LED Lighting Recommendations

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I'm thinking of adding an LED lighting system.

Seems that the LED technology has come a long way in the past few years and I'm seeing more people recommend it.
At a New Year's Bash I was at this year the organizers brought in a photographer who set up a self serve booth with some props and Happy New Year background - the lighting was two large LED panels - they worked and were a good 10 feet back of the subjects. But they were big suckers. Not sure I'd want to go that big (these things had to be almost a meter wide.

I do have a small LED "torch" which is nice but the light falls off quickly - best for still life up close or for fill maybe. I also have an LED macro ring light - again, works fine up close. These are small LED's I'm looking for something more like this:

LEDgo Lights.JPG

Maybe a mix of a box style panel and a fresnel style spot light like this
fresnal LED.JPG

I'd like to get change from a thousand dollar bill. (I'd like to go in with a thousand dollar bill just for effect).

Of course less is good. Might pry the wallet open just a little wider but that would take a good sales clerk.

Been watching YouTube reviews and reading other on-line sources. Seems the old adage "you get what you pay for" as always applies ... to a degree. Sometimes the cheaper product can be 'good enough' . The other thing is that you do get what you pay for, and sometimes what you pay for is lots of marketing by a big name brand. I would not bring this sort of thing in from off shore preferring to buy from brick and mortar stores when I can.

One of the motivating factors is get continuous lighting for pet photography - miss too many great shots waiting for the beep on my speedlights. And there are those who think speedlight flashes may hurt sensitive pet eyes. (not sure if that is true but always wise to keep the pet owner happy - especially if you are married to her.
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
It probably isn't comfortable if the flash is too close. My dogs really don't care for the flash.
Please post what you decide on if you haven't done so elsewhere.
 

Samo

Senior Member
Don't know anything about it other than once I was second shooter at a huge wedding and the videographer had two panels of leds on tripods. Not very big maybe 1X2 (like the ones you have pictured). While shooting indoors he told the boss we could use them. The boss asked are they daylight balanced and the videographer shrugged his shoulders. We passed. Apparently one must have daylight balanced leds or at least that is what that photographer wanted. We ended up using off camera stuff to get what we were after. Don't know that this helps any just an anecdote I wanted to pass along to you.
 
Last edited:

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Don't know anything about it other than once I was second shooter at a huge wedding and the videographer had two panels of leds on tripods. Not very big maybe 1X2 (like the ones you have pictured). While shooting indoors he told the boss we could use them. The boss asked are they daylight balanced and the videographer shrugged his shoulders. We passed. Apparently one must have daylight balanced leds or at least that is what that photographer wanted. We ended up using off camera stuff to get what we were after. Don't know that this helps any just an anecdote I wanted to pass along to you.


Most of the newer ones are daylight balanced or adjustable. That does matter as some of the early versions were prone to colour casts. The newer ones are also far far brighter. But that is a consideration.

I have a trip to the city planned at the end of the month and hope to steal a few moments to get down to a camera store and look more closely at this type of lighting.
 
Top