If you already own some legacy Litemat Plus lights make sure not to mix up the power supplies with the newer Spectrums. They look almost identical, but older plus models use 12v power supplies while the Spectrums use 24v. Great review. It really helps figuring out all the menuing.
@@gaffergear I don't have a spectrum on hand to look at right now, but I believe it is the same 4-pin locking connector they have used in the past for their power supplies. On their data sheet they call it the PL4 connection. From what it looks like the 24v power supply will work with both Spectrum, and at least the newer ballasts for the Hybrid Plus versions (the ones with DMX contol), but the 12v ones don't have the power capacity for the 4 version of the Spectrums. They might possiblly work for the 2L Spectrums and below, but I could be remembering that info wrong. One of the perks of living in LA is you can actually go to the Lite Gear shop and ask questions in person.
Have followed you for a year and am currently binge watching all episodes during unemployed covid crises. You are the best! I see you also watch Grip Tips. I wish you were here in the states --- as an educator --- we need more like you.
Would you recommend a litemat 4 or 8 for a nice soft natural looking interview key? Looking at getting a bigger mat and 2L for a little starter kit used mainly for interviews, product, and lighting small scenes quickly for an owner op. Thank you for everything it’s a big help.
Hey Andrew! Love your channel. You are the lighting mentor we all need. With the pixel mapping function. Want to try this on a single litemat 8. Do you need a special software to add a gradient or can you add colour via the ballast?
Do you know if the connectors on the cables are repairable or do the need to be fully replaced? The end that connects my power supply to the dimmer is intermittent and when unscrewing as far as I seem able to, it looks like one of the wires isn't seated fully where it should be.
I attend 60 year old church, And we are now getting into live streaming. It is only a congregation of about 200 people. So the budget is tight. I volunteered to take on the live stream, and I’m trying to figure out the best lights for our budget. I’m looking at the 60 X in the 60 D by aperture.Do you think those would be good lights for us until we get the proper lights that can mount on a rack close to the ceiling? Thank you for posting these videos. You are super helpful. Many blessings.
Thanks for doing this, wondering how you are metering the light for the brightness/lux readings? Are you spot metering? I'm asking because your readings are pretty close to Litemats published spec, but I've been metering my 4+ just using an incident light meter at 36 in and I've been getting about 450fc at 4300k at 36in (vs Litegear's published 811fc). I've also seen another review of a s2 litemat 2L, and they were metering like me (measuring approx. distance to light, and holding up incident light meter) and getting below the published lab spec on litegears site too. In your experience with your 4+ and spectrum, does that sound pretty similar in a 'real-world' setting?
I'm using the seconic c800 spectrometer, which has an ambient / incident measurement (through a done). I wonder if their are two standards for fc bacause I too have noticed such huge variations in fc measurements between my readings and published stats, like over double in some cases. My lux is always close (to reputable brands) but FC can be all over the place. I don't know the answer so I don't measure in FC. In real world comparison, I'm not sure because I sold off all my old gear to buy these, but the 4 feels close to a 4back 4ft kino. I'm finding that with modern cameras I'm having to run at very low levels (sub 10%) of used to key close-ups.
For the price of this unit, I think there should be touchscreen menu. )) Really, I wonder how many functions it has, but I think that touchscreen is a future tech for such complicated things.
I’ve hired the Spectrum 4 off Andrew and the colours, including CCT mode are the best I’ve seen from a led light. I had to come watch this video though because the interface is not intuitive.
That was bloody brilliant Andrew, I doff my cap to you mate, you should be a professor at a university! Bet that the beer fridge in your lighting store is empty after that epic review, thanks for all your hard work and efforts, makes my life as a crusty old Gaffer so much easier. 🍻🍻 Cheers Fella.
Revisiting this after the announcement of Intellytech’s Litecloth 3.0 system… Andrew, I’d love to see you make a review of those units and possibly compare them with the Litemat spectrum units. In my eyes, for the money you save, it’s hard to argue against Litecloth but I’m very curious to hear your take
Andrew, thanks for another incredible video. I love what you're doing... the detail you go into is "unprecedented" and exactly what us budding DPs are after, so thank you. I was wondering if it might at all be possible to review the falcon eyes Rx-818 k1? I'm not sure how easy they are to get hold of in Australia, but they seem to be incredibly popular over here in the UK for the lower end market and owner operator DPs. My the only real flaw I can see with them at the price point is the very narrow soft box, but any advice or a full review would be really lovely. Thanks in advance. Tom.
Brilliant review! Curious what case you use to hold the LiteMat 4 panels instead? Do you use the supplied canvas bag for the panel itself but store all the gak in a separate case?
I currently have them freestanding in a trolley I made for Kino tubes fixtures a very long time ago. We are currently still in Stage 4 lock downs in Melbourne so I'm not working, I've only been on 3 jobs since I got these, when I've had a bit more time on set and figure out a workflow then I will work out a better system.
i can't for the life of me figure out what lite gear was thinking giving us a mounting plate for the power supply that sits over top the controls on ballast... just idiotic. why didn't they at least position it on the reverse side of the ballast? Great review, thanks for the cheat sheets... so many fringing menu options.... makes me long for the days of lights with just a spot/flood knob, an on/off switch and a bag of scrims....
Thanks for the greatly detailed review. I've had the pleasure of using the LiteMats on past gigs and did enjoy them, but 100% agree with you about pricing. They feel very overpriced (out of my league as a small production owner/operator). I'd also like to ask your opinion about language. With a desire to get rid of the problematic "Master / Slave" terminology, what do you prefer as a replacement? Parent / Child? Leader / Follower? something else?
Definitely not in my budget but a very interesting in depth review. I would love to know what accessories and/or techniques you are using the stick panels and their power cords to the walls and ceiling like shown at 14:39 and 14:47. It’s not simple gaff tape right ?
I guess I don't get what this entire class of lighting (mats) is for. Is its main benefit that it's thin and can fit into tight spaces? Otherwise you'd just be using any softbox with gels, no?
@@gaffergear That would be great. I love seeing the real world examples as well of when you're using things on set. It's particularly helpful with niche categories like this.
They are amazing but also really pushing the price. It’s hard to justify especially for smaller productions. And all the little negativ things make you really think your decision through.
While I love and appreciate your videos, this is one of the worst UI and UX on a lighting unit Ever!!! XD I think that anyone that's spent time on any of the popular LED units can seamlessly move between Skypanel, Gemini's, Aputure, Kino's, etc and easily be able to dial in the basics. Probably find any advanced features with a minute of fiddling While I can appreciate that you've learned the controls and how to use them quickly, I found it to be a steep learning curve and I think the length of this video proves it a bit. My experience with the Spectrums left me disappointed. They're a good deal heavier than S2's or Pluses (ballasts and units themselves) which was one of their big advantages. Still definitely lighter than panel LED'S but.. that with their awful UI and bugginess turned me off. I'm glad you showed me some of their advanced capabilities but it makes clear that they were packing too many features into too small of a control panel. Come on, have 3 dials already!! 😆
At first I found this very difficult to operate, the knobs and buttons were an absolute bastard of a layout. I kept getting mixed up, even in basic CCT mode. It was only after I got the goose neck kino mount that I tried mounting the controller to the stand (and not hanging it). Because I now had spare mounts. Suddenly it was easy to use. It's the right way up for a start so the buttons related directly to the screen info. All the button and knob turns became instantly intuitive. But hanging it, its was a disaster for me to operate, I really had to think every time I went to do something. I thought it was just my dyslexia that I couldn't use it that way up. I had a LOT of bugs in version 1 firmware.
Wonderfully thorough. Thank you!
Between you two I’ve got all my bases covered 😂😂😎
If you already own some legacy Litemat Plus lights make sure not to mix up the power supplies with the newer Spectrums. They look almost identical, but older plus models use 12v power supplies while the Spectrums use 24v.
Great review. It really helps figuring out all the menuing.
Same conections and pins on both?
@@gaffergear I don't have a spectrum on hand to look at right now, but I believe it is the same 4-pin locking connector they have used in the past for their power supplies. On their data sheet they call it the PL4 connection. From what it looks like the 24v power supply will work with both Spectrum, and at least the newer ballasts for the Hybrid Plus versions (the ones with DMX contol), but the 12v ones don't have the power capacity for the 4 version of the Spectrums. They might possiblly work for the 2L Spectrums and below, but I could be remembering that info wrong.
One of the perks of living in LA is you can actually go to the Lite Gear shop and ask questions in person.
Have followed you for a year and am currently binge watching all episodes during unemployed covid crises. You are the best! I see you also watch Grip Tips. I wish you were here in the states --- as an educator --- we need more like you.
One of the most detailed review of litemat especially spectrum one
Would you recommend a litemat 4 or 8 for a nice soft natural looking interview key? Looking at getting a bigger mat and 2L for a little starter kit used mainly for interviews, product, and lighting small scenes quickly for an owner op. Thank you for everything it’s a big help.
Hey Andrew! Love your channel. You are the lighting mentor we all need.
With the pixel mapping function. Want to try this on a single litemat 8. Do you need a special software to add a gradient or can you add colour via the ballast?
Hey great video as always. I’ve looked everywhere for the adapter cable for a v mount power station to the dimmer. Where did you find yours?
Technical Art Solutions make custom cables to order
@@gaffergear thanks so much
Do you know if the connectors on the cables are repairable or do the need to be fully replaced? The end that connects my power supply to the dimmer is intermittent and when unscrewing as far as I seem able to, it looks like one of the wires isn't seated fully where it should be.
I attend 60 year old church, And we are now getting into live streaming. It is only a congregation of about 200 people. So the budget is tight. I volunteered to take on the live stream, and I’m trying to figure out the best lights for our budget. I’m looking at the 60 X in the 60 D by aperture.Do you think those would be good lights for us until we get the proper lights that can mount on a rack close to the ceiling? Thank you for posting these videos. You are super helpful. Many blessings.
What sort of distances are you working at, and how wide are your shots?
If you don’t use the bags, I’d love to know how you store them safely in your van. Thanks!
Thanks for doing this, wondering how you are metering the light for the brightness/lux readings? Are you spot metering? I'm asking because your readings are pretty close to Litemats published spec, but I've been metering my 4+ just using an incident light meter at 36 in and I've been getting about 450fc at 4300k at 36in (vs Litegear's published 811fc). I've also seen another review of a s2 litemat 2L, and they were metering like me (measuring approx. distance to light, and holding up incident light meter) and getting below the published lab spec on litegears site too. In your experience with your 4+ and spectrum, does that sound pretty similar in a 'real-world' setting?
I'm using the seconic c800 spectrometer, which has an ambient / incident measurement (through a done).
I wonder if their are two standards for fc bacause I too have noticed such huge variations in fc measurements between my readings and published stats, like over double in some cases.
My lux is always close (to reputable brands) but FC can be all over the place. I don't know the answer so I don't measure in FC.
In real world comparison, I'm not sure because I sold off all my old gear to buy these, but the 4 feels close to a 4back 4ft kino. I'm finding that with modern cameras I'm having to run at very low levels (sub 10%) of used to key close-ups.
For the price of this unit, I think there should be touchscreen menu. )) Really, I wonder how many functions it has, but I think that touchscreen is a future tech for such complicated things.
I’ve hired the Spectrum 4 off Andrew and the colours, including CCT mode are the best I’ve seen from a led light. I had to come watch this video though because the interface is not intuitive.
It feels like watching 4k indirectly😂 The world seems to change very quickly to led.
That was bloody brilliant Andrew, I doff my cap to you mate, you should be a professor at a university!
Bet that the beer fridge in your lighting store is empty after that epic review, thanks for all your hard work and efforts, makes my life as a crusty old Gaffer so much easier.
🍻🍻 Cheers Fella.
Revisiting this after the announcement of Intellytech’s Litecloth 3.0 system… Andrew, I’d love to see you make a review of those units and possibly compare them with the Litemat spectrum units. In my eyes, for the money you save, it’s hard to argue against Litecloth but I’m very curious to hear your take
Andrew, thanks for another incredible video. I love what you're doing... the detail you go into is "unprecedented" and exactly what us budding DPs are after, so thank you. I was wondering if it might at all be possible to review the falcon eyes Rx-818 k1? I'm not sure how easy they are to get hold of in Australia, but they seem to be incredibly popular over here in the UK for the lower end market and owner operator DPs. My the only real flaw I can see with them at the price point is the very narrow soft box, but any advice or a full review would be really lovely. Thanks in advance. Tom.
Brilliant review! Curious what case you use to hold the LiteMat 4 panels instead? Do you use the supplied canvas bag for the panel itself but store all the gak in a separate case?
I currently have them freestanding in a trolley I made for Kino tubes fixtures a very long time ago.
We are currently still in Stage 4 lock downs in Melbourne so I'm not working, I've only been on 3 jobs since I got these, when I've had a bit more time on set and figure out a workflow then I will work out a better system.
i can't for the life of me figure out what lite gear was thinking giving us a mounting plate for the power supply that sits over top the controls on ballast... just idiotic. why didn't they at least position it on the reverse side of the ballast? Great review, thanks for the cheat sheets... so many fringing menu options.... makes me long for the days of lights with just a spot/flood knob, an on/off switch and a bag of scrims....
Thanks for the greatly detailed review. I've had the pleasure of using the LiteMats on past gigs and did enjoy them, but 100% agree with you about pricing. They feel very overpriced (out of my league as a small production owner/operator).
I'd also like to ask your opinion about language. With a desire to get rid of the problematic "Master / Slave" terminology, what do you prefer as a replacement? Parent / Child? Leader / Follower? something else?
Thanks an interesting point. Parent/Child I like.
Master and clone!
Sire and Progeny 😁
Litemat out here changing the game.
Definitely not in my budget but a very interesting in depth review. I would love to know what accessories and/or techniques you are using the stick panels and their power cords to the walls and ceiling like shown at 14:39 and 14:47. It’s not simple gaff tape right ?
This is what I'm using to mount cables to walls.
ua-cam.com/video/KDdkMNKLx14/v-deo.html
Excellent vid
It would be awesome if you could test Rotolight Titan X2, Rayzr MC400 panel and fresnel lights, your channel is really complete. Thanks!
I guess I don't get what this entire class of lighting (mats) is for. Is its main benefit that it's thin and can fit into tight spaces? Otherwise you'd just be using any softbox with gels, no?
For me this type of light is very easy to fly on a boom arm. Especially on location.
Sounds like I should do an episode on that.
@@gaffergear That would be great. I love seeing the real world examples as well of when you're using things on set. It's particularly helpful with niche categories like this.
Legend
They are amazing but also really pushing the price. It’s hard to justify especially for smaller productions. And all the little negativ things make you really think your decision through.
new camera?
New phone
While I love and appreciate your videos, this is one of the worst UI and UX on a lighting unit Ever!!! XD
I think that anyone that's spent time on any of the popular LED units can seamlessly move between Skypanel, Gemini's, Aputure, Kino's, etc and easily be able to dial in the basics. Probably find any advanced features with a minute of fiddling
While I can appreciate that you've learned the controls and how to use them quickly, I found it to be a steep learning curve and I think the length of this video proves it a bit.
My experience with the Spectrums left me disappointed. They're a good deal heavier than S2's or Pluses (ballasts and units themselves) which was one of their big advantages. Still definitely lighter than panel LED'S but.. that with their awful UI and bugginess turned me off.
I'm glad you showed me some of their advanced capabilities but it makes clear that they were packing too many features into too small of a control panel. Come on, have 3 dials already!! 😆
At first I found this very difficult to operate, the knobs and buttons were an absolute bastard of a layout. I kept getting mixed up, even in basic CCT mode.
It was only after I got the goose neck kino mount that I tried mounting the controller to the stand (and not hanging it). Because I now had spare mounts.
Suddenly it was easy to use. It's the right way up for a start so the buttons related directly to the screen info. All the button and knob turns became instantly intuitive.
But hanging it, its was a disaster for me to operate, I really had to think every time I went to do something. I thought it was just my dyslexia that I couldn't use it that way up.
I had a LOT of bugs in version 1 firmware.