Luxli RGBAW LED LightsTimpani, Cello, Viola2 & FiddleMade in NorwayMakes all ColorsSimulates 150 Lee Gel FiltersIndividually Color Calibrated & CertifiedRecommendations More Information
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I saw these at B&H Photo/Video and was immediately impressed that all these models have the same features as the largest, and each has a display to let you see what you're doing. The Timpani, Cello and Fiddle have full-color LCD screens while the smallest Viola2 has a brilliant, small B&W OLED display. All of these: Uses an array of RGBAW (Red, Green, Blue, wArm White and cool White) LEDs controlled by an onboard computer system to create any exact color needed. Make any color white from 2,800 (or 3,000K) to 10,000K — and with not too much work you can get to warmer or cooler colors as well. Easy to add or subtract green or magenta to match other less-accurate lights. Simulate the effect of adding any of 150 Lee color filter gels to any color white as above. Since you can simulate the added effect of any of the CTO and CTB gels you can go much warmer than 2,800K or much cooler than 10,000K. Make any random color by either RGB or hue and saturation values. Each light has two real knobs, one for setting any Kelvin color and one for brightness. This makes setting them super fast; a far cry from crappy up/down buttons. Each knob has a dynamic gearshift; turn it fast to make big jumps, or turn it slowly and it responds even more slowly for precise adjustments. Bravo! Each knob can be tapped to swap quickly between fixed 3,200K and 5,600K, or swap between your preset brightness and off (except in the Fiddle, which has dials rather than knobs). Especially important for the two smaller panels, the knob shafts are metal, not plastic, for durability. Simulate the dynamic effects of flickering flames, candles and fires, fireworks, paparazzi flashes, explosions, lightning, cop-car lights, bad flickering fluorescent lights, a TV set in the room and much more. These lighting effects used to be difficult to set-up and took talent; today, these Luxli lights make them easy. The effects play differently to each light when you use two or more, making very realistic simulations of the effects of a big fire, paparazzi, multiple cop cars, fireworks displays and everything else the lights can simulate. Power button works with quick clicks; no need to waste any time holding it for a few seconds to turn on or off. All this also can be set via Bluetooth with the free app. The app lets you control everything about each light, and also run them as groups or all ganged together. Made in Norway. Passive cooling; no fans or buzzing. Every light, even the least expensive, comes with an individually measured color calibration certificate: Color Calibration Certificate, included with each light. bigger.
This is what all the lights have in common; lets look at each one individually:
Timpani topRecommendations More Information I got my Luxli Timpani at B&H Photo/Video. The Timpani is a mostly-metal 1 × 1 foot (30 × 30 cm) panel supplied in a yoke for use on 5/8" stand mounts. It comes with an AC adapter, and you may supply your own V-mount batteries for portable use. It has 5-pin XLR DMX input and output. Luxli Timpani 1x1 foot. bigger. I got mine at B&H Photo/Video.
Timpani showing Kelvin and Percent brightness display. bigger. I got mine at B&H Photo/Video.
Timpani showing Hue & Saturation display. bigger. I got mine at B&H Photo/Video.
Timpani Specifications1 × 1 foot (30 × 30 cm) panel. 4,650 Lumens. This is about the same as a 300 watt tubular halogen torchère bulb. 3,430 lux (318 footcandles) at 1 meter. Worst-case absolute maximum power consumption: 120 W. 95 CRI 97 TLCI 2,800 ~ 10,000K in 50K steps. DMX control input and output. 24V 5A AC Adapter included; 14.4~25VDC 4-pin XLR power input to panel. 7.0 lbs. (3.1 kg) with yoke (but without battery or power adapter). $849.99, May ~ July 2021. $999.99, May 2020.
Included with TimpaniLight attached to yoke with 5/8" receptacle. AC power adapter (worldwide input, 24VDC/5A output). (V-mount battery optional). Individually measured and printed color calibration certificate with date and serial number. User's manual and tools.
Timpani AccessoriesYour choice of light stands; I use these short ones.
Timpani ObservationsThe Timpani has the biggest rear color LCD, and it has extra control buttons to make even more things fast to set right at the light — but for setting basic color and brightness, even the smallest Viola2 is easy to set. It generates no AM radio interference as computers usually do, but oddly the Timpani, when lit, obliterates FM radio signals within about 10 feet, if you just happen to be using a portable FM radio. The included 24 VDC 5 A power brick has a green power LED. Every brick should, but few do. The brick gets very warm, and the light gets warm at 100% output. At 50% the brick is just warm, and the light is barely moderately warm. It runs cooler at lower outputs.
For Electrical Engineers Onlyif you have an engineering degree and need to design power supply systems, here are the measured power draws and power factors as drawn by the power brick from 120 VAC 60 Hz. The 120 W absolute maximum rating is just that: the absolute maximum for which you should design, as conceivably in some crazy setting the light could draw this much. My measurements are simply at 3,200K and 5,600K. Here is the measured power draw from my 120V wall socket into the power brick, at what the light was reporting as 22.3 VDC input:
* At 100%, adapter draws 83.2 W at 2,800K, 81.06 W at 7,500K and 86.4 W at 10,000K.
Cello topRecommendations More Information I got my Luxli Cellos at B&H Photo/Video. NEW: Cello2. (The new Cello2 has shorter knobs less likely to be broken-off, and a USB-C port replacing the micro-USB port of the original Cello below. The Cello2 comes with a USB-C PD charger which can run the light directly or charge the battery while mounted in the light.)The Cello is a mostly-plastic 10" (nominal) portable light panel. It comes with an NP-F750-style battery (7.4V, 4.4 AH) and charger. You also can run it from any common AC adapter from 7~15 VDC. A 5.5 × 2.1mm center-positive 12VDC 3A adapter is perfect, and you probably have some at home already from computer peripherals - or you can use a car 12V cigarette lighter cord or any other 12VDC source. I use the adapters that come with my LaCie desktop hard drives (I have a ton of drives I use for backup, so I have adapters coming out of my ears. You probably do, too.). Luxli Cello. bigger.
It has a small color LCD panel on the back: Luxli Cello simulating a Lee Mustard Yellow filter over a 5,600K light. bigger.
The two control knobs have metal shafts, and the battery gauge is the bar along the bottom: Luxli Cello. bigger.
The Cello has a standard ¼″ × 20 TPI brass tripod socket for use with any photo tripod (or ¼″ × 20 TPI threaded end of a light stand), and comes with an all-metal ball-head with both a ¼″ × 20 TPI socket and a camera accessory-shoe foot for flexible mounting atop any camera. The USB port is for potential firmware updates: Bottom, Luxli Cello. bigger. Sadly the tripod socket is too close to the DC input jack, so it's unlikely you can just use a photo tripod with an AC adapter and instead will have to use the included ball head with its small top to be able to clear the connector. The Cello and Viola2 are flat panels, easy to pop in any bag next to each other. I put the batteries and chargers in another part of my bag and separate the lights with thin dividers. Two Celli and a Viola2 with still photo gear in my Think Tank Airport Commuter. bigger.
Cello Specifications9½" × 3¾" (24 × 9.5 cm) overall. 1,500 Lumens. This is about the same as a 100 watt household tungsten bulb. 0 ~ 100% output in 1% steps (0.1% steps from app). 1,240 lux (115 footcandles) at 1 meter. Worst-case absolute maximum power consumption: 32 W. Run time depends on what battery you use, but it probably runs about an hour a 100% with the included NP-F750-style battery. 95 CRI 97 TLCI 3,000 ~ 10,000K in 50K steps. 13.2 oz. (374g) without battery. $269 w/battery and charger, May ~ July 2021. $399 w/battery and charger, May 2020.
Included with CelloNP-F750-style battery (7.4V, 4.4 AH) and charger. (5.5 × 2.1mm center-positive 12VDC 3A adapter optional). Individually measured and printed color calibration certificate with date and serial number. Metal ball head with ¼″ × 20 TPI, ⅜″ × 16 TPI and camera accessory shoe foot mounts.
Cello Accessories
Cello ObservationsThe Cello has a small, but well thought-out, rear color LCD that makes setting everything easy. It generates no AM radio interference as computers usually do, but oddly the Cello, when lit, interferes with portable FM radios within about 3 feet, if you just happen to be using a portable FM radio. When working at higher light outputs it gets warm or hot (of course), and the plastic may expand and "pop!" occasionally, sounding like a water bottle does as you change altitude. If this is a problem I'd be sure to let the lights stabilize at your desired output for a while before you start rolling.
For Electrical Engineers Onlyif you have an engineering degree and need to design power supply systems, here are the measured power draws and power factors as drawn by my LaCie DA-36J12 12V 3A AC adapter when running the Cello. The 32 W absolute maximum rating is just that: the absolute maximum for which you should design, as conceivably in some crazy setting the light could draw this much. My measurements are simply at 3,200K and 5,600K. Here is the measured power draw from my 120V wall socket into my LaCie DA-36J12 12V 3A adapter (this is what's coming out of the wall, not the DC power to the panel, although power adapters are so efficient today that the numbers should be similar):
Viola2 topRecommendations More Information I got my Luxli Viola2 at B&H Photo/Video. Luxli Viola2. bigger. The Viola2 is a half-size portion of the Cello (an octave above if you prefer). It's nominally 5" wide and just as tall as the Cello. It comes with an NP-F550-style battery (7.4V, 2.2 AH; half the size of the NP-F750) and charger. You also can run it from any common AC adapter from 7~15 VDC. A 5.5 × 2.1mm center-positive 12VDC 2A adapter is perfect, and you probably have some at home already from computer peripherals - or you can use a car 12V cigarette lighter cord or any other 12VDC source. The Viola2 has a small, sharp and bright monochrome OLED panel on the back, and the knobs ride on metal shafts: Luxli Viola2. bigger. Luxli Viola2 simulating a Mustard Yellow gel over a 5,600k light. bigger.
The Viola2 has a standard ¼″ × 20 TPI brass tripod socket for use with any photo tripod (or ¼″ × 20 TPI threaded end of a light stand), and comes with an all-metal ball-head with both a ¼″ × 20 TPI socket and a camera accessory-shoe foot for flexible mounting atop any camera. The USB port is for potential firmware updates: Bottom, Luxli Viola2. bigger.
Viola2 Specifications5¼" × 3¾" (13 × 9.5 cm) overall. 826 Lumens. This is about the same as a 60 watt household tungsten bulb. 690 lux (64 footcandles) at 1 meter. 0 ~ 100% output in 1% steps (0.1% steps from app). Worst-case absolute maximum power consumption: 15 W. Run time depends on what battery you use, but it probably runs about an hour a 100% with the included NP-F550-style battery. 95 CRI 97 TLCI 3,000 ~ 10,000K in 50K steps. 6.1 oz. (172g) without battery. $249 w/battery and charger, May ~ July 2021. $239 w/battery and charger, May 2020.
Included with Viola2NP-F550-style battery (7.4V, 2.2 AH) and charger. (5.5 × 2.1mm center-positive 12VDC 2A adapter optional). Individually measured and printed color calibration certificate with date and serial number. Metal ball head with ¼″ × 20 TPI, ⅜″ × 16 TPI and camera accessory shoe foot mounts.
Viola2 Accessories
Viola2 ObservationsThe little Viola2 does everything the big lights do; it's just smaller and has a small and well thought-out rear B&W OLED display. You can do just about everything with the two knobs and buttons (remember that you can click each knob as well to control it), while some things may be easier with the app and your big phone screen. Oddly the two knobs feel reversed when you're in some of the modes; the top knob always controls brightness and the bottom knob always controls color, even if the display implies otherwise. It generates no AM radio interference, and there is no FM radio interference unless you put the Viola2 on top of a portable FM radio.
For Electrical Engineers Onlyif you have an engineering degree and need to design power supply systems, here are the measured power draws and power factors as drawn by my LaCie DA-36J12 12V 3A AC adapter when running the Viola2. The 15 W absolute maximum rating is just that: the absolute maximum for which you should design, as conceivably in some crazy setting the light could draw this much. My measurements are simply at 3,200K and 5,600K. Here is the measured power draw from my 120V wall socket into my LaCie DA-36J12 12V 3A adapter (this is what's coming out of the wall, not the DC power to the panel, although power adapters are so efficient today that the numbers should be similar):
Fiddle topRecommendations More Information I got my Luxli Fiddle at B&H Photo/Video. The Luxli Fiddle is a very portable light that's about halfway in size between the Cello and Viola2. It's unique in having an internal battery that runs well over three hours at any setting and an all-metal case: Its internal battery isn't as large as the other lights in the interest of portability, and therefore doesn't have quite the maximum brightness, but is much tougher with its laser-engraved metal alloy case. It uses recessed dials rather than control knobs so they won't break when slipped in a pocket or optional case: This display is a full-color LCD, which really shines when you're using any of the colored filtration or more advanced modes. The Fiddle is so smart that the display automatically rotates 180º if the light is mounted the other way, however it doesn't rotate 90º if mounted vertically. It charges and/or operates continuously via USB-C PD (Power Delivery) and has its USB-C socket as well as a ¼″ × 20 TPI tripod socket on the bottom, and another ¼″ × 20 TPI socket on the side of its alloy case: It comes in red as well as in black as seen here, and comes in in many versions including other options like a dedicated case and/or a dedicated magnetic diffuser.
Fiddle Specifications6.1 × 2.9 × 0.8" (15.4 × 7.3 × 2.1 cm). 9.985 oz. (283.0g) actual measured weight with internal battery. 476 lumens, about the same as a 40W household tungsten bulb. Beam Angle 72º 1,587 Lux (147.4 fc) at 0.5m (19.7"). 95 CRI. 2,800~10,000K. Built-in 18.5 Wh (7.4V 2,500 mAh) Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo) battery rated to run about 3 hours (actually runs much longer). Rated Maximum power consumption 15W (9.5W observed). Lamp life: 50,000 hours. Charges and/or is powered continuously via USB-C. Bluetooth 5.0. Package weight: 19.5 oz. (550g). Package dimensions: 9.15 × 4.1 × 1.8" (232 × 104 × 46mm). $199 with charger, July 2021
Included with Fiddle18W USB-C PD (Power Delivery) charger. USB-C power cord.
Fiddle Accessories
Fiddle ObservationsThis is an awesome little light. It charges quickly from dead to 100% in about two and a half hours, and runs well over 3 hours at 100% output or 17 hours at 10% output. Mine ran for 3 hours and 15 minutes at full power at 3,200K on its very first charge. LiPo batteries usually gain more capacity after the first few charge cycles and these lights draw less power (run longer) at 5,600K rather than 3,200K — and certainly will run longer at lower power settings — so Luxli is unusually honest by rating the battery life at only 3 hours. At 5,600K and 10% light output mine ran for 17 (seventeen) hours! It runs cooler than the other lights, barely getting its alloy case warm even after running for hours at 100% output. The Luxli Composer app reported it was only running at about 117º F after running for hours at 100% at 3,200K at an ambient temperature of 75º, and its case was barely warm to the touch. Bravo! It comes with an 18W USB-C PD (Power Delivery) charger. The user's manual says that this charger can charge or run the light continuously, but that you need at least a 30W charger to charge at the same time as using the light. My tests show that it never draws more than 9.5W regardless, even if used with a 60W USB-C PD (Power Delivery) charger. The rear battery gauge bar graph on the LCD is very precise. It's green from 100% to about 50%, orange from about 49% to 20% and red below about 20%. You can read the exact battery percentage, battery voltage to 0.1V precision and internal temperature in degrees Fahrenheit in the Luxli Composer app.
Recommendations topRecommendations More Information I got my Luxli lights at B&H Photo/Video. These are continuous lights for video, vlogging, Zoom, news, television and YouTube production. These are super-fast to set up and allow me to get just the look I want because it's so easy to tune color and brightness, much better than lights that only make one or two fixed color temperatures, and as a bonus, kiss gel filters goodbye as all we have to do now is turn a dial with an included 150-filter library. Use two or more lights when simulating any of the crazy effects like fire and the effects randomize and move all around between the lights, looking really, really good. The Cello, Viola2 and especially Fiddle are so small, portable and battery powered that once you have them, they're trivial to pop in a backpack just to use as a fake fire or candlelight for camping or staying in motels without fireplaces even if you're not making videos. Likewise they make great backup lanterns in case of a power outage. Don't use these for still photography, unless you're shooting video at the same time. Continuous lights are a bad idea for still photography because they are nowhere near as bright as studio strobes are for the instants during which we expose still images. Strobes are much brighter and stop action, leading to much sharper pictures unless you're on a tripod shooting things that don't move. Even shooting things that don't move in my studio I get better results faster hand-held with the blinding, instantaneous bursts of brilliant light from my strobes — which of course won't work for video. Using these continuous LED lights for still photography will result in softer images because you'll be shooting at higher ISOs with larger apertures and longer shutter speeds to make up for the fact that continuous lights aren't as bright as the brilliant, instantaneous bursts from strobes or regular flash. I got these lights for video production; they aren't for my still photography. This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken Rockwell.
More Information topRecommendations More Information
Luxli's website with user manuals.
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Ken Rockwell.
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