Rotolite launches SmartSoftBox, an electronically-controlled variable diffuser softbox

Rotolite has announced a diffuser attachment for its AEOS 2 LED lights that allow users to change the level of emission produced by controlling the electrical current across its surface. The SmartSoft Box Diffuser uses polymer dispersed liquid crystals sandwiched between two conductive plastic transparent electrode layers on its front panel so that the glass translucency is completely clear and heavy snow falls from view.

Rod Gammons Snr, founder of Rotolight, tells us that ‘in its basic state, PDLC contains liquid crystals in a chaotic configuration, and it looks opaque or’ scattered ‘. You may have seen some primitive PDLC windows in posh apartment blocks that could change into opaque / scattered or clear, but none of that. All they can do is switch between these two states. Our R&D team has spent 2 1/2 years creating a way to control the transition between clean and diffused to allow the SmartSoft system to work. ‘

Gammons continues, ‘This unique element has a special character, created because the crystals are of random length. As we electronically excite them, they become polarized / connected and so transparent. In a standard polyester diffuser gel, the diffuser component is fairly homogeneous and it will scatter light in a very predictable way, but the great thing with SmartSoft is that the light is both ‘scattered and scattered’. This means that some light will travel more or less straight through SmartSoft, where other light will collide with longer, less polarized crystals and it will scatter differently. This gives SmartSoft Diffuser a unique character that combines with some very soft diffused light, some direct ‘detail’ light, making it perfect for portraits. At the same time you can achieve a soft beauty light, with some crisp skin details which is really attractive. ‘

Users can dial-in the required diffusion degree using the main body controls of the AEOS 2 LED lights and choose between 100 increments between the two extremes.

The SmartSoft box fits over the body of the AEOS 2 Lite in the same way as the current dome diffuser. It is powered by plug-in to the main body

The company has previously used this technology in its Titan series studio lights, the latest models of which have system built-in, but this is the first time it has been made available as a separate unit. The SmartSoft Box unit fits over the face of the AEOS 2 light like a regular diffuser dome and plugs into a cable body to draw power from the main light. A rear dial or touch-screen slider can then be used to select the amount of expansion produced. From June 1, the level of diffusion will be controlled using the Rotolight iOS and Android apps.

By default, the front panel layer of the SmartSoft box is widely spread and the LEDs are almost hidden.	Once a current passes through the level it becomes clear, allowing the LED light to pass almost without interruption.

Under normal conditions, the layer used for SmartSoft Box Diffuser is completely transparent and becomes clear as the electric current passes through it. In its ‘100%’ state the attachment provides 1.5 stop diffusion and hides the separate LEDs of the AEOS 2 array and almost no light is lost when it is cleaned. The diffusion also increases the diffusion of light so that it covers a wide area.

Gammon further tells us that the AEOS 2 will automatically change its color balance as the amplitude changes to ensure that the resulting light always has a constant color rendering.

At the same time Rotolite has launched a new series of parabolic softboxes built around an umbrella design that allows them to be set up and lowered very quickly. The R90 and R120 models measure 90cm / 35.4in and 120cm / 47.2in across the front round face, respectively, and come with a 1-stop outer and 0.5-stop diffuser inner layer as well as a fabric 40 honeycomb grid and a carry bag. . They can be used as softboxes or umbrellas, depending on the look required. These are attached to a Bowens S mount but can be used with a Rotolight Bowens / Elinchrome adapter to mount any LED light panel with the company’s AEOS and NEO lights or 1.4in 20 threads inside the modifier. Both softboxes have access panels on both sides so that the lights mounted inside the softbox can be controlled by hand without removing the front diffuser panel.

The Rotolight SmartSoft box will be shipped from August and will be priced at $ 499 / £ 439, and is only compatible with AEOS 2 Lite. The Parabolic Softbox will be priced at $ 269 / £ 249.99 and $ 299 / £ 289.99 and is expected to be shipped in July. See for more information Rotolite website.

Thanks Island Photo Center To assist in the protest.

Press release