Creamsource Vortex8 and Vortex8 Promo
We own a lot of LED lights. So why did we just pick up a new Creamsource Vortex8?
I’m Travis Wears, a DP and gaffer based in Kansas City. I also run Cine Kit List. An online community where we talk new tech, reinvesting for growth, business strategies, how to avoid burnout and retire early.
I first heard about the Creamsource Vortex series through some friends who were gushing about output. Impressive output is something that always tickles my ear because that’s often been a compromise that we’ve made as we swapped out our older tungsten and HMI fixtures for LEDs.
LED pros have been: lighter weight units, more bi-color and full spectrum color options, a lower price, the units don’t get hot, you don’t have to worry about swapping out or replacing bulbs as the LEDs can last tens of thousands of hours. We feel comfortable buying into LED fixtures as long-term solutions for our company.
In the early days, the cons often included color accuracy and rendition but that seems to have been solved across most of the higher end systems that we are considering.
So lately, some of the cons have been: durability and output. Until recently, most LED fixtures haven’t been able to compete with older technology when it comes to raw output. And unlike the indestructible tungsten or HMI lights of the past, the chassis on most of these newer LED units just doesn’t have that same indestructible quality. You have to be a bit more cautious when moving and storing these units on a busy set.
Until now.
I was at Cinegear LA recently and visited the Creamsource booth where I was able to see the Vortex8 in action for the first time. The display was awesome. They had the Vortex8 in a display that was constantly being covered by water and the output and color saturation was incredible. I was able to demo the light and see firsthand, how intuitive and simple the user interface is and see why everyone describes the Vortex8 as built like a tank. It is!
Seeing the raw power of the undiffused beam in combination with the IP rating and build quality sold me that we needed to add at least one of these units to our G&E package.
For some examples of just how bright the bare Votex8 fixture is, our friend Luke Serveld has a great YouTube channel called Meet the Gaffer and in episode #255 he does an LED panel comparison between the Arri S60c Skypanel, Aputure’s new Nova 600c, the Creamsource Vortex8 and Nanlux 650c.
Watch the video for a more detailed explanation but to sum it up, the Skypanel S60c, at 5600k, about 9’ from the meter through a sheet of 250 diffusion meters at 84 foot candles. Using the Vortex8 at 5600k, about 9’ from the meter, through a sheet of 250 diffusion, with the flat diffuser, the Vortex8 meters at 90 foot candles. At first the difference between 90 and 84 foot candles does not seem incredibly significant, until you remove the flat diffuser from the Vortex8 and go for raw output.
The Vortex8 is designed to be used either with or without diffusion. With the flat diffuser removed, the Vortex8, at 5600k, about 9’ from the meter through a sheet of 250 meters at 410 foot candles. Again, watch the video. The increase in output is stunning!
This instantly opens up so many additional options like striking the Vortex8 into a ceiling to increase overall ambient levels, bouncing it to create a booklight, without losing precious output, giving your talent a hard backlight in high-lit ambient conditions. As is often said, you can always soften a hard source and reduce output by using dimming or modifiers. But adding output or narrowing the beam of a soft source often just does not work!
In conduction with the impressive output, the Vortex8 is built like a tank. Watch Andrew Lock from Gaffer and Gear go over the build quality and user interface in his comprehensive review of the Vortex8.
Now in addition to the incredible output, tank-like build quality and well designed user interface of the Vortex8 and Vortex4 there are yet additional reason to be impressed by this fixture. Let’s go back to the Cinegear display and talk IP Rating.
IP Rating is something we didn’t care too much about 2-3 years ago. Why? Well, 2-3 years ago we didn’t have any LED sources that were weather resistant. But suddenly, we are running all sorts of IP rated point sources that can operate with 100% efficiency in inclement weather. So we are beginning to not only see IP rating as a bonus but to search for IP rated fixtures as that adds another degree of versatility to our kit.
That said, an IP rating of 65 is huge. Let’s talk about IP ratings.
The first number, 6 is a rating against solid objects like a finger, screwdriver or dust particles. 6 is the highest rating meaning that the unit is dust tight for between 2-8 hours of exposure.
The second number, 5 is rating against liquids. 5 means your Vortex is protected against jets of water meaning your light can sit out in the rain and is protected against water splashed on the unit from all directions.
For more info on IP Ratings and to view a chart, go here: IP RATINGS CHART
As seen in the previous video examples, the Vortex series are incredibly well designed and are high speed rated and dimmable up to 5k fps. When you factor in the output, build quality, user interface, IP rating and design and high speed options, it’s clear the Vortex series is one of the most versatile LED sources on the market.
Which is why we’re teaming up with Creamsource to provide you with a very limited offer on Vortex8 and Vortex4. I want everyone in CKL to experience the same thrill that we have when striking our Vortex8 on set, knowing that you have the most powerful LED panel source on the market. Plus the Vortex series come fully equipped with Bluetooth, Wifi, DMX, LumenRadio and other ways to configure and control your unit!
Disclaimer. We do have Vortex8 and Vortex4 fixtures IN STOCK and READY TO SHIP but quantities are low so you’ll want to move fast.
Onto the deal.
On Creamsource Vortex8 or Vortex4, we are offering 15% off regular price, PLUS your choice of a free accessory, either the Dome Diffuser (which I recommend) or the Honeycomb Grid. In addition to the 15% off and free accessory, you’ll also receive a limited edition Creamsource/Cine Kit List hat! Right now, the only place to get this hat is by participating in this deal. It’s our fun way to say thanks for being part of this community. Check out the hat!
Here’s the breakdown of our current Vortex8 and Vortex4 promo, which gives you two options. The Dome Diffuser or the Honeycomb Grid for each unit. Pricing is the same for each but you’ll save a bit more if you select one of the higher priced accessories. Any package you choose will get you over 20% in savings! We have do have limited stock on this and they’re moving quickly but I wanted everyone who is interested to fully understand the deal and get a chance to participate!
Vortex8 Package #1
Vortex8 ($5499) + Free Dome Diffuser ($199) + Creamsource/CKL Hat
Regular price for this package is $5,698 you pay $4,674 which is a savings of $1,023.85!
Vortex8 Package #2
Vortex8 ($5499) + Free Honeycomb Grid ($299) + Creamsource/CKL Hat
Regular price for this package is $5,798 you pay $4,674 which is a savings of $1,123.85!
Vortex4 Package #1
Vortex4 ($2799) + Free Dome Diffuser ($149) + Creamsource/CKL Hat
Regular price for this package is $2,948 you pay $2,379 which is a savings of $569!
Vortex4 Package #2
Vortex4 ($2799) + Free Honeycomb Grid ($199) + Creamsource/CKL Hat
Regular price for this package is $2,998 you pay $2,379 which is a savings of $619!
In addition, Vortex8 and Vortex 4 accessories are also 15% off. Again, these Vortex8 and Vortex4 packages are IN STOCK and READY TO SHIP but quantities are limited so move quickly!
To gain access to this exclusive deal click this link CREAMSOURCE VORTEX8 and VORTEX4 DEAL HERE
Enter coupon code TWKITLIST at checkout to activate your exclusive savings!
Ask me any questions about Vortex8 or Vortex4 below!
Thanks for being part of CKL.