Aputure STORM 400x Released – Compact and Powerful COB LED Light with BLAIR Light Engine

Aputure launched their third COB LED gentle that includes the BLAIR gentle engine: the STORM 400x. This compact unit incorporates a CCT vary of two,500K to 10,000K, together with full plus/minus green-magenta tint management. The sunshine head and ballast are IP65-rated to endure essentially the most difficult capturing circumstances, and it options Aputure’s ProLock Bowens mount to connect lighting modifiers, such because the newly launched CF7 Fresnel. So, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at it!In September 2024, Aputure launched the STORM 1200x, their first COB LED gentle with the brand new BLAIR Gentle Engine. Then, throughout NAB 2025, the corporate launched the STORM XT52, an especially shiny COB LED gentle able to rivaling HMI fixtures when it comes to output.When you have by no means heard of the BLAIR Gentle Engine, it stands for Blue/Lime/Amber/Indigo/Pink to provide white gentle. In comparison with conventional bicolor, RGB, and RGBW LED lights, the 5 gentle emitters in BLAIR lighting are able to reproducing a extra color-accurate and high-quality gentle.Whereas the STORM 1200x and XT52 are excellent LED lights, they’ve a few drawbacks. Certainly, each fixtures are fairly giant, regardless of packing a considerable quantity of output, and so they include a comparatively excessive price ticket. In a nutshell, neither fixture is designed for one-man-band filmmakers. To develop their lineup, Aputure launched the STORM 400x, a extra compact and “inexpensive” fixture for owner-operators.Aputure STORM 400x – featuresThe STORM 400x is a 400W COB LED gentle powered by Aputure’s BLAIR gentle engine. The lamp head measures 23.9 x 25.3 x 42.4cm/9.4 x 10.0 x 16.7in and weighs 3.95kg/7.99lbs. The unit options an exterior ballast with dimensions of 13.6 x 14.1 x 24.3cm/5.4 x 5.6 x 9.6in for a weight of three.00kg/6.07lbs. Designed to resist essentially the most demanding capturing circumstances, each the lamp head and ballast are IP65-rated and made out of aluminum.Backside and again of the STORM 400x lamp head. Picture credit score: AputureAt the again of the lamp head, you’ll discover a 5-pin energy connector that attaches to the ballast. The lamp head additionally incorporates a built-in fan with 4 fan settings: Silent (0 dB), Medium (29 dB), Excessive (33 dB), and Sensible (36 dB).The STORM 400x options Aputure’s Professional Lock locking Bowens Mount. Picture credit score: AputureAt the entrance of the fixture, you’ll discover Aputure’s Professional Lock locking Bowens Mount. This “PL-Mount” model mount is a locking, anti-rotation Bowens mount that may maintain heavy lighting modifiers such because the DoPchoice 5′ Octa in heavy wind circumstances with none play within the mount.The STORM 400x’s ballast. Picture credit score: AputureAll of the lighting controls are situated on the ballast, however you can too management the STORM 400x through the SidusLinkApp, Sidus Hyperlink Professional App, 5-pin DMX/RDM out and in ports, CRMX, and etherCON. Based on Aputure, the Sidus Hyperlink and CRMX (TimoTwo) wi-fi management vary is 100m/262.5ft. Final however not least, the ballast incorporates a built-in V-Mount/Gold Mount battery plate to energy the sunshine, which may be very helpful.Picture credit score: AputureLight outputLet’s now enter the STORM 400x’s important promoting factors: the sunshine high quality and lightweight output. To begin with, in CCT mode, you may alter the colour temperature from 2,500K to 10,000K with full plus/minus inexperienced and magenta adjustment. Aputure claims to attain unimaginable gentle high quality outcomes, with a CRI and TLCI of over 95, an SSI (Tungsten) of 87, an SSI (D56) of 85, a TM-30 RF (Common) of 95, and a TM-30 RG (Common) of 100.The STORM 400x photometrics. Picture credit score: AputureIn phrases of photometrics, the outcomes above are additionally comparatively excessive, each with and and not using a lighting modifier: 27,100 lux at 1 meter (5600K) when utilizing the included 35º reflector is loads shiny. This could offer you ample output for many capturing situations, together with interviews, music movies, and company shoots. Moreover, you may dim the STORM 400x from 0.1 to 100% in stepless increments.In shade mode, Aputure claims that the BLAIR gentle engine may output saturated colours throughout greater than 70% of the Rec. 2020 shade house utilizing Restricted HSIC+ and x,y management modes.The Aputure CF7 fresnel lens with barn doorways. Picture credit score: AputureAputure CF7 – featuresAlongside the STORM 400x, Aputure additionally launched the CF7 fresnel lens. This 7-inch Bowens Mount fresnel attachment comes with 8-leaf barn doorways and gives a beam vary of 15º to 40º. Contained in the Fresnel are a number of lens components, and the dual-expanding focusing system helps preserve a fairly small and compact type issue: 22.4cm diameter x 10.5cm/8.81 x 4.13in, weighing 1.35kg/2.98lbs with out the barn doorways. As all the time with Aputure, the CF7 Fresnel is available in a pleasant transport and carrying case.The Aputure STORM 400x. Picture credit score: AputurePrice and availabilityThe Aputure STORM 400x is accessible now for $1,059 in both V-Mount or Gold Mount variations. The Aputure CF7 Fresnel and barn door equipment can also be accessible now for $230.For extra info, please go to Aputure’s web site right here.What do you concentrate on this new 400W Aputure fixture? Would it not be a pleasant addition to your lighting equipment? Have you ever ever used a BLAIR-powered LED gentle? Don’t hesitate to tell us within the feedback beneath!