So it’s been a whole year since the Aputure LS 1200D Pro started shipping and buying utilized by industry professionals, including us. As working filmmakers, we wanted to push this light to the absolute max and did that on a film production in December of 2022.
How did we push this light to the max?
How did we push this light to the max? Let me explain. Our rental house and this production took place in El Paso during mid-December. Surprisingly, the weather that whole month had been excellent. Mid-70s with no wind or clouds. A filmmaker’s dream. Then it all became a nightmare. The first day of production saw a cold front come into the region and with it came 30-degree weather, snow, and hurricane-level winds. It was extreme weather and I still feel bad for our grips who had to endure that outside. Sorry guys!
How well does it perform in extreme weather?
We deployed the 1200D with the F10 barndoors in order to apply a Lee filter that had a nice sodium vapor color to it. The 1200D, along with the other Aputure lights we set up, handled that weather like nothing. We put plastic covers over the ballasts to prevent any kind of issue but the head was impressive. But the head itself took gushes of wind, snow, and slush, and 30-degree weather like a champ. As a producer and gaffer, it gave me such peace of mind but now let’s talk performance. Even with that weather, the 1200D gave us the same amount of output as an M18 with the durability of a COB light. We didn’t have to worry about the light getting wet. As the main key light, we were able to film at a T4 and T5.6 although the light was a good, 15-20 feet away, coming in through the location’s glass windows. I’m guessing those windows took one stop of light away but it didn’t really matter because of the power on the 1200D. And the wireless capabilities were vital to setting exposure while the director/DP was inside the building blocking the scene.
Other locations and conclusion
We also use this light on corporate shoots as a key or sometimes to light up backgrounds, it all just depends on the setup. But having such a powerful light, with a not-so-heavy ballast, and with wireless capabilities, at such a reasonable weight, is actually quite amazing. Pair it up with the F10 fresnel or with the Light Dome 150, and you have yourself an industry-disruptive light. Rent it here at DSF Rentals.