LED On-Camera Video Lights

vidled

vidled

DVXuser Sponsor
I have read with interest the various posts regarding LED lights here. A DVX100A (PAL version) user myself, I have designed on-camera LED lights which should be available for sale at the end of February 2005. No, they won't cost as much as the other 'famous' one, and we will offer them in three different color temperatures, and different beam angles. It's a pretty nice light! Of course it won't replace a 100W+ Bescor or similar, but it does offer a nice alternative, especially as it doesn't use too much power (4W, 8W and 14W versions). Oh yeah, they are dimmable too! LEDs have their drawbacks as many have mentioned here, but they do work pretty well for certain applications. I'll be happy to answer any questions, technical or otherwise. Cheers, Marius.
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

Hey there RWM. No pictures....yet. But soon. Price? Not 100% set yet, but about U$225 (MSRP, discount will be given) for the warm-white one (has 52 x 5mm LEDS, ~40° very even beam, ~3000K, 4W). Next one is ~U$240: a cool-white 52 x 5mm LEDS, ~40° very even beam, ~12000K, 8W) Those two combined (one on top of the other) make a variable colour temperature light (has some slight 'rings' when this is done, but still very workable). They don't include a battery pack (sold separately, or use your own supply). Input voltage is 9 to 28V DC. --- I did look at making a ringlight but decided against it for this initial design; maybe in the future though. Cheers, Marius.
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

Thanks for the info vidled. Really interesting (4 me) are ringlights. Not for lighting up a scene but to give the pupile of an actress/actor this nice reflections that you can see in many music-vid's (close-up's). Anyhow, if you have a picture, post it here. Cya here....
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

[quote author=RWM link=board=lighting;num=1105820672;start=0#3 date=01/15/05 at 16:10:46]Thanks for the info vidled. Really interesting (4 me) are ringlights. Not for lighting up a scene but to give the pupile of an actress/actor this nice reflections that you can see in many music-vid's (close-up's). Anyhow, if you have a picture, post it here. Cya here....[/quote]

Yea gotta say, LEDs in there current state simply don't do it in a nice way for video. i know, i have been working with designs for the last three years and unless you are using a proprietary mirror reflector type system regardless of the price there are much more efficient lights out there. . You mentioned 12000k for cool white. Error? 12k would be about blue to you and I. How many mcds are each element rated at? Any photometric data?
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

Hey Walter. Yes, I agree [somewhat] with what you say. The LED as it is, has its flaws for sure. 12000K is correct, one could call it blueish-cool-white I guess! ;-) That one is more ment to be used together with the 3000K one, to give a variable colour temperature light assembly. With all the LEDs we tried, we did notice that the LEDs MCD rating (as given by the manufacturer) means little, and actual output with actual beam angle is what matters most. Those figures will be published on the website in due course. It's why I give actual wattage usage here. By the way, We do have two additional designs in the works, and they do use different kinds of LEDs. Quite amazing stuff those, but we will start with the 'normal' 5mm ones first. Cheers, Marius.
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

" we did notice that the LEDs MCD rating (as given by the manufacturer) means little"

I disagree. In fact this months Lighting Dimensions mag had a good article on how us lighting designers are having to think in new terms nowadays including MCDs over watts. It tell me a lot when I know what the mcd output of your LED is. Is it a LumiLED? You're going to have problem in selling a light in that it's about efficiency per watt/cost. yes it's cheaper than what is out there but still too much for it's overall efficiency. And why not some of the newer high output 5500k LEDS? There simply are far better incandescent fixtures out there that will cost considerably less. I do wish you all the best though. I am quite knowledgeable of the business end of this if you ever need some advice. Email me privately.
 
Re: LED On-Camera Video Lights

Thanks Walter. I will contact you privately shortly. The MCD of the highest output one is ~25000 each, although I still have to measure its angle, my guess is around 10 degree. That's the spot light one, the others are about 40 degree. And no, they are not Lumileds, although I do have some of those here for testing also. These first lights just use 5mm LEDs that we carefully selected from many different ones. Cheers, Marius.
 
LOL Walter,
I just saw that you yourself are coming out with an on-camera LED light! So much for all that negative vibe toward LED lighting! Ha!
HEHE, just giving you a hard time, sorry; your light looks mighty spiffing!!!
Any clue for what you'll sell it for?
 
vidled said:
LOL Walter,
I just saw that you yourself are coming out with an on-camera LED light! So much for all that negative vibe toward LED lighting! Ha!
HEHE, just giving you a hard time, sorry; your light looks mighty spiffing!!!
Any clue for what you'll sell it for?
Click to expand...

Actually I am not. I was trying for the last five years. I give up each time I have a one-off made in my plant. In fact some of the lights currently marketed are due to me talking about what I was doing publicly some years ago. If you saw something it's old and I have since given up. LED technology is not where it needs to be for an effective on camera light. The efficiency of incandescent and cost vs quality makes LEDs pretty silly in todays age. I was consulting with Nichia a few years back and they are working on some new designs and increasing efficiency but the area of useable wavelengths with current designs just doesn't do it for me as a sun gun. Specialty products yes, but as a general light, it just doesn't cut it as I see it. I should know, I have spent nearly $100k trying. That does not mean you should not make your product. I hope it sells well.
 
Hey Walter,
oh, okay. My mistake then, I had snooped around your site when I stumbled across that picture of your LED light (looks great I must say!):
http://www.bluesky-web.com/big-eye-preview.htm
I didn't realize it was 'old' news.

I respect your opinion as far as lighting is concerned, and hold it in highest regard.
So thanks for the well-wishes, I really appreciate it.

We have already made our lights and they are selling very well. As offered in another forum, if you like, and have a few spare minutes, I can send you one of ours, for you to check out. It might just be that you will be positively surprised.
Although I do agree that their use is slightly specialized, i.e. only really usefull if VERY LOW power requirements are necessary.
(Shooting a docu myself on a remote island next month, and will be using 10 of our LED lights exlusively.)

Cheers
 
videoteque73 said:
Vidled, I love your lights!!!

What have the Litepanels that yours lack?? (apart 3x the price)
Click to expand...

Hey there.
They are comparable indeed. Our lights can be purchased in either cool or warm color teperatures, and by mid-December in daylight color temperatures.
New products will be introduces early next year also.

Cheers.
 
I think I will wait for your return. From your web, I feel the most usefull combination, that is 40º angle and daylight is the one missing! I am happy to hear from you this will change! ;-)
 
Hello again.
Yes, the dayLED-40 is the one we have been, are, and will continue to test. Looking very good so far, and we can't foresee any probs. We'll have at least 2000 hours clocked up on our test units by then. Cheers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top