Lighting

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Yesterday Iker shared a link to another set of 2, 4, and 6 bank CFL - Fluorescent light panels. [Thanks Iker] Some will say these are 'Kino Flo-like' light panels. I've been using the original 6 bank type, that works great for throwing a nice broad diffusion of light, but are a bit on the heavy side when I travel. You can find some samples of the light panels I use in this article (click here). In the studio, CFL lighting is the primary type of lights we are using, and have been effective for us for quite some time now. For location shoots, i'm trying to rely on LEDs for their lightweight.

CFL Light KitSlim CFL Light KitCFL lighting Kit Sock Diffuser

These 2, 4, and 6 bank video light panels that were shared to me yesterday list that they use the same Osram bulbs as my 6 bank set, but have a much slimmer profile and come with an outer diffusion panel (sock). Peeking around in the seller store, there's a number of other CFL type lighting kits including a folding barndoor octagon shaped head. Of course much of the quality with CFL lighting is based on the bulb type and ballast being used, so has anyone used these or have any more information on how well they work?

You can find these lights being sold on both Amazon (click here)

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find-price-button 2 Bank, 4 Bank, 6 Bank CFL Light Panels - via Amazon

and there's a number of different CFL lighting kits on eBay (click here).

Octagon Barndoor CFL lightOctagon softbox CFL light
find-price-button Other CFL Fluorescent Light Panel Kits - via eBay

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The battery powered Meike FC100 LED Ring Light can function as both a continuos light, or be switched to photography flash mode. If you're planning to use the flash mode on the light, it would be a good idea to get the one listed for your camera make / model. These lights are a good way to shoot Macro photo or video to have shadowless images with close-up products. The video above from YouTube member DioxCorp, shows this Meike FC100 is also capable of flat even continuous lighting to act as a fill light in short distances.

LED Macro LightLED Macro Ring Light
find-price-button Meike Macro FC100 LED Ring Light Flash

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Carlos writes in and shares a 160 LED Video light listing that shows up as $0.01 (one cent) + $6.99 shipping. I wouldn't question the seller, since the account has had over 45,000 ratings at almost a full 5 stars. Pricing mistake? Maybe, maybe not. You can find that LED video light listing following the link (click here).

160 LED Video LIght
find-price-button 160 LED Video Light Dimmable
[Update] Sold out in less than a minute. LOL.

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Thanks to ceevisionzfilms for pointing this out on Twitter. It's a set of two dimmable 500 LED video lights + Light Stands shipping from a USA seller. Divide all the pieces up and this 2 piece LED light kit is a pretty nice deal. If you know of better pricing for an LED light kit, leave comments. You can check out this deal following the link (click here).

500 LED Video LIght Kit with Stands
find-price-button (2)pc Dimmable 500 LED Video Light Kit w/ Stands

[Update] Shared through the comments, here's another link that might be a few dollars cheaper too: https://www.ebay.com/2x-Lighting-Stand-2x-500-LED/230683764?pt=LH_&hash=item352e7f5

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Sometimes a single light is all that's needed. Here's an inexpensive Octagon softbox with a 105w CFL bulb (equivalent to approx. 525w incandescent). The kit also comes with an 86" air cushioned light stand, and available for Prime shipping, making the deal even sweeter. This is a nice little setup because CFL bulbs transmit most of their light from the sides and not the front of the bulb. A softbox used with CFL bulbs will trap and redirect more light than those shoot through umbrella type kits like these (here).

The stock bulb is spec'd at 6500K which is fairly cool, but there are plenty of 105w 5500k CFL Light Bulbs available online. If this is your only source of light, a simple white balance should warm things up. Right now there's a price drop on this single CFL light Stand Softbox kit, and less than 5 available following the link (click here).

CFL-Light-BulbCFL-Dome-Bulb
find-price-button Octagonal Softbox 105w CFL Light Stand Kit

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Has anyone tried diffusing their LED panels with a cheap shoot through folding softbox used for Speedlites? These $6 dollar folding diffusion panels normally strap to the front of a portable flash, but now they are advertising it for LED video lights. Effective? Maybe, maybe not, but i'm sure it would be easier on the eyes of your subject. Could be a simple place holder for your colored gels too. Check 'em out below.


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find-price-button Foldable Softbox Diffuser for Flash LED video light

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find-price-button Apollo Orb Softbox

I enjoy shooting with small flashes because it's just easier to travel with and set up. I can practically pull a three piece lighting kit out of a backpack. The problem you'll run into with small flashes is trying to diffuse it with light modifiers. Softboxes are a popular choice for portrait and beauty photographers, but normally you need to decide on the proper speedring - Broncolor, Elinchrom, Bowens, Calumet, Alien Bees? The list goes on and on. The Westcott Apollo Orb octagon softbox (above) is perfect for portable flashes (speedlites), but can also be used with larger studio strobes without speedring adapters. The umbrella-like design sets up quick and is easier for Photographers who travel and need to shoot on location. A slit in the bottom of the softbox allows the stand to be placed through the center covering the entire flash unit. Unfortunately besides being too big at 43" inches, the $130 dollar softbox is also out of stock.

Umbrella flashSpeedlite Softbox Octagon
32" Umbrella Softbox for Portable Speedlite Flash

Searching around for the equivalent, I happened upon one company making a smaller (similar) design at about 32" and obviously only runs for one quarter of the Apollo price. Needless to say, i'm already all over it and ordered myself a few pieces. (light stand and flash bracket not included). Remember that once you have your flashes tucked away, in order to fire them off, you'll need at least a good cheap set of wireless triggers like the Yongnuo RF-603s (found here). There are also rectangular versions of this speedlite softbox, that also opens up just as easy as an umbrella.

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find-price-button Umbrella Softbox Brolly Reflector

You can find these clever Octagon softboxes following the link (click here).

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find-price-button Octagon Umbrella Softbox for Portable Studio Flash

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The 312 is one of our favorite LED lights. It's big and the color changing feature allows you to blend it in better with other light sources. The video (above) is a look at the original 312 LED Video light, but now this popular light gets a few upgrades. The first thing visibly is the new magnetic filter holders, much like the Z96 LED light. Why can't all the LED lights use this feature? This is awesome. Second upgrade is thicker filters for better diffusion. There's an upgraded hot shoe ball mount, and finally an overhaul on the entire frame. The body of the LED light has been redesigned with heavier plastic making the unit feel more solid and less flimsy. Other notable mentions are a longer 2 year warranty on LED lamps. With all the new upgrades, surprisingly prices stayed low. You can find the latest versions of this light (click here)

312 LED Light Upgrade New version 2
find-price-button Latest 312 Color Temp Changing LED Video Light

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Screen shot 2011-10-11 at 11.04.52 AM

Vimeo member ephisus uses several strings of Christmas lights wrapped around a wreath frame to create a continuous ring light source. There's a definite catch light in the subject's eyes that smaller diameter ring lights have a hard time achieving (unless you're super close). The trick to making these catch lights smaller or larger is to move it closer or further away from the subject. I like the ring light effect, but some people see it as 'unusual'. If you pull your light source a bit further, you'll just get a clean round dot. Simple build, no soldering, with an estimated cost of about $25 dollars. [Thanks Joel]

These type of stringed bulbs are getting harder to find now that LED XMAS lights are inexpensive to make, use less power, and generate no heat. Check your local hardware stores, but online i've only managed to find two that might output enough light.