Looking for cheaper alternatives to Litepanels besides Vidled

salils

salils

Well-known member
Any ideas? A lot of these LED on camera lights seem way over priced seeing as I could just cardelini together 3 or 4 small LED flashlights ($2-$4/each) from the hardware store to get the same intensity and similar soft output that the litepanel micro or vidled produce. Any DIY solutions? If anyone has any suggestions I'd be happy to hear!
 
If you think that a couple cheap LED flashlights from REI are the equivalent to the VidLED in ANY way then I can't help you.

They aren't.
 
mcgeedigital said:
If you think that a couple cheap LED flashlights from REI are the equivalent to the VidLED in ANY way then I can't help you.

They aren't.
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Sure it's not as versatile as VidLED, but my point is the parts are so cheap that there's gotta be an off brand solution puts these things together in a cheaper package.
 
I've been having a bit of a dialog with PrompterPeople about their "Mic Light" (http://www.prompterpeople.com/mic_light.php) which I initially dismissed as a rip-off because it clearly seems to be a cheapo campimng light available in lots of places (e.g., http://www.batteryjunction.com/ufoledcaliwi.html) for less than $10.

In an interesting discussion, the PrompterPeople folks told me about their goal to make inexpensive LED lighting, and happening upon this cheap light, but being displeased with the LEDs used. LEDs with a decent color temperature are NOT cheap, and never used in such cheap devices. But they had the mic light idea, and wanted to save money on case design and electronics, so they bought some of the parts used in the camping light, and instead use much better quality LEDs that have a reasonable color temperature for professional use.

(Some reviews agree with this, some say the LEDs still have a slight green spike, though much better than most non-video devices or DIY cheapo solutions.)

I say this no necessarily to suggest the Mic Light - I have some issues with the whole concept of mounting the light on a mic - but because PrompterPeople now have introduced a range of fairly inexpensive LED lights (e.g., http://www.prompterpeople.com/microbeam.php) that look interesting, and they seem to have their minds in a good place for producing cheap but useful LED lights. I have no direct experience with their products, so can't yet really vouch for them, but I got a good impression from speaking to them, and I think they may have exactly what you're looking for if you want to give it a try!
 
A search on prompterpeople might be worth while.
Color temps may not be as advertised and customer service does not seem to be there. They are also a bit overpriced on some items.
 
gco said:
A search on prompterpeople might be worth while.
Color temps may not be as advertised and customer service does not seem to be there. They are also a bit overpriced on some items.
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Absolutely.

I would NOT rely on PP to give you any LED that is worth the money.

Cool Lights and VieLED is your best bet for LED lighting right now, both in the quality of their instruments and the customer service.
 
Professional LED tech does not come cheap. But I am sure if you were DIY minded you could track down 5600k balanced LED's that are used in pro applications and make something. Nothing is impossible. I found some Xmas lights at my local hardware that I put up at xmas time, tests reveal a 5600K balance and with a Lee 1/8 minus green (279) gel, the green cast is gone. You can also get a 1/4, 1/2 and full minus green gel.

Ive got some foamcore that I am going to plug these through on a small section can be used for interior car shots and other simple apps.

I use http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/605659-REG/IDX_X5_KIT_X5_KIT_LED_On_Camera.html#includes

Requires D tap.
 
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Rosco Lite Pads work pretty well. Not as much output though. I used a 3x12'' recently for an eyelight, worked great!
 
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