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• Barndoors- do I need to buy them and are they helpful? You don’t need to buy them but they are definitely helpful. Two reasons: 1; they allow you to control light during the day so more of the light coming out of the Rotolight hits your subject. During the night time it controls the light to mitigate light spill so you don’t have light leaking onto areas of your image where you don’t want it. 2. If you intend on using any of the Rotolight soft boxes for modifiers you will need to have the barn doors as the modifiers all attach to the barn doors of the Rotolight. Without the barn doors the soft boxes will not work on the Rotolights.

• Batteries- do the lights come with a battery? Sold as a single unit the lights do not come with a battery. There are some bundles that include batteries. All of the lights can be plugged into the wall for power. The Neo 2 takes either (six) AA batteries and can use the V-mount battery with a Dtap cable. All of the other Rotolights including the Aeos, Anova Pro 2, Titan X1 and Titan X2 use the same V-mount batteries.

• Batteries (Neo 2)- is it ok to use standard AA alkaline batteries for the Neo 2 and save money? Yes you can, but you will regret it. Alkaline batteries will drain very quickly as they do with all lighting products. It’s a waste of time and money. You can use lithium batteries and get some great battery life, but those cost upwards of $12-$15/pack for (four) AA batteries and will last you just for 1 shoot. It’s far more cost effective to purchase the Rotolight Lionheart rechargeable batteries for a little more money and get HUNDREDS of uses out of them vs. 1 time with lithium batteries. Other high end rechargeable batteries are also a much better choice than lithium (cost) or alkaline (performance) batteries.

• Battery Life (Continuous Mode)- you can expect anywhere between 2-3 hours of power on a fully charged battery at 100% power in continuous mode on the Rotolights for the standard V-mount battery. The larger V-mount batteries will provide extended battery life. The Neo 2 can also use (six) AA batteries. If you are using the Rotolight Lionheart rechargeable batteries or lithium batteries you can expect to get about 3 hours of battery life at 100% in continuous mode.

• Battery Life (Flash)- in flash mode if you are only using the flash and no continuous mode (as a modeling lamp) you can expect to get days worth of battery life out of the light. It’s truly insane the difference and decrease in battery consumption out of the lights when you use flash vs. continuous mode. What’s even crazier is that you use less power in flash mode and get MORE light! So if I know I have an all day shoot I choose to shoot in flash mode and feel incredibly confident that I’ll have power that lasts all day. There’s not another professional light in the world that can do that.

• Color- can I adjust the color on the lights in both continuous and flash mode? Yes! When you set the color (Kelvin) on the light that color will carry over to either your continuous lighting set up and/or when you use flash. This makes Rotolight the only professional level lighting system that provides adjustable Kelvin for flash photography.

• Discounts and Promo Codes- where can I get the best deals on Rotolights? The first place you should check is https://www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers/ if there are no current offers on that page you can always get a 10% discount plus free shipping by using the promo code: jasonlanier10 at checkout on the Rotolight website.

• Dtap Cable- does the Dtap cable when plugged into a V-mount battery REALLY boost the power of the flash on the Neo 2? YES! Seeing is believing. I was skeptical as well until I tried it myself. Plus that Dtap cable into the V-mount battery and your Neo 2 and supercharge your flash. Check out the Neo 2 page for a video to see it for yourself!

• Filters- what filter options are available for the Rotolight system? The Neo 2, Aeos and Anova Pro 2 all have filters that can be added to the front of the light to either diffuse and soften the light. There are also color filters that can be added to the front to take your creativity to the next level. The Titan X1 and X2 have completely built in filters with pretty much any filter you could want in the world.

• Flash (High Speed Sync) - Are All Rotolights capable of High Speed Sync flash? All of the newer generation lights are High Speed Sync capable up to 1/8000 second. This includes the Titans X1 and X2, the Anova Pro 2, Aeos and the Neo 2.

• Flash output- is the flash output stronger on the lights than it is at 100% in continuous mode? For the Neo 2, the Aeos and the Anova Pro 2 the flash output is DOUBLE the output in flash mode compared to 100% full power in continuous mode. For the Titan series the flash output is stronger but not twice the power as it is with the other lights.

• Illuminator- I’m having a hard time mounting my light inside of the Rotolight Illuminator. Any tips? Yes, the best advice is to mount the light inside of the Illuminator from the white bottom part of the Illuminator. If you try and mount it through the black back part it will be more difficult. I use the bottom white opening to mount the light and the black back part to get my hands inside of the Illuminator to adjust my light once it’s in there. For a step by step guide on how to do this please visit the accessories page. There is a video next to the Illuminator picture that explains it all!

• Modeling Lamp- do the Rotolights have a modeling lamp when using in flash mode? When using the lights in flash mode you can keep the continuous light on as a modeling lamp which is much brighter than what you would find in a traditional flash set up with other companies.

• Modifiers (Rotolight Brand)- which modifiers are best for the Rotolight system? All of the Rotolights can be modified with softboxes when used in conjunction with the barn doors for each light. I personally recommend using the soft boxes when space is limited. When space permits I highly recommend the Illuminator as that offers the softest lighting option possible with beautiful spread. The Illuminator fits the Neo 2, Aeos and Anova Pro 2.

• Modifiers (non-Rotolight)- can I use Rotolights with a Bowens mount modifier? Will they work with something like a parabolic umbrella? Rotolights will not work with a Bowens mount modifier. That being said you CAN use them with virtually any umbrella modifier if you use an umbrella bracket. I have used them many times with giant 7 foot parabolic umbrellas for some pretty dramatic results.

• Mounting (C-stand)- how should I mount the Titan series of lights? I highly recommend mounting the Titan X1 and X2 on nothing less than a C-stand with sand bags. I would not mount them on a light stand unless it was very substantial.

• Mounting (Light stand)- how should I mount the Anova Pro 2? When mounting the Anova Pro 2 I highly recommend mounting it on a sturdy light stand or c stand.

• Mounting (on camera)- which of the Rotolights can I fit on my camera’s hot shoe? Only the Neo 2 can realistically fit on the camera hot shoe for normal usage.

• Mounting (tripod)- which Rotolights can reasonably be used with a tripod? I recommend both the Neo 2 and the Aeos for using on a standard size tripod. I do not recommend mounting the bigger lights on a tripod.

• Overheating- do the Rotolights overheat like traditional strobes? No they do not. Traditional strobes will typically overheat after repeated use of fast firing and will drain the batteries quickly. Due to a Rotolight being an LED flash vs. a strobe they remain cool and do not overheat, even in hot and humid conditions. The only thing you have to watch for is to not accidentally block the front vents of the lights which will only happen if you’re using the lights in a manner for which they weren’t designed.

• Recycle Time- what is the recycle time on the Rotolights when using flash? There is no recycle time on the flash, making Rotolight the only professional lighting system to be able to give you unlimited flash anytime you need it.

• RGB- do the Rotolights have RGB? The Titan X1 and X2 have RGB and even flash in RGB. The Anova Pro 2, Aeos and Neo 2 do NOT have RGB.

• Shipping- can I get free shipping when I order lights? It all depends on the bundle. There are typically many bundles that offer free shipping to many parts of the world. For more information please visit https://www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers/

• Smart Diffusion- what is smart diffusion and which models of Rotolight have it? Smart Diffusion is a patented technology by Rotolight that electronically changes the beam angle of the lights to add a full 2 stops of diffusion to make beautiful soft light. It’s a truly one of a kind mind blowing innovation that negates many of the needs for a modifier to soften light. Smart Diffusion is available on the Titan X1 and X2. To diffuse the other Rotolights you can use filters that attach to the front of the light.

• Special Effects- do all of the Rotolights have special effects? Yes they do! But only the Titan line of lights has colored special effects for movie making.

• Transmitter (Rotolight Skyport)- can I adjust the color and power remotely using the Skyport Transmitter? Can I set up the lights on different channels and groups? If you use the Rotolight Skyport Transmitter you can wirelessly control the power and Kelvin on the lights in both continuous mode and in flash. Yes, you can set the different lights into different channels and groups giving you the ability to change the lights to your creative liking.

• Transmitter (Rotolight Skyport)- do I need a receiver to use the transmitter to fire flash? No, the Neo 2, Aeos, Anova Pro 2, Titan X1 and Titan X2 all have a built in receiver that works with the Skyport Transmitter. It pairs in a matter of seconds by hitting the “setup” and “scan” button on the transmittter. Just make sure the lights are turned on first before scanning. So once you purchase the Skyport transmitter, that’s all you need to use flash with Rotolight!

• Transmitters (Other Brands)- can I use another transmitter to fire the flash on my Rotolight or do I have to use the Skyport Transmitter? What are the advantages to using the Skyport Transmitter? Yes you can use a transmitter for your other lighting system, just make sure it is High Speed Sync capable if you want to fire HSS with Rotolight. To do so you would need to also have a receiver for that transmitter to be able to plug into the PC sync port of the Rotolights which exist on the Neo 2, Aeos and Anova Pro 2. That being said, please note you can ONLY change the continuous power, flash output, color, and use groups and channels with the Rotolight if you are using the Skyport Transmitter.

• Travel and Cases- which Rotolights are reasonably easy to travel with? What cases should I use? I have flown with all of the Rotolights except for the Titan X2. I’ve flown with the Neo 2, the Aeos, the Anova Pro 2 and the Titan X1. Usually I’ll stick a combination of the Neo 2, the Aeos and the Anova Pro 2 in the Anova Pro 2 soft bag and put that inside of a suitcase and check it as luggage. For the Titan X1 I put it in the soft case and then put that inside of a normal suitcase and check that in as luggage as well. The Titan X2 has a flight case that is great and could be used for flying if your production calls for it. The flight cases for the Titans are very well padded. They’re very similar to what you’d see a band use for their instruments. The Anova Pro 2 also has a hard case that could be checked in as a stand alone without the need to put it in a suitcase. And the Neo 2’s actually have a 3 light kit that comes in a hard case (like a Pelican) that I have flown with as well as checked luggage. Tip: remove the V-mount batteries from any checked luggage and take them on as a carry on. I have had airlines remove these batteries from my checked luggage and then I’ve arrived at my destination with the lights but no batteries! So make sure to think about that when packing your bags. I usually just place the V-mount batteries in my ThinkTank Roller Bag that I take on the plane as a carry on.

• Waterproof- are Rotolights waterproof? Rotolights are pretty tough. I’ve used them in some crazy environments as you can see in my videos. They aren’t technically waterproof but I’ve gotten them wet many times (not submerged) and they have always stayed strong for me. That being said, if you want to use them in a torrential downpour or something like that I really recommend using the rain covers that can be purchased. There is a specific rain cover for the Neo 2, Titan X1, and Titan X2. For the Aeos and Anova Pro 2 please get the rain cover for the Anova Pro 2 which can be used on either one of those lights.

• Yokes- should I buy the yoke for something like the Aeos since I can mount it on a tripod? What about yokes for the other lights? Yes the Aeos can be mounted on a tripod and used effectively. But if you pair the Aeos with the Yoke it gives much greater stability to the light and enables you to angle the light up and down much more easily than if you use it with a tripod. When the lights are on a yoke with a c-stand or light stand they are the most secure and easiest to use. To use the Anova Pro 2, Titan X1, or Titan X2 a yoke of some sort is required. There is no yoke for the Neo 2.