Aputure Storm 80C 3-Light Kit for Run-and-Gun Filmmaking

Aputure has slowly developed a family of lights that work well with one another, and the Aputure Storm 80C 3-light kit falls in the middle of that family. This kit comes with 3 compact RGBWW LED monolights, 3 modifier choices, a rugged case that actually fits in the trunk of your car, and everything that fits inside the case.

This kit is designed for people who need real output, but cannot carry around all of the equipment they would need to produce that same output.

The Storm 80C uses the BLAIR-CG light engine from Aputure. The BLAIR-CG light engine is a new chipset designed for full spectrum RGBWW output. In addition to providing bicolor tunability, this allows you to adjust the color of your light anywhere in the range of 1800K to 20,000K, as well as provide RGB color mixing, which provides a tremendous amount of creativity in your lighting.

The color accuracy of the Storm 80C is very good for a compact light at its price point, with a CRI of 97, TLCI of 99 and SSI scores in the high 80s. These are excellent numbers that will hold up on professional sets.

What You Get in the Kit

Three Lights, One Case

The kit includes three Storm 80C fixtures, each of which draws 100W at full power. In addition to the lights, the kit includes three Hyper Reflectors, three diffusers, articulated arms, AC and DC power cables, and a single rolling hard case that holds everything.

B&H reviewers consistently praise the case, with one reviewer stating that the small footprint makes the kit genuinely practical for travel productions. The kit is designed to allow you to walk onto a set with a single case and have a full three-point lighting setup ready to go.

Light Output and Beam Control

The Storm 80C produces approximately 13,200 lumens at 3200K and roughly 19,400 lux at one meter with the Hyper Reflector installed. That is a lot of power from a 100W fixture, and users agree. One B&H reviewer who previously owned the older 60x model said the Storm 80C is noticeably smaller yet significantly more powerful.

The reflector narrows the beam angle to 35 degrees, while the bare bulb produces a 60 degree spread. For even tighter control, Aputure sells a CF4 Fresnel that intensifies the output by 5.5x and narrows the beam to as tight as 15 degrees. Multiple reviewers have identified the Fresnel and barn doors as must-have accessories for this fixture.

RGBWW Color Mixing and Color Science

Beyond Bicolor

This is where the Storm 80C differentiates itself from other LED panels. The full RGBWW system provides a massive 1800K to 20,000K color temperature range, as well as the ability to dial in any RGB color for creative lighting effects. This means you can create gel simulations, practical color accents and background washes without ever having to search through a bag of gels or tape CTOs to barn doors.

The Aputure app provides color mixing functionality through Bluetooth, and the light is also compatible with CRMX wireless DMX for larger multi-light setups that demand precise control from a lighting console.

The color accuracy of the Storm 80C is very impressive for a compact fixture. A CRI of 97 and a TLCI of 99 mean that skin tones will render cleanly without the greenish or magenta shift that can occur with cheaper RGB lights. The TM-30 scores (Rf 96, Rg 103) confirm that color rendering is accurate across a wide range of saturations.

If you are upgrading from older Aputure fixtures or generic LED panels, the improvement in skin tone reproduction will be noticeable. For a deeper comparison of how Aputure's different product lines compare, check out the Amaran vs Light Storm breakdown.

Build Quality and Mounting

Mini ProLock Bowens Mount

As expected, the Storm 80C utilizes Aputure's Mini ProLock mount, which is a Bowens S-type mount in a smaller format. This means that the Storm 80C will be compatible with a wide variety of softboxes, beauty dishes and other Bowens-mount style modifiers, however the Mini ProLock mount is optimized to remain compact.

There are also multiple 3/8"-16 threaded holes on each light for additional mounting options, including yoke mounts, allowing for greater flexibility in extremely confined areas or when using articulated arms.

B&H reviewers consistently comment on the build quality of the Storm 80C, with one reviewer commenting that it is a "workhorse light" with great build quality and praising the application functionality. Another reviewer referred to it as "the type of light filmmakers were talking about 15 years ago", but with modern technology in a smaller and more powerful package.

The lights are solidly built and are not overly heavy, making them ideal for use on location with lighter-weight stands. The Storm 80C is a great addition to a growing lighting kit for film, and will complement larger key lights perfectly.

Power Options

Each light can accept AC power (100-240V) via the provided cables and controller, and each light also has a built-in V-Mount battery plate for wireless operation on location. However, batteries are not included with the light, which is typical for products at this level, but it does mean you can operate the lights with your existing V-Mount batteries without investing in a proprietary system.

Based on the 100W power consumption of the light, you should be able to achieve reasonable runtime on a 150Wh battery for most interview applications or short-form narrative scenes before needing to switch out the battery.

How It Compares to Larger COB Lights

To put it simply, the Storm 80C will not replace a 300W or 600W COB light in terms of pure output. This is not what the Storm 80C is intended to do.

However, here is what many filmmakers do not consider: for most shooting situations, you do not need that much power. For interviews, small narrative setups, corporate work, and run-and-gun documentary shooting, 100W per fixture with good color science and modifiers will get you to a very solid place. And when you're packing one case instead of three, plus a separate bag of stands and cables, the convenience factor is hard to overstate.

B&H reviewers seem to agree with this assessment. A newer filmmaker commented on how easy it was to get a good-looking 3-point setup using only this kit. More experienced users appreciate the kit as a travel lighting solution that does not compromise on color quality. The general consensus is that if you need to light a scene and can't bring a truck, this kit will get the job done. For a broader look at what's available in the LED space, the best lights for filmmaking guide covers everything from panels to tubes to COBs.

When comparing the Storm 80C to similar compact fixtures from Nanlite or Godox, the Storm 80C's advantage is primarily the RGBWW color mixing and Aputure's ecosystem of purpose-built modifiers. The Hyper Reflectors, the CF4 Fresnel, and the Light Dome 40 are all designed specifically for this light, rather than being adapted from larger fixtures.

Who Should Buy This Kit

The Aputure Storm 80C 3-light kit is best suited for filmmakers and videographers who work primarily on location rather than in a studio. Corporate video shooters, documentary crews, wedding filmmakers, and small form narrative teams will obtain the greatest benefit from this kit.

The Storm 80C 3-light kit is also a good option for individuals that are developing their first professional lighting kits and desire a kit that can expand with them through the Aputure ecosystem. The pre-programmed lighting effects (fire, lightning, TV flicker, etc.) add production value to the lighting for narrative content without requiring additional equipment.

Several B&H reviewers that purchased the Storm 80C as a single light unit have stated that they have purchased additional units and plan to purchase two more, indicating a strong repeat purchase rate. The kit is also available on Amazon if you want to compare pricing.

And if you need a more detailed look at the older Aputure 120D and how the product line has evolved, that comparison gives useful context for where the Storm 80C fits.

Several B&H reviewers have recommended purchasing the CF4 Fresnel and barn doors separately, describing them as essential additions. The kit includes reflectors and diffusers, which do a great job of producing soft and medium-hard light, but if you need tight spot control or precise light shaping, plan on budgeting for those extras.

You can find the Storm 80C accessories at B&H to see the full range of available modifiers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the color temperature range of the Aputure Storm 80C?

The Storm 80C covers 1800K to 20,000K with full RGBWW color mixing. That range goes well beyond standard bicolor lights, letting you simulate tungsten, daylight, and creative color effects without physical gels.

The color accuracy stays high throughout the entire color temperature range due to its CRI rating of 97 and TLCI rating of 99+. You can check the latest specs and pricing at B&H.

Can the Storm 80C run on battery power?

Yes. Each fixture of the Storm 80C series contains a built-in V-Mount battery plate. Batteries are not included with the light. Any standard V-Mount battery will work with the Storm 80C. Given the 100W power consumption of the Storm 80C, you should expect to achieve approximately 1.5 hours of battery life at maximum power, longer if you are operating below maximum power.

What modifiers are compatible with the Storm 80C?

The Storm 80C is equipped with Aputure's Mini ProLock mount, which is compatible with a wide variety of Bowens S-type mounted modifiers. The kit includes Hyper Reflectors and diffusers for each light. Aputure also manufactures a number of other purpose-designed modifiers for the Storm 80C, including the CF4 Fresnel, barn doors, and the Light Dome 40 softbox. Third-party Bowens-mount modifiers will also fit.

How does the Storm 80C compare to the Aputure 120D?

The 120D is a 120W daylight-only COB light, while the Storm 80C is a 100W RGBWW fixture. The Storm 80C gives you full color mixing and a wider color temperature range in a smaller body. The 120D has a slight edge in raw daylight output, but the Storm 80C is far more versatile and more portable. If you're choosing between them for location work, the Storm 80C is the more practical option for most scenarios.

Is the 3-light kit worth it over buying individual lights?

If you know you need three lights, the kit saves you money and gets you the rolling hard case, which is a genuine value add. B&H reviewers who bought the kit specifically praise the case and the convenience of having everything in one package. If you only need one or two lights, buying individually at B&H makes more sense, and you can always add more later.

What kind of wireless control does the Storm 80C support?

The light supports both Bluetooth (through the Aputure app) and CRMX wireless DMX. Bluetooth is convenient for quick adjustments on small sets, while CRMX integration lets you control the lights from a DMX console or wireless transmitter on larger productions. You can also control settings directly on the fixture itself.