Aputure F10 Fresnel Review

The Aputure F10 Fresnel stands out as one of the most revolutionary modifiers in recent decades. While the basic design remains unchanged in principle, a subtle twist sets this Fresnel apart as one of the most potent tools for its price.

In this review, we’ll explore what makes this Fresnel special and how it could potentially sway the decision to invest in the Aputure ecosystem.

Aputure

Aputure is recognized as the top pick for LED lighting suited to small and medium-sized productions.

Their lighting equipment and accessories establish the standard for LED technology, presenting a challenge even for industry giants like Arri.

As a Chinese company, Aputure offers its products at competitive prices compared to German manufacturers. Yet, they outshine other Chinese brands in terms of innovation and quality, placing themselves at the pinnacle of the industry.

What is a Fresnel ?

A Fresnel essentially functions as a lens that attaches to the lamp head, enabling you to broaden or narrow the light beam. With the aid of barn doors, it can also assist in shaping the light to suit your specific needs.

For instance, a Fresnel, utilizing its lens, can focus and intensify the light output, allowing for the creation of diverse lighting effects to emulate sunlight.

Additionally, it can be employed to illuminate a particular area from a distance, such as diffusing or bouncing light.

Fresnels are typically the preferred tools for such applications, although projection mounts can achieve similar results with cleaner cuts. However, where Fresnels excel is in their capacity to transition seamlessly from flooding a large area to focusing on a small spot.

Why the F10 Fresnel is so special ?

The F10 Fresnel stands out due to its utilization of the same innovative approach seen in the Fresnel 2X, which employs a dual-optic design, resulting in up to 340% additional output in Flood mode.

Paired with the Aputure LS 600d Pro, the Fresnel can deliver 29,300 lux at a distance of 3 meters in spot mode (15°) and 11,400 lux in flood mode, in contrast to the 8,500 lux at 3 meters achieved with the standard hyper reflector.

To provide some perspective, this falls just slightly below the 1200D with the F10 at 3 meters, which boasts 32,410 lux, or the Nanlux 1200B with the fresnel at 11°, achieving 49,940 lux. Even the Nanlite 720 with a 19° projector mount only reaches 22,930 lux despite being an 800W fixture.

In spot mode at 15°, the 600D and F10 can emit an impressive 224,200 lux at a distance of 1 meter.

This indicates that this light can essentially replicate sunlight streaming through a window using a fresnel, at a significantly lower cost and weight. Moreover, the light can be double diffused or utilized for book lighting.

How does it compare with the competition ?

The output

This is where Aputure excels—in design and engineering. Not only can Aputure output more light thanks to its dual-optic design, but it is also constructed with superior build quality.

No light leak

One of the most noticeable differences compared to the Nanlite FL-20G, for instance, is the absence of light leakage. The F10 exhibits minimal to no light leakage, particularly in the rear vent area.

A drop-in accessory

The F10 also have dedicated industry standard drop-in accessory such as scrims if you want to reduce the output or shape the light of the fresnel.

A solid carrying bag

Aputure provides a highly durable padded bag, which offers superior convenience and safety during transportation compared to Nanlite’s offering.

The barn doors are longer but not included

While the barn doors are indeed of superior quality compared to Nanlite’s, they come at an additional cost as they are not included in the kit. However, the attachment appears to be more robust and secure.

Larger and heavier

The FL-20G Fresnel Lens is not as bulky or heavy as the Aputure F10 Fresnel. The FL-20G weighs 2.1kg / 4.63lbs, whereas the Aputure F10 Fresnel weighs 3.9kg /8.59 lbs for comparison.

Only compatible with some Aputure lights

The F10 Fresnel is a refined iteration of the Fresnel 2X. Due to Aputure utilizing various sizes of COB chips based on power and model, the F10 is primarily tailored for the 600 series, encompassing the 600d, 600x, and 600c, although it remains compatible with the 1200d and 300d Mk II.

The applications of a fresnel

A Fresnel lens is frequently employed in conjunction with barn doors to enhance control over the beam size and light spill.

This method can effectively illuminate a subject or a room with direct light that is slightly softer and warmer compared to a bare bulb.

Portrait using two fresnel, on for the key light and another one for the background

Fresnel lenses are also utilized to bounce light more efficiently onto a diffusion panel, reflective surface, or even just a wall or ceiling.

Portrait using two fresnel lenses and a projection attachment

Employing one Fresnel lens to generate soft light and another to produce specular highlights through bounce techniques

A exemple of setup of Fresnel lenses without barn doors

In contrast to a softbox, this approach provides significantly greater control and realism, particularly when aiming to replicate a natural appearance.

Verdict

9.0 out of 10.

Upon initially using the Aputure LS 600d Pro paired with the F10 Fresnel, I found the output to be quite robust, only to later discover that the fan mode was set to silent.

Upon switching the fan back to smart mode, I experienced the full 100% output of the light, and the brightness was dazzling even before adjusting it to a 15° spot. That’s how strong this combo is.

The Nanlux 1200b and FL-35YK Fresnel at 11° offering 49940 lux / 4639 fc at 3 meters

Indeed, its strength is such that it can rival some 1200 watt fixtures equipped with a standard Fresnel lens. This exemplifies why Aputure products command a premium price – their meticulous attention to detail and innovative spirit set them apart from the competition.