Aputure Announces Electro Storm CS15, XT26, F14 Fresnel & Spotlight Max

Aputure at Cine Gear 2023 has announced two heavy-hitter light fixtures today—the Electro Storm CS15 RGBWW and XT26 Pro Bi-Color.

The CS15 is a 1,500W high-output full-color point-source RGBWW LED fixture built for professional use –featuring dual accessory mounts, professional connectivity methods, high SSI color quality, and an IP65 dust & water-resistant construction. At 1,500W of intense power output, the Aputure Electro Storm CS15 is bright enough to be comparable to industry-standard 1800W HMIs. The 1500c has a power draw of approximately 1800 watts.

The Electro Storm XT26 is a 2600W high-output bi-color point-source LED fixture featuring dual accessory mounts, professional connectivity methods, advanced liquid-cooling technology, and an IP65 dust & water-resistant construction. At 2600W of intense power output, the Electro Storm XT26 approaches the brightness of industry-standard 12,000W tungsten Fresnels and 4000W HMIs. The 2600x has a 3200-watt power draw.

Both fixtures feature advanced connectivity options (including Sidus Link app control, LumenRadio CRMX, Art-net & sACN via etherCON, and 16-bit DMX512). And with its rugged IP65 dust and weather-resistant construction, the Electro Storm CT15 can withstand demanding filming environments without worrying about performance or reliability.

To cool the new fixtures, Aputure redesigned the heatsink with advanced liquid-cooling technology to enable high output while keeping the lights cool. I’m sure you remember how hot a 300 wat tungsten light would get, and while LED fixtures are nowhere close to the heat that those would produce when you get into the output levels of 1500 and 2600 wats electronics have to be cooled, or they melt.

For both new fixtures, Aputure has created a new accessory mount. The A-Mount features both the universal Bowens Mount and an all-new electronic A-Mount, making it one of the most adaptable fixtures on the market. The all-new electronic A-Mount is designed with higher stability, durability, and optimization for heavy-duty modifiers.

The A-Mount is compatible with 3 new A-Mount Reflectors (20º / 35º / 50º) and the 14-inch Aputure F14 Fresnel. Additional A-Mount accessories and modifiers will be available in the future. The A-Mount also communicates data for both optimized color accuracy and motorized focus control. And with a universal Bowens Mount, the Electro Storm CS15 is compatible with all existing Aputure and third-party Bowens Mount modifiers and accessories.

The new Motorized Yoke is specifically designed for the Electro Storm CS15 and Electro Storm XT26. The Yoke allows for smooth remote operation of pan and tilt adjustments when suspended or rigged in hard-to-reach areas.

As the amaran COB S series, the Aputure CS15 features the same re-engineered dual-blue LED chipset. Aputure states the Electro Storm CS15 achieves stunning spectral reproduction with an ultra-high SSI (Tungsten) of 89 and SSI (D56) of 86, making it nearly spectrally indistinguishable from actual tungsten sources, with significantly improved spectral continuity and light quality.

The Electro Storm CS15 is targeted to be available in Q4 of 2023. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Aputure Electro Storm XT26 has 2600 Watts of intense power output. Aputure states the Electro Storm XT26 approaches the brightness of industry-standard 12,000W tungsten Fresnels and 4000W HMIs, making it one of the most powerful point-source LEDs on the market to date.Designed with higher stability, durability, and optimization for heavy-duty modifiers, the A-Mount is compatible with 3 new reflectors and the new 14-inch F14 Fresnel and communicates data for both optimized color accuracy and motorized focus control. Expanding the motorized electronic accessories designed for the Electro Storm XT26, it is also compatible with an optional motorized yoke.

The Electro Storm XT26 features a powerful bi-color chipset to produce accurate color throughout its variable bi-color range from 2,700K to 6,500K, maintaining Aputure's quality standards with a stated SSI (D56) [74] and SSI (Tungsten) [85] scores. The Electro Storm XT26 is the latest-gen bicolor chipset now also features green-magenta color correction with +/- .050dUV shift between 3,000K to 6,000K.

The Electro Storm XT26 is targeted to be available in Q4 of 2023. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Aputure F14 Fresnel is an electronic A-Mount Fresnel modifier with a large 14-inch (350mm) diameter lens and a motorized 18º-45º spot-flood beam angle range. Designed for Aputure's all-new high-output A-Mount point-source fixtures, the F14 Fresnel optimizes and amplifies the light output, providing smooth, remote adjustability.

Built with a large 14" diameter Fresnel and its dual-lens optical design, like other Aputure Fresnels, the F14 Fresnel provides enhanced accuracy and intensity for both the 1500c and 2600x. Users can further shape the light and reduce spill from the Fresnel using the included Barn Doors.

Using the control knob and display screen on the side of the modifier, the motorized F14 Fresnel can smoothly and accurately transition from a narrow, focused throw to a wider flood light for versatility across a useful range of beam angles. And when rigged in hard-to-reach places, the beam angle can also be adjusted remotely via the Sidus Link2 app or DMX controls. In addition to communicating data for motorized focus control, the A-Mount also communicates with the Electro Storm CS15 and Electro Storm XT26 to communicate calibration data that the fixtures can use to optimize their light engine output accuracy.

With its large size, the F14 Fresnel also includes a detachable yoke for better balance, ergonomics when mounting the fixture to a stand, and a safety chain for added security. And when used in conjunction with the included sled, the F14 Fresnel and combined fixture can be placed onto flat surfaces.

The F14 Fresnel and its accessories come packed in a flight case for transport.

The F14 Fresnel is targeted to be available in Q4 of 2023. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

The Spotlight Max is a Bowens Mount projection lens modifier designed to bring an advanced degree of control to high-output Bowens Mount point-source fixtures from the LS 600d Pro and LS 1200d Pro to the new 1500c Pro and 2600x Pro fixtures, transforming them into a powerful spotlight with a further reach and even, shapeable output.

Available in 19°, 36°, and 50° lens options, the Spotlight Max covers a wide range of light projection needs on set. Whether creating a more focused, tighter beam with the 19° lens or using the 50° lens for illuminating wider areas, the Spotlight Max's interchangeable lenses can adapt to the scene for the required light shaping control.With its precision optical design, the Spotlight Max efficiently concentrates and blends light into a focused, even beam, achieving a 60% increase in brightness from the Spotlight Mount. Featuring advanced telecentric lens technology, the Spotlight Max produces an illumination circle with even edge-to-edge light distribution and minimal edge fringing.

Built with internal shutters, you can easily shape the beam for sharp cuts and precision lighting control. For further light manipulation, the optional dual-layer Spotlight Max Iris can quickly hone the shape and size of the Spotlight Max's illumination circle without needing to swap projection lenses. The Spotlight Max also features a Rotatable Gobo Holder compatible with the included A-size and B-Size steel or glass gobos to enhance any lighting design.

To maximize its compatibility and give users more options, the Spotlight Max is compatible with ETC projection lenses using the optional Spotlight Max ETC Lens Adapter. This allows it to be paired with lenses of all sizes and beam angles, and for better balance and ergonomic operation, the Spotlight Max is also designed with a detachable yoke.

The Spotlight Max is targeted to be available in Q4 of 2023. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Erik is an 18 time Emmy award-winning DP, with over 20 years experience in photojournalism, working in newsrooms all over the USA. The last decade has seen Erik migrate into broadcast television and filmmaking, where he has discovered a passion for visual storytelling and production.Additionally, Erik is an outstanding educator, teaching filmmaking via courses on Linkedin Learning and Lynda.com.