Litepanels has a long history of making solid LED products for both the television and motion picture industries. The company has even ventured onto the stage and into the sports arena to light the way for all kinds of creatives.
Now, Litepanels is pushing the boundaries again with the brightest LED panel on the market—at least according to them. (Spoiler alert: we might have to agree.)
The new Gemini 2x1 Hard RGBWW LED Panel packs a punch, delivering up to 23,000 lux at 10ft (or 3 meters) of output. Let’s dive in to see what’s under the hood.
Punchy lightCredit: Litepanels
Light Panel, Bright Light
The new panel is a double-sized version of the Gemini 1x1 Hard released about a year ago. It produces highly accurate full-spectrum light on top of RGB output and includes a range of creative cinematic effects.
All in a package that weighs just over 25lbs, which includes the yoke and integrated power supply. This also means no ballast to lug around.
You’d think a 2x1 panel will produce double the light of its smaller 1x1 brother, but no. The Gemini 2x1 is seven times brighter, according to Litepanels.
Gemini 1x1H & 2x1HCredit: Litepanels
This is a large volume of punchy light that can easily be shaped by a wide range of diffusers.
At 23,000 lux, the new addition is miles ahead of anything on the market. We’ve tried looking. Lights of an equivalent size output a fraction of what the Gemini 2x1 has to offer. Granted, a majority of lights that we found were soft lights, so it's not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison in some cases.
The new unit draws 500W and comes with a range of both wired and wireless control options. This includes integrated DMX, CRMX, and RDM. It’s also flicker-free at any frame rate or shutter angle throughout the entire dimmer range, which also goes down to 0.1%.
ControlsCredit: Litepanels
Should You Get It?
If you can afford it? Probably.
In some circles, fixtures from Litepanels are on par with ARRI. Both companies have the expertise to produce some amazing products that are ready to take the brunt of your production.
On SetCredit: Litepanels
But that comes at a cost. The new Gemini 2x1H will run you about $6,300 a pop.
Cameras from RED cost less than that now. But you’re getting what you pay for with this light and it might truly be the only fixture you’ll ever need.
Because of the fierce competition, we can’t recommend it to budget filmmakers, but if you can afford it, the Gemini 2x1H is definitely a panel that should be on your shortlist. You can pick one up via the Litepanels website.
