Our experience with Aputure Amaran AL-H160 with CR195+

What’s great about photography gadgets is when there is a technological enhancement in the gadget which brings forth a better photography experience. We have previously reviewed the Aputure Amaran LED Video Light (AL 160) here. Now, the manufacturer has enhanced the LED Video Light with a new CRI 95+ technology.

The Aputure Amaran AL-H160 with CR195+

CRI or color rendering index is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source. As the CRI is rated on a scale of 0 to 100 (the higher CRI the better), a CRI of 95 is considered to be excellent and are used for tasks and projects that require a high degree of colour discrimination. Therefore, the newly enhanced Aputure LED Video Light with the new CRI 95+ technology is definitely an interesting enhancement for those who require better colour accuracy and colour reproduction.

The newly enhanced Aputure LED Video Light provides for a more colour balanced lighting. The more improved colour rendering results in better photo and video lighting. The better LED lighting successfully provides for a more natural lighting too. It certainly retains all the advantages of the original model besides giving it an additional edge in colour reproduction.

In the box of Aputure Amaran AL-H160 with CR195+

What we like about this product:
- Better colour rendering that comes close to daylight (we’re talking about CRI 95+!)
- More colour balanced lighting and natural lighting
- Maintains good colour temperature
- Provides an additional advantage for colour critical application
- Retains all advantages of original model while giving it an edge in colour reproduction

What we dislike about this product:
- Higher battery consumption
- Would be better if it can be plugged into power outlet for continuous lighting like the AL-528W

If you want better controls and colour accuracy, it’s a good idea to grab this enhanced version of the Aputure LED Video Light!

Our experience with Aputure Trigmaster Plus 2.4G

Conventionally, when we want to use a camera flash or strobe trigger together with a wireless remote shutter, we will need to set up one system for the wireless flash and another system for the wireless remote shutter. We will typically require one transmitter and one receiver to trigger the shutter on the camera. Then, a second transmitter will be placed on the camera’s hotshoe to trigger the camera flash. This can be very costly and troublesome.

Now, we have found a simpler and better way to trigger the camera flashes and shutter remote wirelessly at the same time. Introducing the Aputure Trigmaster Plus 2.4Ghz which embodies both the transmitter and receiver built in one unit. In comparison with the Pocket Wizard Plus II transceivers, it works in similar ways but cost less than half the price. Best of all, each Aputure Trigmaster Plus comes with PC Sync cable, 3.5mm cable for studio light, camera model cable and batteries too!

The hotshoes on the transceivers and receivers makes it possible for the flashes to be mounted directly onto the Aputure Trigmaster Plus. It features an interlink system where you can now use a single transceiver at the remote camera which will trigger both the camera & the remote flashes! If you have a few units of the Aputure Trigmaster Plus, you can actually mount one on the camera’s hotshoe, one on the flash and use the other as a wireless remote. This will trigger the camera to take shoot, whilst the one on the hotshoe would trigger the other receivers to fire the flash.

Throughout the period of our usage, we found that the flashes fired really well with no interference. There was no misfiring as well. It can also fire up to a long range of 100m with no problems.

On a parting note, the Aputure has another range of transmitter and receiver unit called the Aputure Trigmaster which comes in as a pack of trigger and receiver. It is brand specific and you can only trigger a canon flash using a canon trigmaster. As for the Aputure Trigmaster Plus, which is a transceiver, it can be used across the brands where the unit can be used on a Canon, Nikon, or Olympus body and flash. Both the Aputure and Aputure Trigmaster Plus can be used together.

What we like about this product: 
- Pocket size
- Relatively cheaper than other alternatives within this functionality
- Autofocus support for remote cameras - Can trigger different brands of speedlights
- Can support a lot of channels
- Can awaken flashes from sleeping mode
- Reliable triggering
- Transmitting distance of 100m

What we dislike about this product: 
- No test button

In the next series of our blog, we will update on what you can do with the Aputure Trigmaster Family Product.

More information about the Aputure Trigmaster Plus here.

Our experience with Aputure Amaran LED Video Light (AL 160)

Here's a cool gadget to add on to your spread of gear. Get the Matrix LED lighting, introduced by Aputure Photo Tech Co recently. Called Amaran, the video lights come in three versions, the 126, 160 and 198 LED bulbs per light.

The Amaran on our DSLR camera.

We know...the name Amaran sounds like "Warning" to Malaysians and perhaps rightly so...because you'd be amazed by how this gadget can be a solution for your lighting issues. Built with high quality imported light and IC technology, this gadget can be used on your HDSLR or video camera. When it is set on full power, it can brightly light up the room. The brightness can be adjusted to your liking using the brightness adjustment wheel so there are no issues in this area. In fact, the lighting is also dimmable from full power, giving you maximum control over your desired illumination. Lighting output is 100% flicker free and therefore ideal for videos as well. The colours cast by the Amaran is soft and warm enough to our liking and is able to enhance our photography subject especially when it comes to product or macro shoooting.

Physically, the Amaran is small and lightweight making it easier to carry around. Since it has a 16:9 widescreen design and thin borders, the light range is wider. We used the NP-FM500H battery to power up the Amaran. Alternatively, the Amaran can be powered up using 6 AA batteries too. To use the Amaran, simply connect it to your camera by hot shoe.

What we like about this product: 
- Controllable lighting and brightness
- Enhances photography subject
- Almost heat-free
- Long lifespan (up to 50,000 hours) & power saving
- Portable and lightweight
- Can be used on DSLR and video camera

What we dislike about this product:
- Battery option is limited to either AA batteries or a range of Sony (compatible) batteries.

If you're looking for professional lighting quality as seen on TV, go get one. Yes, you've been warned!!

The Amaran upclose.

More information about this cool gadget here.

Our experience with Canon WP-DC38 Waterproof Case

Recently, we got ourselves a new waterproof case for our Canon S95 camera. We have been impressed with the functionality and performance of the Canon S95 since buying it last year that we decided to get a case for it so we can use it anywhere we wanted. We hate the feeling of having to use the camera in "safe" conditions only and the camera has to be tucked away each time we were at the pool or when we head out to the beach. Back then, it was even worse when we had to rely on grainy pictures from substandard disposable underwater cameras. Now, having this waterproof case is a blessing and we get to fully utilise our Canon S95 as well!

Unlike some soft underwater camera bags that tend to press against the camera in deep water, this casing is hard and solid, making it more suitable to bring along for a dive trip. The housing itself weighs about 370grams and it can go down to depths of 40metre or 130 feet underwater. For those who prefer better buoyancy, Canon offers an optional waterproof case weight set (WW-DC1) which allows the camera to stay put for steady underwater photography. These weights are available in packs of four and are compatible with all of its underwater housings.

Handling the camera was fairly easy as the buttons are duplicated on the outside of the case. Since the labels are embossed on the buttons, it may be abit difficult to see although the buttons are quite well spaced. If you are familiar with your camera, you should have no problems with getting the buttons right under water. Infact, the whole case looks like a big fun toy with its transparent casing and bright coloured dials.

The photo quality is equally good with its casing on. The pictures look crystal clear underwater. The internal flash is also able to function underwater. You can use the internal flash to trigger a slaved external strobe like those made by Fantasea, Sea & Sea, Ikelite, or Sealife. The camera has an underwater white scene mode for available light photography. We had access to all the controls of the cameras underwater too.

What we like about this housing:
-Maximizes the use of our existing camera
-Protects our camera from sand, water and snow
-The combined cost of the housing and the camera is still lesser than an underwater hard case for our DSLR
-It is lightweight and easier to bring underwater
-Can go down to depths of 130 feet underwater
-Inexpensive option for an underwater photography experience
-Flash diffuser and adjustable wrist strap included in the package

What we dislike about this housing:
-Button icons should be painted darker than the buttons

Let us share with you some photos we took at the pool using the Canon S95 and underwater housing:

We'd definitely be taking these babies for our next vacation! :)

More information about this gem here.