BBS Lighting Area 48 Remote Phosphor LED Lighting
Get BBS Lighting Area 48 at B&H Photo.
Last year I tested the Westcott Flex LED panel, the 1x1 foot model. I had previously tested the Fotodiox DY-200 High Intensity Fresnel LED, and see also my article on home lighting LED Lighting for Clear, Bright, Energy Efficient Illumination”.
Soon, I’ll be testing the Westcott Flex LED 2x2 lighting as well as the intriguing BBS Lighting Area 48 remote phosphor products. BBS Lighting has a video showing how the Area 48 lie panel works (shadows etc) using a model.
The BBS Lighting Area 48 products are LED-based, but they use a diffuser panel and are claimed to offer a much more uniform lighting. They are not flexible/rollable like the Westcott Flex, but as a huge plus, they can run on battery or AC power, even the more powerful units (equivalent to 1200 watts in tungstent lighting terms).
I'm interested in seeing how LED lighting compares to a natural daylight source in terms of rendering reds, yellows, greens, blues: fruit, fabrics, etc. I’m hoping to throw some whacky colors at it, like my intense red/magenta pomegranates.
Area 48 Attributes
- Interchangeable optional high CRI phosphor panels, flicker-free, 8/16 bit dimming from 0 - 100%, silent operation (no fan), excellent shadow rendering
- High light output equivalent to 1,200 W tungsten halogen flood light, special effects strobing mode. LED panel, lamp life 50,000 hours
- 2,700K, 3,200K, 4,300K, 5,600K, 6,500K chroma blue, chroma green panels
- CRI = 95, TLCI = an excellent 98 at 5600K
- Beam Angle 160°, 90° with optional softbox, 40° with optional Snap Grid
- 150 watt power supply, 122 watts maximum draw (can be limited to lower power for battery use); 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz or 12-20 VDC (Battery)
- Manual or internal DMX512, DMX in/out for daisy-chaining
- 8/16 bit 0-100%, Locally or remotely with DMX, Up to 4 control channels in 16 bit mode
- Mount: TVMP connector: 5/8" (16 mm)
- Operating temperature 0-104°F (0-40°C)
- Dimensions 14.37 x 10.82 x 4.52" (365 x 275 x 115 mm), 7.94 lb (3.6 kg)
- - 385 fc/4,147 lux @ 3.0' (1.0 m)
- 96 fc/1,037 lux @ 6.0' (2.0 m)
- 36 fc/386 lux @ 10' (3.0 m)
- 22 fc/240 lux @ 12' (4.0 m)
- 13 fc/139 lux @ 16' (5.0 m)
- 9.0 fc/96 lux @ 20' (6.0 m)- Optional Accessories: 40 degree Snapgrid, Snapbox with diffuser, Snap Grid XS for 2x2 Soft Box, Canvas carrying cases for 1 or 2 units, Phosphor panel pouch
Eric W writes:
I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the remote phosphor lights.
I prefer the ones from Cineo since I felt they were more robust for long-term use and travelling. They now have a 12v version of their smaller unit.
From my experience using I feel they are one of the most pleasing lights on skin that I have used, from both a color quality and specularity standpoint. Certainly the best LED fixture by far.
The beam angle is essentially 180 degrees from the front of the unit, and the quality is quite soft since the entire surface area of phosphor panel is the light source.
Arri is also now making a line of them, and the manufacturing quality and service they offer is unbeatable, but you pay for it. https://www.arri.com/skypanel/
I am most interested in the C version, which isnt RP. I have loved the variable color concept with their Locaster and L-series Fresnel lights, just wish they had more output.
DIGLLOYD: Can’t test 'em all, and I do like the battery operation option of the BBS Lighting one (maybe the others have that too, I’m not sure).