Lighting is an important tool in visual storytelling. We can use practicals, area lights, multi-source lights, volume lights, tube lights or even single source fixtures to shape mood, add subtext and illuminate scenes. Maxima 7 is a new single source LED in development from Italy. It's being designed as a 5600K daylight fixture in a compact lightweight design.
Key Features
- 1200W HMI Equivalent
- 5600K
- 97 TLCI
- 95+ CRI
There's an array of lighting manufactures and fixture types out there making it difficult to choose which one is right. We've spoke about Apurture in the past, specifically about its LS C300d II as it's popular among filmmakers for its flexibility and price point. But it's output is limited. What if you need something with more punch? Something brighter. Mole Richardson 20Ks come to mind. ARRI 18K /12Ks. K 5600 makes the Joker 800. AAdynTech has the Punch Daylight. Hive has its Plasma series. Even Apurture is developing the 600D, a 600W fixture. The list of available options is long.
So where does the Maxima 7 fit it? It sits well below the Mole Richardson 20K and ARRI 18Ks/12K but near the Joker 800. It's a 1200W HMI equivalent or 1.2K. There are a lot of 1.2K fixtures in the market including the Molepar 1200, CAME-TV 1200 and ARRI True Blue D12. How Maxima 7 is trying to separate itself is in its form factor and output.
Maxima 7 Photometrics
The fixture is enclosed in an aluminium and polycarbonate body that weighs about 20 lbs including its reflector which is roughly two pounds lighter than the ARRI True Blue D12 but 10 lbs heavier than the Joker 800. With a beam angle at 15° the Maxima 7 can throw roughly 58,000 lux at 3m (9ft). The Joker 800 is roughly at 37, 600 lux at 3m (9ft) with its medium flood beam that produces a 25° x 13° spread. So while the comparisons are not apple to apples, the Maxima 7 finds itself somewhere in the middle and comparable to other available 1200W equivalent LEDs.
The Maxima 7 has several other features we've grown accustomed to seeing in fixtures including high CRI and TLCI, flicker free dimming up to 10,000 fps, a high luminous output and a low noise floor. It is worth noting that the Maxima 7 is only dimmable from 10% to 100% which may be a deal-breaker for some looking for a lower setting. However, the fixture provides 89,000 lumens that can be used with any S-Type mount accessories like softboxes to create a nice soft light. A mobile app is in development to offer more control at your fingertips.
Pricing & Availability
There's no word on pricing yet which will play a big big part in the response from filmmakers. Fixtures like these can range between $1,500 to $8,000 depending on the quality of the light source. Until we know, you can find out more about Maxima 7 here.
Specs
- 700W proprietary daylight COB LED
- 128lm/W (25°C) Luminous Output
- CRI 96+, TLCI 97
- Focusable 250mm (10”)
- Fresnel lens; accessory S-Type mount
- Dimming 10% to 100% flicker free
- CPU controlled output
- 250mm Borosilicate Glass Fresnel
- Beam Angle: 15° to 60° Beam Angle
- Noise Level: 21dBa at 1 meter
- Raging : 90-250 Volts AC, 50-60Hz
- Power Consumption: 750 Watts max, 4A
- Weight with Fresnel Reflector: 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg)
- Dimensions with Fresnel Reflector: 562 x 268 x 276mm
