Shooting outdoors changes everything about lighting. You are fighting the sun, working without mains power, packing gear in and out of vehicles, and keeping an eye on the sky. The right portable kit needs to be bright enough to hold its own in daylight, run on batteries, survive rain and dust, and pack into a case you can carry. For most crews, our recommendation is clear: start with a Litepanels Astra IP Bi-Color kit, add LEE Filters for colour, and step up to the Litepanels Gemini series when the job calls for full cinema colour control.
What makes a good outdoor lighting kit?
Before comparing fixtures, it helps to know what actually matters once you leave the studio:
- Weather protection. Light rain, sea spray, dust and humidity will end a shoot with an unsealed fixture. A proper ingress protection (IP) rating is the difference between carrying on and packing up.
- Battery operation. Location work rarely has a power point nearby. Fixtures that run from the same V Mount or Gold Mount batteries as your camera keep the kit simple.
- Real output. Fill and key light outdoors has to compete with daylight, so efficient, punchy output matters more than headline wattage.
- Colour accuracy. Skin tones need to match the natural light around them. High CRI and TLCI ratings keep footage clean in the grade.
- Portability. A complete kit in a single case, with stands, mounts and batteries, means faster setups and fewer trips back to the car.
Litepanels Astra IP: the outdoor workhorse
The Litepanels Astra IP series is our first recommendation for outdoor shooting, and the headline feature is in the name. Every Astra IP panel carries an IP65 rating, which means it is protected against dust and against water jets from any direction. Litepanels designed the range for rain, snow and humidity, so you can keep shooting when the weather turns instead of reaching for rain covers and umbrellas.
The range comes in three sizes:
| Model | Output at 3 m (5600K) | Max power draw | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astra IP Half | 1,500 lux | 63 W | 2.8 kg |
| Astra IP 1x1 | 3,000 lux | 125 W | 4.4 kg |
| Astra IP 2x1 | 5,500 lux | 250 W | 7.8 kg |
All three share the same core features:
- Bi-Color output from 2700K to 6500K, so you can match warm tungsten interiors, golden hour and full daylight from one fixture.
- Average CRI and TLCI of 95, for accurate, natural skin tones.
- A 30 degree beam, giving efficient, punchy output with a diffusion panel included for a softer source.
- Integrated AC power supply, with no external ballast to carry, plus optional Gold Mount, V Mount and BP U battery plates for cordless operation.
- Built in Bluetooth and Wi Fi control from a phone or tablet, with optional DMX modules for wired and wireless DMX, sACN and Art Net when you are working with a lighting desk.
The Half is light enough to run from a single camera battery on a lightweight stand, which makes it ideal for run and gun interviews and documentary. The 1x1 is the all rounder for corporate, events and broadcast. The 2x1 is the big gun for larger setups and wider frames.
Hard and soft kits, ready to travel
The Astra IP is available in complete Traveler kits, packed in either a hard case or a soft case. Kits are offered with two or three fixtures and come ready for Gold Mount or V Mount battery operation, so you can open the case and be lit in minutes. Choose a hard case for air travel, vehicles and rough handling, or a soft case when weight and fast access matter most.
Why Bi-Color is what most crews actually need
It is tempting to buy full colour RGB fixtures for everything, but for most outdoor work, Bi-Color is the better tool. The vast majority of real world lighting is about matching white light: warming a subject to sit in late afternoon sun, cooling a key to blend with overcast daylight, or balancing a window behind an interview. Bi-Color fixtures are optimised for exactly that, delivering clean, accurate white light efficiently.
That focus also pays off on batteries. A fixture designed around white light makes efficient use of every watt, which means longer run times from each battery on location.
Add colour with LEE Filters
When a shot does call for colour, you do not need to change fixtures. LEE Filters gels turn a Bi-Color Astra IP into a creative colour source in seconds. A sheet of LEE gel clipped in front of the panel gives you rich, consistent colour: a deep blue for a moonlit look, a warm amber to extend golden hour, a saturated accent for a background, or a correction gel to fine tune white balance against mixed sources.
LEE Filters have been an industry standard for decades, and their colours are consistent from batch to batch, so a look you create today can be matched on your next shoot. Sheets and rolls are inexpensive, weigh almost nothing and slip into the lid of your kit case. Black Flag Distribution is the exclusive Australian distributor for LEE Filters, so the full colour range is available locally.
Litepanels Gemini: cinema quality colour
When the production calls for complete colour control and cinema grade output, the Litepanels Gemini series is the next step up. Gemini panels are full RGBWW fixtures, available in Soft and Hard versions in 1x1 and 2x1 sizes, and they are a familiar sight on film and high end television sets.
Using the Gemini 2x1 Hard as an example, you get:
- A CCT range from 2700K to 10,000K with green and magenta adjustment, for precise matching to any source.
- Multiple colour modes, including CCT, HSI, RGBWW, xy coordinates, a built in gel library and lighting effects.
- CRI of 95 and TLCI of 97, for exceptional colour accuracy.
- Up to 23,000 lux of output, from a hard 20 degree beam that can also be opened to a soft wash.
- Professional control via DMX, RJ45 and integrated wireless DMX.
One important note for outdoor use: Gemini fixtures are not weather sealed like the Astra IP range, so plan for cover, rain protection and a power source when you take them outside. They are the right choice when ultimate image quality and colour control matter more than ruggedness.
Which kit is right for you?
- Solo shooters, documentary and run and gun: an Astra IP Half Traveler kit with battery plates.
- Corporate, events and broadcast crews: an Astra IP 1x1 Traveler kit, in a hard case for travel or a soft case for speed.
- Larger outdoor setups: add an Astra IP 2x1 for more punch and a bigger source.
- Creative colour on any kit: a selection of LEE Filters gels in the case lid.
- Drama, commercials and cinema work: the Litepanels Gemini series for full RGBWW control and cinema grade output.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best portable LED light for shooting in the rain?
The Litepanels Astra IP series is built for it. Every model is IP65 rated against dust and water, and the range was designed for rain, snow and humidity.
Do I need RGB lights or is Bi-Color enough?
For most outdoor and location work, Bi-Color is enough. It covers warm to daylight white light efficiently, and LEE Filters gels add colour whenever a shot needs it.
Can the Astra IP run on batteries?
Yes. Optional Gold Mount, V Mount and BP U battery plates let every Astra IP model run cordless, and Traveler kits are available ready for Gold Mount or V Mount batteries.
What is the difference between the Astra IP and the Gemini?
The Astra IP is a rugged, weather sealed Bi-Color panel built for location work. The Gemini is a full colour RGBWW cinema fixture with advanced colour modes, built for productions that need maximum colour control.
Can I use LEE Filters with LED panels?
Yes. LEE gels work in front of LED panels just as they do with traditional fixtures, giving you consistent, repeatable colour.
Where to buy Litepanels and LEE Filters in Australia
Black Flag Distribution is the Australian distributor for Litepanels and the exclusive Australian distributor for LEE Filters. We support our valued specialist retail partners and prefer that you purchase through them wherever possible: use the store finder to locate your nearest authorised dealer. If you would rather buy direct, we can also facilitate your order.
Not sure which kit suits your work? Talk to us at sales@blkflag.com.au and we will help you build the right lighting package.
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