Lighting question

Mounted to a camera for run N gun type stuff, sitting on a table top lighting the face of someone looking at a computer monitor, mounted to a stand as a hair light for a stand up interview. Use any light as you see fit.
 
If you are planning on pointing an LED light at humans, the most important difference (and one that tends to be a related to cost) is color accuracy. A cheap LED can make skin tones look off or plastic-y. There still isn't a perfect yardstick to signify the color purity but the closest is the CRI index, where you would want the unit to deliver better than a 90 if you were using it to light people.
 
As Charles points out, color accuracy can be an issue with some LED lights, but this has started and will continue to change as technology progresses. Unfortunately at the moment LED lights with a higher CRI tend to be more expensive. If you really need a small portable LED light, I would set a realistic budget and research lights which fit both your price range as well as offer a performance level which is acceptable for the work being done.
 
I once rigged a little LED like that off an actor's belt in order to throw an edge on their head and shoulders to pull them out of the darkness on a night exterior when our gennie failed... they can do a great deal with a little imagination.

I'd suggest looking at the "Aputure Amaran AL-H198" instead though - they're cheaper and they claim 95 CRI.
 
You have to be careful with no-name LED lights off ebay - the sellers often "claim" CRI of 95 etc., but that's simply not accurate. But Aputure is a good company and they don't lie. Also look into F&V.
 
I bought something similar 5 years ago. For my shooting style, it's never been used - nice torch though!

It really does depend on what you shoot. I don;t do anything where an on-camera light would be any use at all - if you do, then it's fine.
 
Hi paulears, thanks for your reply.

Yes your right, it really depends. But i guess i'll need it for some occasions.

Thanks
 
Lens rentals has a few things in that dept., rent something for a weekend and see what you think.

I have a first-gen, cheap plastic on-camera LED light, can't even recall where I got it. I've used it ONCE... I have one client that's so good, I gladly shoot events for them. Night time halloween party, and I got shots after dark I wouldn't have been able to get (customer quick testimonial stuff). Next time I'll just rent something with a little more oomph.

Other than that sort of use... get some biax flo's.
 
The only lights I own which could be camera mounted are a pair of F&V Z96 LEDs and a Kino Flo Kamio Ring light.

Do I use them all the time? No. But they are good to have in the kit when I do need them.
 
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