Astera Launches Two New Fresnel Products

	The Astera PlutoFresnel and LeoFresnel.

Wireless LED lighting specialist Astera launches two new fresnel products -- the PlutoFresnel for medium to small spaces and applications and the LeoFresnel, a cable-free LED alternative to the classic 1K Fresnel ideal for scenarios requiring more power and punch.

These are the first battery-powered Fresnel lighting fixtures developed by Astera, which are supplied as a complete package with barn doors, a full yoke with TVMP adapter for stand mounting, removable handle, and several other accessories.

While developed in response to more immediate market demand, the research and development, especially in relation to the lens development, will form the basis of future Astera product plans.

These two fixtures -- named after a Greek mythological figure and a large constellation of stars -- are billed as shaking up the traditional Fresnel market, bringing some fresh ideas and impetus.

Astera's film and broadcast users had been mentioning the need for a "good" fresnel with a projection lens option, so after additional research, it transpired that the event industry would also benefit from a similar luminaire, and the seeds germinated.

The Pluto and Leo Fresnels are supplied complete with multiple mounting options and the accessories mentioned above.

Furthermore, the lenses can be removed so the light source can be used in different ways, which will include being mounted to a projector, utilizing a lens to be launched later in the year.

The PlutoFresnel offers a 15° to 60° beam angle without any color fringing, and both wired and wireless DMX control with a built-in battery with up to three hours run time. The full-spectrum, high-rendition Titan LED engine offers an output comparable to a traditional 300W tungsten fresnel, yet the power consumption is less than 80W, and the fixture weighs a tidy 4.5kg, making it suitable for small and less accessible spaces. The PlutoFresnel has a removable handle, foldable legs and YokeBases, making mounting and adjustment straightforward.

The larger LeoFresnel is comparable in light output to a standard 1K tungsten lamp; however, it has an even higher lumen value when running in 6,500K daylight white. It is also powered by the Titan LED engine and consumes dramatically less power. Its 15° to 60° beam emits what the company says a beautiful quality of light with no color fringing as well as wireless and wired DMX control, with a two-hour onboard battery, and 250W power consumption.

It weighs 14kg and has a removable handle compatible with airline track systems, plus a full range of accessories including quick-release YokeBases for mounting and adjusting, and a TVMP adapter T-Bolt thread handle on the yoke for attaching an Astera RuntimeExtender or airline track.

The Leo Fresnel lens is also detachable and, as previously mentioned, Astera will launch a series of projection lenses that will transform it into a multipurpose fixture with potent projection capabilities, complete with a slot for size B glass or metal gobos. This feature, combined with the dynamic zoom, will also be of special interest to the event industry, the company says.

Both sizes of Astera Fresnel have a four-leaf barn door system that can be extended to eight leaves for the accurate shuttering of light, and the fixtures are compatible with several DoP Choice products including the Rabbit Rounder for beam modifiers and various soft boxes.