The Maxima 3 which I first reported on again in April 2021 is a lightweight I’ve been desirous to check out for a while.
The Maxima 3 lights are made and manufactured in Italy. The Maxima 3 is a 300W excessive output, compact, single-point daylight or tungsten LED lighting supply.
The Maxima 3 is being touted as the final word all-in-one fixture. It attracts 300W, and weighs 4.3kg (9.47 lb) with out the Fresnel lens, and 5.4 kg (11.9 lb) with the Fresnel lens. It has no exterior energy provide or management unit, all you do is plug it in and it is able to go.
Idea
The entire idea behind the Maxima 3 was to construct a rock-solid, dependable, all-in-one workhorse fixture for business professionals. The Maxima 3 was envisaged and delivered to market by working professionals within the business. Maxima is the brainchild of Enrico and Claudio who each work at cinestudio in central Italy. They initially made the Maxima for themselves, however then it turned so widespread that prospects began requesting to purchase them, and from there a brand new firm was born. The corporate is predicated within the Netherlands, however the manufacturing is fully carried out in Italy.
After they have been envisioning the Maxima 3 they needed to make one thing that was totally different from what was at present out there out there. There are lots of of lights out there and there may be little level in making a lightweight that’s precisely the identical as one thing that already exists. Whereas there are all the time going to be some similarities with different level supply lights, no one needs to see a blatant copy of one thing that already exists.
The Maxima 3 needed to meet sure objectives corresponding to excessive construct high quality, excessive efficiency, and good usability as a result of it’s being focused at high-end professionals.
If you will make an enormous funding in a lighting fixture, you need that lighting fixture to have an extended shelf life. That is very true for rental homes.
Construct High quality
The construct high quality of the Maxima 3 is extraordinarily good. It has a really industrial really feel to it and your entire gentle is manufactured in Acqualagna PU, Italy. The one elements that don’t come from Italy are the LEDs which come from Japan, and the borosilicate Fresnel lens which is made by SCHOTT in Germany.
The advantage of making virtually every little thing in-house is that you simply aren’t counting on different firms and provide chains. This provides you better management over your product with regards to high quality management, and also you aren’t ready on inventory to return out of another nation.
Each Maxima 3 fixture is hand constructed from begin to end by one single engineer. The one who constructed the fixtures has his or her title positioned on the tag that’s connected to the sunshine. Each Maxima 3 is hand-tested for 80 hours earlier than it may be signed off to be despatched out to a buyer. I don’t know of too many lighting firms, if any, that do that.
As a part of the 80 hours of testing, the lights additionally get subjected to a climate check.
The Maxima 3 makes use of a proprietary copper heatsink which was designed and manufactured by Maxima in Italy. The copper heatsink is claimed to supply a 40% extra environment friendly luminous efficiency in comparison with aluminum heatsinks which can be utilized by commonplace LED lamps.
The opposite advantage of using a full copper heatsink is that Maxima can run in a silent mode as much as a sure wattage after which even when the fan is activated at increased energy attracts it is extremely quiet. COB LEDs run extraordinarily sizzling and it’s good to cool them in an environment friendly method with out creating lots of noise.
ARRI fixtures are extraordinarily widespread in rental homes throughout the globe, and a number of the main causes for which can be long-term reliability and sturdiness and I feel Maxima is using a few of those self same ideas.
The good facet of the Maxima 3, is that it’s a self-contained unit. There isn’t a separate controller or energy provide that you need to tangle with. Because the fixture isn’t tremendous heavy, you should use it on lots of totally different lighting stands, which is an enormous assist, particularly if you’re touring.
Each Maxima additionally comes with a pleasant card that particulars the corporate’s philosophy and it features a sticker on the again with the direct e mail tackle for the one that will make it easier to out you probably have any questions or points with the fixture. These little touches and the eye to element let you know that the corporate cares about its product and the tip person.
The included exhausting case could be very effectively made and it’s good to see an organization providing you with a correct exhausting case as a substitute of some material bag the place the straps and zippers break.
Design
So far as the design goes, the Maxima 3 doesn’t notably appear like the rest available on the market. Its kind issue is a little bit bit totally different from most different level supply fixtures.
It is extremely clear, at the least to me, that the Maxima 3 was made and designed by folks working within the business. All the things has been effectively thought out from a person perspective and that exhibits within the product. Typically you’ll be able to inform when an engineer has had an excessive amount of say within the design of a product as a result of they don’t consider a person’s finish expertise. Design and value must work hand in hand to create product.
I like how they’ve positioned each the facility enter on the Maxima 3 at an angle beneath the fixture. This prevents any moisture or water from getting inside and it helps with creating steadiness when the sunshine is mounted on the yoke body.
I additionally like the highest deal with on the fixture. It’s fantastically made and it has been positioned in order that the load steadiness is even while you decide it up. Once more, and I’m going to maintain stressing this within the assessment, the eye to element is extraordinarily spectacular.
Fairly just a few LED spotlights available on the market, together with the Maxima 3, are utilizing COB know-how. COB stands for “Chip On Board” the place a number of LED chips are packaged collectively as one lighting module. The benefit of COB LEDs being multi-chip packaged is that the light-emitting space of a COB LED can comprise many occasions extra gentle sources in the identical space that commonplace LEDs might occupy. This leads to a tremendously elevated lumen output per sq. inch.
The largest downside with COB LED lights is that until you diffuse them they’re very brilliant to have a look at and unsuitable for immediately lighting expertise.
Weight & Measurement
The Maxima 3 weighs in at 3.5kg / 7.71 lb. With the Fresnel, it weighs 4.8kg / 10.58 lb. With the sunshine head, Fresnel, and yoke body it weighs in at simply 5.4kg / 11.9 lb.
It’s also fairly compact in measurement as a result of there isn’t a extra energy provide/controller. This all-in-one design makes it an interesting prospect for anybody who travels loads.
What can also be good is that the sunshine could be very effectively balanced and you’ll maintain the deal with with one finger.
So how does the load examine to another daylight highlight fixtures?
It’s puzzling that some firms don’t listing the load of their fixtures. I couldn’t discover any itemizing wherever for the way a lot the Aputure Gentle Storm 300d Mark II weighs.
I discovered the scale and lack of weight of the Maxima 3 to my liking. It’s good to have an all-in-one fixture that doesn’t weigh an excessive amount of and doesn’t want a further energy provide/controller field.
In case you are , the overall weight of the entire package in its flight case is 12.2kg / 26.89 lb.
What I actually like is that the entire package with the Fresnel matches in a single case so there aren’t any extra circumstances required. With all the direct competitors, it’s good to carry extra luggage or circumstances to suit the Fresnel in.
Mounting
The yoke encompasses a mixture 1 1/8″ Junior pin that you could additionally use on an everyday spigot. This permits for a large number of various methods to mount the sunshine to numerous lighting stands relying in your necessities.
The yoke body is just not solely very light-weight however extremely sturdy. My solely small concern with the yoke body is that it’s good to take away it from the fixture each time you wish to pack it away.
The way in which the Maxima 3 has been designed, is that the yoke body sits virtually in the course of the fixture so this offers an excellent weight steadiness. You must love the Italians, it’s virtually the identical idea as constructing a sportscar the place you attempt to get a 50/50 weight steadiness.
Even when the tightening knobs aren’t locked down the Maxima 3 gained’t abruptly fall down. It’s this type of consideration to element that I like.
Additionally, you will discover that the yoke body has lots of holes in it. The explanation for that is that you could connect different Maxima items so you’ll be able to create bigger arrays.
The way in which it really works is that you should use the usual yoke body that comes with the Maxima 3 and connect one other yoke body on to it. You merely flip one other yoke body the other way up after which screw within the two locking mechanisms from the yoke mount to attach the frames. You then take two small M8 screws and insert one other Maxima 3 into the body.
Maxima additionally has a pleasant 3 gentle splitter field to be able to join up three fixtures and energy them through one outlet.
I like this design and the simplicity of what they’ve carried out right here. As an alternative of getting to purchase extra array mounts, you merely use what you have already got to create arrays. All the things has been effectively thought out.
Energy Draw
The Maxima 3 attracts a most of 310W which in an age of excessive energy draw LED spotlights could not sound like a lot. It’s virtually unusual that we preserve speaking about lights based mostly on their energy draw as a result of all it basically means is how a lot energy is being drawn by that individual fixture. The facility draw is rarely a direct correlation with how a lot output or how environment friendly a fixture is.
In response to Maxima, the sunshine has an output of 128lx per watt, which makes it some of the environment friendly lights available on the market.
The Maxima has two energy inputs situated on the underside of the fixture.
The blue one is for mains energy and the white one is for the elective battery which I’ll speak about extra in a minute. The Maxima 3 makes use of PowerCon connectors.
So how does the facility draw examine to another daylight highlight fixtures?
Maxima additionally makes an elective battery-powered resolution that not solely has a built-in 400Wh battery, however you may as well connect as much as 4 V-lock batteries. This resolution permits you to energy the Maxima 3 at 100% output remotely.
I actually like this idea because it provides you lots of versatility, nevertheless, it isn’t an answer you’ll be able to fly with.
You may make the most of the interior battery or you’ll be able to change to working it through V-lock batteries. It additionally encompasses a 36-54V DC enter so you may as well connect an enormous block battery. There may be additionally a 5V out USB if it’s good to cost your cellphone, and so forth.
You may cost the interior battery by utilizing an everyday Apple MacBook Professional charger that has USB-C. It takes round 4 hours to cost the interior battery in keeping with maxima.
I wasn’t in a position to check this energy unit out on the time of doing this assessment.
Pump Motion Fresnel
The Maxima 3 comes with a pump motion Fresnel that has a spread of 15-60 levels. The borosilicate Fresnel lens is made by SCHOTT in Germany.
To place the Fresnel onto the Maxima 3 you merely line up the dot on the Fresnel with the dot on the fixture and slide it in after which flip it clockwise. This locks it into place. To take it off the Maxima 3 you simply twist it anti-clockwise when it’s within the full spot place.
The Fresnel is straightforward to function. All it’s good to do is to push it in or out whereas turning it clockwise.
The Fresnel is fantastically made and it’s extremely light-weight.
S-Mount locking ring
The Maxima 3 comes with an S-Mount locking ring that permits you to connect Bowens mount lighting modifiers.
That is no strange Bowens mount. The interface was designed and constructed by Maxima as a result of they didn’t assume that any of the off-the-shelf adapters have been adequate. The Maxima 3’s S-Mount locking ring encompasses a bayonet mechanism which offers loads stronger and safe mounting platform than a regular Bowens mount.
The mount is so sturdy that you could decide up your entire gentle through an connected reflector with none concern of it breaking or falling off.
The opposite good facet about having a Bowens mount adapter is that you could simply go away it connected to your softbox or lighting modifier.
Once more, the eye to element of this fixture is spectacular.
To place it on the Maxima 3 you line up the dot with the dot on the fixture and slide it in. You then tighten the thumb screws.
Above you’ll be able to see how the locking mechanism works. Basically it is sort of a PL mount to your gentle.
Connectivity
The Maxima 3 has each DMX In and DMX Out.
Controls & Working Modes
The Maxima 3 has been designed to be simplistic and simple to make use of. As a result of the variations are both daylight or tungsten you don’t must have lots of sophisticated menus or working modes such as you would with an RGBWW fixture.
I like that when the fixture is linked to an influence supply, the facility On/Off button is illuminated.
There’s a easy on/off button, a Mode change, and a Dimming dial. It’s Italian simplicity. Generally there isn’t a must make something extra sophisticated than it must be. The one concern I’ve with the controls is that the Mode change and Dimming dial are very tough to see in darkish circumstances. You additionally don’t have any method of seeing what the output degree is until you employ the app.
Now, there are 3 working modes out there on the Maxima 3:
SILENT MODE
In silent mode, Maxima 3 operates within the 10-160W vary and emits solely 19dBa of noise. That is the very best mode when silent operation is of paramount significance. Simply to be clear, the fan does nonetheless work on this mode, however it’s barely audible and it’s good to put your ear proper up in opposition to the again of the fixture to listen to it. On this mode, the LEDs are additionally working at their finest effectivity.
REGULAR MODE
In common mode, the Maxima 3 operates within the 20-240W vary and emits solely 26dBa of noise. That is probably the most balanced ratio between luminous output and noise. Now, I did discover that the fan noise when on this mode could be a difficulty you probably have the fixture too near the place audio is being recorded. I discovered that so long as you will have the sunshine at the least 2-3 meters away it gained’t be any actual concern.
BOOST MODE
In increase mode, the Maxima 3 operates at its full energy between 200-310W for these eventualities the place audio is just not being recorded or Maxima is positioned removed from the scene. This mode is exceptionally noisy and also you couldn’t use it even remotely near the place audio is being recorded.
I just like the Silent Mode as a result of lots of occasions when you’re doing interviews you don’t wish to run a lightweight in an Auto fan mode the place it’s silent after which it abruptly kicks in 10 minutes into the interview. The output in Silent Mode can also be excessive sufficient for lots of indoor interview eventualities. It’s really fairly ironic that you simply see so many individuals working high-powered fixtures at 5% or much less. You actually don’t want a 600W fixture for an indoor interview, regardless of what advertising departments need you to consider. There are additionally fairly just a few fixtures available on the market the place the CCT accuracy drops while you begin dimming a fixture down. Individuals assume that nothing modifications while you dim the sunshine down and that’s the reason I all the time check the sunshine’s CCT efficiency at varied dimming ranges.
The caveat when designing a COB highlight with no separate energy provide/controller is that you’re in a relentless tug of conflict with the warmth it produces. Having all the elements in an all-in-one design does imply that you will must run followers and fairly excessive speeds if you wish to energy the sunshine at increased outputs. Whereas I like the Silent mode, I discovered the Common mode was borderline so far as the quantity of noise it created in the event you needed to make use of the fixture in a quiet room for an interview. The Increase mode could be very, very noisy, and also you merely can’t use this if you’re recording audio inside 5-7 meters of the place the fixture is positioned.
How loud is it?
I did just a few checks to see how a lot noise the Maxima 3 generated at a distance of 3m / 9.84′.
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Common mode -
Increase Mode
Above you’ll be able to see some measurements I took on the varied settings. Now, these measurements don’t actually inform the entire story concerning the noise, so under you’ll be able to hear what the assorted settings sound like once I recorded audio immediately behind the fixture within the Silent, Common, and Increase modes.
The Silent mode is extraordinarily quiet. Within the Common mode, you in all probability wish to have the fixture round 2-3m away from the place any audio is being recorded. Within the Increase mode, you don’t wish to have any audio being recorded inside at the least 5-7 meters. I personally wouldn’t use the Increase mode in any state of affairs the place essential audio is being recorded.
Maxima Management iOS & Android App
If you’d like you should use the free Maxima Management app that’s out there for iOS and Android gadgets. This app provides you full wi-fi management over the fixture.
The app could be very simple to make use of and function. Arrange and pairing are extraordinarily fast. All it’s good to do is flip the sunshine on, open the app, choose the fixture and that’s it.
There are a number of totally different pages that you could entry within the app.
The Maxima Management Dwelling web page permits you to flip the fixture On/Off and you’ll change between the three totally different working modes.
On the Management web page, you will note a easy slider for adjusting the depth, the standing of the followers, and the temperature and output draw of the fixture.
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Increase mode -
Common mode -
Silent mode
The depth slider is a little bit laggy while you use it and the Energy show is usually a little complicated as a result of if you’re not within the Increase mode it gained’t present 100%. I’d have appreciated to have seen some preset depth buttons so you possibly can rapidly transfer the sunshine between varied settings corresponding to 25%/50%/75% and so forth. I’d have additionally appreciated to have seen an indicator on this web page that tells you what working mode you might be in.
On the Results web page, you’ll be able to select from a number of totally different results, which might all be individually adjusted.
On the Gadget Data web page you’ll be able to the standing of the sunshine and what firmware model it’s working, and so forth.
On the Settings web page, you’ll be able to select to show On/Off Auto-reconnect, put the sunshine in Demo mode, and even open a Assist ticket you probably have a difficulty with the sunshine.
The app works moderately effectively, however there may be definitely room for enchancment.
However it is just 5600K
In an age the place RGBWW fixtures have grow to be more and more widespread, some readers could effectively query the validity of proudly owning a 5600K fixture. That’s definitely a reliable concern, nevertheless, we used tungsten and daylight-only fixtures for many years and that by no means held us again. Certain, a daylight-only fixture is just not going to be as versatile as an RGBWW one, nevertheless it actually relies on your use case necessities as as to whether or not you want RGBWW.
Photometrics
So now let’s get to the photometric outcomes. I all the time check lights on this method in order that I get a reference to how they examine to different fixtures. Outcomes solely inform a part of the story and will by no means be used alone to guage a lightweight. I’ve discovered from intensive testing through the years that sure lights which have good photometric outcomes don’t all the time look good, and lights which have worse photometric scores can generally look higher than their outcomes point out.
It is advisable to take a look at a complete sequence of photometric checks to return to a conclusion. You may’t make any correct evaluation by taking a look at one particular person check. You wouldn’t simply learn one chapter in a ebook and know your entire story, so don’t do it with gentle outcomes both!
Output & CCT Accuracy
I examined the Maxima 3 utilizing a Sekonic C-800 Spectrometer to learn the way a lot output the sunshine had and the way correct the CCT replica was. All readings are taken at a distance of 1m (3.28ft) in a managed surroundings.
Above is what the producer states because the output for the Maxima 3 when utilizing the 8″ Fresnel. These readings have been taken from the COB and never from the tip of the Fresnel.
The Maxima 3 has a good quantity of output, nevertheless it isn’t going to have the identical quantity of output as one thing like a Okay 5600 Lighting Joker2 800W. The output is arguably going to be nearer to a Okay 5600 Lighting Joker2 400W. The difficulty is evaluating HMI fixtures to a COB highlight is a slippery slope. They’re completely several types of fixtures.
So let’s see my impartial testing outcomes. All my readings have been taken 1m / 3.3′ from the tip of the Fresnel. I do all my testing utilizing the identical parameters so I can immediately examine different lights. My figures will not be going to copy the producer’s quoted figures due to the distinction in testing strategies. Additionally, as a result of I’m in Japan and the voltage is 100V, the figures I get, in principle, ought to be about 10% much less as a result of the sunshine isn’t working on 230V energy prefer it was when it was examined by the producer.
15° Silent Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the Maxima 3 recorded an output of 34,400 lx (3190 fc) when set at 15° and working in Silent mode at a distance of 1m /3.3′. The determine of 34,400 lx was method lower than the 94,200 lx quoted by Maxima. Once more, this discrepancy is as a result of the producer measured the output distance from the COB ingredient and never from the tip of the fresnel.
If I took a measurement 1m from the COB ingredient just like the producer I bought a determine of 68,300 lx. This was nonetheless effectively under the claimed determine of 94,200 lx.
As one other check, I measured the sunshine at a distance of 3m from the COB ingredient and I bought a determine of 9,580 lx, which was decrease than the claimed determine of 11,400 lx, however solely by round 16%.
The sunshine recorded a CCT studying of 5630K which was wonderful.
60° Silent Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the sunshine’s output when it was set at 60° and utilized in its Silent mode. It produced 13,600 lx (1260 fc), which was 60.4% lower than the 34,400 lx it produced when used at 15°.
So far as CCT accuracy goes, it recorded a studying of 5503K.
15° Common Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the sunshine’s output when it was set at 15° and set in its Common mode. It produced 50,800 lx (4720 fc), which was 47.75% greater than its output when within the Silent mode.
So far as CCT shade temperature accuracy goes, it recorded a really correct studying of 5623K. This tells me that the Common mode doesn’t alter the CCT in any method.
60° Common Mode
Above you’ll be able to see that when the fixture was set at 60° and utilized in its Common mode it recorded an output of 21,000lx (1950fc). This was 54.4% greater than its output in Silent mode.
So far as its CCT studying was involved, it recorded 5509K which was mainly equivalent to what it recorded in Silent mode.
15° Increase Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the sunshine’s output when it was set at 15° and utilized in its Increase mode. It produced 71,900 lx (6680 fc), which was 41.5% greater than it output in Common mode.
So far as CCT shade temperature accuracy goes, it recorded a fairly correct studying of 5689K. This tells me that the Increase mode does barely alter the CCT studying, however not by a lot.
60° Increase Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the sunshine’s output when it was set at 60° and utilized in its Increase mode. It produced 26,000 lx (2420 fc), which was 28.3% greater than it output in Common mode.
So far as CCT shade temperature accuracy goes, it recorded a fairly correct studying of 5541K.
Abstract
So let’s desk up these outcomes so you’ll be able to examine them multi functional place.
| OUTPUT | CCT | |
| 15° Silent Mode | 34,400lx | 5630K |
| 60° Silent Mode | 13,600lx | 5503K |
| 15° Common Mode | 50,800lx | 5623K |
| 60° Common Mode | 21,000lx | 5509K |
| 15° Increase Mode | 71,900lx | 5689K |
| 60° Increase Mode | 26,000lx | 5541K |
How a lot output does it have when utilizing a softbox?
With versatile spotlights such because the Maxima 3, you might be generally going to be utilizing the sunshine with the Fresnel or with a softbox. I needed to check the Maxima 3 out with a DoPchoice Rabbit Rounder Octa 2 softbox to see how a lot output the sunshine had when set in Silent/Common/Increase modes at 100% output. All measurements have been taken 1m from the softbox.
Silent Mode
In Silent mode, the sunshine recorded an output of 1980 lx (184 fc).
Common mode
In Silent mode, the sunshine recorded an output of 2810 lx (261 fc).
Increase mode
In Increase mode, the sunshine recorded an output of 3360 lx (313 fc).
What about in the event you begin dimming the sunshine down?
No person makes use of a lightweight at 100% output each time they flip it on. You will need to check the CCT accuracy of a lightweight when it’s used at lowered outputs. It was exhausting to do any type of correct testing with the Maxima 3 as a result of I had no method of understanding what output degree I used to be setting. All I might do was to get a studying with the output turned all the best way up after which one other studying with it dialed method down. All I used to be taking a look at right here was if the CCT worth modified when dimming the sunshine down.
| CCT | |
| 100% Output Common Mode | 5509K |
| 10% Output Common Mode | 5517K |
What this tells me is that the CCT studying doesn’t change in any noticeable method. It’s mainly equivalent no matter whether or not you employ the sunshine at 100% output or 1%.
How does this output examine to another fixtures now we have reviewed?
This can be a exhausting one to guage as a result of the Maxima 30 comes with a Fresnel. So what I did is I took the reflector that comes with the Prolycht Orion 300 FS and put it on the Maxima 3 to get a studying. The entire different fixtures have been utilizing their commonplace 55/60 diploma reflectors.
| OUTPUT @1m | |
| Maxima 3 Increase mode | 40,400lx |
| Maxima Common mode | 32,400lx |
| ARRI Orbiter | 21,000lx |
| Aputure LightStorm LS 300d II Professional | 45,600lx |
| Prolycht Orion 300 FS | 25,900lx |
What it’s good to bear in mind is that the reflector that comes with the Aputure LightStorm LS 300d II Professional has a large hotspot, so the figures are a bit deceiving.
Shade Rendering
So now that now we have seen how a lot output the Maxima 3 produces, how does it carry out with regards to replicating correct shade?
60° Silent Mode
Above you’ll be able to see that when the sunshine was in its Silent Mode and set at 60° it recorded a mean CRI (R1-R8) of 98.6 and an prolonged CRI (R1-R15) of 98.5. For replicating correct pores and skin tones it recorded 99.1 for R9 (crimson), 99.5 for R13 (closest to caucasian pores and skin tones), and 99.4 for R15 (closest to Asian pores and skin tones).
These are excellent outcomes and they’re the very best outcomes I’ve ever seen from a LED highlight interval. Each Ra worth was above 95 and the bottom rating was 95.4. The prolonged CRI (R1-R15) of 98.5 was the best rating I’ve ever recorded from any gentle. This gentle is exceptionally correct and the colour rendering scores set a brand new benchmark.
The sunshine, when set at 5600K, recorded an ideal TLCI rating of 100. That is the primary gentle I’ve ever examined to obtain an ideal rating.
60° Increase Mode
Okay, so now we have seen how good the colour rendering scores are when the sunshine is run in its Silent mode, however how does it carry out within the Increase mode? Above you’ll be able to see that when the sunshine was in its Increase Mode and set at 60° it recorded a mean CRI (R1-R8) of 98.4 and an prolonged CRI (R1-R15) of 98.22. For replicating correct pores and skin tones it recorded 98.3 for R9 (crimson), 99.2 for R13 (closest to caucasian pores and skin tones), and 99.2 for R15 (closest to Asian pores and skin tones).
These outcomes have been fairly near being equivalent to when the sunshine is utilized in its Silent mode. This tells me that the sunshine nonetheless stays exceptionally shade correct it doesn’t matter what mode you might be working it in.
The sunshine, when utilized in Increase mode, recorded a TLCI rating of 99.
So how do these outcomes examine to one thing like a Prolycht Orion 300 FS, Aputure LightStorm LS 300d Professional, and the ARRI Orbiter?
| EXTENDED CRI | R9 | R13 | R15 | |
| Maxima 3 | 98.5 | 99.1 | 99.5 | 99.4 |
| ARRI Orbiter | 98.1 | 86.3 | 98.9 | 97.4 |
| Aputure LightStorm LS 300d Professional | 95.64 | 72 | 92.8 | 87.7 |
| Prolycht Orion 300 FS | 96.06 | 93.2 | 98.7 | 99.5 |
Above you’ll be able to see that the Maxima 3 outperforms all of those lights with regards to shade rendering, nevertheless, the scores from ARRI and Prolycht are additionally superb.
CC Index & ⊿uv
The CC Index shows the CC correction worth and whether or not any magenta or inexperienced must be added or subtracted. 1 CC corresponds to 035 Kodak CC values or 1/8 Rosco filter values. Any studying lower than +1.00 or -1.00 and also you’re in all probability not going to wish to make any type of adjustment. The ⊿uv is the worth to indicate how a lot this gentle is away from being a super gentle supply (black physique radiation = incandescent lamp). As with the CC Index you need this quantity to theoretically be zero. Kelvin is just not a linear worth, so we have to convert from Kelvin to MK-1 to match the values of shade temperature. To calculate from Kelvin to Mired is MK-1= 1*1000000/Kelvin. Whereas this will sound complicated, it’s the solely method of measuring if the Kelvin shift is important sufficient to warrant having to make use of a filter for correction. Beneath are the outcomes for the Maxima 3 when utilizing the Common Mode.
Kelvin Vs MK-1
| Kelvin | Distinction in Okay | MK-1 | Distinction in MK-1 |
|
| SET VALUE | 5600K | 0 | 178.57 | 0 |
| ACTUAL READING | 5618K | 18 | 177.99 | -0.58 MK-1 |
These figures may look complicated, however what it tells me is that the sunshine is extraordinarily CCT correct. Any MK-1 rating that’s beneath -9/9 means you wouldn’t have to make use of any shade correction gels. The MK-1 scores for this gentle have been exceptionally good.
CC INDEX & ⊿uv
| CC INDEX | ⊿uv | |
| 5600K | 0.0 | 0.0017 |
Once more, these scores are exceptionally good. The consistency of the Maxima 3 is definitely what makes it stand out from lots of different lights.
TM-30
TM-30 is a comparatively new shade rendering commonplace that was developed to take care of the restrictions of CRI. TM-30 seems to be at 99 particular person colours. These 99 colours are categorized into seven teams: nature, pores and skin shade, textiles, paints, plastics, printed materials, and shade methods.
TM-30 scores go from 0 – 100. The upper the rating, the extra correct a lightweight is at producing colours. Any TM-30 Rf rating within the ’90s is taken into account to be good. What’s attention-grabbing and one thing that it’s good to be very conscious of is that two separate gentle sources with the very same CRI scores can render colours very otherwise. A lightweight with a excessive CRI score might have a low TM-30 rating. Conversely, a lightweight with TM-30 rating might have a foul CRI rating.
Now, there are two measurements related to TM-30, Rf and Rg.
Rf (Shade Constancy)
Rg (Shade Gamut)
With Rf worth, ideally, you desire a rating within the 90’s.
With Rg worth, a rating under 100 signifies that the sunshine supply renders colours with much less saturation than the reference supply. So ideally you need this rating to be above 100.
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Silent Mode -
Common Mode -
Increase Mode
Above you’ll be able to see the scores for Maxima 3. Beneath I’ve listed the figures as effectively.
| Rf | Rg | |
| Suilent Mode | 98 | 101 |
| Common Mode | 98 | 101 |
| Increase Mode | 98 | 101 |
The TM-30 scores are all good and it exhibits me that the sunshine could be very constant at replicating correct shade with full saturation.
SSI
SSI (Spectral Similarity Index) was developed by the Sci-Tech Council of the Academy. SSI provides me the power to set any gentle as a regular, or use predefined requirements (corresponding to CIE D55), after which give different lights an SSI rating based mostly on how effectively they’ll match requirements corresponding to CIE D55. This fashion I can measure spectral response and examine it immediately in opposition to a super gentle supply. That is really a significantly better check than recording CRI scores.
Related articles
Within the graph above the gold bars point out an ideal CIE D55 supply. The crimson bars point out an ideal CIE D 5600K supply. This lets us examine how near an ideal 5600K lighting supply the Maxima 3 is. A rating within the low 70’s is typical for a 5600K LED supply. A rating within the 80s is excellent. Whereas 82 is an effective rating, the best SSI scores I’ve ever recorded have been with the ZOLAR 1×1 panels which recorded SSI scores of 90.
As a comparability, above is the SSI rating for the ARRI Orbiter.
The primary purpose we wish to report SSI scores is so we will see how effectively they match with different lights. For instance, I needed to see how effectively the Maxima 3 matched the Z CAM Zolar V30-C and the ARRI Orbiter. Beneath you’ll be able to see the outcomes.
As you’ll be able to see neither lights are an ideal match to the Maxima 3, however they’re moderately shut.
As one other check, I believed I’d examine the Maxima 3 in opposition to the Nanlite Forza 720B and the Aputure LS 600c Professional.
As you’ll be able to see, neither the Aputure or the Forza have been match. In saying that, only a few lights from totally different producers are ever going to be an actual match. The issue with having a lightweight that has superb shade rendering scores is that it isn’t going to match lots of different lights.
SSI checks are a good way of telling you what lights you personal or use will work effectively collectively.
Spectral Distribution
Above you’ll be able to see the spectral distribution of the Maxima 3. The spectral distribution is extraordinarily full, and there aren’t any giant spikes.
As a comparability, above you’ll be able to see the spectral distribution of the ARRI Orbiter when it’s set at 5600K. The spectral distribution within reason full, however you’ll be able to see a inexperienced spike.
Actual-World Efficiency, Usability & High quality of Gentle
As I all the time say, photometric scores solely let you know a part of the story. So let’s discover out if the scores from the Maxima 3 translate into good real-world efficiency.
The standard of the sunshine that’s coming from the Maxima 3 is very nice, however like several fixture, how you employ it’s extra vital than what it may possibly do.
What I additionally love concerning the Maxima 3 is that just about each operation could be carried out with a single hand. The sunshine has been effectively thought out and designed and it’s tremendous simple to make use of.
The benefit of use that this fixture presents is spectacular. As a result of it has been effectively thought out, nothing is overly sophisticated and it doesn’t take lengthy to arrange the sunshine or put it away as soon as you might be carried out. Having every little thing match right into a single case can also be a pleasant contact.
The sunshine definitely has sufficient punch to work effectively for interviews, lighting up small to medium-sized rooms, and so forth., and creating a pleasant exhausting directional supply when utilizing the Fresnel. The flexibility of having the ability to use the sunshine as a tough or smooth supply is what makes spotlights such a preferred choice for proprietor/operators.
Above you’ll be able to see that there’s a small hotspot while you use the Maxima 3 with a DoPchoice Rabbit Rounder Octa 3, nevertheless, I discovered that it stuffed out the softbox comparatively effectively.
Together with a big softbox, the Maxima 3 could be very able to creating a pleasant wrapping smooth lighting supply.
With a DoPchoice Octa 3 softbox, you’ll be able to create good smooth gentle. Above you’ll be able to see that even with my hand being inside 10cm of the wall behind me there are very smooth shadows being created.
I did discover that with the Fresnel set at 15° you’re going to get a slight sizzling spot. There may be additionally some slight shade fringing on the sides.
15° Common Mode
| DISTANCE FROM CENTER | OUTPUT READING `@3m |
| Heart | 16,500lx |
| 15cm | 14,700lx |
| 30cm | 8,410lx |
| 1m | 232lx |
Above you’ll be able to see measurements I took at a distance of 3m with the Fresnel set at 15°.
Right here I needed to see how linear the autumn off was as you progress out from the middle of the beam. As you’ll be able to see from the info, there’s a particular hotspot within the center. 30cm from the middle, the output falls by 49%.
60° Common Mode
| DISTANCE FROM CENTER | OUTPUT READING `@3m |
| Heart | 3,650lx |
| 15cm | 3,580lx |
| 30cm | 3,450lx |
| 50cm | 3,200lx |
| 1m | 2200lx |
With the Fresnel set at 60°, there aren’t any sizzling spots and the fall-off is sweet and gradual. At 1m from the middle, the output was 39.7% lower than on the heart.
Who’s the Maxima 3 aimed toward and the place does it match out there?
You may use the Maxima 3 for many totally different lighting purposes, however the fixture is definitely being focused as a flexible, high-output, high-quality lighting fixture for skilled use within the TV and movie business.
In case you are an owner-operator who’s in search of a jack-of-all-trades lighting resolution, would the Maxima 3 be one thing you must take a look at? The reply to that query actually relies on your necessities. With its all-in-one design and compact measurement and weight, it does make for resolution for proprietor/operators who don’t want an RGBWW or Bi-color resolution.
Whereas there isn’t a doubt that it does lots of issues effectively, you possibly can argue that related energy draw RGBWACL lights just like the Prolycht 300 FS are extra versatile and you’ll run them immediately through 2 flight-safe digital camera batteries from the included energy provide/controller. Nevertheless, the Maxima 3 is healthier constructed, effectively thought out, and it options an all-in-one design. There actually is not any such factor as the right gentle.
At any time when one thing new comes on the market are all the time going to be questions requested corresponding to, “Why do I would like that?” and “Does this do something that may’t already be carried out with one thing that I already personal?”
Any potential purchaser of a Maxima 3 has to method up the fee, measurement, weight, and have set in opposition to fixtures they might already personal.
The nice facet of the Maxima 3, like most spotlights, is that it has the power to be a tough gentle supply, a smooth supply, or absolutely anything else you need it to be.
Full Specs
Worth & Availability
The Maxima 3 is now out there for €2,299. You may as well purchase it with the Fresnel lens for €2,699.
There may be additionally a Maxima 3 Desert Version + Fresnel lens out there for €2,999.
Beneath you’ll be able to see how the worth compares to a number of the competitors:
Simply to reiterate, the Maxima 3 doesn’t have lots of the identical options because the Orbiter and Orion 300 FS, LS300x, and Tremendous Hornet 575-C.
*Please bear in mind that the bottom value doesn’t embody lots of the gadgets you will have to get a working gentle.
**Presently on sale at B&H
The Maxima 3 is fairly costly and lots of that is because of the truth that the sunshine is manufactured in Italy and never China. The labor prices and the supplies used will not be the identical as what you will see in additional reasonably priced fixtures.
Conclusion
The Maxima 3, is a well-made, well-thought-out fixture with exceptionally good shade accuracy, and a good quantity of output. I just like the all-in-one design and the eye to element.
The fixture produces a very nice high quality of sunshine and I like how rapidly you’ll be able to go from utilizing the Fresnel to a softbox.
The interface and working system are pretty simple and simple to make use of, and in that regard, it’s a fast fixture to arrange. The app is straightforward sufficient to make use of, nevertheless it could possibly be improved upon.
The one actual draw back to the sunshine might be the noise it makes in Increase mode. This does restrict the usability of the sunshine and its output when working in environments the place sound must be recorded. That is the caveat to having an all-in-one design and never utilizing a separate energy provide/controller.
Sure, the sunshine is pricey, however it’s going to be a fixture you possibly can perceivably use for a lot of, a few years. It’s constructed like a tank and it’s going to stand as much as the pains of subject use.
This isn’t a lightweight for everybody and it’s aimed toward a selected viewers. The identical particular person taking a look at a Maxima 3 isn’t going to be the identical particular person taking a look at a lower-cost COB highlight. For individuals who worth shade accuracy, construct high quality, and a spotlight to element, and are in search of one thing that’s distinctive, the Maxima 3 ticks lots of packing containers.
The Maxima 3 actually impressed me and it does lots of issues very well. It’s not good, however no gentle is.
