Litepanels LED panel series with 30×30 cm or 60×30 cm soft light output, CRI 95+, fanless design, DMX-controllable for key lighting.
Technical Details
The base models are based on a 30x30cm (1x1) or 60x30cm (2x1) panel with 256 or 512 highly efficient SMD LEDs, respectively. The lights achieve a CRI value of at least 95 and a TLCI value of 98, ensuring broadcast-quality color reproduction. Power consumption ranges from 45W (LP1x1) to 200W (LP2x1), with a maximum luminous efficacy of 40 lumens per watt. All models feature DMX-512 control, local controls, and operate fanlessly at operating temperatures up to 40°C.
History & Development
Litepanels developed the L-Series as a direct response to the demand for energy-efficient studio lights following the transition to digital cinema production from 2010 onwards. The first model, the LP1x1, was introduced at NAB in 2012 and established the standard for square LED panels. In 2014, rectangular formats were added, and Bluetooth control was integrated in 2016. Since its acquisition by Vitec Group in 2017, the series has been expanded with RGBWW variants (Gemini line), which can also produce colored light.
Practical Use in Film
DoPs primarily use L-Series panels as soft key lights and for fill, as the large light-emitting surface creates natural-looking shadows. In "The Revenant" (2015), Emmanuel Lubezki used LP2x1 panels to simulate daylight indoors, combined with practical light sources. Their silent operation makes them ideal for dialogue scenes and continuous takes. The precise color temperature adjustment allows for simulating different times of day without filtering, which was essential for the seemingly endless camera movements in "1917" (2019).
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to traditional Fresnel fixtures, L-Series panels offer 80% lower heat development and 60% lower power consumption, but less light concentration and no variable beam characteristic. Competing systems such as the Arri SkyPanel series or Kino Flo Celeb lights operate on similar principles but differ in color gamut and control options. Modern RGBWW systems like the Astera Titan series are increasingly replacing pure bi-color panels, offering greater creative flexibility at only slightly higher costs.