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Rotolight has announced the launch of Neo 2, an “industry first” high speed sync-capable LED flash that doubles as a continuous light source and boasts no recycle time.
The company says it designed the Neo 2 specifically for videographers and portrait photographers, and that it collaborated with Elinchrom to build its Skyport 2.4GHz HSS wireless flash receiver into the model. That Skyport receiver, in conjunction with the Rotolight HSS transmitter, enables photographers to wirelessly control up to four groups of 10 lights at ranges up to 656ft / 200m.
The Neo 2 light itself is powered by AA batteries and is capable of 85,000 full-power flashes on a single charge. This model’s shutter sync can be set at fast as 1/8000th of a second, and it offers 500% flash output.
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Compared to the original model, the Neo 2 is 85% brighter when used as a continuous light, and there’s a built-in kelvin display for adjusting both flash and continuous light color temperature. Rotolight used its AccuColour LED tech with the Neo 2, the result being “perfect color rendering,” according to the company.
The Neo 2 is available now in a £250 (~$ 325 USD) bundle that includes a single light, the power supply, an accessory shoe, belt pouch, and a 4-piece filter pack. Rotolight is also offering a £1,125.00 (~$ 1,465 USD) bundle that features three lights, stands, balls heads, and a hard flight case.
Press Release
ROTOLIGHT UNVEILS NEO 2
A revolutionary all-in-one High Speed Sync flash and continuous light for photographers and filmmakers
The dawn of a new age of on-camera lighting
Pinewood Studios, London, 4th September 2017: Rotolight, award-winning British LED lighting manufacturer, has announced the launch of an industry-first, all in one High Speed Sync (HSS) Flash and continuous on-camera LED lighting innovation, NEO 2. Unlike traditional on-camera flash, NEO 2 has no recycle time, which ensures users never miss a shot, making it the perfect light choice for today’s modern high-frame-rate-capable cameras.
NEO 2 can be simultaneously a continuous ‘modelling light’ and HSS flash, allowing the photographer to easily acquire focus in dimly lit situations and optimise composition. Designed for portrait photographers and videographers on the go, NEO 2 provides the ‘shoot what you see’ benefits of continuous light, and the flexibility of HSS flash (1/8000th sec.) with 500% flash output, whenever users need more power or to freeze action. HSS also enables users to shoot with wider apertures to create beautiful separation between subject and backgrounds.
Rotolight has collaborated with Elinchrom to integrate its ‘Skyport’ 2.4Ghz HSS wireless flash receiver into NEO 2, eliminating the need to purchase a standalone flash receiver, whilst providing rock-solid reliability, range, flexibility and control for multiple off camera lighting setups. Skyport enables users to wirelessly control up to 10 lights, in four groups at up to 200m(656ft) with the new Rotolight HSS transmitter, optimised for Rotolight by Elinchrom. It is available on launch for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, and, shortly, Fuji camera systems, and compatible with all other Elinchrom Skyport devices.
“The NEO 2 is going to revolutionise how people use light, and eliminate the need for external flash. If you have those moments that you just cannot afford to miss, this is an incredible light for you. You’ll never miss a shot,” says Jason Lanier, a Sony Artisan of Imagery and professional photographer.
“I tested NEO 2 on a Sony A6500 at 11 frames per second,” explains Lanier. “It fired every single time. There’s genuinely no recycle time, no light loss, no power loss. That is just a game-changer, there is no other light in the world that can do that.”
Featuring electronically adjustable colour temperature in both flash and continuous modes, with a built in kelvin display, NEO 2 enables photographers to easily adjust white balance or match ambient light settings to create more natural looking shots.
Lightweight and portable, NEO 2 can be mounted both on or off camera for ultimate creative control. Delivering the longest battery life of any speedlight or flash, ever made, NEO 2 provides 85,000 full power flashes on a single set of rechargeable AA batteries, compared to the 200 flashes of a typical speedlight. Now 85% brighter in continuous mode than its predecessor, NEO 2 is a small light that delivers big results.
“It enables photographers to spend more time composing the perfect shot, rather than spending time on cumbersome lighting setups. For those shooting both stills and video, it entirely eliminates the need for two separate purchases,” says Rod Aaron Gammons, managing director of Rotolight.
Packed with innovative features for video users, NEO 2 is ideal for interviews and filmmaking. It includes an updated suite of CineSFX™ effects, Rotolight’s award-winning feature set for video productions/ filmmaking, (fire, lightning, TV, gunshot, paparazzi and others), as well as Designer Fade mode for custom in-camera fade FX.
NEO 2 also features Rotolight’s AccuColour ™ LED technology that delivers outstanding colour rendering for perfect skin tones. The unique circular shape provides a naturally soft, flattering light output, with Rotolight’s signature catchlight effect.
Rotolight NEO 2 is available as a single light, including a belt pouch, accessory shoe, power supply and four-piece filter pack including diffusion, skin tone and magenta, or as a three-light kit with hard flight case, stands and ball heads. Optional accessories include softboxes, raincovers, and 10-piece colour filter pack.
For more information visit www.rotolight.com
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)