Sea&Sea presented a trio of innovative underwater video lights: the LX-4000SW FSTHE LX-2400SW FSand the LX-1200SW FSAll three lamps have identical functionality and differ only in the brightness of the wide beam (100° beam angle): 4,000 lumens, 2,400 lumens and 1,200 lumens respectively. In fact, the body of each lamp is the same; only the light heads are different. They are therefore actually interchangeable, although an adjustment must be made after changing the head.
Since the body of each lamp is the same, the same battery is used in each case and, therefore, the autonomy in floodlight mode decreases as the power increases. The LX-1200SW FS has an autonomy of 110 minutes at full power, the LX-2400SW FS lasts 60 minutes and the LX-4000SW FS reaches 30 minutes. Each lamp also offers a spot mode (30° beam angle) at 1,500 lumens with an autonomy of 90 minutes. The floodlight has a color temperature of 5,500K and a color rendering index (CRI) of 90, while the spot has a color temperature of 6,500K and a CRI of 70.
What sets these lights apart is what Sea&Sea calls their proprietary COB (chip on board) LED array for the flood beam, a “donut”-shaped ring surrounding a single LED for the spot beam. Sea&Sea says the “unique” COB light source produces well-defined, more natural-looking shadows.
The new lights are available from retailers such as Backscatter for the following prices: $330 (LX-1200SW FS), $400 (LX-2400SW FS), and $480 (LX-4000SW FS).
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PRODUCT INFORMATION (LX-4000SW FS)
The 4000 lumens high intensity type is also powerful for video recording!
Release scheduled for August
LX-4000SW FS
Product number 09130 (black) / 09131 (white)
The new COB (LED arrangement), an exclusive development, allows to obtain an ideal “central light distribution” from a single light source, both in wide lighting and in spot lighting. The elimination of multiple shadows highlights the subject.
FEATURES
Central light distribution for wide and spot lighting
The light source is a COB (LED), which has a reputation for being a uniform light source. The COB is customized into a donut shape through our original design. The wide light source is placed in the donut, and the spot LEDs are placed in the center of the emitting surface, which corresponds to the “hole” in the center of the light source. Whether it is a wide light or a spot light, the optical axis is centered on the center of the light emitting surface, ensuring optimal illumination at all times.
What is the new “COB”?
“COB” is a type of LED. “COB” is short for “Chip On Board” and as the name suggests, multiple LED chips are placed directly on the board. Since multiple LED chips are arranged in a concentrated manner, high luminance is achieved. In addition, since the light is emitted from one surface, a large area can be illuminated evenly. SEA&SEA is the first in Japan to arrange “COB” in a donut shape. Even with wide light, shadows are less likely to form in the center, which helps achieve uniform light.
Eliminate “multi-shading”
The use of COB technology helps eliminate “multiple shadows” in both flood and spot lighting. The natural shadows make the subject stand out clearly and sharply, making it an ideal lighting for photography.
What is multi-shade?
The shadows inherent in LED lighting are different from those of sunlight when an object is illuminated by LED lighting composed of multiple LED light-emitting chips. When an object is illuminated by LED lighting composed of multiple LED light-emitting chips, unnatural shadows (multiple shadows) are produced, which are different from those produced by sunlight. Multiple shadows can obscure the outline of an object and reduce its visibility. A single COB light source, which is a single light source, does not produce multiple shadows.
Various light intensity adjustment functions
- Adjusting the amount of light: step dimming
When the light is on, simply press the power button for 4-step dimming. One-touch operation can switch between 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, allowing you to change the light intensity according to the situation.
- Lighting level adjustment: continuous dimming
Continuous dimming of the light intensity from 0 to 100% is carried out using the left and right dimming buttons, and fine adjustment is possible in 1% increments. The digital percentage display allows for precise adjustment and a sense of security.
- Light intensity adjustment: Memory function
The “memory function” is particularly useful when shooting movies, as the light is turned off once and then turned back on at the same intensity as when the light was turned off.
Flash sensor function for still image capture
The camera is equipped with a “flash sensor function” that detects the strobe light and automatically turns the light off and turns it back on one second later. Since the light turns off in response to the strobe light, there is no need to worry about capturing the light. The spot light is used as a focusing light for focusing. The wide light can be used as a light to find a subject or check the environment without worrying about uneven exposure or color blur.
Compact body for easy handling
A spot light source is arranged in the center of the large donut-shaped light source, eliminating waste in the arrangement of light-emitting surfaces and allowing for a minimized light head. With a compact size that fits in the palm of the hand and an underwater weight of only 163g, the body design fits comfortably in the hand, making it easy to use and maneuver.
Easy-to-read color LCD display
Many functions are displayed on a highly visible color LCD screen. The most important underwater indicators are “light intensity” and “available lighting time” on the same large, easy-to-read screen. Light intensity can be adjusted simply by pressing a button while looking at the panel display.
- Light intensity: Light intensity during illumination is displayed in 1% increments
- Remaining lighting time: Displays available lighting time in real time
Mode icons are used to display functions
The function (mode) used is indicated by a colored icon.
- Place: Lights up when the spotlight is in use
- Wide: Lights up when wide light is used
- Battery: Flashes when the camera is in safe mode
- FS Mode: Lights up when flash sensor mode is used
- Remote control mode: Lights up when the remote control is used
Four troubleshooting functions
Safety mode: The battery indicator flashes. The display shows “10 min” and the countdown begins.
When the light head reaches 55°C (55°F) or higher during use, the light will automatically enter protection mode and reduce light intensity to 20% of its maximum.
Flashing signal mode: “BLI” is displayed. (BLI = flashing).
Light repeats itself [3 short blinks] ⇒ [3 long blinks] ⇒ [3 short blinks] ⇒ [OFF].
Battery charging is bi-directional
Despite its compact body, the Li-ion battery has a large capacity of 3400 mAh and can be recharged in two ways.
- Direct loading:
The battery can be charged directly by connecting the provided dedicated rear charging plug to the charging connector terminal on the back of the case. There is no need to remove the battery from the case, so there is no risk of immersion. There is no need to remove the battery from the case.
- Removable loading:
The battery can be removed from the case for charging. The battery is compact, so you don’t have to worry about a power outage if you have a spare battery to replace.
Powering up by replacing the light head
The LX Series light heads are interchangeable. The LX-2400SW FS light head can be used as a 2,400 lumens lamp with the LX-2400SW FS light head, and the LX-1200SW FS light head can be used as a 1,200 lumens lamp with the LX-1200SW FS light head.
*Adjustment is required after replacing the light head. Please refer to the instruction manual for details.
Features
- Light output: 3860lm (wide) / 1500lm (Spot)
- Beam angle (underwater): 100° (wide) / 30° (spot)
- Color temperature: 5500K (wide) / 6500K (spot)
- Color rendering index: RA90 (wide) / RA70 (spot)
- Continuous burn time: 30 minutes (wide) / 90 minutes (spot)
- Flash Sensor: Equipped
- Remote control: Compatible (Option)
- Interface: Color LCD panel
- Power supply: rechargeable Li-ion battery
- Battery capacity: 3400mAh / 7.4V
- Charging time: 2.5 hours
- Materials: Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy / Reinforced resin
- Charging method: Light body charging method / Direct battery method
- Nominal depth: 100 m
- Size: Φ58 x 139 mm
- Weight (including battery): 430g (in air) / 163g (underwater)
- Accessory mount: M52
- Bottom plate: FIX NEO series U type/M6 thread
- Color: BLACK / WHITE