USER MANUAL Version 1.
PAGE CONTENTS 2-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-29 30-31 34-35 36-37 38-39 40-41 42-43 Box Contents & Operation flow chart Neo 2 In action shots What is NEO 2 ? About Rotolight / NEO 2 Basic Operation Menu advanced operation Flash Mode / In action & result images High Speed Sync / Recommended Triggers Setting up HS Transmitter NEO 2 F-Stop table / In action images Display & Designer Fade CineSFX (Strobe, Lighting, Throb, Cycle, Fire, Police, etc) Technical Specification & Photometrics
DISPLAY KNOBS DISPLAYS MENU ITEM OR SELECTED ITEM LEFT KNOB = BRI RIGHT KNOB = COL (KELVIN) CLICK BOTH KNOBS TO ENTER / EXIT MENU MODE FLASH PORT POWER 3.5MM FLASH SYNC SOCKET FOR THIRD PARTY FLASH TRIGGERING SWITCH ON/OFF DC INPUT SOCKET 15V 60W DC - ONLY USE PROVIDED PSU OR ROTOLIGHT ADAPTERS 6 x AA BATTERIES SHOE 1/4” MALE ADAPTER HOLDS 6 X AA BATTERIES NIMH OR LITHIUM (RECOMMENDED ROTOLIGHT LIONHEART NiMH RECHARGEABLE - AVAILABLE ON WWW.ROTOLIGHT.
“NEO 2 IS A GAME-CHANGER. YOU’LL NEVER MISS A SHOT. THERE’S NO RECYCLE TIME, NO LIGHT LOSS, NO POWER LOSS” Jason Lanier - Sony Artisan of Imagery 04 Top photo by Jason Lanier www.jasonlanier.
Photo by Rod Aaron Gammons
FOREWORD – WHAT IS NEO 2? NEO 2 is an industry-first, all in one High Speed Sync (HSS) Flash and continuous on-camera LED light, integrating the best of continuous LED lighting technology with HSS Flash. Unlike traditional oncamera flash, NEO 2 has no recycle time, which ensures users never miss a shot, making it the perfect light choice for today’s modern high-framerate-capable cameras.
second,” explains Lanier. “It fired every single time. There’s genuinely no recycle time, no light loss, no power loss. That is just a game-changer, there is no other light in the world that can do that.” Featuring electronically adjustable colour temperature in both flash and continuous modes, with a built in kelvin display, NEO 2 enables photographers to easily adjust white balance or match ambient light settings to create more natural looking shots.
ABOUT ROTOLIGHT Rotolight is a pioneering British technology company, specializing in creating award winning LED lighting products for photographers and filmmakers. Known for constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, Rotolight strives to create products that provide unique tools for image makers, allowing them to realise their creative vision and aspirations.
to avoid damaging your NEO 2. For best results use the Rotolight ‘Powerex Pro’ LionHeart AA batteries and charging systems, these are the most powerful NiMH AA rechargeable available (2700mAh) and are designed for demanding systems like the NEO2, or ‘Eneloop PRO’ AA batteries. Alternatively use the Rotolight RL-Batt-95, 95mWh V-Lock batteries with Dtap cable (available from Rotolight.com) which will run your NEO 2 for up to 8 hours at full power.
(NB There is a special mode called ‘True Aperture Dimming’ (F-DIM) , available in the MENU section, which will display the brightness as an F-Stop (Aperture), based on your camera exposure settings – see ‘True Aperture Dimming’) COL (‘COL’) COLOUR You can adjust and accurately display the Colour Temperature (CCT) of NEO 2 by rotating the right control knob. If you rotate the knob quickly it will speed up the data input.
NEO 2 ‘RESULT SHOT’ Lit by Rotolight NEO2, Photo by Jason Lanier 11
right rotary encoder is ‘value/data entry’ and the right switch is ‘activate/go/enter/start/trigger’ depending on the menu position.
‘Rotolight HSS Transmitter’ (RL-HSS-TX) (by Elinchrom) available now for Sony, Canon , Nikon, Olympus and Panasonic cameras (Fuji coming soon) from Rotolight.com and all major stores. Capable of controlling up to 10 Rotolight NEO 2’s, in four groups, the Rotolight HSS transmitter also provides wireless control of NEO 2 brightness and colour temperature in both flash and continuous modes (Rotolight HSS transmitter only), and can trigger CineSFX and Designer Fades (see Page 23/24).
Rotate the right knob to set the desired duration for the flash, in shutter intervals, i.e. 1/50s, 1/60s, 1/80s, 1/100s…up to 1/1000s (‘1/1K0’). TOP TIP : NB – *recommended* you can just leave the duration set to 1/50th and NEO 2 will automatically adjust the duration for you if the number of frames per second requires a shorter flash.
shoe to mount NEO to the third party receiver, or the Rotolight Mini Arm (RL-ARM-MINI, sold separately). Connect the transmitter on your camera (such as Godox, Phottix, Sony, Pocket Wizard, etc) and follow the instructions supplied with your transmitter.
TRIG Recommended triggers : (Compatible with Internal built in flash receiver) Rotolight HSS Transmitter (Canon Nikon Sony Olympus Panasonic) Elinchrom HS Transmitter Plus (Canon Nikon Sony Olympus Panasonic, download latest firmware from Elinchrom.
SKYP (SKYPORT), this activates the SKYPORT wireless HSS trigger. (NB: NEO2 will also still flash in Skyport mode from a wired external source connected to the Flash Synch 3.
FLSH the transmitter is connected to NEO 2, you will see it listed as a connected device on the LCD display, with an ID number.
11 8 5.6 33 24 16.8 16 11 8 48 33 24 5.6 4.0 2.8 2000 185 1032 F-stop F-stop F-stop Guide Guide FLASH FLASH FLASH Number Number mode mode mode (GN) (GN) (AA) (PSU) (AA) 3 9 33.6 24 16.8 8 5.6 4 48 33.6 24 4 2.8 2 36 25.2 18 5.6 4 2.8 50.4 36 25.
ROTOLIGHT NEO - 3 LIGHT KIT ‘IN ACTION’ Photo by Jason Lanier 21
and use the wheel to control NEO Colour On the Rotolight/Elinchrom Transmitter press the first ‘soft key’ (PWR) and use the wheel to control NEO Brightness on all lights connected on that Channel and group. PWR Button(control Brightness of Neo 2) To enter flash mode, on the Rotolight/Elinchrom Transmitter press the Test key (Elinchrom Logo Key) , (‘MENU’ …then ‘FLSH’ will be displayed) , Press the Test key again to enter Flash mode.
item (this way you can select or remotely trigger Fades or the CineSFX items). DISP (‘DISP’) DISPLAY Allows the display to be set to low brightness or ‘off’ to reduce power consumption/increase battery life or for discrete usage on set.
You will notice the display now shows UP X s (i.e. it will now fade up to your previous brightness setting over ‘X’ seconds) To fade up click the Right switch again If you only want Fade downs use the Left switch to click out of FADE and click back in – use the Right switch to perform the Fade. Click the left switch to return to MENU, alternatively you can return to the basic operation menu (BRI / COL) by pressing both control switches together.
WARNING - HEALTH HAZARD – USE STROBE WITH CAUTION: CineSFX™ mode uses Strobe Lighting effects that may pose a risk to those at risk of photosensitive seizures/ epilepsy. Manufacturer accepts no liability or responsibility for misuse of this product. You should take all precautions to pre-warn and ensure the safety of those who may come into contact with the product. If you or any of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult a doctor before using.
eliminate any issues with rolling shutter cameras (This is known as ‘Rolling Shutter Compensation’) where you can match the light flashes to match the Shutter Speed and/or Frame Rate of your camera, to avoid unlit portions of the image/frame. Click the left switch to exit the Strobe Menu and return to SFX Menu.
‘Throb’ effect frequency (It will display XX hz which is an indication of the effect frequency). The Throb range is from 1hz up to 50hz. (NB: the Throb parameters are stored in non volatile memory). Click the left switch to exit the Throb effect and return to SFX Menu. Cycl FIRE (‘Cycl’) Colour CYCLE Cycle is a regular smoothly pulsing light which fades between the tungsten and blue LEDs Click the right switch to activate the ‘Colour CYCLE’ effect.
(It will display XX % which is an indication of the effect depth). TV SIMULATION LIGHTNING FIRE PLCE Inside the fire effect there is a switchable parameter called ‘ColourSwing BLUE’ which emulates the colour transition of flames going up the chimney (i.e. from yellow to blue), to activate this parameter click the right button (‘BLUE’ is displayed). To deactivate ‘Colour Swing BLUE’ click the right knob again and ‘MONO’ (Monochrome) will be displayed.
-TV- (‘TV’) TELEVISION This effect is an emulation of someone watching a TV show – it works best by setting the ‘COL’ colour to around 6000kelvin to emulate the light from a cathode ray tube. Click the right switch to activate the TV effect. Rotate either the left or right knob to adjust the TV effect speed (It will display XX hz , which will give you an indication of the effect speed).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ROTOLIGHT NEO 2 BEAM ANGLE 50 Degree TLCI 91 Appproved for live broadcast without correction. OVERALL CRI (Ra) SKINTONE CRI (R15) CRI => 96 (Skintone R15, CRI=98) POWER CONSUMPTION @100% OUTPUT 12 Watts @100% Output 15 V DC LUX at 3FT(0.9m) *F-STOP at ISO 200/400/800 2000 f8.0 / f11.0 / f16 LUX at 6FT(1.82m) *F-STOP at ISO 200/400/800 510 f4.0 / f5.6 / f8.0 LUX at 9FT(2.74m) *F-STOP at ISO 200/400/800 227 f2.8 / f4.0 / f5.
ROTOLIGHT LED TLCI TEST RESULT LED PHOTOMETRICS FIXTURE LED Angle NEO 2(at mid 50º point 4110K) 3 ft. / 0.9m 194fc 6 ft. / 1.82m 2000 lx 49fc 9 ft. / 2.74m 510 lx 21fc 227 lx CRI TEST 120 100 80 60 40 1*#, !'23 #7 '23 #7 20 '1*#, !'23 #7 /*.
NEON FILM WELD 32 (‘Neon’) NEON This effect is used to simulate a faulty NEON fixture. To enter the effect click the right switch. Use the right switch to start/stop the effect, alternatively use the sync/tigger input port to externally start/ stop the effect. The right rotary encoder controls the flicker speed of this effect. To exit the effect press the left switch. To exit to BRI/ COL operation press both right and left switches together.
PAPA (‘Papa’) PAPARAZZI This effect is used to simulate a flash mob of Paparazzi photographers. To enter the effect click the right switch. Use the right switch to start/Trigger/stop the effect, alternatively use the sync/tigger input port to externally start/stop the effect. The right rotary encoder controls the flicker speed of this effect.
Rotolight NEO 2 Result Shots Jason Lanier Photography 34
Rotolight NEO 2 Result Shots Peter Muller Photography 35
(‘F-DIM’) TRUE APERTURE DIMMING ™ (Shows the brightness setting as an accurately calculated aperture (F-Stop) for your subject at a given distance). Cycle the menu to ‘F-DIM’ then click the right switch to enter ‘F-DIM’ mode. Rotating the left knob cycles through the available user parameters: ‘ISO’ (your camera ISO setting), ‘EXP’ (your camera shutter speed) and ‘FEET’ (the distance from the light to your subject in feet). Rotating the right knob will adjust the selected user parameter (ISO/EXP/FEET).
You can also choose to work in reverse, i.e. you creatively choose an Aperture (i.e. f-3.0) and match your light to your camera exposure settings, this way all the photos from your shoot will have the same grain structure/depth of field/etc. This is a novel and very useful way of working creatively and also can save a lot of time. Click the left switch to return to MENU, alternatively you can return to the basic operation (BRI / COL) by pressing both control switches together.
(‘VOLT’) VOLTAGE VOLT mode will scroll display the voltage from the selected power source. (e.g ‘9.4V BATTERY’ or ’15.2V DC IN’). Please note NEO 2 will automatically give you a warning if the voltage drops too low which indicates a battery change is needed (e.g. ‘Low Battery’). NEO 2 will also put a blinking dot on the bottom right of the current display to indicate Low Battery Voltage whilst reducing the output by progressive steps of 10% until voltage stabilises to eliminate flicker.
(‘TEMP’) TEMPERATURE Click the left switch to display the internal operating Temperature of NEO 2. NB: if NEO 2 detects the battery temperature rising to 58 degrees or above, it will display ‘Too Hot’ (touch any knob to clear message) and automatically cut the output down to 25% to prevent overheating. (Please use only quality battery systems with NEO 2, such as the Rotolight LionHeart 95mWh V-Lock, which will drive the light at full continuous power for up to 3 hours).
FILTER INFORMATION A filter holder is included with NEO 2. Simply place your desired filter underneath the filter holder, then using both thumbs, rotate the filter holder into a locking position on the front cover the NEO 2 light (you will hear a positive ‘click’ to indicate locked). To unlock, rotate in the other direction. NEO 2’s filters are 269mm diameter and have a 40.5mm hole in the centre, so its easy to cut your own.
162 202 205 ‘Bastard Amber’ (warm amber Fill/Hair light. e.g.
BATTERIES NEO 2 does not include a battery as standard. NEO 2 will operate from 6 x AA lithium or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or any third party “V-mount” battery with a DC voltage of 7 volts up to 18 volts and a D-TAP Port and D-TAP DC Cable. Recommended batteries: DO NOT USE STANDARD ALKALINE BATTERIES WITH NEO2, AS IT NEEDS HIGH PERFORMANCE BATTERIES (Lithium or NiMH AA’s) For best results use Rotolight ‘LiONHEART’ rechargeable (NiMH) AA Batteries, which will provide 1.
Limitation of Liability The liability of the Manufacturer or Distributor, if any, for damages for any claim of any kind whatsoever with regard to any order placed for the Manufacturer’s products, regardless of the delivery or non-delivery of the Products, or with respect to the Products covered thereby, shall not (except in respect of liability for death or personal injury caused by Manufacturers or Distributor’s negligence or in the case of fraud) be greater than the actual purchase price of the Products w
WWW.ROTOLIGHT.COM CineSFX (EP17165609.3,15/481,460, 1606907.2), Flash Sync (EP17166340.4, 15/485,239, 2017-078504, 1705754.8, 1606658.1) and True Aperture Dimming (EP17165574.9, 15/481,463, 1606908.0) are patent pending technologies of Rotolight Ltd. Accucolour,™ Aeos™, CineSFX™, Designer Fade™, True Aperture Dimming™, and Rotolight™ are registered trademarks of Rotolight Ltd.
