Aputure Introduces STORM 400x and CF7 Fresnel

Aputure is expanding its lighting arsenal with the introduction of the STORM 400x and the accompanying CF7 Fresnel. At the heart of the STORM 400x lies Aputure’s innovative BLAIR light engine, promising exceptional tunable white light quality with an expansive 2500K-10,000K CCT range, alongside comprehensive ASC MITC control and +/- Green adjustment.

This 400W fixture isn't just about white light; it's also capable of delivering vibrant, saturated colors across more than 70% of the Rec.2020 color space, precisely controllable in Limited HSIC+ and x,y modes. Aputure asserts that the STORM 400x offers impressive brightness, matching or even surpassing the output of many 500W and 600W COB lights currently available.

Unpacking the Features: A Filmmaker's Workhorse

The STORM 400x is packed with features designed for professional use:

• Advanced White Point Control: Fine-tune green/magenta with full ASC MITC range.

• Broad CCT Range: From warm 2,500K to cool 10,000K.

• Proprietary BLAIR LED Chipset: Utilizing Blue, Lime, Amber, Indigo, and Red emitters for advanced color mixing.

• High Output: Achieves 27,100 lux @1m (5600K) with its included 35º reflector.

• Exceptional Color Accuracy: Boasts high CRI (≥95), TLCI (≥95), CQS (≥96), SSI, and TM-30 scores.

• Wide Color Gamut: Covers over 87% of the Rec. 709 color gamut.

• Secure Modifiers: Features the robust ProLock Locking Bowens Mount for precise and secure accessory attachment.

• Weather-Resistant: Offers IP65 dust and weather protection for reliable outdoor use.

• Seamless Control: Provides 0.1-100% stepless dimming, multiple control methods (Sidus Link, LumenRadio CRMX, DMX512), and various output/fan modes.

• Creative Tools: Includes 4 dimming curves, 9 built-in light effects, and 10 savable presets.

  
  

Beyond these specifics, the STORM 400x inherits the STORM family's professional-grade build and functionality, including sophisticated low-end dimming and comprehensive connectivity. Aputure's earlier STORM lights like the 1200x, 1200c, and 80c were powerful, but many filmmakers, especially owner/operators and smaller crews, have been waiting for a more compact yet potent option in the 300-600W range. The 400x hits this "sweet spot" perfectly, much like the popular LS 300d, 300x, and 300d II.

The Innovation Behind BLAIR: Beyond RGBWW

The BLAIR Light Engine is a direct outcome of Aputure’s acquisition of Prolycht, merging engineering expertise to create something truly unique. Aputure claims this engine delivers unparalleled white light quality, an ultra-wide CCT range, precise +/- Green control, and highly color-accurate dimming.

BLAIR's distinct approach uses blue, lime, amber, indigo, and red LED emitters, differing from RGBWW or RGBACL systems. Like RGBACL, it mixes these specific colors to produce white light, but innovatively replaces a green emitter with Indigo. Aputure opted for the name BLAIR to cut through the "alphabet soup" of other RGB variants, making it more memorable.

This 400x provides full-spectrum white light with excellent CRI and SSI, aiming for a higher quality white output with greater adjustability. The calibrated Indigo is specifically designed to enhance fluorescing materials, resulting in white light that more closely matches natural daylight and black body sources like tungsten.

The inclusion of Indigo is particularly intriguing. While our eyes typically perceive wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers, most LED lights lack information below approximately 420 nanometers. BLAIR extends this spectrum down to 380 nanometers. Aputure's engineers discovered that by adding an Indigo emitter, certain materials retain their natural brightness and color when illuminated, a benefit especially noticeable in daylight CCT settings. This addresses a long-standing challenge for LEDs in accurately replicating daylight sources, where skin tones and fabrics can often appear "off." This breakthrough stems from recognizing that while these frequencies might not be directly visible, their reflected light is crucial to accurate color rendering.

While some companies utilize extra blue emitters to improve daylight replication, and others like Maxima incorporate technology for broader spectral information, Aputure's Indigo-based approach stands apart.

For color-accurate applications, Aputure also offers BLAIR CG, found in the STORM C fixtures, which includes additional cyan and green emitters alongside the BLAIR emitters.

Thoughtful Design and Practicality

The STORM 400x boasts IP65 dust and weather protection, meaning both the lamp head and its separate control box and cabling are sealed for use in challenging outdoor, wet conditions.

The design separates the light head (3.95kg / 7.99lbs) from the power supply/controller (3.00kg / 6.07lbs), allowing for use on lighter stands. This modularity highlights a trend in modern lighting, where hardware and software seamlessly blend, though the frequency of firmware updates for lights remains to be seen.

The fixture employs COB (Chip On Board) technology, which packs multiple LED chips into a single module for high lumen output per square inch. While powerful, COB LEDs produce significant heat requiring effective dissipation, and their intense brightness often necessitates diffusion. However, using diffusion with a small source can lead to substantial light loss.

A major enhancement is the ProLock Locking Bowens-S Mount. This metal, positive-locking clamp, inherited from Prolycht's Orion 675 FS, functions like a PL camera mount. It provides exceptional strength and security, allowing filmmakers to confidently attach heavy lighting modifiers or Fresnels without the wobble or fear of breakage often associated with standard Bowens mounts. This feature is a clever solution that maintains compatibility with a widely used mount while greatly improving its utility.

The STORM 400x draws 500W, with a maximum power output of 400W. Its power supply/controller includes dual V-mount (or Gold Mount) battery plates for remote power, though high-draw batteries will be essential, and typical flight-safe batteries won't suffice.

Aputure states the STORM 400x achieves 27,100 lux @1m (5600K) with its included 35º reflector. Its peak output is claimed to be 237,300 lux / 22,045 fc @1m when paired with the optional CF7 Fresnel at 15º (4300K). For comparison, the LS 300x had 20,500 Lux @1m, and the LS 600x Pro reached 63,900 lux @1m (both with reflector at 5600K). With a Fresnel, the LS 600x Pro and F10 Fresnel yielded 135,300 lux @1m (4300K, spot).

The native beam angle of the STORM 400x is a tight 57º, narrowing to 35º with the included reflector, significantly tighter than the LS 300x's 105º native beam.

The CF7 Fresnel & Barn Doors Kit

Designed specifically for the 400x, the CF7 Fresnel and Barn Doors Kit is a 7-inch Bowens Mount fresnel with included 8-leaf barn doors. It offers a beam range adjustable from 15º to 40º while maintaining a compact form factor. Its dual-expanding focusing system and multiple lens elements drastically reduce size and weight without compromising optical performance.