Diffusing cheap led lights?

[TheDingo]

In what scenario would I choose LEDs?

I'm using the F&V K4000 1x1 LED daylight lights, which have good color and are pretty bright. ( not as bright as 220 watt four lamp fluorescent )

The main reason I am using these lights is compactness, where I can easily transport 3-4 of these lights in the same space it would take to carry one 4x55watt fluorescent bank. When I'm working as a one-man-band, the LED compactness makes a huge difference. ( otherwise, if I have a crew then the fluorescents are brighter and easier to work with )

 

[gutterball321]

I would love to test out nicer led lights like those. Do they leave terrible shadows behind the talent or are those wider/softer?

i don't know how to describe the lights. They are almost spot like leaving harsh shadows but the barn doors don't block anything like they would hard tungsten light

 

[RyanT]

Maybe you can find something here that will fit.

http://www.airboxlights.com/

Paul posted pictures earlier up, this is just a direct link to their site.

 

[TheDingo]

Do they leave terrible shadows behind the talent or are those wider/softer?

The K4000 LEDs come with a "milk" diffuser, which I have permanently attached to the front of the 1x1 LED panel with 4mm bolts. With the "milk" diffuser the shadow pattern is normal.

I am happy with the results from the "milk" diffuser, but if you want to make the light wider and softer you need to mount a large diffusing scrim in front of it. ( like a Matthews scrim )

 

[STYLZ]

Shower cap idea is perfect.

 

[ddixon]

I got one of these (scroll down to the "fabric diffusers") for my Coolights 2x24 fluorescent and they also have a larger one for 4 bank flos. Nylon, <$10, works great, already has a finished edge with velcro. I just put a velcro strip on each barn door of the flo.

http://www.alzovideo.com/alzo_pan-l-lite_accessories.htm

 

[wgzn]

there is a guy here (i think hes one of the mods) whos using a similar light very successfully. here is a look and explanation:
he posted it on facebook. so im assuming its not a "trade secret"



"Yup, that is really what I'm using for key. It's a 508LED, daylight with 1/2 + 1/8 CTO to get me down to roughly 4000K (and shooting through an umbrella). The room was very dim to start with and my general approach on these types of shoots is to use the ambient I have and just add/subtract where needed. I threw a small LED on the Texas state seal in the background and a prolight as backlight - that was it. Shooting at a 2.8 roughly, it was more than enough light, surprisingly enough."

 

[Luis Caffesse]

he posted it on facebook. so im assuming its not a "trade secret"

There are no trade secrets.... or there shouldn't be anyhow.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Here is a screen cap of that interview if anyone is interested in what the shot looked like.
(it's not my favorite... but it worked)

 

[TheDingo]

Here is a screen cap of that interview if anyone is interested in what the shot looked like.

Luis, what was the fill reflector that you used for this shoot ?

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Luis, what was the fill reflector that you used for this shoot ?

Nori Squarebounce.
Pretty much with me anytime I shoot now.
I only wish the handle was removable for tight spaces... otherwise they're pretty perfect for a run and gun kind of kit.

http://www.squarebounce.com/

 

[ectobuilder]

I find that these are easier to work with as a hair light or fill light but not a key light because they only give off about 400 Lux at 1 meter with no difusion.

 

[TheDingo]

I find that these are easier to work with as a hair light or fill light but not a key light because they only give off about 400 Lux at 1 meter with no difusion.

Which light are you referring to?

 

[stip]

Hey, I just got an idea! Why not go looking for different sized shower caps and maybe one that is like a white plastic material. This might work!

Saw pretty much exactely these today while I did my shopping and bought some for two 528LED lights. Super fast and cheap, OK-like diffusion but I guess I prefer to continue to gel them
But I loved the idea starcentral

 

[starcentral]

:thumbsup:

 

[Michael Carter]

For flo's (probably a bit warmer than LEDs) I just keep the tissue sheets that come with gels and clip 'em to the barndoors. I have various diffusion gels, but tend to save them for hot lights.

You can wrap white gauzey fabric around 'em, wrap black mesh around 'em for ND, etc. But a diffusion frame gives you more control and softer light. Sometimes you want gels (or paper) on the fixture AND a frame.

 

[stip]

Has anyone had success in making these LEDs diffused but directional? I'm trying for quite a time now to come up with some kind of softbox and honeycomb grid/eggcrate in front for these lights but the ones I have don't fit anything ready made I know of (about 7.5"/19cm to 9.5"/24cm)?

 

[David G. Smith]

Has anyone had success in making these LEDs diffused but directional? I'm trying for quite a time now to come up with some kind of softbox and honeycomb grid/eggcrate in front for these lights but the ones I have don't fit anything ready made I know of (about 7.5"/19cm to 9.5"/24cm)?

Yeah, diffusing these lights is not the problem. What I am trying to figure out is how to DIY egg crates. Any suggestions?

 

[stip]

Ideally I'd want the diffusion a bit further away from the LED to eliminate multi-shadow and then have a grid/egg crates. Sounds like a softbox with velcro'ed grid. I think you can get a simple plastic grid from homedepot if you want to try to DIY it.
Airbox would be a nice solution but their models are too small (well for my lights at least).

What I really like about these lights is that they're so easy to store, lightweight to carry and set up in no time; being able to get creative instantly.
I'm craving for an equally tiny footprint, directional diffusion solution for these.

BTW I have those Aputure 528 which come in a spot version ("528S", not sure maybe 25°) what helps with having the diffused light a bit more directional but then it's still spilling.

 

[Michael Carter]

Yeah, diffusing these lights is not the problem. What I am trying to figure out is how to DIY egg crates. Any suggestions?

There's a couple options:

Look at how the dividers in boxes for glassware or wine bottles are made, with alternating slots. You could go corrugated cardboard, sprayed black. Might even collapse pretty flat.

Look at the cheaper eBay style fabric grids (vs. the sewn stuff from Chimera or Photoflex). Seems to be repeating rows of vertical nylon webbing, with holes punched at intervals. Then, the horizontal part if more of a black ribbon (like giftwrapping ribbon, woven but very light) with slits cut at intervals. The slits come in from both sides but leave 1/8" or so uncut. These are woven through the holes in the vertical material, and when pushed through, the slits hold position but the ribbon "opens up" on either side of the hole. (Kind of have to see it, but somewhat ingenious really - if you've ever looked at a Photoflex grid, it's like "who the f*** sewed this thing???" - seems impossible.)

You can buy a cheap softbox with a grid for (often) half the price of a Photoflex grid. Find one in the size you need, dump the box, save the grid and diffusion?

And, ebay again - there's often several fabric grids for sale. It varies from week to week, so keep looking. For instance, the photoflex medium grid is like a hundred bucks - got one that fits perfectly for $38. (I have this wild-hair idea of sewing several grids together to be medium westscott scrim-jim size... a 5' x 3' grid...)