Aputure Nova P300C LED RGBWW Light

In today’s episode, we have a look at the new Aputure Nova RGBWW LED light panel. This professional grade LED light panel features many of the things we are used to seeing in pro-level lights - durable build, good color quality - but also a few things we don’t see as often in the pro lights. This includes things like the wireless control via the Sidus Link app. Let’s have a closer look!

#Aputure #Nova #P300C

00:00 Intro
00:14 Summary
00:24 What do Pro lights do which consumer lights don’t?
00:58 Price
01:16 Color Quality and Light Output
07:15 Build Quality
08:02 Power Options
08:46 Light Modifiers
09:09 DMX & Sidus Link Wireless
10:23 Fans and Noise
11:05 Flicker
11:32 RGBWW
12:16 Yoke and Junior Receiver
12:46 Accessory Slot
13:15 Control Box
13:54 Color Modes
14:38 Effects
15:57 Please take my courses

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

[curtisjudd]

Some have expressed disappointment that I didn't include my traditional Pros and Cons section. I did this because this is an overview based on 5 hours of use with the Nova. However, here's my initial list and we will circle back with a comparison video after I have a few months to work with this light.

Pros:
- Excellent color quality w/ SSI = 85 at 3200K
- Substantial light output for a 120 degree beam angle soft light panel - over 10, 000 lux at 5500K
- Color temp accuracy - set it to 3200K and it is nearly spot on.
- Green/magenta balance setting - no need for +/-green gels to match other light sources
- AC or battery power options
- Excellent build quality
- Intuitive, well designed controller box which can be attached to light head or stand
- Accessory slot for bespoke softbox or those from other manufacturers
- Fan is well engineered to avoid interfering with sound
- Full RGBWW - 2, 000K to 10, 000K plus full RGB range
- HSI, RGB, CCT, XY, gel color modes
- Sidus Link app for iOS/Android with color picker and color match
- Effects - fire, candle, TV, lightning, explosion, cop car, color chase, & more
- Firmware updatable
- $1699 USD at launch
- $1899 with rolling hard case
- $149 for softbox

Cons:
- Heavy at 23 lbs, 10.4 kg for head, but that includes the power supply. Requires at least a C-stand
- Cannot power with a single cine battery - requires 24-48V block batteries or new optional power station

[GriffinConway]

Great review, as usual Curtis. I can always count on you for the facts as well as a fair opinion on your thoughts. Thanks for sharing! Looks like a great light.

[andilematomela]

My first video I’ve watched of years. Subscribed 👌🏾

[scottslotterbeck]

Price is relative, of course. This is not outrageously expensive, in line with other brands. Seems very well featured. I have been using their older (and much cheaper) lights and never had a failure. They just seem to work.

[neuromooseman]

12:18 loved that subtle moment where you bounce the light right before saying you can mount it to a baby pin 😂. Thank you for the fantastic review, as always, Curtis! This light looks amazing!

[Debtfreehomesteaders]

I appreciate that you spoke about the yoke and your recomendation of a proper mount to a c stand and appropriate pin. Not everyone knows this as i did not. This apears to be at a fair price point and a solid adition to the Aputure line up. Thanks Curtis!
-Will

[TheOneMonk]

A fab light, and very competitively priced. I hope though they will bring out a smaller, more portble version of this!

[JohnnyMotel]

Your videos have the best audio on YT!

[DanielRentzsch]

Dear Curtis, thank you again for your calm way of presenting the facts of gear to your community.

I'd be interested how the P300C keeps up in outdoor conditions. In all reviews I saw so far it's only used in indoor shooting situations. Most of the outdoor scenes in the official Aputure material are night shots. I don't expect it to keep up with a 6K HMI fresnel. But especially since they already announced the upcoming battery solutions it could be a very interesting solution for outdoor shootings where a reflector won't work but you have so brighten up your subject a little.

Right now I'm using the Aputure C300X for brighter conditions which can keep up with the sun surprisingly well but produces very hard shadows and can only be used for a small surface to be lit. In cloudy conditions I tend to my Astra 3X panels since they are very easy to set up and modifiers are easy to attach. Having a solution that without doubt would have it's price (just the batteries for 1.5h would cost around 1000 to 2000$) but be reliable and efficent. You will always need a truck or huge car for carrying around the traditional HMI fixtures and without a circuit from a nearby house you're doomed to use a current generator which - I don't think you would disagree - is always a sound engineers nightmare and makes it very unconvenient and slow.

Kind regards, Daniel

[BasicFilmmaker]

Great one and love the added explanations. The handle looks quite different. Thoughts?

[davidp]

It’s nice to see Aputure provide alternatives to more expensive products. This is already in high demand, but I wish some kind of case was included. I will probably rent this instead of buying. Thanks for the review.

[aebonstudio]

This is the first light be apurture I'm tempted to purchase.

[djvphotography]

I am really glad you reviewed this light because I have had my eye on it since it was announced and was wondering what you thought of it. I am not thrilled with its weight but I like pretty much everything else about it, plus it will fit in well with my other Aputure lights.

[kozykev]

Really thinking of buying this, great review sir!

[makasii]

just got mine today :-) such a great piece of equipment!!! fabulous quality and extremely easy to set and adjust. I think it's the first time I was so excited to get a new light :-)

[jonathanblair]

Yes!! I just bought one yesterday! Really excited to start using it on sets!

[coryweaver]

Great job as always Curtis! You help a lot of folks out, myself included. Now I just have to set aside about $2k. :)

[DavidGriffin]

I just ordered 35 of these to use as garage flashlights.

[gillesmatheronpro]

Great great review once again, thank you Curtis !
That is a serious competitor for Arri SPs, and a sign of things getting tighter and tighter in the tiny world of high-end pro LED lights. We may see rental companies turning some heads towards them, providing tests lead to positive ratings.

[pariscobain]

I'm comparing this light with a Luxli Taiko 2x1 and a Nanlite Mix Panel. Which is brighter? Which color is more saturated?