Litepanels LED Sola 6 & 12 Fresnel Knockoffs at DVinfo.net

D.J. Ammons · January 18th, 2011, 11:51 AM

So when are we going to start seeing Chinese knockoffs on ebay for the new LED fresnel's like the Sola 6 and 12 ?

I noticed it took about a year or two for inexpensive rivals to the Micro to show up on ebay so how long to wait for decent LED fresnels for those of us low budget shooters?

Les Wilson · January 18th, 2011, 01:00 PM

Are the Litepanel versions not made in China? Where are they made?

D.J. Ammons · January 18th, 2011, 01:13 PM

They probably are made in China but they are not inexpensive. The 12" is around $5000.

The litepanel micro I am sure is also made in China. I don't know what it sells for now but when I bought mine not long after they came out the list price was $349 and I paid around $300. Now on ebay you can get the Z96 LED camera light for around $50-60 which is comparable (actually I like it better. I got it with the Sony battery plate and magnetic gels - on the micro the battery plate is about $50 extra).

I am assuming the same thing will happen with the LED fresnels. Litepanel will do the hard legwork and R&D then sell high priced units to professionals and early adopters then a year or two later cheap, less well made versions will appear on ebay and elsewhere for a fraction of the price.

Steve Kalle · January 18th, 2011, 07:17 PM

I just got 2 SolaENG 3's and am amazed at their light output. I compared them to an Arri 300w fresnel and the Sola 3 is roughly 80% of the Arri and the Arri is only slightly less money. My only gripe with the Sola 3 is there is no AC power adapter so I must spend $170 on an AC to D-tap power adapter. However, with my Swit V-mount batteries and Dedo LEDzilla, I have a great 3 light kit that can go anywhere.

Mark Bolding · January 19th, 2011, 09:39 AM

Hey Steve,
How does the Sola compare to the Dedo? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

mb

Michael Panfeld · January 19th, 2011, 07:37 PM

I bet that the Sola series enjoys some form of patent protection for the technology. I doubt that you will see direct competitors for quite a while. However, there may be semi-legal attempts to circumvent the patent. Most likely, they will not be using the same design, but will be making alterations to avoid a direct infringement. And you can bet that the alterations will be done on the cheap and involve more marketing than actual delivery of the stated values.

Be aware that, if you order a knockoff from a Chinese exporter, Customs may confiscate you light if it infringes on Litepanels patent (assuming that they have one).

January 18th, 2011, 11:51 AM	#1
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Litepanels LED Sola 6 & 12 Fresnel Knockoffs So when are we going to start seeing Chinese knockoffs on ebay for the new LED fresnel's like the Sola 6 and 12 ? I noticed it took about a year or two for inexpensive rivals to the Micro to show up on ebay so how long to wait for decent LED fresnels for those of us low budget shooters?

January 18th, 2011, 01:00 PM	#2
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Are the Litepanel versions not made in China? Where are they made?

January 18th, 2011, 01:13 PM	#3
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	They probably are made in China but they are not inexpensive. The 12" is around $5000. The litepanel micro I am sure is also made in China. I don't know what it sells for now but when I bought mine not long after they came out the list price was $349 and I paid around $300. Now on ebay you can get the Z96 LED camera light for around $50-60 which is comparable (actually I like it better. I got it with the Sony battery plate and magnetic gels - on the micro the battery plate is about $50 extra). I am assuming the same thing will happen with the LED fresnels. Litepanel will do the hard legwork and R&D then sell high priced units to professionals and early adopters then a year or two later cheap, less well made versions will appear on ebay and elsewhere for a fraction of the price.

January 18th, 2011, 07:17 PM	#4
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	I just got 2 SolaENG 3's and am amazed at their light output. I compared them to an Arri 300w fresnel and the Sola 3 is roughly 80% of the Arri and the Arri is only slightly less money. My only gripe with the Sola 3 is there is no AC power adapter so I must spend $170 on an AC to D-tap power adapter. However, with my Swit V-mount batteries and Dedo LEDzilla, I have a great 3 light kit that can go anywhere.

January 19th, 2011, 09:39 AM	#5
Mark Bolding Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 109	Hey Steve, How does the Sola compare to the Dedo? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks mb

January 19th, 2011, 07:37 PM	#6
Michael Panfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 78	I bet that the Sola series enjoys some form of patent protection for the technology. I doubt that you will see direct competitors for quite a while. However, there may be semi-legal attempts to circumvent the patent. Most likely, they will not be using the same design, but will be making alterations to avoid a direct infringement. And you can bet that the alterations will be done on the cheap and involve more marketing than actual delivery of the stated values. Be aware that, if you order a knockoff from a Chinese exporter, Customs may confiscate you light if it infringes on Litepanels patent (assuming that they have one).