Team PhotoBite were invited to visit Celebro Studios in London to check out Rotolight’s new Anova Pro 2 location and studio lighting solution. Read on for full details

Having had hands-on with a number of Rotolight products, most recently the NEO 2, for which we produced a short introduction film, we were impressed with the specs of the new light from the UK-based LED specialists.

The new Anova PRO 2 from Rotolight [rear]

For those of you who are unaware of Rotolight’s range or history are also likely to be impressed at what can be achieved with their products.  The Anova Pro II is the largest in Rotolights line up and is designed, primarily for use in studios, but can also be used by small production teams on location.  Due to the LED light technology implemented, the Anova II won’t be hot to the touch and if you’ve ever worked in a studio, you’ll know the implications that come with working with standard light bulbs, i.e. burned fingers and often little clothing due to the heat in the room!

With a host of useful features for both stills photographers and videographers alike, we think you may like Rotolights latest product. Read on for full specs and our introduction film featuring Rotolight’s own, Rod Aaron Gammons.   

The Anova PRO 2

The Anova PRO 2, the 4th generation of Rotolight’s studio/location light, offers continuous light along with High-Speed Sync [HSS] flash for people working across all kinds of image-making.  It promises one of the brightest LED lights ever launched in its class with 10,700 lux at 3′.  

Offering 70% extra power output than the previous Anova light, the Anova PRO 2 promises the best power to consumption ratio in the industry. Presenting itself as one of the most energy-efficient LED panels ever made, the Anova PRO 2 operates at just 72W power consumption, which will reduce operating costs for TV studios, whilst giving impressive battery performance when used on location.

Mclaren as shot with the new Anova PRO 2 from Rotolight

Rotolight are the lighting provider of choice for Celebro, London’s first entirely 4K TV studio used regularly by broadcasters such as the BBC, MTV, and the Discovery Channel and the venue for Rotolight’s launch event. As a current customer, Celebro Media were enthusiastic to be the first in line to get kitted out with Rotolight’s latest lights.  

Wesley Dodd, CEO Celebro Media, told PhotoBite: “The Rotolight Anova PRO 2 is the perfect light for working in the live television environment. We are able to light people accurately, very quickly, saving us time, mistakes on air and a lot of money. We are excited to have placed an order for 200 of the new Anova Pro 2 lights for our new studios opening this year in Washington, Moscow and Los Angeles” 

Furthermore, the Anova PRO has become the light of choice for Italian state broadcaster RAI TV, who recently acquired 150 Anova PRO Kits for their ENG production teams, due to their powerful output, yet lightweight nature.

The new Anova PRO 2 from Rotolight [front]

Andrew Lebentz, Head of Production for Celebro Media, told PhotoBite: “Rotolight is a totally unique product, as it works equally well in the studio and the field.  As we develop the Live OB side of our business, the Anova PRO 2 was an obvious addition to our equipment list. Having a lighting fixture with such a substantial increase in power output means we will be able to cope with the most demanding of locations or weather conditions, whilst its battery efficiency simplifies our setup. The addition of an RJ45 DMX connection allows us to install them in our studio, at a fraction of a cost with the same professional results.”

Onboard with the new Anova PRO 2, and very much like the recently announced NEO 2, you’ll find a host of effects, tailor-made for TV and film production, including a customizable suite of Rotolight’s CineSFX™ [Fire, Lightning, TV, Gunshot, Paparazzi] which reduce the need for expensive, time-consuming ‘flicker-box’ workflows. Designed in conjunction with Stefan Lange, Visual FX veteran [Batman, James Bond ‘Skyfall’, Tomb Raider], the patented CineSFX™ suite has been updated with ‘enhanced realism’ and the addition of a ‘Chase’ FX capability, to simulate the effect of motion on static sets. Also, the newly integrated wireless Elinchrom Skyport receiver enables wireless control of CineSFX, colour temperature and brightness from up to 656ft [200m].  

Alan Cummings shot with Anova PRO 2 by Mark Mann

For photographers, the Anova PRO 2 also features High-Speed Sync [HSS] flash at 1/8000th, with a 250% power boost when in flash mode. Similar to the NEO 2, the Anova PRO 2 also has zero recycle time so you’ll never need to fear about missing ‘the’ shot.

Another neat trick is that the Anova PRO 2 can be used concurrently as a continuous ‘modelling’ light and HSS flash. This allows photographers the ability to obtain focus in dim situations to optimise their composition. The circular shape of the light gives a soft light output, giving the user Rotolight’s signature catchlight effect. 

On this point, Photographer Mark Mann [Margot Robbie, Martin Scorsese, Benedict Cumberbatch] told Photobite: “I’ve shot strobe my entire career, and had always been intrigued by continuous light, but never found any that I liked until the Rotolight Anova. The quality of light is absolutely beautiful, it gives you a very filmic feel. Versatile, consistent and reliable, it also looks good on set and I know it will always deliver in high turnaround environments. As a photographer who’s being asked more and more to shoot video and stills at the same time, Rotolight has really improved my workflow.”

Benedict Cumberbatch as shot with the Anova PRO 2 by Mark Mann

Pricing and availability

The new Anova PRO 2 from Rotolight is available from £1249.99 and will ship with an integrated DMX, V-lock battery plate, wireless Elinchrom receiver and 4 piece filter kit as standard.

There are a wide range of additional accessories and modifiers available separately.

The new Anova PRO 2 will be available from December 2017.

Watch our short introduction video below, which features Rotolight’s own Rod Aaron Gammons:

for more information visit www.rotolight.com