I'm not sure how many of you shoot with Yongnuo LED Video lights, but Carl Pendle of www.CarlPendle.com writes in and shares a find [Thanks Carl]. Recently Yongnuo has just released the YN-300 a much larger 300 LED on-camera light with an IR remote for dimming. You can see by the images how large it is to scale with a DSLR. There are a few specs that claim it can auto adjust brightness, and has been designed to prevent flickering after long use. These light panels are listed for just over $70 dollars + Free Shipping and you can find them now via eBay (Click Here)
The moment these new F&V R-300 LED Ring Lights were available to order, I quickly grabbed three of these units to build out a portable travel light kit. Since blogging about my decision to purchase these lights, there has been several questions about how efficient are these lights compared to the larger 600 LED Light Panel. So here's a quick example of the light output and spread from the R-300 in comparison to the popular 600 LED panel. (all tests are with bare LED lights - no diffusers)
Hopefully this video example provides a small idea about how practical these little lights are (for me at least) when used as an off-camera lighting kit. The results from the R-300 LED ring light when compared to the larger (and more expensive) 600 LED Light Panel are similar light output and broad diffusion. Other benefits of the F&V R-300 include smaller size (easier to pack and travel), lighter weight, and the option to battery power with inexpensive common Sony Batteries (as seen here).
These lights have only started to ship about a week ago. I just wanted to note that according to F&V, inventory on these lights are down to a small amount right now and following orders will consume inventory from the shipment next week. The R-300 LED Ring light can be found at the product page (Click Here)
Mark writes in and shares a link to an LED Video light deal [Thanks Mark]. This is essentially a larger version of the WanSen W106 LED Video Light (found here) which many people are already shooting with.
Mark mentions just a few days ago having purchased similar versions of this light for about $60-$70 bucks, he has stumbled on one seller via eBay currently listing (error?) the W260 for the same price as what the W106 runs for just $28 dollars + FREE SHIPPING today (Click Here)
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Ok never mind. I was going to break out into a holiday song, but actually I gave myself this little present, or two, or three. Seen in the image below is the latest LED Ring Lights on the market from F&V along with three optional super soft white 'milk diffusion filters'.
Online they are listed as the R-300 but the box shows HDR-300, all the same stuff. I've just unboxed the gear, and i'm working on a quick video as we speaktype blog.. More information about these new lights can be found at the previous article here: http://cheesycam.com/3-amazing-new-affordable-led-lights-available-to-ship/
The optional Milk Diffusion Filter will run you an additional $25 bucks (click here), but some lucky pre-orders will be receiving it for free. You can find the Milk Diffusion filter (here). Milk Diffusion Filter for R-300 LED Ring Light
Finally, the F&V R-300 (LED Ring Light), K4000, and K4000S 1x1 LED Light Panels are ready to ship! I personally have placed a pre-order for (3) of the R-300 LED Ring lights mainly for portability and the simple option of using inexpensive Sony batteries, and plan to use them mainly off-camera on light stands. I've been eagerly anticipating these lights since my pre-order, so excited to hear it's finally shipped.
The R-300 LED Ring Light is available in two different options, one with a 15mm Rod support and one with an L-Bracket Mount. According to F&V the 15mm rod support has been delayed in its transit, so customers will initially receive the ring light and then will be shipped the rail mount in about 2-3 weeks following. For all customers that have already pre-ordered the R300 w/ 15mm rod support, F&V plans to gift them the optional Milk Diffusion Filter for being patient and to show appreciation for their business. The R-300 LED Ring light can be found at the product page (Click Here)
R-300 LED Video Ring Light
The K-4000 and K400S 1X1 LED Video Lights are also available on the site. I've seen these lights at the last PhotoPlus NY show and was very impressed by the build quality and light output. You can purchase the lights individually, or check out the current specials for (3) 1x1 LED Lights in a kit starting at just $1050 ($350/each). That's very competitive pricing even against more popular LED lights on the market. You can find the K-4000/K4000S light panels at the product page (Click Here).
K4000 Single Color / K4000S Bi-Color LED Video Light Kits
If you're shooting with DSLR Video, you've probably heard about the Z96 LED video light. F&V is the company behind the popular light and one exciting product that will be available is the new R-300 LED Video Ring Light. We got a chance to see these up close at the PhotoPlus Expo, and these are excellent quality lights coming in at an excellent price.
Product description states that the R-300 LED Light features 300 daylight-balanced LEDs which produce 1950 Lux @ 1-meter. An onboard dimmer offers seamless power variation from 0-100%. It has two power options: a Sony NP-F Battery Plate and a DCɸ2.5 jack.
As stated in the video the light is brighter than Litepanel's $1800 dollar 1x1. Starting at $199 dollars, this will be a great light to be used both ON or Off camera and all powered by inexpensive Sony Batteries (instead of V-Mount). The new R-300 will be available to mount using a basic L-Bracket, or to a set of 15mm Rails. You can find more information about the new R-300 LED Video Light following the link to the product page (Click Here).
Mike Peterson writes in and shares his opinion on those new LED video lights that are being sold online as 1000w LED Fresnels. So far there really hasn't been much complaint over the actual build quality, as they are using the same aluminum housings as the 'As Arri' light kits (seen here) with a high power LED inside. Others have already confirmed these are not equivalent to 1000w, nor is it an actual Fresnel light (no proper glass element), but Mike thinks it's still a great solution for a bright low power / low temp light source. [Thanks Mike]
With most artificial light sources there will often be a green color cast, but can be corrected with a minus green (magenta) filter. The benefit to LED lighting is the ability to plug several at any location without blowing out circuit breakers and generating too much heat in the environment. You can also use low temp colored Gels (cheaper stuff) over the LED lights without the worry of it melting. Something you really need to think about if you're trying to use a few hot Tungsten or Halogen type lights. You can find this exact lighting kit, and other LED Fresnels via eBay (click here).
Phocus (previously known as OWLE) sent over this case for me and I thought it would be a fun product to share since (especially as of late) I receive emails about various iPhone Video Rigs. The Phocus is a case for the iPhone 4/4s that allows you to add 1/4-20 accessories and a single hot shoe accessory. The iPhone needs to be removed from a phone case in order to slide in to the Phocus. The reason for this is to align the iPhone camera directly to the adapted lens for the sharpest results. It is a very snug fit which will also cause problems if you are using an iPhone screen protector.
Overall a great kit if you're a die hard iPhone Videographer. I have not found many other cases to fit such a niche that adds a hotshoe and tripod mounts to an iPhone, but a basic kit can run close to $100 dollars. The Phocus Kits are available in different bundles that come with a set of 2-3 lenses. Personally, I find the most useful lenses are the Macro for better close-up photography, and the wide angle lens for a wider field of view in video mode. The lenses are threaded so that you can attach optional filters and here i've found use for a Yongnuo Macro LED Ring Light. Information about the products can be found below.
Jesse writes in and shares some new LED Video lights in the form of Fresnels [Thanks Jesse]. One unit looks to be using the 'As Arri' style housing. To be more accurate, one of these units do not provide an actual fresnel lens, so it would be considered more of an LED spotlight. Both units stuff a 100w High Power LED inside that should offer an equivalent power output of a 300w tungsten bulb.
The other more expensive unit appears to offer the fresnel style cut glass to focus the beam. I think it's still too early to invest in such lighting, but hopefully in the coming year we'll see more of these lights being offered bringing prices down and quality up. You can already find some of these LED Fresnels available via eBay (Click Here).
Yongnuo YN-300 LED Video Light
. So here's a quick example of the light output and spread from the 
.
