A small powerful LED light for my GH6?

F

FoxAdriano

Well-known member
Hi, I would like to buy a LED light spotlight for my GH6 with which I only shoot 4K videos, both indoors and especially outdoors. I have other lamps, but I would like a small one (around 11-12 cm). So I need a serious light with good power. But at the same time I would like it to be small, not bulky. Sometimes I shoot people who are 5-6 meters away, but sometimes much further, but where there are no city lights. I need also a battery with a good life. My budget does not exceed 100 euros. Can anyone recommend a right lamp for me? Thanks
 
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Gotta drop one (or two)...can't be small, powerful, cheap and have an internal battery with good life.

Any small ones with an internal battery at full power will last for an hour or so. Drop down the brightness to 50% and it'll last longer but then it's no better than holding up an iPhone to use as a light with an app.

If you'd consider using a USB pack to power a small light, which you may already have, then it may open up more options (or obviously batteries but then that would likely exceed the budget).
 
Small lights are harsh, don't travel far and are blinding. What ever light you get, put it on a tripod and point it at yourself see how you like it.

I own a Aputure MC. Might not be the brightest or longest lasting, but boy is it small and convenient. It fits in your pocket. I use it for many purposes beyond camera light.

I also have Yongnuo, has barn doors and takes Sony NP batteries. This is crazy bright and you can feed it batteries all day.
 
Peter C. said:
Small lights are harsh, don't travel far and are blinding. What ever light you get, put it on a tripod and point it at yourself see how you like it.

I own a Aputure MC. Might not be the brightest or longest lasting, but boy is it small and convenient. It fits in your pocket. I use it for many purposes beyond camera light.

I also have Yongnuo, has barn doors and takes Sony NP batteries. This is crazy bright and you can feed it batteries all day.
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THANKS for your suggestions, I'd like to ask some questions please:
I like Yongnuo YN-216 even because I have so many NP Sony batteries, but I am afraid it is heavier and bulkier than other flatter light like your Aputure MC LED.
I had thought about the Amaran Ace 25x. I think it is good, the lamp has excellent power 32W, but I find it slightly too heavy and bulky. I had also thought about SMALLRIG MR120 which is similar to your Aputure MC, but I can't find anywhere how many W it releases. So I'm still on the ball. I hope I will have some clearer ideas soon.
 
NorBro said:
Any small ones with an internal battery at full power will last for an hour or so. Drop down the brightness to 50% and it'll last longer but then it's no better than holding up an iPhone to use as a light with an app.
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For me if the battery lasts one hour. it is sufficient. I don't know if a iPhone battery it can last that long, but above all, I don't think it is as powerful as the other lamps mentioned in this thread.
 
I've had that YN-216 light for over 6 years, astonished it's still around. (Has been with me to at least 10 states when I traveled more.)

But the 5500K-only version, which is even brighter: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1304881-REG/yongnuo_yn_216w_yn216_led_video_light.html

Needs diffusion, very harsh. Used it with a small collapsible softbox that was meant for flashes.

Also had the Aputure MC and its brother the M9, which was even smaller if you can believe it, but they discontinued it.

But just re-reading your first post, 5-6 meters away? So that's 16-20 feet away?

If that's the case, there is definitively no way any of these lights or similar on-camera lights would work...they are for people 3-4-5 feet away from the camera.
 
For only 100 euros I would get on eBay or some other reseller's marketplace and try to buy an older version of a light that has the features you need. Unfortunately it's just not a lot of budget to do all of the things the OP is asking for.

Agree with the comments about something like an Aputure MC, Luxli Fiddle, Rosco DMG Dash, Kelvin Play, Zhiyun CM25, Smallrig Pix, etc. They are all close to the size restraints. Find one that is on sale for the price needed and has the most output. Lux readings are on the manufacturer websites.

Good luck.
 
NorBro said:
But just re-reading your first post, 5-6 meters away? So that's 16-20 feet away?
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Yes.
NorBro said:
If that's the case, there is definitively no way any of these lights or similar on-camera lights would work...they are for people 3-4-5 feet away from the camera.
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I understand and I believe it too, but sometimes I need to use the light in the night and I often don't need perfect light, in fact, sometimes a weak light works to my advantage and gives me more pathos. For example, 10 days ago I made a documentary in a Slum and in a Cemetery. So I didn't need to lighten much at night, but I was more interested in the dim light. However, I need a small lamp, at the expense of power.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
For only 100 euros I would get on eBay or some other reseller's marketplace and try to buy an older version of a light that has the features you need. Unfortunately it's just not a lot of budget to do all of the things the OP is asking for.

Agree with the comments about something like an Aputure MC, Luxli Fiddle, Rosco DMG Dash, Kelvin Play, Zhiyun CM25, Smallrig Pix, etc. They are all close to the size restraints. Find one that is on sale for the price needed and has the most output. Lux readings are on the manufacturer websites.
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YES, I undersstand more and more. However, it is strange that nobody here even mentions the Amaran Ace 25x. It is 32W.
 
These kind of on-camera lights come and go frequently and most don't keep track of every new product (Ace looks to be pretty new), but that one (just looked it up) looks like it might be the best you'll find, even if it's a little too big for you. Super bright for what it is.
 
For any sort of distance I use a spot light with a focusing lens. I bought a CamTV spot light years ago and still use it. Its now sold under a different brand. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1387572-REG/genaray_blt_60_bullet_led_focusing_spot.html

Beauty of this light it can run off AC or Sony NP batteries. Small light easy to setup and bright for its size. I used it for conference last week, room lights were dimmed for slideshows but was able to get enough light on to the speaker at the podium from 25 feet away.

Like Nor Bro said on camera lights are for subjects a few feet away. This is like asking which shotgun mic is good from 20ft away.
 
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