Lighting manufacturer Rotolight has announced updates to its NEO and AEOS ranges of continuous/flash lighting units that add RGBWW LEDs and touch screen controls.
The NEO 3 and AEOS 2 lights use five-color LEDs to offer a mass of cutom color options as well as a collection of 2500 pre-programmed filtration effects. Both units now have a color range of 3000-10,000 Kelvin, while the NEO 3 more than doubles its maximum output from the 1652 lux of the NEO 2 to 4541 lux. Rotolight claims this makes the NEO 3 the most powerful on-camera LED available. The AEOS 2 can manage 9230 lux – a step up from the 5750 lux of the original model.
 |
As well as continuous lighting both units have a flash mode, and they can use their RGBWW LED mix to flash in the same number of colors as they can put out in continuous mode. The NEO 3 can sync with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000sec, and can output a maximum burst of 10,700 lux at 1m – to deliver an exposure of f/10 at 3ft with ISO 100 according to company figures. The 17,800 lux AEOS 2 can manage f/13 with the same settings, and offers the same max sync speeds.
 |
| The AEOS 2 |
Thankfully the NEO 3 uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery, so you no longer have to fill it with AAs. It can be powered via AC as well, of course, and the AEOS 2 also offers both power options.
 |
| Rear view of the touch screen on the NEO 3 |
The units have Elinchrome’s Skyport system built-in for wireless triggering, can produce 100,000 full-power bursts per charge and boast a ‘0sec recycle time’. A new touch screen is said to make operation much easier and a new app allows control of both units and firmware updates via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
 |
Rotolight has also introduced a new adapter that allows users to use Bowens-mount modifers, while the AEOS 2 incorporates the SmartSoft feature from the company’s Titan models that offers adjustable diffusion, focus and spread.
Both lights are being launched via a Kickstarter campaign, and are due to ship in March next year. The price of the NEO 3 starts at £352/$ 479 while the AEOS 2 starts at £825/$ 1119.
Press release:
ROTOLIGHT UNVEIL NEO 3 AND AEOS 2 LIGHTS IN EXCLUSIVE KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN
Award-winning British LED lighting company, Rotolight, is today announcing the next generation of its hugely popular LED lighting products: the Rotolight NEO 3 and AEOS 2. These exciting new products combine the ‘shoot what you see’ benefits of continuous light, with a world-first High-Speed Sync RGBWW flash, providing photographers and filmmakers with unlimited creative possibilities. These two ground-breaking fixtures are available now for pre-order exclusively through Rotolight’s Kickstarter campaign, which will run through until November 16th, 2021.
Rotolight NEO 3
A pocket-sized powerhouse, the Rotolight NEO 3 is the brightest on-camera LED light ever produced. Experience unrivalled power and industry-first innovations in a compact form factor you can take anywhere. Available as an individual light, a three-light kit and with a new, bespoke, high-performance, rechargeable lithium battery, the NEO 3 is a creative companion you can rely on.
Rotolight AEOS 2
Meanwhile, the Rotolight AEOS 2 offers image-makers unmatched versatility. Uniquely lightweight with an ultra-thin design, this new LED from the world’s most innovative lighting brand is the thinnest and lightest 1 x 1 panel ever made at under 1.4kg. With the Rotolight AEOS 2, it has never been easier to achieve beautiful soft light on the move.
For the first time, both of Rotolight’s new products will allow photographers to flash in any one of 16.7 million colours or 2,500 digital filters, whilst zero recycle time ensures you’ll never miss a shot.
New Touchscreen
Access key features and effortlessly recall your favourite settings at a moment’s notice thanks to a new full-colour 2-inch touchscreen display. The intuitive display allows users to save precious time on any shoot with its easy-to-use interface and powerful, feature-rich menu.
Rotolight iOS & Android App
With an all new Rotolight iOS and Android native app, you’re always in control. Easily switch between lighting modes to remotely adjust colour, power, SFX and much more. Create custom groups and projects on up to 20 lights simultaneously; right from the palm of your hand.
Smartsoft Box™
Effortlessly switch from a beautiful soft output to a harder light source at a moment’s notice with the world’s first intelligent softbox designed for AEOS 2: SmartSoft Box™. Electronically adjust your light’s diffusion, focus and spread without the need for gels via the touchscreen display or Rotolight app.
Rotolight Universal Speedring Adaptor
A new Rotolight Universal Speedring adaptor unlocks an endless suite of Bowens-mount modifiers for the Rotolight NEO & AEOS range, making achieving great soft light easier than ever before and demonstrating Rotolight’s commitment to the brand’s loyal global user community.
“The NEO 3 and AEOS 2 are a huge leap forward in lighting technology, and we’re extremely excited about launching on the Kickstarter platform to bring these state-of-the-art products to more people than ever before,” says Rotolight CEO, Rod Aaron Gammons. “For new users, this is a fantastic opportunity to join the Rotolight family, while for our existing customers it’s our chance to say thank you for a decade of support with an exclusive opportunity to be the first in the world to own these revolutionary products.”
The NEO 3 and AEOS 2, are available now exclusively on Kickstarter until November 16th, and will ship from March 2022. View the early bird offers and back the campaign now at Kickstarter.
Note/disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project before backing it. Pledges to crowdfunding campaigns are not pre-orders. DPReview does not have a relationship with this, or any such campaign, and we publicize only projects that appear legitimate, and which we consider will be of genuine interest to our readers. You can read more about the safeguards Kickstarter has in place on its ‘Trust & Safety’ page.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
