Aputure Lantern 90: A Comprehensive Review of the Versatile Light Modifier
The Aputure Lantern 90 is a popular light modifier known for its ability to create soft, omnidirectional light. This review provides a comprehensive look at the Aputure Lantern 90, exploring its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring filmmaker, understanding the capabilities of the Aputure Lantern 90 can significantly enhance your lighting setup. This modifier builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Lantern, by offering a larger size and improved light quality. This review will delve into how the Aputure Lantern 90 performs in various shooting scenarios.
What is the Aputure Lantern 90?
The Aputure Lantern 90 is a spherical softbox designed to evenly distribute light in all directions. It’s an ideal tool for creating ambient lighting, simulating natural light sources, or adding a soft fill light to your scene. The “90” in its name refers to its diameter in centimeters, making it a substantial light source capable of illuminating large areas. This makes it a versatile option for both indoor and outdoor shoots.
Key Features and Specifications
- Diameter: 90cm (35.4 inches)
- Mount: Bowens Mount
- Fabric: High-quality diffusion material
- Skirt: Included for directional control
- Construction: Durable metal frame
- Weight: Approximately 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs)
The Bowens mount ensures compatibility with a wide range of lights, including Aputure’s own LS series, as well as lights from other manufacturers. The included skirt allows you to control the direction of the light, preventing spill and shaping the light to suit your specific needs. The Aputure Lantern 90 is built with a robust metal frame, ensuring durability and longevity even with frequent use.
Build Quality and Design
Aputure is known for its commitment to quality, and the Aputure Lantern 90 is no exception. The diffusion fabric is made from a durable material that provides excellent light diffusion without significant light loss. The metal frame is sturdy and well-constructed, ensuring that the lantern can withstand the rigors of professional use. The Bowens mount is secure and reliable, providing a stable connection to your light source. The included skirt is made from a thick, light-blocking material, allowing for precise control over the light’s direction. Overall, the build quality of the Aputure Lantern 90 is impressive, reflecting Aputure’s dedication to producing high-quality lighting equipment.
Light Quality and Performance
The primary purpose of the Aputure Lantern 90 is to create soft, even lighting. It excels in this regard, producing a gentle, flattering light that wraps around your subject. The spherical shape of the lantern helps to eliminate harsh shadows and create a more natural-looking light. The diffusion material effectively softens the light, making it ideal for portrait photography, interviews, and other applications where soft lighting is desired. The Aputure Lantern 90 provides a significant advantage over direct lighting, which can often be harsh and unflattering.
The included skirt is a valuable addition, allowing you to control the direction of the light and prevent unwanted spill. By attaching the skirt, you can focus the light on your subject and reduce the amount of light that falls on the background. This is particularly useful in situations where you want to create a more dramatic or controlled lighting effect.
Using the Aputure Lantern 90 in Different Scenarios
Interviews
The Aputure Lantern 90 is an excellent choice for lighting interviews. Its soft, omnidirectional light creates a flattering look for your subject, minimizing shadows and creating a more natural appearance. By positioning the lantern above and slightly in front of your subject, you can create a soft, key light that is both flattering and natural-looking. The skirt can be used to control the amount of light that falls on the background, ensuring that your subject remains the focus of attention.
Film Production
In film production, the Aputure Lantern 90 can be used to create ambient lighting or to simulate natural light sources. It’s particularly useful for lighting large spaces or creating a soft fill light. By combining the lantern with other lighting modifiers, you can create a wide range of lighting effects to suit your specific needs. For example, you could use the Aputure Lantern 90 as a key light and then use a reflector to fill in the shadows on the opposite side of your subject’s face. [See also: Lighting Techniques for Film]
Photography
For photographers, the Aputure Lantern 90 is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of shooting scenarios. It’s ideal for portrait photography, product photography, and even landscape photography. In portrait photography, the lantern can be used to create a soft, flattering light that minimizes shadows and creates a more natural appearance. In product photography, the lantern can be used to evenly illuminate your product, ensuring that all details are visible. In landscape photography, the lantern can be used to add a soft, diffused light to your scene, creating a more atmospheric and visually appealing image.
Pros and Cons of the Aputure Lantern 90
Pros:
- Creates soft, even lighting
- Omnidirectional light distribution
- Durable construction
- Bowens mount compatibility
- Includes skirt for directional control
- Relatively lightweight for its size
Cons:
- Can be bulky to transport
- May require a heavy-duty light stand
- Price point may be a barrier for some
Alternatives to the Aputure Lantern 90
While the Aputure Lantern 90 is an excellent light modifier, there are other options available that may be better suited to your specific needs or budget. Some popular alternatives include:
- Aputure Lantern: The smaller version of the Lantern 90, offering similar benefits in a more compact package.
- Glow EZ Lock Quick Octa Large Softbox: An octagonal softbox that provides a similar soft light quality.
- Westcott Apollo Orb: Another popular spherical softbox option.
When choosing a light modifier, it’s important to consider your budget, the type of lighting you need, and the size and weight of the modifier. The Aputure Lantern 90 is a great option for those who need a large, durable light modifier that can create soft, even lighting. [See also: Comparing Light Modifiers]
Conclusion: Is the Aputure Lantern 90 Right for You?
The Aputure Lantern 90 is a versatile and well-built light modifier that is capable of producing beautiful, soft lighting. Its large size and omnidirectional light distribution make it ideal for a wide range of applications, from interviews to film production to photography. While it may be bulky to transport and requires a heavy-duty light stand, its benefits far outweigh its drawbacks. If you’re looking for a high-quality light modifier that can help you create professional-looking lighting, the Aputure Lantern 90 is definitely worth considering. The Aputure Lantern 90 stands out as a reliable tool for achieving professional lighting results. It’s a worthwhile investment for filmmakers and photographers alike. The Aputure Lantern 90‘s versatility makes it a staple in any serious lighting kit. Investing in the Aputure Lantern 90 can significantly improve the quality of your work. The Aputure Lantern 90 is a game-changer for creating soft, even illumination. The Aputure brand continues to deliver innovative lighting solutions with products like the Aputure Lantern 90.
