On Camera LED/other Lighting Choices

Panther

Panther

Member
LED Light Choices

I have been debating on different lighting setups and I have decided on Daylight Balanced LEDs. So, I have been researching a few companies and come up with the following as my best choices.

Litepanels
www.litepanels.com

Zylight
www.zylight.com

Vidled
www.vidled.com

I basically like LED Lights because of the flexibility regarding power. I can basically use batteries to power them. Plus, I get low weight and ease transport options.

So, I am currently leaning to Litepanels with 2 LP-1x1s and one mini head because of the available light output. I am pretty much asking what experience people have with LED Lights? And if possible, I would like to see some lighting examples. Image files or video clips
 
Someone around here was going to do a comparo between the various LED on-camera solutions, but I don't think it happened yet.

Lightpanels get lots of good press and are the most expensive solution out there currently (I believe).
 
I just looked at comparative output levels on the web sites (b/t vid led & lightpanel) and it looks like they are comparable for the flood versions., though they the parameters are slightly different between the 2 systems.
Lite panels also has a spot that is naturally much hotter.

Zylight seems more even and much wider flood but at half the output.
That's not based on experience though.
 
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I saw the Zylights at NAB and was amazed at how bright they are for the size.
They have dimmer control but at their brightest they are uncomfortable to look at. However, I doubt they put out as much light as a Lightpanel since they are MUCH smaller.

They can change their color balance on the fly via built in control over the individual RGB led's inside the unit, so no need for gels.

The Lightpanels probably put out a softer light as their LED's are distributed across a wider area.

I don't know if Zylights are shipping yet, the website implies they are, but I would be very interested in a "shoot out" with the Lightpanes.
 
i like the zylight but its expensive and i cant see how it mounts on the cam. im going with the vidled.
 
A friend of mine from Cali let me borrow her Vidled's. I'll see if I can mount one on the hot shoe and shoot a fast clip without and then with to see the light output for the HVX.
 
The Zylight Z50 has two 1/4-20 mounts on the top and bottom of the light. These easily mate with an articulating arm or other mount for use just about anywhere you want.

- Jim Collias
 
Those Zylights are pretty amazing with state-of-the-art LED technology. Small, but they output quite a bit of light. I look forward to bigger versions in the future.
 
Since we have a zylight rep, what is the power consumption and will only anton bauer batteries work? It would be convienant to use camera batteries to power the light, is that possible?

Thanks
 
I have put my VidLED head to head with the Lightpanel for a company that had decided to buy a lightpanel. They changed their mind and went with 2 VidLEDs because of the price to performance comparison. They are both solid and while the Lightpanel might be a little better in some ways, VidLED is quite a bit easier on the budget for a light that may not be as sexy but is definately comparible. I personaly love having the battery attached, you can pop it off and move it anywhere you need a little fill. I recomend 2 batteries so you can always have power.
 
What was better about the lightpanel and which versions of each did you use. Can you give more details about how they compared?
 
Thanks for all you guys input.

I perfer the Litepanels because of the output. Zylight looks good for fill light but the output beyond 2 feet not acceptable by my standards. 20 FC at 2 feet very shallow. Litepanels Minis throw 90 FC at 2 feet with the flood, 195 FC with the spot.

I appreciate your help in making a final decison.
 
Panther said:
I perfer the Litepanels because of the output. Zylight looks good for fill light but the output beyond 2 feet not acceptable by my standards. 20 FC at 2 feet very shallow. Litepanels Minis throw 90 FC at 2 feet with the flood, 195 FC with the spot.
Click to expand...

Panther, thanks for more detailed info. That helps alot in comparing.
Did you get those numbers testing yourself or by other means?
 
Panther - did you compare the litepanel to the vidled or just to ZXylight.
According to published specs the Zylight should be much dimmer and softer as you mention, but the Vidled might be comparable to the Litepanel,. It may even have greater output with the very cool bulbs after they're filtered.

I'dlike to hear of a VidLed to Lightpanel shootout.
 
I'm just indicating the published photometrics. Vidled looks good but the 5500 K lamp has 62 Lux at 6 ft. Litepanel Mini Flood is 73 Lux, the spot is 255 Lux at the same distance. Yeah, I'm one of those math nutz.

Thanks for all your input, but I definitely going with Litepanels. I appreciate your post Elvis. Awesome site by the way.
 
Our coolLED gelled to 5600K is brighter than the dayLED non-gelled.

Also, the keen observer will notice that our lights offer a very EVEN beam pattern. No blue rings here! <cough>
 
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