Tangents

review: Litepanels MicroPro LED Video Light

September 13, 2010

review: Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light

I’ve been using the Lowel ID-Light whenever I wanted the specific effect that a video light gives when used for stills photography. The not-so-gradual fall-off in the light’s spread gives a dramatic quality to images. However, the Lowel ID-light can feel clumsy with the handle and battery pack that needs to be attached via the thick power cable. So I’ve been looking at various options to replace it … or at least use at times that I need something compact and simple. Enter the Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H) …

This dim-able LED light setup comes in a compact plastic casing, and takes 6 AA batteries. The on-off switch has an interesting feature. As you twist it out of the Off position, the LEDs will briefly flicker to let you know there is batteries and the light is active. And then you can gradually increase the power via the knob. Simplicity itself.

The unit comes with 2 filters to match it to Tungsten / Incandescent light. A diffuser gel is also included. These clip into the front of the unit. Portable and compact and easy to use.

While it comes with an elegant-looking hot-shoe mount, it is best used off-camera as additional light if you choose to use it for stills photography. The LEDs are set for a white balance of 5400K … Daylight white balance. The one gel just warms the color a bit, the other corrects the LEDs for 3200K .. close enough to Tungsten / Incandescent.

This is how I used it in the photograph at the top – balanced for Tungsten, so that I retain the warmth and feel of the scene I used as background. The Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H), was ideal to use here for some of the romantic portraits of the couple. It easily slips into my trouser pocket, even if bulky. Then I had someone else hold it up for me to light the couple – ironically enough, I put the videographer to work here to help me and hold the light for me.

Summary:
It is simple to use. I like that. It also gives a pleasant spread of light. Not as intense as the 100W video light, and more evenly spread. But I might use it more often than the Lowel ID-light, simply because it is so easy to slip into a camera bag or your pocket. It also doesn’t become hot to touch.

I’m awaiting the arrival of the DedoLight Ledzilla mini light to do a more thorough direct comparison in terms of light levels and light spread. In the meantime, I’m very happy in using the Litepanels MicroPro LED video light (B&H), as the latest addition to my lighting kit.

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32 Comments »

Thanks Neil. Is this powerful enough to use for outdoor portraits say at sunset or twilight.

Comment by Jason Smith — September 14, 2010 @ 3:38 am
Jason, it isn’t bright enough for use in daylight. This device is more in the order of 1/125 @ f2.8 @ 800 ISO … or thereabouts. Definitely not daylight.

The larger LitePanels will do it though. They are considerably larger and brighter … and spendier.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 14, 2010 @ 4:08 am
Thanks. Don’t you think a very good option (for the same light but not so expensive!) would be a good quality flashlight?

Comment by Dragos — September 14, 2010 @ 4:37 am
OK so I squeak when I walk. Close to $400 does seem very expensive. I like the light quality Neil a lot, but that price!

Squeak squeak!

Comment by Paul Hodgson — September 14, 2010 @ 5:15 am
I look forward to your thoughts on the dedolight, that looks very nice for what it is.

Comment by Sheri J — September 14, 2010 @ 7:34 am
Hey Paul check out the z96 dimmable led video light it runs for about 70 bucks and it a really good light. Over at cheesycam.com they have a really good review on them.

Comment by sir.lloyd — September 14, 2010 @ 9:17 am
I agree with Paul. It is priced too high.
@Dragos – Problem with flashlights are that the beam is too narrow and not diffused.

Comment by Nayeem — September 14, 2010 @ 9:42 am
I was thinking at flashlights also with leds, I’ve seen round shape with 100 LED. I have doubts about the power of light and a problem would be attaching gels or a “softbox”, need an improvisation and the look will be… I’m gonna try, maybe next weekend. Neil, I realize you’d never make improvisations… maybe at your beginings?

Comment by Dragos — September 14, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Since Neil does photography professionally, if these tools get the job done, it’s worth the cost. The tool will pay for itself over time.

Even though most of us will probably not be able to afford most of the equipment Neil uses, it’s nice to see what professionals use. If nothing else, it inspires people to try to find a cheaper alternative. Then, we all win. :-)

Comment by Stephen — September 14, 2010 @ 11:14 am
Stephen – I understand where you’re coming from and I to make my living from wedding photography. However, I’m struggling to see how a ROI can be recouped quickly. Yes I want great equipment but only equipment that works for me.

Neil, I’m not saying this as an insult to you, but when less expensive alternatives exist I can’t quite fathom how this hand-held light can cost so much.

Comment by Paul Hodgson — September 14, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
Paul, I like the look that the Lowel ID-light gives for romantic portraits, but it can be bulky to transport and use. So for me, the price of the LitePanels MicroPro isn’t extreme … it is less than the Lowel ID-light.

One reason why I like using video light during a wedding portrait session in the evening, is that it gives me more variety in the images I show and give clients. So that alone makes having a video light compelling.

As for my choice over other brands … it’s perhaps just down to my preference for name brands and their (perceived) higher quality. In past experience over years and years of using various goods, the cheaper brands nearly always fare worse in the long run. So I tend not to buy something purely on comparative price shopping.

ROI ? With this unit being used for a number of years at least, the actual cost per wedding isn’t astronomical. It’s a once-off purchase. So .. ROI? None. Similarly for the cheaper unit. Neither would actually directly generate more income.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 14, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
I love that “what you see is what you get” with the lighting and I’m looking forward to the comparison with the DedoLight Ledzilla mini light.

Cost – expensive
Peace of mind-Priceless

Comment by Michael Cuttone — September 14, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
Paul,
Since you are a professional photographer, what equipment do you use for this type of lighting? I expect people to disagree on product selection, so it is good to discuss alternatives.

Comment by Stephen — September 14, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
Stephen,

I’ve never used this form of lighting though it looks wonderful. Going from zero to $400 or more doesn’t make sense but dipping my toe in the water by buying what Sir.Lloyd posted makes a lot of sense. The investment is significantly less and allows me to try and see whether or not this type of lighting works for me.

I’m guessing that the more expensive led light retains colour balance better and would further expect a bomb proof build quality. For the life of me though I still can’t figure why they’re so expensive. This is from a stand point of never having felt or looked at these lights.

Comment by Paul Hodgson — September 15, 2010 @ 3:46 am
Hi Paul,
Thanks for clarifying your position. I didn’t realize you have never used that type of equipment before. Camera accessories have always had high price points, but I’ve noticed that accessories in many other hobbies also have high price points (i.e. sports equipment, etc.). It is likely a marketing strategy. I know there are companies that rent lenses. I wonder if any places rent accessories.

Comment by Stephen — September 15, 2010 @ 8:19 am
I’ve seen a couple of litepanels products at a french Canon exhibit. Great product, a bit expensive, but really usefull !

Comment by Bones — September 15, 2010 @ 8:52 am
Neat little thing to have. I often use my flashlight app on my iphone for lighting people up just a tad. :)

Comment by Lane H — September 17, 2010 @ 2:16 am
I wanted to get one of these primarily to use as a hair light but couldn’t justify the $400.00 price tag, I was also thinking it may be useful for focusing in extremely low light but not actually as the source of light on the subject, what do you think Neil?

Comment by Robert Gordon — September 19, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Robert, if you want something to assist your auto-focusing in the dark, I think you’re better off using a speedlight with the output disabled. Then just use the infra-red focusing beam. This way you also then have a flash ON your camera, ready for use, by just flipping the ON switch.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 20, 2010 @ 2:05 am
Thanks for the suggestion Neil :)

Comment by Robert Gordon — September 20, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
Another example from a wedding this past weekend where I used the LitePanels video light.

The photograph was shot with the 70-200mm f2.8 lens, and at a low shutter speed to bring in some detail from the evening sky. Vibration Reduction / Stabilization is absolutely essential for this.

settings; 1/30 @ f2.8 @ 1250 ISO

And there’s a pull-back shot, showing the Best Man, Tim, holding up the video light for me. Nice guy!

And this is where I like the LitePanels more than the Incandescent lights, like the ID-light.
– the LitePanels unit doesn’t become hot. No risk of burning yourself. So I don’t have to warn the person who is kind enough to hold the light for me.
– Similarly, there are no cables to get entangled. It’s a simple box with an on-off switch. Uncomplicated enough to work quickly and safely with .. but giving the light quality I need.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — September 21, 2010 @ 6:25 pm
Niel, 100% agree with you. These video lights will help to capture the dramatic lighting images at wedding. Another advantage is the continueous lighting enable you to see the moments with your vision. I don’t know why the people are wasting their time to talk about the price other than phtographic creativity. Gentlemen, if you pay you will get the quality…

Comment by rafiayub — September 29, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Good info and good to see variations of techniques.Re: video lights. If you do a search on eBay for ’160 LED Video Light’ you’ll find similar units (made in China obviously) for around $70.

Comment by Peter Damo — November 24, 2010 @ 12:03 am
[...] continuous light on an important shoot for a client. But I’ve been reading a blog from Neil van Niekirk and he’s doing just that. He’s using the small panels for quick fill and accent [...]

Pingback by The tools are inevitably entwined around the art. Here are some observations about a few tools. | Cooklin's Blog | An Amalgamation of Photography — November 24, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
Read an article the other month in Professional photogtraphy?
The writer was getting the same results just by using ten pound led lights from Maplins, why pay a fortune?

cheers Eric

Comment by Eric — November 24, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
There definitely are cheaper options out there. Use whatever you feel will do the job. It is the end result that matters most.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — November 25, 2010 @ 5:45 pm
Niel, was wondering if your DedoLight Ledzilla that you mentioned had arrived and if you’d had a chance to use/compare it?
I am interested in the benefits of a compact LED like the Dedo, that can sculpt and shape the light. Havn’t been able to find any info on its light output/strength (particularly in comparison to the Lowel ID) and was curious if you’ve used it yet & what you thought of it.

Cheers

Comment by Kostas — January 9, 2011 @ 1:06 am
Kostas .. I hope to have a comparative article up in the next few weeks.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — January 29, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
Hi Neil, I am looking to invest in some video lights and from what I am reading you seem to like the litepanels because of their portability (less bulky)…if both were easy to use in that sense, would you choose the Lowel ID-light over the litepanels? My main use for a video, would be for portraits outside in the evening (like with image you have displayed above). I would also like to possibly incorporate video lights into cake cutting & first dance. Not throughout, but to add variety. I currently only use my speedlight (attached to camera and bouncing) for when I need more light. Looking forward to your post on the DedoLight Ledzilla as well. Thank you, Mandy

Comment by Amanda Perkins — March 12, 2011 @ 12:37 am
And here it is:
a comparative review between the Lowel ID-light & Litepanels MicroPro & Dedo Ledzilla.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil vN — March 25, 2011 @ 2:34 am
i’ve got one for sale if anyone is looking for one.

Comment by Dave — April 22, 2011 @ 11:51 am
I have several different LED video lights including the Lightpanel and the Fancier 126 light. The Lightpanel is about $300 and the Fancier is about $60. In terms of the quantity of light output they are about the same. But in terms of quality of light and color balance of the light, the Lightpanel wins, hands down. I’ve been frustrated lately with the green color caste of the Fancier light. When I am working in B&W it doesn’t really matter, but for color work, the Lightpanel is much better.

Comment by Stephanie Zettl — May 6, 2011 @ 12:11 am