Are you tired of lighting that just doesn't cut it? Imagine your photos and videos bursting with vibrant, accurate color, bringing your creative vision to life like never before. Amaran's new Ray series promises exactly that – but does it deliver? Let's dive in.
For those of you keeping up with the latest trends in lighting for creators, you'll know that amaran has a history of pushing boundaries. And they're at it again with the Ray series, a next-generation family of full-color COB (Chip-on-Board) lights designed to cater to the ever-evolving needs of photographers, videographers, and live content creators. These lights aren't just an upgrade; they're a reimagining of what's possible.
Comprising four distinct models, ranging from a nimble 60 watts all the way up to a powerful 660 watts, the Ray series makes some bold promises: higher light output, more precise color reproduction, and workflow-friendly features tailored for both mobile and studio shooting scenarios. Amaran is positioning these fixtures as a significant leap forward, offering power, portability, and precision, all wrapped up in compact and thoughtfully designed packages. But here's where it gets controversial...are these lights truly a game-changer, or just another incremental update?
What's Inside the Ray Series?
The Ray series consists of four models, each catering to different needs and budgets:
- Ray 60c (60 watts): Perfect for tight spaces, on-location interviews, or mobile streaming setups. Think of it as your go-to light for when you need quality lighting on the go.
- Ray 120c (120 watts): A step up in power while still maintaining excellent portability. Ideal for small product shots or adding a key light to your mobile setup.
- Ray 360c (360 watts): Stepping into studio territory, this model is well-suited for medium-sized studios or group video shoots.
- Ray 660c (660 watts): The big daddy of the bunch, designed for larger studio spaces where you need serious power and even light distribution.
This range ensures there's a Ray light for almost every use case, from the highly mobile shooter to the full-scale studio production. Each fixture is engineered to deliver substantial light output without the bulk typically associated with traditional studio COB lights. The smaller Ray 60c and 120c are designed as ultra-portable solutions for shooting on location, while the 360c and 660c tackle the demands of studio environments where power, consistency, and precise control are paramount.
The Secret Sauce: The OmniColor Light Engine
The heart of the Ray series is amaran's brand-new OmniColor light engine. This is where the magic happens. It's designed to significantly improve color fidelity and consistency compared to previous generations of amaran full-color COBs. The series emphasizes practical workflow improvements alongside pure technical performance, aiming to be highly relevant for creators who demand reliable output, accurate color, and operational flexibility in the field. And this is the part most people miss...it's not just about brighter lights, it's about better light.
Here's how OmniColor enhances the lighting experience:
- Expanded Red and Blue Ranges: The engine can reproduce deeper, richer hues. Imagine capturing the vibrant colors of a sunset more accurately than ever before.
- Indigo Emitter: This fills in spectral gaps, resulting in smoother and more balanced light. Think of it as fine-tuning the light spectrum to eliminate any unwanted color casts.
- High SSI Scores: Achieving Spectral Similarity Index (SSI) scores of 87 for tungsten and 80 for D56 daylight, the engine delivers consistent color reproduction on camera. What does this mean? It ensures that the colors you see in real life are the colors you capture on camera, minimizing the need for extensive color correction in post-production.
These enhancements mean that the light output from the Ray series more closely mirrors what you see with your own eyes. The broader spectrum translates to cleaner whites, more natural-looking skin tones, and accurate color rendering across a wide range of materials and surfaces. This is especially valuable in mixed-lighting environments or when shooting alongside other LED fixtures or ambient light sources. No more struggling to match colors – the Ray series aims to simplify everything.
Light Output and Efficiency: More Bang for Your Buck
Each fixture in the Ray series is precisely calibrated to maximize output relative to its size and wattage. Let's break it down:
- Ray 60c: At 60 watts, it boasts 50% higher output than the previous amaran COB 60x S. This delivers enough light for those crucial tight, on-location interviews or mobile streaming setups.
- Ray 120c: With 120 watts, it delivers 22% more output than the amaran 150c, while also reducing the physical size by nearly 85%. This makes it incredibly portable without sacrificing power.
- Ray 360c: Pumping out 360 watts, it provides over 80% more output than the earlier 300c model. It's perfect for mid-sized studio setups or group video shoots.
- Ray 660c: The king of the hill at 660 watts, this is the brightest amaran COB to date. It is capable of evenly lighting larger studio spaces from greater distances.
All fixtures are designed for high efficacy, producing more lumens per watt than previous generations. This not only means more light, but also reduced heat output and quieter operation – crucial factors for video recording and live streaming where ambient noise can be a real issue.
Workflow and Control: Designed for Creators
The Ray series introduces several workflow-focused technologies designed to streamline your creative process:
- IP54 Weather Resistance: Each fixture is dust and splash-resistant, giving you the freedom to shoot outdoors in light rain, wind, or dusty conditions without worrying about damaging the electronics. This is a huge win for outdoor filmmakers and photographers.
- NFC Pairing: The built-in NFC system allows for rapid setup within the amaran app. You can register multiple fixtures without even powering them on, significantly speeding up complex multi-light setups. This is a huge time-saver on set.
- FlowTurn Control Knob: This adaptive knob provides dual functionality. Slow rotations allow for precise one-step adjustments for critical color or brightness changes, while rapid spins accelerate settings when speed is needed. It's all about giving you fine-grained control.
- Modifier Ecosystem: The Ray 60c and 120c are compatible with mini reflectors, fresnels, and barn doors. The Ray 360c and 660c support full-size reflectors, fresnels, and Bowens Mount accessories, ensuring compatibility with the complete amaran softbox lineup. This is crucial for shaping and controlling your light.
These features are designed to make it easier to create repeatable setups for interviews, live streams, music videos, or short films without wasting time on complex setups or tangled cabling.
Ray 60c and 120c: Compact Powerhouses
The Ray 60c and 120c are specifically designed for creators who prioritize portability. Both models pack a punch in ultra-compact, lightweight designs:
- Ray 60c: A mere 4.4 centimeters thick and weighing in at only 528 grams.
- Ray 120c: Just 5.1 centimeters thick and weighing 599 grams.
Despite their diminutive size, these lights offer significant output improvements over previous generations. Both models also integrate with amaran Peak battery systems via the Ace E-Lock system, enabling cable-free operation on location. The Ray 60c runs for approximately 46 minutes at full power on the Peak 75 battery, while the Ray 120c runs for 35 minutes. USB-C PD input is also supported, allowing for flexible power sourcing from USB-C power banks or chargers.
Each fixture comes ready-to-shoot with the Octa Dome 30 Softbox, diffuser, grid, Ace Lock to Baby Pin Adapter Grip, power adapter, and cable, all conveniently packed in a dedicated travel bag.
Ray 360c and 660c: Studio-Grade Performance
The Ray 360c and 660c bring studio-grade power to a creator-friendly form factor. Both feature all-in-one monolight designs, integrating the power supply directly into the head. This eliminates the need for bulky external power bricks and reduces clutter on set.
- Ray 360c: Delivers over 80% more output than the 300c, making it suitable for medium-sized studio productions or multi-subject interviews.
- Ray 660c: The brightest amaran COB to date, capable of illuminating large studio spaces with even coverage from greater distances.
Both models offer DMX control through an optional USB-C to 5-pin DMX adapter. This allows you to integrate the lights into professional console workflows, enabling precise cueing, dimming, and synchronization across multiple fixtures. These features make the Ray 360c and 660c highly versatile for controlled studio setups while maintaining consistent, high-quality color output.
Pricing and Availability:
Here's a quick breakdown of the pricing:
- Ray 60c: $189
- Ray 120c: $259
- Ray 360c: $429
- Ray 660c: $699
- Mini Reflector: $19
- Mini Fresnel: $59
- Fresnel: $129
- USB-C to 5-Pin DMX Adapter: $35
Stock and shipping times may vary by region. Check amarancreators.com for the most up-to-date availability.
Final Thoughts and a Question for You:
The amaran Ray series promises significant improvements in color accuracy, output, and workflow. The question is, do these improvements justify the cost? Are these lights a must-have upgrade for serious content creators, or are they better suited for those just starting out? And perhaps more controversially, will these lights truly replace more expensive, professional-grade lighting solutions? Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
