Aputure has announced a new point source fixture, the Aputure STORM 700x, which uses the company’s BLAIR light engine. Alongside the light, Aputure has also revealed the new CF10 Fresnel light modifier.
STORM 700x
The STORM 700x joins the 400x, 1200x and XT52 in Aputure’s STORM tunable white light series of point source fixtures. These lights also all use the BLAIR light engine, which features blue, lime, amber, indigo and red light emitters. This delivers a wide 2,500 K to 10,000 K CCT range, with full ASC MITC range +/- Green adjustment.
The STORM 700x can render saturated hues across more than 70% of the Rec.2020 color space, controllable in x,y and Limited HSIC+ modes.
Output
The STORM 700x can output up to 18,670 Lux at around 10 feet (3 meters) using the included reflector. This is more than three times brighter than Aputure’s LS 600x Pro. However, the STORM 700x is still small and light enough to mount on a baby stand. As with the other STORM fixtures, the 700x also features a ProLock Locking Bowens Mount for securely and precisely mounting modifiers. Additionally, it offers IP65 weather resistance across all of the lamp head, control box, and cabling.
CF10 Fresnel
Together with the STORM 700x, Aputure has also announced the CF10 Fresnel and Barn Doors Kit. The CF10 is a compact, dual lens Bowens mount Fresnel lens. It is designed to increase the output of the STORM 700x by up to 8.7x compared to the bare COB.
In addition to shaping the light, the included 8-leaf Barn Doors hold an 11-inch scrim.
Other accessories
Aputure has also introduced some other optional accessories specifically designed for the STORM 700x. The STORM 700x Skid Base is a stainless-steel skid attachment. It means you can place the STORM 700x flat on the ground without tipping over, even with the CF10 Fresnel attached. The BM6825 25º Reflector is a hyper reflector with a tighter hard light output as an alternative to the STORM 700x’s included 35° reflector. There’s also a 49-foot (15 meters) STORM 700x 8-Pin lamp head cable. This cable is three times longer than the one included with the light. As a result, you can mount the 700x lamp head on light stands or trusses while keeping the control box accessible on the ground.
“The greatest challenge for the STORM 700x was our own Light Storm 600 series fixtures,” explained Mitch Gross, Aputure Marketing Director. “Many consider this size to be the Goldilocks of lights – powerful enough to be used as a key in daylight yet still portable enough for one person to carry around in their personal kit and use on a baby pin light stand. The trick was to outperform our Light Storms in spectrum quality, versatility, and sheer output while retaining the features and portability. It’s crazy to me that the STORM 700x is three times brighter than an LS 600x Pro, uses our new BLAIR light engine for better and more adjustable white light, and yet the lamp head weighs the same. It’s my new favorite.”
What we think
The Aputure STORM 700x delivers a good balance of output and portability. For many users, it’s going to be the sweet spot in the STORM series of lights. With the BLAIR light engine, you are also guaranteed one of the most color-accurate LED sources available.
Also, the new range of accessories increases the versatility of the STORM 700x ever further. Its professional features and reliability mean that the STORM 700x comes with a premium price tag. But for an all-purpose light that will stand up to the rough treatment of life on set, the Aputure STORM 700x is a great option.
Pricing and availability
You can pre-order the Aputure STORM 700x for $1,690. It’s also available as a Cine Kit with the CF10 Fresnel, barn doors and Skid Base for $2,140. Alternatively, you can pick up the CF10 and barn doors for $499, or the Skid Base for $69. Also, the BM6825 25° Reflector is $60, and the extended 8-Pin lamp head cable costs $259.
