27Jul DSLRVideoShooter.com – LED Light Panel Review
Caleb over at DSLRVideoShooter.com, reviews one of the ePhoto 600 LED Video panels, and seems pretty happy with them. I agree that they could have done a better job with the power cords because if you have your lights fairly high, they are dangling at the barrel connector. I’m in the habit of tying my cables to the Yoke to prevent stress on the connector. I guess using batteries would solve that problem. [Thanks for the shot out Caleb]
I’ve got a 3pc set of the 900 LED panels, which I chose specifically because it has a bit more power than the 600s, but still has the battery mount option. They are also not too big so that I can pack them in a roller travel carry on luggage. If you have no plans for a battery mount, the 1200’s will give you the most amount of power. I’ll be honest to say I don’t really have a proper bag, and these lights get bumped around quite a bit. They have been in constant use lately for the last few weeks and are still operating perfectly.
New in that lineup of LED panels is a ‘1200 Bi-Color’ (color changing) version, but keep in mind that’s only 600 LED’s actually going full power in either Daylight or Tungsten temperatures. While they are back in stock, you can find them on Amazon available for Prime – Click Here.
Dimmable LED Video Light Panels
Don’t forget that there are some bags available to make them easier to travel with. Not so much protection from dropping, but keeps the buttons, switches, and barndoors from getting snagged. Those baggies can be found on Amazon (click here).
LED Video Light Bags
July 27th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Good review, covers the important points. Well designed, needs a means for hanging or resting the power brick. And the included magenta and orange filters are mostly useless.
But great portability and power. I’m still on the lookout for a bag or box that will hold three of these, something I can put on a hand truck to move around. For now I’m making due with two plastic storage boxes; each holds a max of two of the 1200 lights.
July 27th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
maybe some heavy duty velcro to put the brick in the back, like most people do with the external battery of the lilliput monitors.
July 27th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
as of 7/27/11 are these the best lights to buy?
July 27th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
@Luke Kwan – They seem to be the choice for many shooters because of performance and price. These are currently ‘the’ lights to get.
July 27th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
i don’t have much experience with V-Mount batteries, any recommendations for a good price?
July 27th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
@eiker_ir – One comment stated they have been using this combination with great success. About 3 hours full power with these batteries http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/341314-REG/Switronix_XP_L90S_XPL_90S_V_Type_14_4VDC_Lithium.html
Fast or dual chargers are very expensive, but you can start with the small type if you let it sit overnight: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/729800-REG/Switronix_PB70C_PB70C_PowerBase_Charger.html
July 27th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
thanks man, yeah i don’t mind leaving it overnight =D
July 28th, 2011 at 3:20 am
whats with the 2 minutes of black at the end? needs a re-edit! and perhaps some test shots!
July 28th, 2011 at 7:37 am
Emm,
Does anyone want to try to ogranize a group buy? I emailed the factory in china. And they said $350 per unit. instead of the $450 for the 900 led light on amazon.
If we can get a group buy going, maybe we can get a better price?
I’m waiting for a reply about shipping costs.
Emm, I can forward you the email from the factory. I would try the group buy myself but I don’t have the startup capital needed to be the organizer.
July 28th, 2011 at 7:46 am
@Luke – Sounds interesting…i’m listening…LOL.
July 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
also ask about the 1200 group buy prices just in case
July 29th, 2011 at 4:11 am
I’d be interested in a group buy
July 29th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Power to the people! Group buy 900s.
July 30th, 2011 at 6:04 am
I don’t think you can shape Led light with the barn door as said in the video. Barn doors are pretty useless with Led light panel except for attaching gel t it
July 30th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Just ordered my first 500led.
The cheapie version…4 switches and a power cord
can’t wait to see how it works.
500led….the gateway large LED
July 30th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I bought the 1000 for $350 instead of the $900 for $450. Dimmable is overrated with these lights, the 4 banks is all you need.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Hi Guys,
I have one of the 900 LED panels and I truly love this light. As for dimmable I have to say I completely disagree regarding the 4 bank versus fully dimmable. If you have more than enough room to move the light around and use the inverse square law to good effect then perhaps the 4 banks give you enough control but I find the dimmer a God send. I used it in this test video specifically
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikD1_DPIgQQ
The primary reason I am writing is actually to mention a little test I ran this evening. I also do a lot of still photography and I own White Lightning products as part of that I own the Vagabond Mini power pack. I tried it tonight and I get about 1 hour and 40 minutes of full power run time from the 900 LED unit using the Vagabond mini. I don’t advocate this is a way to go if you are looking for battery options to start out with. But if you have the Vagabond Mini in your tool kit it can be good to know that in a pinch you can use the 900 LED just about anywhere.
Cheers,
Mark
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Oh as an FYI the 900 LED panel draws 3.85 amps of DC current at 14.8 volts on full power, just in case you need to know…
November 30th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
The most important quality of LED light is not mentioned in this vimeo; It is the Color Rendering Index (CRI), which determined how “pure”is the LED light. The higher the number, the better. That can makes the good LED Light panels expensive like (”Lite panels”).
Professionals, photographers and video-grpaher should be careful about “reviewing” products, especially if the knowledge they have is limited. So, I found Lite Panels and Kino-lights to be the highest quality but also the highest price.
Next, I found similar quality LED panels in Sammy’s and a new similar brand, Dracast. In measuring the CRI and color temperature, I found it to of a highest standard and it is made from a metal encasement and free barn-doors+ XLR cable and Free Bag. The battery (V mount)that comes from dracast is made in China, but the cells in Japan! Dracast becomes a brand I like, I hope they will continue to improve and have more products. Check also AXRtec, not as good as Dracast but they have great prices that young photographers can afford.