Aputure has launched the third generation of its Light Dome and Light Dome Mini modifiers for Bowens mount lights. The Aputure Light Dome III and the Aputure Light Dome Mini III have a new folding quick setup mechanism.
New quick setup design
The headline feature of the two new modifiers is the setup speed. With the Light Dome II and Light Dome Mini II, the ribs of the modifiers were permanently attached. However, you had to individually click each rib into position when putting the modifier up. You also had to press a button on each rib to release it when putting the modifier away. However, with the Light Dome III and Light Dome Mini III, the Bowens mount is attached to the base of the modifier with a hinged design. You flip the mount to the base and lock it in place. This means that setup takes seconds rather than minutes.
Light Dome III
The Light Dome III is a three-foot (90 cm) circular softbox. It has a 32-sided circular design which gives your subjects perfect, round eyelights. It also has a heavy-duty construction with steel rods for increased durability and longevity. In addition, the Light Dome III comes with one-stop and two-stop diffusion cloths, as well as a 40 degrees fabric light control grid. The Light Dome III is compatible with all of Aputure’s Bowens mount lights, right up to the Light Storm LS 1200d Pro and the new 1500w Electro Storm CS15.
Light Dome Mini III
The Light Dome Mini III is a two-foot (60 cm) circular softbox with 16 sides. Although smaller than the Light Dome III, the Mini should still give a pleasing eyelight. The Light Dome Mini III has a front diffusion cloth, dual-sided gold and silver Inner baffle diffusion and a 40 degrees fabric light control grid. Due to its smaller size, the Light Dome Mini III can’t dissipate heat, as well as the larger model. As a result, you can only use the Light Dome Mini III with lights up to 600 W in power.
What we think
Aputure has a reputation for innovation as well as releasing high-quality lights and modifiers. The Light Dome III and Light Dome Mini III look like they’re no exceptions to that. The new folding Bowens mount design makes setup and breakdown super simple and quick. It also means that the modifiers fold flat once packed away, which means they take less space to transport and store. The Light Dome Mini III doesn’t give as soft a light source as the very flattering look with the Light Dome III. However, its smaller size makes it great for shoots with limited space. If you use a compatible Aputure light or any light with a Bowen’s mount, the Light Dome III and Light Dome Mini III seem like great ways to soften the output.
Pricing and availability
The Aputure Light Dome III and Aputure Light Dome Mini III are available to order now. The Light Dome III costs $219, and the Light Dome Mini III is $139.
