Cl-led600

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Hello Listers,

I am considering the purchase of a Cool Lights LED600 configured in daylight-spot. I have a nice tungsten set and recently added a couple of 4x55 flos. I'd like to have a portable daylight solution to assist with indoor natural window light and to add fill in subdued daylight. The portable aspect is another benefit. I am hoping the LED600 spot version would add a little punch to the flos with daylight bulbs.

I reviewed a long post on DVXuser when this light was introduced about a year ago, and would appreciate any updated input from users about their experience with this light or about my intended use. And, if there are other similar lights worth considering.

Thanks in advance,
Grant
 
I use the spot daylight LED 600, and love it. It's a great value. I keep checking the cool lights website to see if and when they will have any new versions, as I would by the next version asap.

The technology keeps on evolving. But if portability is important, then the LED 600 is great. I recently used it on a quick set up for a former US president, and it worked great. I used the 600 has a fill, the 256 as a rim, and a large set of windows as a key.

The softbox works well, but really cuts the throw and intensity of the light. Really only ideal for one person indoor interviews, but still a must have at the price point.

A tungston kit is more ideal in situations where you don't have to worry about time, power, and portability, but I love how the LED 600 comes with all the needed accessaries, like bags and gels. At this price point, I say get it. I don't really know of any other competitors at this price point, but if someone does, let me know.

I just want cool lights to release something new in their LED range, like a more powerful unit, or an LED with a focusable lens to, similar to the Dedos.
 
Richard was talking before about larger units...so maybe it will happen.

Art, Have you used the LED in combo with flos?

Thanks for the info.
Grant
 
ggrantly said:
Richard was talking before about larger units...so maybe it will happen.

Art, Have you used the LED in combo with flos?

Thanks for the info.
Grant
Click to expand...

I have not used them with flos, although I imagine they would work well together.

The only thing to watch out for when mixing other light sources with LEDs is the color reproduction with LEDs, something not unique to just Cool Lights, but LED technology in general. Richard has a good post about CRI on his website. Included with the LED kit is a minus green filter, and a 1/2 minus green filter. Depending on the situation I might or might not use them, but I usually prefer the 1/2 minus green filter if I'm going to use anything.

It's not a major problem by any means, but the importance of critical color reproduction depends on the individual project you would be working on. And if narrative, the motivation behind using the lighting source, as it can have a unique look to it.
 
Actually I have used them with Flos, I forgot, it was one of my first shoots with the LEDs. Here's the link: http://vimeo.com/11635965

This shoot mainly consisted of using kino flos, but I used the LED 600 as a back light, and also a fill light for the hamsters.
 
Thanks Art,

In the very long DVXuser post which included many contributions from Richard during the development, there was much talk about reducing the green spike a little, thus the inclusion of the -1/2 green, so no surprise there. Here is a link to that post:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?147772-Coollights-LED&highlight=LED600

By the way, nice commercial. Compared to the streaming daylight and the lighting on the talent, the ceiling flows looked pretty green.

Grant
 
flos and led600 or led256 work great together I use this all the time, the minus green is important for skin tones, I'm using 1/4 magenta

artforme said:
The softbox works well, but really cuts the throw and intensity of the light.
Click to expand...

Have you tried switching out the diffusion material Richard provides for something else? westcott material or rosco sheets?
 
ggrantly: Thanks for the link and compliment. Yes, daylight played a big part in the lighting as well. Also we disconnected any overhead lights that would affect the subject lighting, but left the rest as practicals.

J Davis: Thanks for the tip, that's a good idea. I've yet to need to do it, because the quality of light is already pretty soft, but it's not a bad idea to carry around another custom piece of diffuser in the softbox bag.
 
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