Aputure Alpha Series: COB LED fixtures (60W–1200W) with Bowens mount, replacing HMI lights. Alpha 300 delivers 42,000 lux, Alpha 1200 exceeds 150,000 lux at 1m distance.
Technical Details
The Alpha models (Alpha 60, 300, 600, and 1200) utilize COB (Chip-on-Board) LED technology with a Bowens mount for standard light modifiers. The Alpha 300 achieves 42,000 Lux at 1 meter with a Hyper Reflector, while the Alpha 1200 exceeds 150,000 Lux. All models offer DMX-512 control, app control via Sidus Link, and a green/magenta shift function (±150). The lights operate with a 48V power supply or V-mount batteries, with the Alpha 300 running for approximately 90 minutes on a 150Wh battery.
History & Development
Aputure first introduced the Alpha 300 at NAB in April 2019, following their experience with LED technology from the LS series. The Alpha 60 followed in late 2019, the Alpha 600 in mid-2020, and the Alpha 1200 in spring 2021. In 2022, Aputure expanded the series with RGBWW variants (Alpha 300c, 600c) offering full color control. This development responded to the growing demand for daylight-equivalent LED solutions capable of replacing traditional HMI fixtures.
Practical Use in Film
DoP Greig Fraser used Alpha lights on "The Batman" (2021) for mobile car sequences, where the low weight of the Alpha 300 was crucial. The Alpha 600 is often used to simulate sunlight through windows, while the Alpha 1200 replaces 2.5K HMI fixtures in exterior shots. A typical workflow involves setup via the Sidus app, DMX integration into the lighting console, and use with softboxes or fresnels. Advantages include immediate readiness without warm-up time, silent operation, and precise dimming from 0-100%. Disadvantages include higher initial cost compared to comparable tungsten lights.
Comparison & Alternatives
The Alpha Series directly competes with the ARRI Orbiter (2000W, but significantly more expensive) and Litepanels Gemini (similar output, less robust). Unlike traditional HMI fixtures, Alpha lights do not require a ballast and produce less heat. Budget alternatives include Godox VL models or the Nanlite Forza series, which, however, achieve lower CRI values. Modern ARRI Skypanels remain the standard for large studio productions, while Alpha lights dominate the run-and-gun and mid-sized production segments.