A few weeks ago Kaylee contacted me for a photo shoot.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kayleemoonkitty

I wanted to try out the Ambitful AL-16 Pro in combination with the Optical Focalize Condenser. Another accessory is an optical light cylinder to shape the light.

Photos below: © Ambitful

Next shoot I will try out the other projection adapters.

I ordered this set a few weeks ago on amazon except for the focalize condenser I ordered directly from Ambitful. Last week I got in touch with them because I thought an accessory to hold the color gels was missing but I looked over it in the carbon box. The support was very helpful and fast.

There are many gobos out there creating artistic light beams but the ambitful is one of the cheapest units. That does not mean it is made of cheap plastic but it feels very well built. Very professional. The provided lens comes in handy but with an optional Canon EF mount adapter you can mount any Canon lens on it. There is also an adaptor for Nikon. Sadly there is no Sony EF mount adapter available.

I only used the provided lens which did an excellent job. To be honest I don't know the focal length of the lens but I guess it is around 50mm. You need to place the Gobo at a certain distance when you want to expose the person completely.

Most of these light modifiers are developed to use with LED lights. Therefore a dark room with very little ambient light is mandatory. I cannot darken my studio as I would love. When shooting at f/5, 1/200, ISO 320 I still had some ambient light but it was just a tiny bit I used as fill light.

I don't know if the Ambitful Al-16 was capable (or allowed) to use with flash but that is what I did. I even used it using a Godox AD1200 Pro at full power! That is 1200Ws each time. I did not shoot rapidly but every time I waited for a few seconds between each shot. The godox flash head has a good working ventilator and both the Godox and Ambitful did not overheat at all.

Because of the focal length of the lens I had to flash at full power. I measured the light using my Sekonic L-858D. A second AD1200 Pro in combination with the Godox Parabolic with D2 diffuser was used as a fill light.

I was very happy that the provided lens can create a sharp or feathered edge.

I will use the Ambitful AL-16 a lot more because it creates different light for fashion that is not possible with other light formers.

The unit itself is cheap but I find the projection adapters a bit expensive in comparison with the unit itself. I wonder if a Silhouette cutter is capable of cutting thin metal so you can make your own project adapters. That would be cool.

Positive:

- Well built

- Results

- Price

- Can be used with flash (at least in my opinion) but give it time between each shot

- Lens & color gels included

- Support

- Much better in comparison with the light blaster.

Disadvantage:

- No bag is included to store the unit and accessories. I would gladly pay 30 Euro more.

- You need a lot of flash or LED power. Hardly usable with a standard flash except for close up shots

- No manual is included (don't need one actually)

- No Sony FE mount adapter available.

Overall score:

9/10