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photo:led_lighting

continuous source LED photographic and video lighting

introduction

  • LED lights have largely replaced flourescent and tungsten continuous light sources as they run cool, without flicker, are generally balanced for daylight, are dimmable, last longer, and are much more portable and require lower power consumption and thus smaller, lighter power sources
  • avoid cheap LED lights which are not designed for photography as they generally do not have good colour quality, although for monochrome work or where colour is not critical, they may be very handy and affordable.
  • many are now controllable by proprietary WiFi solutions and some can be controlled via the more universal DMX controller systems

how bright are they?

  • these lights are generally rated in output levels in lumens where 1 lumen = light flux from 1 candle
  • the Westcott Ice Light 2 is rated at 1750 lumen at full output, and at around 1m from the subject, this gives exposures of around 1/125th sec, f/2.8 at ISO 400 (light value of around 3) which is about 1-2 stops brighter than average household lighting levels, but certainly would not be useful in sunlight or even cloudy days, and really is best used indoors or after sunset outdoors. It could be useful for macro work in the shade when held 6“ from subject.

power source

  • some are AC only which limits use
  • some have DC inputs
  • some have a proprietary built-in lithium ion battery
  • some have a proprietary swappable lithium ion battery
  • some have a V-mount battery plate which allows industry standard batteries to be used
  • some have an Anton-Bauer battery plate

LED hand holdable light wands

Zhiyun FiveRay FR100C LED Light Stick

  • announced June 2022 as “5x brighter than competitors”
  • 21195 lux (at 0.3m) and 100 brightness levels
  • 2700K to 6300K, CR1 value of 96+ and a TLCI index of 97
  • 2 modes:
    • cinematic CCT lighting mode
    • high-energy HSI mode to control color, saturation, and hue
  • 920g with 1/4-inch screw hole on the bottom
  • powered by a six-cell 2600 mah internal battery with fast 2.5hr 120W PD charging via USB-C and lasts 31min at full power
  • built-in fans and a radiator for two-way cooling to keep the LED light stick from overheating

Westcott Ice Light 2

  • invented by Australian pro photographer Jerry Ghionis and manufactured and marketed by Westcott
  • NB. version I had some quality issues and fixed battery, and vII is 50% brighter and CRI is better
  • uses removable lithium battery pack as well as AC power supply via the DC adapter (optional car adapter)
  • USB is only for firmware upgrades NOT power supply
  • comes with 2 clips to allow gels to be used
  • 1,740 lumens at 15W maximum output level allows f/2.8, 1/100th sec, ISO 400 when held about 1m from subject and battery lasts ~ 1hr at this output
  • LEDs are daylight-balanced at 5500K with 73deg beam angle and Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 96 (max. score is 100) for excellent skin tones, and rated for 50,000 hours, or 17+ years if used 8 hours every day
  • 18 step flicker free dimmable
  • both ends include a 1/4”-20 thread to mount to a light stand, tilter bracket, or tripod
  • battery indicator, battery takes 2.5hrs to recharge
  • metal housing
  • bluetooth remote control for future smartphone apps (not yet available Oct 2015)
  • wt: 20oz / 570g
  • 21.6“ x 7.5”
  • optional barn doors
  • optional tungsten gel
  • great for soft wrap around lighting but really needs to be < 2m from subject and preferably around 1m
  • power off and on is instantaneous
  • RRP $US549
  • youtube video tutes:

Neewer BestLight

  • has twin daylight and tungsten light sources with higher output than Ice Light v1 but more harsh

Travor MTL-900 ii

  • much less expensive but cheaper build quality than the Ice Light and lets some light out the rear, although slightly wider and longer light source giving slightly softer shadows, and 2 stops brighter than the vI Ice Light
  • uses standard video cam batteries
  • controls are on the light side which is annoying
  • power off is delayed

Godox LC500 light stick

  • introduced 2018 - cheap copy of the Ice Light but adds remote control and is heavier
  • $AU250
  • remote controller 10-100% in 6 groups and 16 channels
  • 5600K or 3300K modes, CRI > 95; TLCI >= 95; 516 LEDs;
  • tripod mount
  • clip on barn doors
  • 14.8V 2600mAh battery takes 2.5hrs to charge and gives 2hrs at 100% (18W 1200 lux at 1m)
  • 565mm long; 760g excl barn doors;

Godox TL120

  • as for TL60 but 1.17m long

Godox TL60

  • end of 2020
  • RGB light 2700-6500 colour temperature range with CRI and TLCI of 96 and 98 respectively and HSI control and 40 built-in Rosco and Lee filter presets
  • remote control from your smartphone over Bluetooth, WiFi, DMX or wireless DMX, 0-100% dimming and full RGB control, an integrated 2hr battery and a silent passive cooling system.
  • 29.5“ 75cm long; 1.8” diam;
  • $US239

Godox TL30

  • RGB, CCT, HSI modes; 36,000 Colors; 13 Tunable effects; 2700-6300K, with an incredibly high TLCI rating of 99 and CRI rating of 97;
  • Bluetooth control with free App; USB-C charging port;
  • 1hr Integrated lithium-ion battery, 3.6V/2900mAh/10.7Wh
  • 1/4“-20 Mount on each end
  • $US89

hand holdable spot lights

Lowel GL-1

  • focusable spot
  • much more distance than a Ice Light but more harsh

light stand fresnel lights

Godox S30 focusing LED light

  • adjustable beam wheel gives 6 to 55 degrees beam via aspherical lens, dimmable to 10%
  • very useful for product photography although better with 3 of these
  • CRI > 96; TLCI > 96
  • 11,300lux at 1m as 6 degree spot; 2800lux as flood at 1m;
  • 907g
  • 30W 15V 4A DC adapter or 10W max via either 7.4V Sony L series lithium ion NP-F battery (NP-F930/950/970) or 5V 2A USB power bank
  • optional:
    • SA-P Projection attachment ($AU90) with options of 3 different lenses ($AU110-195 depending on focal length - 60, 85, 150mm)
    • SA-05 scrim set to allow graduated intensity effects, etc ($AU30)
    • SA-06 iris diaphragm for sharply defined small circle of light ($AU90)
    • SA-07 set of 4 framing shutters to create slits of light ($AU15)
    • SA-08 barndoor set ($AU50)
    • SA-09 Gobo set of projection patterns ($AU30)
    • SA-10 Gobo Set Holder to insert the gobos ($AU30)
    • SA-17 Godox Bowens Mount to S30 Mount For Projection Attachments to allow the above accessories to mount onto other Godox LED lights such as Godox FV200,VL150,VL200,VL300 ($AU75)
    • SA-20/30 softbox ($AU30)
    • SA-11C/T color gel sets ($AU30 ea)
    • CB-15 kit bag ($AU95)

Fotodiox Pro DY-200 Daylight Fresnel LED

Aputure 2X Fresnel Lens Mount

  • cheap Bowens S mount module which fits LED lights with Bowens S mounts
  • larger (6” lens), heavier (1.24kg), twice as bright and more easier to use than the original version and now has a rear lens
  • $AU199

Aputure Fresnel Lens Mount

  • cheap Bowens S mount module which fits LED lights with Bowens S mounts
  • $AU109

large area soft lights

Godox soft video lights

Fotodiox Pro FlapJack LED Edge Light

large area non-diffused studio lights

  • many options

Godox video lights

  • WiFi remote control
  • LED500L (R with barn door style reflectors): 500 LEDs, 250x170x45mm; 2,900lux at 1m; 32W; 620g for R version;
  • LED500: 500 LEDs, 390x300x60mm; 2,900lux at 1m; 32W; 1.44kg;
    • 13-16.8V DC or 2x Sony NP-F970 lithium batteries; dimmable to 10%
  • LED1000: 1000 LEDs, 430x460x100mm; 4,400lux at 1m; 70W; 2.44kg
  • LED1000D II:
    • 70W 1024 LEDs; CRI 96; TLCI 98; dimmable to 0%; 4 barn doors; diffusion and yellow and blue color filters;
    • usual WiFi remote control or new ethernet port DMX control capability;
    • 5,400lux at 1m; 430x460x100mm; 2.51kg;
    • 13-16.8V DC power or Sony BP-L battery;
  • LED1000DBi II:
    • bicolour version of above with 512 white and 512 yellow LEDs at 1m giving 2,600lux at 5,600K, 4,800lux at 4,200K, and 2,200lux at 3,200K

Fotodiox Pro LED

Aputure Amaran P60c and P60x

  • announced Oct 2021
  • CRI of 95+ and a TLCI of 97+.
  • remote control via Aputure’s Sidus Link app
  • integrated Sony NP-F battery plate

large area flexible panel LEDs

Aputure Amaran F22 and F21 panels

  • 2022 models - perhaps the best flexible panels available for the price
  • Sidus Link app makes it possible to utilize tools unique to the Aputure and amaran ecosystems, such as Source Match, Color Picker, and Custom FX.
  • can also be controlled using DMX with a separately available USB-C to 5-Pin DMX512 in & out adapter cable, adding professional-level control to an individual unit or groups of lights.
  • require a separate AC power brick to be plugged into the ballast.
  • CRI and TLCI scores of 95+ and 97+; stepless dimming from 0 to 100%;
  • Color temperature appears to be accurate from tungsten to daylight. HSI Full Color Control;
  • 46 color gel presets; 15 unique customizable lighting effects;
  • folding X-frame stretches the mat to a rigid panel that can be attached directly to a C-stand grip head
  • included foldable softbox has two strengths of diffusion;
  • V-mount battery plate for use with compatible 14.4V, 26V, or 28.8V batteries
  • F22: 2’x2’ 200W; 7000lux $US899
  • F21: 2'x1'

Intellytech Mega LiteCloth

  • one of the best in 2022
  • 2’x2’ panel outputs around 3,500 lux at 3 ft
  • AC adaptor in the ballast
  • Bluetooth app

Godox Flexible LED

  • WiFi controllable
  • not sold in the US
  • CRI > 96; TLCI > 98; dimmable to 10%
  • 16.8V DC or V port battery
  • FL150S: 150W; 4300lux at 1m; 60x60cm; 3.9kg;
  • FL150R: 150W; 4300lux at 1m; 30x120cm; 4.37kg
  • FL100: 100W; 3300lux at 1m; 40x60cm; 3.47kg
  • FL60: 60W; 1800lux at 1m; 30x45cm; 2.87kg

conventional style studio lights

  • many options

Viltrox Weeylite Ninja series

  • three monoblock-looking Ninja lights:
    • Ninja 200
      • 80W bi-color
    • Ninja 300
      • 5,700 K, 80W, CRI and TLC scores both over 95
      • Bluetooth app for smartphone remote control; DC-in socket; external batteries are the standard NP-F550;
      • 175x92x85mm, 1 kg
      • optional Bowens mount
    • Ninja 400
      • 150W bi-color

Godox M series

  • Godox M600D
    • likely to be announced Dec 2021
    • 600W Bowens mount light
    • M600D-CL ballast and controller

Godox ML ultra-compact silent series

  • Godox ML60
    • introduced late 2020
    • 60W battery powered LED light using 2x NP-F970 batteries
    • 69000 lux at 0.5m with reflector and at 100% output
    • output down to 1% (SL60 only down to 10%)
    • Godox mount (optional S2 adapter for Bowens)
    • CRI 96+; TLCI 97+;
    • smaller than many camera lenses at only 145x88x88mm excl. grip and reflector
    • 8 preset FX effects
    • very quiet practically silent fan, much quieter than the SL60 and can also turn fan off but this limits light output to 50%
    • long AC power cable
    • 770g w/o grip, reflector or batteries
    • optional RC-A6 remote control, 16 groups, 32 channels but can't change the FX effects via the remote

Godox UL series

  • silent, fanless design
  • CRI 96; TLCI 97
  • umbrella mount; stepless dimming down to 0%;
  • optional RC-A5II remote control
  • UL 150:
    • 150W
    • AC or 16.8V 10A DC power or V-mount batteries
    • light 3.09kg; controller 0.86kg; adapter 0.72kg;

Godox VL series

  • Bowens S mount; CRI 96; TLCI 95;
  • stepless dimming down to 0%;
  • much better than the SL series
  • fan cooled by a quiet fan
  • 433MHz wifi remote control system via:
    • Godox remote control device, or,
    • Bluetooth smartphone GodoxPhoto app: 6 groups, 16 channels
  • DC power, or, two high capacity V-mount batteries
  • VL 300:
    • 300W; 4.3A; 2.64kg; 77000lux at 1m with reflector, 10,800 as bare bulb
  • VL 200:
    • 200W; 3.9A; 2.23kg; 75000lux at 1m with reflector, 7,800 as bare bulb
  • VL 150:
    • 150W, 2A; 1.97kg; 61000lux at 1m with reflector, 6,400 as bare bulb
  • need to add an extra 2kg for the adapter and controller unit and further for the optional V-mount batteries

Godox SZ series

  • SZ150R
    • AC only
    • announced Dec 2020
    • 150W LED
    • both RGB and bi-colour offering a range from 2800K up to 6500K with high CRI and TLCI ratings of 97 and 96
    • zoomable head adjustable beam angle of between 20° and 65°
    • Bowens mount
    • RC-R9 remote, a smartphone app as well as DMX control
    • 2.65kg
    • $US559

Godox SLB series

  • SLB60W:
    • same lithium ion battery as the Godox AD600
    • 60W; dimmable to 10%; CRI/TLCI ratings are 93 and 95; Bowens S mount;
    • 2kg; 60 minutes run time; 433 MHz remote controller, 16 channels, 6 groups
    • optional AC adapter ($AU195)
    • $AU575

Godox SL series

  • AC power only
  • Bowens S mount
  • 433MHz wifi remote control system in version I
  • 2.4GHz wifi remote control via RC-A6 controller in version II
  • CRI > 93; TLCI > 95;
  • dimmable to 10%;
  • 2 color versions of each power: white (5600K) or yellow (3300K)
  • SL-60
  • SL-100
  • SL-150
  • SL-150II - adds silent mode, 8 FX effects, 58,000lux 1m; 2.95kg
  • SL-200
  • SL-200II - adds silent mode, 8 FX effects, 74,000lux 1m; 3.33kg

Godox FV series

Aputure Light Storm 1200D PRO

  • announced Feb 2022
  • “highest output Bowens Mount light fixture on the market”
  • comes with three reflectors for wide, medium and narrow beams
  • puts out 6,3480 lux at 3 metres when completely bare, which goes up to 9,610 lux with the wide (55°) reflector, 22,400 lux with the medium (30°) reflector and an extremely bright 83,100 lux with the narrow (15°) reflector
  • connectivity support includes CRMX, Art-net and SaCN via etherCON and 5-pin DMX512
  • remote control with Aputure’s Sidus Link app control system
  • power: AC cable or via two 48v 15A DC inputs for half or full power
  • eight different lighting effects (Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe and Explosion)
  • four dimming curves and four fan modes for when shooting requires an absolutely silent set
  • $US3390

Aputure Light Storm 600D PRO

  • announced mid 2021
  • 29,300+ Lux at 9.8' with the optional F10 Fresnel
  • 8,500+ Lux at 9.8' with the Hyper Reflector
  • CRI/TLCI rating of 96; four dimming curves: Linear, Exponential, Log, and S-Curve; WiFi remote;
  • Bowens mount 55° Hyper Reflector; special effects such as Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, and Explosion.
  • AC power plus dual battery plate it can be powered by two 14.4V, 26V, or 28.8V batteries (needs at least 26V for full output) plus the control box also accepts 48V (15A) DC power via a 3-pin XLR for external power stations; can use two V-Mount mount batteries and recharge them while they are connected to the plugged-in light;
  • weatherproof;
  • $US1890
  • optional matched Fresnel Bowens attachment Aputure F10

Aputure Light Storm 300X

  • announced April 2020
  • adds bicolour COB LED light by incorporating a custom colour-blending element in front of the LED to turn it into a single colour-changing light source for consistent colour across the entire projection
  • colour temperature range of 2700-6500K
  • CRI of 96, TLCI of 96 and CQS of 95.
  • dimming from zero to 100% with 56,000 lumens output and a 105° field of view
  • Four different dimming modes are available on the LS 300X, including Linear, Exponential, Logarithmic and S-Curve, with five common colour temperature presets for 2700K, 3200K, 4200K, 5500K and 6500K and 50K increments in between the warmest and coolest for manual fine tuning.
  • 9 built-in lighting effects
  • Bowens S-Type mount
  • fan cooling system; 5 pin XLR connector; 2xV mount batteries; AC or 14V DC;
  • 11.4kg
  • $US1199

Aputure Light Storm 300D II

  • announced Apr 2019
  • ballast now internal, shorter unit, batteries now on each side and 20% brighter
  • Longer 7.74m cable
  • more silent as no fans but relies on a heat sink
  • new wireless control functionality
    • app allows you to have multiple groups of lights with different settings, trigger effects, and get full remote control fro up to 400 metres away
  • runs on 2 batteries but can now power it up to half power with just a single V-Mount battery
  • 8 effects are built into the control unit to simulate things like nightclub strobes, TV flicker, lightning effects and explosions

Aputure Light Storm LS 300D COB

  • 300W (eq. 2000W tungsten; 48000lux with reflector at 0.5m, 9000lux at 1m, 142,000 with fresnel at 0.5m or 44,000 at 1m) Bowens S mount, 2.4GHz remote control works to 100m and can control 4 groups of lights; AC power with 6' cord; mount high frame rates so minimal if any LED flicker;
  • 5500K +/- 200K, 95+ CRI; TLCI 96; LED unit itself has two fairly silent fans
  • external ballast power unit with somewhat noisy fan and requires 2 cables - AC power source and the cable to the controller box.
  • long external controller box which has cable to connect to LED unit, and a power cable to connect to AC power ballast unit.
  • optional battery power:
    • optional Sony V or Gold battery mount plates for the controller box
    • requires two 12A batteries each with a capacity of at least 190WH - realistically you need 4 batteries.
    • two Anton Bauer Digital 150’s give 50 minutes of 100% output.
  • 2.1kg
  • $US1100 / $AU1699
    • green-yellow color shift at edges without modifiers in place
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaza1uJHgY0 - what you get and how to set up

Aputure Light Storm LS C 120D Mark II

  • re-designed version, 25% brighter, 5500K and adds DMX512 compatibility and redesigned handbrake-locking yoke
  • 180W;
  • 5 pre-programmed lighting effects: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Fault bulb, Lightning, and TV
  • dimmable to 1%; CRI rated 96+ and TLCI rated >97; Bowens S-type,
  • even at maximum power, the fan noise doesn't exceed 18 dB
  • V-mount battery plate for external battery power when mains power is unavailable
    • SOONWELL 190WH or 230WH or COMER 190WH appear to work well with these lights 1)
  • 2.4GHz 3channel remote control works to 100m;
  • 2.17kg
  • $US745

Aputure Light Storm LS 120D COB

  • 135W, CRI,TLCI 97+; Bowens S mount;
  • two models with two different colour-temperatures: the LS C120t (3000K) and the LS C120d (6000K).
  • 2.4GHz 3channel remote control works to 100m;
  • 1.6kg;
  • 15V 9A 135W DC: optional plates for SONY V mount or Anton Bauer mount batteries on the external controller box
  • $AU1050

Aputure Amaran 60D

  • announced Oct 2021
  • CRI and TLCI of 96+ daylight
  • Bowens mount; remote control via Aputure’s Sidus Link
  • with 15° beam angle reflector 45,100 lux at 1 metre

Aputure Amaran 60X

  • announced Oct 2021
  • CRI and TLCI of 96+ ; bicolour range of 2700-6500K
  • Bowens mount; remote control via Aputure’s Sidus Link
  • with 15° beam angle reflector 37,775 lux at 1 metre

modular systems

Anthem One

  • various “light cards” available such as 20,000 lumens at 4,000K, 21,000 lumens at 3200K, 25,000 lumens at 5600K, and 30,000 lumens at 5,600K.

Spiffy Gear's Spekular LED light kits

photo/led_lighting.txt · Last modified: 2022/06/17 11:07 by gary1

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