Litepanels Mini DV Kit?

[BrianMurphy]

I have been asked by the people I work with to choose a light for an up coming project. Since my colleague and I are in the "run and gun" biz of shooting we need to keep it small and lightweight.
One key element of our shoots will be shooting a host in a car or mini van at every location and all times of the day. For the other stuff I will ship a small kit of tungsten lights . Its the in car and outside walking and talking stuff that I need an on camera light source.
Neither of us want to wear a battery belt if we don't really have to. So the LED lights are probably where we want to go. I looked at a Kino Kamio but with ballast and battery its just too heavy and my subject wears glasses and that could be an issue as well as having enough "punch" for walk and talk stuff.
So I looked at the Vidlight, but not in production and I need to do this this week. I also looked at the Swit but it seemed small and I have concerns about durability and quality. The Litepanels ring lite looks great but is too expensive and I still have the glasses problem. So i am considering the Litepanels Mini kit with the noga arm and buying their Panasonic battery plate along with their battery that comes in the kit. I am told that their battery is good for 2 hours and two panasonic batteries are good for 8 hours. This would be excellent for our needds and schedule.
My questions after this long explanation are:
Has anyone used one?
How much "punch" do they have?Better or less than the Swit or similar 4 led type light?
Would anyone have other options?
These are expensive instruments and I want to make sure that I am getting the best value for the dollar.
Thanks
Brian

 

[tumbleweed]

I've been using the LitePanel mini for years and think it's great. It's a little heavy when shooting hnadheld dvx for long periods of time. But, the light is great. The only complaint I've ever heard is the price. Great Light! I use the litepanel battery and it last a few hours. Definitely not 8. I'm not sure it using panasonic batteries increases the weight - lasting 8 hours sounds long. I would be surprised if it lasted that long.

Litepanels are great products, just pricey. If you can afford it, you won't be disappointed. Looking for a used one is not a bad option either.

 

[BrianMurphy]

Thanks for the input!!! I wish I could say this all the time but this time budget is not an issue. Punch and quality are the issue. Not crazy about weight but it will still be a heck of alot lighter thatn my old Ikegami seen next to my name.
Cheers

 

[Spartacus]

Thanks for the input!!! I wish I could say this all the time but this time budget is not an issue. Punch and quality are the issue. Not crazy about weight but it will still be a heck of alot lighter thatn my old Ikegami seen next to my name.
Cheers

Getting punch outside with a on cameralight won´t be easy....
Litepanels or VidLeds are great, but maybe a more concentrated beam would give a better punch.
The Zylight90 looks very promising, for run and gun shooting switching instantly from daylight to tungsten CT (or any values inbetween...) it seems the perfect match- and since budget isn´t a problem...
This clip explains the features http://web.mac.com/stevecahill/Steve_Cahills_Blog/Blog/Entries/2008/2/7_Zylight.html

 

[bcheong]

I bought a mini-plus unit a few months back and have been using it on everything I do. It have it configured with the Panasonic battery plate using the D16 batteries (which are the smallest ones). I've never run them down but I'm estimating about 3hrs total based on the draw of the Litepanels.

The unit does get heavy for on-board with a DVX or HVX use when I have used it. I'm mainly working on narrative based stuff and I either have my gaffer hand hold it or pop it on a stand or pigeon plate. I've used it on an HDX900 and it's more than fine.

The unit will not compete well against daylight exteriors. It does nothing, even in really close proximity, so keep that in mind. I have used it in daylight interiors with some success.

 

[BrianMurphy]

Getting punch outside with a on cameralight won´t be easy....
Litepanels or VidLeds are great, but maybe a more concentrated beam would give a better punch.
The Zylight90 looks very promising, for run and gun shooting switching instantly from daylight to tungsten CT (or any values inbetween...) it seems the perfect match- and since budget isn´t a problem...
This clip explains the features http://web.mac.com/stevecahill/Steve_Cahills_Blog/Blog/Entries/2008/2/7_Zylight.html

Thanks for your time and input. I was just about to place the order for two Litepanel minis when I thought I should check the group one last time....just in case.
I am happy I did!! The Zylight90 is amazing. Iordered two kits and four of their Poly Lith batteries.
Thanks to everyone who responded and offered their experience and opinions. It is never an easy decision when you are buying gear and the support of the community at dvxuser is simply put priceless.
Cheers
I will report back in a while on my experience with the Zylight90.
Brian

 

[Spartacus]

Thanks for your time and input. I was just about to place the order for two Litepanel minis when I thought I should check the group one last time....just in case.
I am happy I did!! The Zylight90 is amazing. Iordered two kits and four of their Poly Lith batteries.
Thanks to everyone who responded and offered their experience and opinions. It is never an easy decision when you are buying gear and the support of the community at dvxuser is simply put priceless.
Cheers
I will report back in a while on my experience with the Zylight90.
Brian

Glad to help and loking forward toward your real live experience with the Zylights :thumbsup:!

 

[BrianMurphy]

Well, I am now using my Zylight 90 and Takeon batteries. Simply put it is nothing short of EXCELLENT. The light ouput is suprisingly strong and the ability to "tune" the light is also a major bonus.
The Takeon batteries are long lastings and quite light.
I have only a couple of points I would like them to work on.
I think if Zylight is going to sell these batteries as "the one to use" they should build a more robust cable system. The unfortunate thing about the bag of adapters and coiled cord is it does not attach to the light with a threaded collar like the "swit" cord they also supply. The extension cords for the battery are also flimsy.
My partner was shooting with his in a "scrum" and his cable fell out while running.
There is also nothing sold to permit those who don't want to use a belt or brick battery that will hold the Tekeon. So you have to "improvise" I will be probably improvising with a zacuto wirless bracket and plate but Zylight should put some thought into this end of the light.
But if you are looking for a high quality piece of gear with professional features. Zylight is it!
Thanks again Spartacus for the tip!