Your favorite LED Video Light?
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Jeff Anderson
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I wouldnt focus too much on whether it pans or tilts - mount it on an arm and get all your freedom of movement from the arm. MY preferred light is the zylight - completely bulletproof and fits every situation that I need a small light for. And its freaking bright. Its pricey though. Litepanels Mini is another good option although I prefer the color temp control of the zylight. Lots of Mini's in use though.
Vidled is supposedly coming back into production with an improved light. I have an old one that I love and still use here and there. Cheap, works really well, just not as versatile as the zylight. Even cheaper from there is the litepanels micro that takes AAA's (or is it AA's?) and needs no big battery like the many of the rest. Quite a few people seem to like it, but there are reports of it having cheap construction and feeling flimsy. Another I know very little about is the rosco litepad. Might be worth looking into at least. Have heard a few good reviews but dont seem to be getting the widespread use of the zylights and litepanels.
Vidled is supposedly coming back into production with an improved light. I have an old one that I love and still use here and there. Cheap, works really well, just not as versatile as the zylight. Even cheaper from there is the litepanels micro that takes AAA's (or is it AA's?) and needs no big battery like the many of the rest. Quite a few people seem to like it, but there are reports of it having cheap construction and feeling flimsy. Another I know very little about is the rosco litepad. Might be worth looking into at least. Have heard a few good reviews but dont seem to be getting the widespread use of the zylights and litepanels.
I've not used or reviewed a Rosco litepad yet but it seems to have tremendous potential for certain situations.
I have a Litepanels Micro which I've used over a year. It is wonderful eye light and I have used it for fill in interview situations. It is somewhat flimsy and at least one enterprising guy has designed replacement washers for its tilt mechanism. Mine started acting up last week-- dimmer is intermittent. BTW, they have also announed as a $49 add-on battery mounts for Sony and Panasonic batteries.
Check out the iKan on-camera light. Many of us have been trying to get some photometric data from iKan but they are simply not responding with anything beyond: "Try it. You'll like it And if you don't we'll give you your money back."
Prompter People has a cute little $150 ring light the slips over your mike. Just got one to play with. Very bright and runs on 3-AA batteries. They are looking at developing a lens ring light like the Litepanels.
VidLED is about to start production again. Don't have any of his lights but I've heard nothing but highest praise.
Then the big boys. Litepanels and Zylight. I have a Zylight Z90. I wish I could afford several more. The features are many. But there are subtle things. Construction is rock solid. Switches are top of the line and feel secure. Even the external power connector is threaded to avoid accidental power disconnection. I was fortunate enough to find one used on this board. It is a major splurge. But I dare say that it will outlast 3 Litepanels Micro's.
Litepanels as well is solidly built and puts out a ton of light. But you have to mess with gels to change color temp and have nowhere near the versatility of the Zylight for at this point just a few $ more. The Litepanels ringlight is exceedingly versatile and I recommend that highly.
Haven't checked editorial schedule, but I will have a lighting article coming up at some point this year.
Ned Soltz
I have a Litepanels Micro which I've used over a year. It is wonderful eye light and I have used it for fill in interview situations. It is somewhat flimsy and at least one enterprising guy has designed replacement washers for its tilt mechanism. Mine started acting up last week-- dimmer is intermittent. BTW, they have also announed as a $49 add-on battery mounts for Sony and Panasonic batteries.
Check out the iKan on-camera light. Many of us have been trying to get some photometric data from iKan but they are simply not responding with anything beyond: "Try it. You'll like it And if you don't we'll give you your money back."
Prompter People has a cute little $150 ring light the slips over your mike. Just got one to play with. Very bright and runs on 3-AA batteries. They are looking at developing a lens ring light like the Litepanels.
VidLED is about to start production again. Don't have any of his lights but I've heard nothing but highest praise.
Then the big boys. Litepanels and Zylight. I have a Zylight Z90. I wish I could afford several more. The features are many. But there are subtle things. Construction is rock solid. Switches are top of the line and feel secure. Even the external power connector is threaded to avoid accidental power disconnection. I was fortunate enough to find one used on this board. It is a major splurge. But I dare say that it will outlast 3 Litepanels Micro's.
Litepanels as well is solidly built and puts out a ton of light. But you have to mess with gels to change color temp and have nowhere near the versatility of the Zylight for at this point just a few $ more. The Litepanels ringlight is exceedingly versatile and I recommend that highly.
Haven't checked editorial schedule, but I will have a lighting article coming up at some point this year.
Ned Soltz
There is a review of the VIDLED over at LAFCPUG.org.
Dimmable, self powered and study.
Dimmable, self powered and study.
mtseilback
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Has anyone tried out the Switronix torch LED yet? I'm looking at buying one but would love to get any possible feedback first.
Another vote for the Rosco LitePads. I was just on a show with the gaffer's 12 light kit (about $2400) and it is insanely more flexible than any of the Lite Panel style fixtures. The heads weigh virtually nothing and the mounting is easy with the included yokes. The price is a fraction of what you pay for LitePanels. The dots and blade size LitePads are terrific for eyelights.
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