marlontorres
Well-known member
You guys need to check these out, they're amazing quality/build and are pretty affordable. I did a little review on them here:
F&V K4000 LED Lights
- Thread starter marlontorres
- Start date
legrevedotcom
Veteran
I love the prospect of these lights... however in regards to your review. Did you by any chance have the camera set af the same color temp when you were showing the difference between the F&V and the ARRI? The color temp of the ARRI shot look quite a bit off like you were balancing between daylight and tungsten, and another note might be that one wouldn't ( at least I wouldn't ) use the fresnels as a direct light source for sit downs, but more a flagged off bounce instead.
Having said that, the F&V is probably way faster to set up and adjust and more pleasant on room temperature
And how can you beat that price point!?
Having said that, the F&V is probably way faster to set up and adjust and more pleasant on room temperature
And how can you beat that price point!?
marlontorres
Well-known member
In regards of the color temperature, I simply set it to the respective daylight and tungsten presets on my 5D Mark III and those were the results.
Airboxlights
Member
That is insanely cheap for a good quality 1x1. god, I think I paid about 2000$ each for my litepanels 1x1s when I bought them back in whenever that was. I'd be curious to see some more tests, or more importantly, just use one on a couple shoots and see how it does. 400$ !! Yikes. Is it metal or plastic construction?
I actually just ordered 3 of the bi-color models for $1300. I had made a post a few days ago asking about led light panels and another user here had recommended the K4000 which I hadn't heard of before, but their price was incredible so I'm going to give them a try and see what happens.
Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
You should get a color meter to better judge the color accuracy of the lights.
Just FYI, when you buy the 3-light kit, you get a very nice travel bag where all 3 lights fit, so it's easy to transport (with protective padding). I don't care what the haters say, these lights are very, very useful - obviously, not for everything - and I'm just amazed that they manage to sell it for these kinds of prices. I'm a satisfied customer (and have no other relationship with F&V). I'm thinking of buying another 3.
Patryk_Rebisz
Veteran
Two pics: Same colorful scene one lit with the LED one with tungsten with CTB.....
you know what i mean!
legrevedotcom
Veteran
Well I think the idea of LEDs are not as much about being nit picking CRIs and so on but about optimal movability. For jobs that doesn't pay off too well, you wanna get in and out fast without having to wait for lights to cool down... I saw your thread with the test and I concur, those tungstens are worth every bit of coin in my opinion and I love my Arri Fresnels, but I'd still use LEDs for small interviews and those F&V are at a price that makes LP look silly and outdated.
Patryk_Rebisz
Veteran
Dude, i'm genuinely curious how they perform. But rather same old: "they are good enough for the price" wouldn't it be much easier to snap two pics and let the community decide??
Spartacus
Veteran
I guess for you the best thing to do would be to just order one, test for yourself and if you don´t like it - return it
I use two of the R300s from F&V just because they pack REALLY small, are Sony battery powered and put out some - in my eyes - beautiful light.
Are they as true as my Kinos?
I actually don´t care, because the Diva doesnt´t fit in my carry-on
AND because I like what I see on my calibrated Eizo in post...
silyn
Well-known member
I've just received 3 of F&V bi-color K4000s
I've just received 3 of F&V bi-color K4000s
I've just received 3 of bi-color K4000s (sold as 3-light kit for $1299). Looks good especially with their diffusion filter. One thing I do not like is the way those filters are mounted to panels. Filters are placed at about 3" from panels using small metal rods. It's OK for a permanent setup, but to screw and unscrew them on location when the time is limited is rather frustrating. And to transport them assembled does not seem like a good idea (and they will not fit this way in the case included with the kit).
I called their office (USA); they say that soon (March - April) they are going to release some kind of filter/barn door frames that can be attached to panels, but I did not go into details of what exactly it will be.
I've just received 3 of F&V bi-color K4000s
I've just received 3 of bi-color K4000s (sold as 3-light kit for $1299). Looks good especially with their diffusion filter. One thing I do not like is the way those filters are mounted to panels. Filters are placed at about 3" from panels using small metal rods. It's OK for a permanent setup, but to screw and unscrew them on location when the time is limited is rather frustrating. And to transport them assembled does not seem like a good idea (and they will not fit this way in the case included with the kit).
I called their office (USA); they say that soon (March - April) they are going to release some kind of filter/barn door frames that can be attached to panels, but I did not go into details of what exactly it will be.
I just got my three bi-color F&V led's and I'm very happy with them! I bought them for use with a very specific website that I film in tight quarters in one small room and they light it very well. I used to use two 500w incandescent umbrella lights but no more, I'll be using these led's going forward. They take up much less space in the room, there's no risk of anyone getting burned by touching them, and I'm happy to not be covered in sweat anymore from the heat of the umbrellas. They don't have the same reach as my umbrellas do when used in a larger room, but for my needs for this particular website they are perfect.
I too am curious about these lights. Have heard nothing but good things, may have to order a set! The F&V X300's were used to light some of the interiors of this insanely dope music vid.
http://vimeo.com/45677714
http://vimeo.com/45677714
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nyvz
Veteran
My understanding is that normal color meters tend not to work correctly with LEDs due to their color spikes and unbalanced spectral curves.
masantiago
Member
I own three of the K4000 in Daylight becuase I felt the output was stronger than the bipolar...Thought for cheape jobs the lights work well, I have found the lamps to bit a bit green. I've been adding 1/8 Minus Green (Roscoe 279) to get more accurate color rendition. As a previous member has mentioned the diffusion that comes with the lights are pretty much worthless. I've bit custom soft boxes for the units. Hard to beat for the price.