, the 100d S has improved spectral continuity to achieve stunning spectral reproduction of an ultra-high SSI (D56) of 86, a 19% increase in SSI from its predecessor. The 100d S also features super First, let’s discuss what both brands offer; each offers powerful lighting equipment for studios and enthusiasts, light-shaping accessories, and lighting software. The difference? Price, features and materials used.When Aputure announced a series of affordable “ Amaran” daylight and bi-color lights alongside their live stream deep dive into the flagship 600d Pro, it came as a surprise. The Amaran 100d and 200d are both hundreds of dollars-cheaper when compared to the Aputure 120d MK II which raises questions for the consumer. What are you giving up in exchange for these savings? And, is what you are giving up worth the tradeoff? Let’s find out. The light is dimmable from 0 to 100%, and while you can make light intensity adjustments locally on the fixture, you can also make them via Bluetooth with your smartphone and a free app. The 100d has eight built-in customizable effects, an umbrella mount, and a Bowens reflector mount for access to Amaran light shapers and also those many other manufacturers that use this popular mount. The 100d is ready for worldwide use via its built-in 100-240V power supply, but it will also run on optional batteries when AC power is unavailable. The main differences come down to build quality, CRI, and options to control the light. The Amaran 100d, as an example, uses a hard plastic material as its housing, while the Aputure 120d uses aluminium. One of these fixtures will survive much more wear and tear than the other (hint, it’s the aputure).