Rotolight Unveils the SmartSoft Box
Rotolight has announced what it says is the world’s first electronic SmartSoft Box for its AEOS 2, which allows users to vary the degree of diffusion produced by controlling an electric current passing across its surface. The SmartSoft Box diffuser uses Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals sandwiched between two conductive plastic transparent electrode layers on its front panel to alter the translucence of the glass from completely clear and see-through to heavily frosted.
“Rotolight is delighted to announce the world’s first electronic SmartSoft box; a revolution in the lighting control that saves time & money for photographers and filmmakers. Rotolight has proven that it is, yet again, at the cutting edge of patent-protected industry-first technologies in the lighting industry, providing our customers with unique state-of-the-art tools that enhance creative possibilities on set” Rod Aaron Gammons, CEO, Rotolight.
Mounting to the front of the AEOS 2 light, the SmartSoft provides 1.5 stops of electronic diffusion which lets users create a hard or soft light with just a few clicks of a button instead of relying on different physical diffusion panels.
SmartSoft, initially built into the Rotolight Titan line of lights, has turned out to be incredibly popular for the brand. So much so that the product and related technology has been used in numerous films and tv shows where the company claims it has helped crews save large amounts of time from making manual adjustments and changes to the lighting on set.
In its natural state, the layer used for the SmartSoft Box diffuser is fully translucent and only becomes clear as the electric current is passed through it. In its 100% state, the attachment provides 1.5 stops of diffusion and hides the individual LEDs of the AEOS 2 array, and when it is clear almost no light is lost. The diffusion also increases the spread of the light allowing it to cover a wider area. With the diffuser off the light covers 50 degrees, and with it on the light spreads to 140 degrees.
Gammons also tells us that the AEOS 2 will automatically shift its color balance as the diffusion varies to ensure that the resultant light remains a constant color rendering all the time.
At the same time, Rotolight has also introduced a new series of parabolic softboxes built around an umbrella design that allows them to be set up and taken down very quickly. The R90 and R120 models measure 90cm and 120cm across the front round face respectively and come with 1-stop outer and 0.5-stop inner layers of diffuser as well as a fabric 40° honeycomb grid and a carry bag.
As such they can be used as softboxes or umbrellas, depending on the look required. They are fitted with a Bowens S mount but can be used with a Rotolight Bowens/Elinchrom adapter to mount the company’s AEOS and NEO lights, or any LED light panel with a 1.4in 20 thread, inside the modifier. Both softboxes also have access panels on their sides so that lights mounted inside the softbox can be controlled by hand without having to remove the front diffuser panel.
The Rotolight SmartSoft Box will ship from August and will cost $499, and is compatible only with the AEOS 2 light.
The parabolic softboxes will cost $269 and $299 and are expected to ship in July.
More info on Rotolight’s website.
