11May 312 BI-Color Dimmable LED Video Light
What can I say, it’s a kick ass light that’s not too big, and not too small. It’s color changing to make blending in with other lighting an easier task. It’s dimmable down to 0%. Even with the Sony batteries on low, we didn’t notice any flickering. The double Sony battery tray keeps it portable, but could be powered through it’s built in AC input. When mixing it in with daylight colored lights, this one is our Hair Light on a long boom stand turned to tungsten to add a bit of warmth. These are one of Olivia’s favorite lights so far, so we thought we’d give it a proper introduction on build and features. I’ll be doing a side by side test against some other common lights soon too.
Uni Color 312 LED with only Dimmer
There’s actually two versions of this light if you don’t care for the Color Changing option. Not many people actually carry the second type. The other 312 uses ONLY Daylight colored LED bulbs, and ‘Yes’ it’s actually much brighter than the color changing version which has to cut the LED count down to half in order to be at one color. You can see in the video that in order to change colors, the Bi-Color version has one set of Daylight and one set of Tungsten colored LEDs. Outside of that, the Bi-Color and Uni Color lights are exactly the same. You can find both versions through the link below.
312 Bi-Color Changing Dimmable LED Video Light
May 12th, 2011 at 6:49 am
Noob question. What advantages does the bi-color led compared to the daylight only led if you can just adjust the white balance on your camera?
May 12th, 2011 at 8:15 am
@John Mark – If you are shooting during the day, next to a window, you can add ‘fill’ light in Daylight color. If you are shooting in a restaurant that uses Tungsten, you can add fill light in Tunsgten. You can also mix color with these Bi-Color LED’s by choosing something in the middle.
May 12th, 2011 at 11:00 am
Hmmm, interesting…
The components included in the total kit make this intriguing.
Any info on the light output? How does this light output stack up to the other 500 or 600 LED systems out there?
Thanks!
May 12th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@Max – Not as bright, but definitely more portable and battery powered from simple cheap Sony batteries. It’s also light enough to put on a boom stand, which I don’t recommend too much on a 500 LED panel.
May 12th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@Emm Ok that’s true. I’m just not sure if it’s worth buying the bi-color if it’s not as bright as the oppose to just buying the one with 1 color which you stated a lot brighter.
May 12th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@John Mark – I’ll try to do a comparison today with a few snapshots.
May 12th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
first off thank you for all the info on the led lights. I got a 126, z76 and 500, but man, balancing the color with them has been a pain in the u-know-what!
I really will look forward to the tests with this, these seem about as much as the 500’s, i just got to figure out if its worth it. but man I am jumping between shad and flourseent and tungsent and window light and a mix of all of them sometimes…white balancing the d7000 so much is killing me !
May 12th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Emm Thank you! It would be appreciated!
June 9th, 2011 at 9:44 am
@Emm I was wondering if you got around to Comparing the Bi-Color or Single Light Yet? Im in the Same position as John Mark. Thanks for all you Do!!!!
June 9th, 2011 at 9:57 am
@Nate – Sorry guys, been busy. I have compared it and the Single light is much brighter (uses all 312). The Bi-Color still very bright, but about half. Someone just commented about testing the 321 Bi-Color here: http://vimeo.com/24874439
I’ll try to get a quick video up today.
June 16th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Hi Emm,
Another who would like to see a comparison.
Do you think it would make sense to get the single color version and use gels when necessary? I know it’s hard to say because it depends on the user and circumstances, but I am caught between wanting the brightness of the single and the flexibility of the bi-color. Thanks.
June 16th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
One other quick question Emm,
When the bi-color light is set to the middle in the range of color temp, are the LEDs shining at full power? Wouldn’t this make it as bright as the single color but at a warmer color temp? Thanks. Its hard to find this kind of info online.
June 16th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Mickey Jones – Actually no. They would both be half dimmed. As you move from one color to the next it dims. Both knobs are dimmers.
June 16th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Gotcha. Thanks. Guess I’ll pick up the cheaper brighter single color and gel when necessary.
July 8th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Would you use these for a wedding reception of 200 guests? If so, how many would you set up? Thanks!
August 17th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
First, Thank you for a great website/blog! I am looking to purchasing a LED panel light too. I have noticed you are in favor of the 500 LED Panel or use it more for your examples or demos…. I plan to purchase one for video work outdoors, however I would like to use gels for color. What would you suggest? May I also pick at your brain for a video project I am doing too! I look forward to your reply! Thank you again!
August 17th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Sorry, one more thing… I would also like to have it operated with a ac adaptor and batteries.
August 18th, 2011 at 7:50 am
@Debbie L. These are great LED lights http://cheesycam.com/led-light-panel-review/. They can run on AC or Battery, but they would require the V-Mount battery.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Hi Emm,
I need a on camera video light, mostly for interviews. I was shooting a yoga pilates place the other day and I was shooting downstairs where the studio was orangey coloured and upstairs studio had lots of light coming in.
I think I would be better of to go with the Bi-Color light for versatility and being able to quickly switch colour temperatures.
What do you recommend for my situation?
Thanks!
August 27th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
@Daniel – These 312 LEDs are great, but you might want a few of them for different purposes (hairlight, etc). A cheaper option with more output, but not battery powered, would be the 500 LED panel http://cheesycam.com/500-led-video-light-panel/
August 27th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Emm,
For an on camera solution, out of all the LED solutions you mentioned on your site, which would you recommend?
Have you heard of these lights, any good?
Comer 900
http://lacoloronline.com/product/?CM900-Comer-CM-LBPS900-LED-Light-(Sony-Battery)
Thanks
August 27th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
@Daniel – The Z96, The 240, or the 312.
Z96: http://cheesycam.com/z96-dimmable-dslr-led-video-light-vs-126-led/
240: http://cheesycam.com/hot-240-led-bi-color-led-video-lights/
312: http://cheesycam.com/312-bi-color-changing-led-light-price-drop/
August 27th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Emm,
LoL, out of those 3 which would you recommend?
Thank you
August 27th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Emm,
Keep in mind, it is mostly for interviews. MS to MCU type shots mostly.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:43 am
@Daniel – If you can afford it then go all 312.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Emm,
Right on. I was gearing towards it. Thanks.
Little off topic question but what kind of articulating arm would I need to attach my RodeVideoMic Pro from a flash bracket mount off my camera?
Thank you
August 28th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@Daniel – You can use these http://cheesycam.com/friction-arms-back-in-stock/, but you will need a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter like these 3/8″ to 1/4″ Tripod Thread Adapter (3 Pack).
The adapter will go under your Rode microphone and allow you to thread it onto standard 1/4-20.
September 7th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Emm,
I use the Coolux Sound Bracket:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126229-REG/Cool_Lux_MD3000_MD_3000_Light_and_Sound.html
So, I’d attach the friction arm onto 1 flash bracket hot shoe and then I’d have to replace the other end of the friction arm so it can accommodate the RVMP?
How would I attach the 3/8″ to 1/4″ tripod thread adapter to my Rode Video Mic Pro since it has a flat base that doesn’t come off?
September 7th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@Daniel – Just screw the friction arm under the Rode VMP. There’s a hole under it.
September 12th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Just got my 312 A non bi color dimmable led in the mail…. This thing is wicked bright!!! Awesome light… not as strong as my Z96… other than the diffuser filter there’s no protection for the LED buldbs… the housing feels much weaker than the z96… but wow wicked bright and it has a wider throw too. I ordered a pack of lee daylight to tungsten filter for matching indoor lighting which I’ll have to cut to fit properly but overall I thing this will be well worth the investment.
February 5th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Do you know of a way to attach barn doors to this light? It would make it perfect!
March 11th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Does anybody know if this puts out enough light to shoot a subject that is about 5 feet away. I would like to stay at about f8, 125th iso=400
I am doing still not video. What would you recommend for this? I am trying to use continuous instead of a strobe.
Thanks!
Brian
March 11th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@brian – Probably not at F/8 ISO 400. You’ll need to boost the ISO more to expose for F/8 on this light.
May 16th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Has anyone tested the bi color light with a color meter. I have the 126 and 160 led LED on camera lights. I use them for set photography. The only problem is they can not balance to 3200 or 3400 I have tried a number of different filters and the color is way off. I only use my light for 5600 color temp sets. How has this light done with 3200 or 3400 color temps. Did anyone get a clean skin tone. Lowel has a bi light but is very expensive but if it has better skin tones at 3200 or 3400 I will have to pay more money. Nobody rents the Lowel to do a test.