I bought a Vidled Deluxe last year for, less than 475, and I have been really happy with it. Robust and very efficient.
I was curious of the new lite panels because I will buy a HV20 , but after reading all the comments, I think I will get another Vidled!

My problems:

1) I cannot use the diffusion warming filter included because it always fall to the ground. I don't succeed on it.

2) I don't succeed to insert the batteries correctly. I have the battery clip problem.

3) When I turn on the lamp with integrated on/off dimmer I have problems. I see the light in the final part only.

Are they sufficient?
Yes that is sufficient but more importantly, it is the feedback that a company like Litepanels needs to hear from it's consumers.

Thanks.

- Frank.

Oh my goodness - l must really lucky to get a functional model minus all those problems you guys are having.

Oh my goodness - l must really lucky to get a functional model minus all those problems you guys are having.

Perhrps your model was made in Taiwan. ;)

Look at your serial number? Mine is the 581th manufactured item. If you have a higher number, that might be the newer batch with issues fixed.

My serial number is 00440.

The first one I have is 2xx.. I forgot. Now the replacement is 581.

The first one I have is 2xx.. I forgot. Now the replacement is 581.

But I'd like to know if mine is a newer batch with issues fixed. ;)

Obviously yours is the batch that have the have battery compartment issue. You should send back and get a replacement. That's what I did. I bought from Todd at DVeStore. He arranged shipment both ways.

Obviously yours is the batch that have the have battery compartment issue. You should send back and get a replacement. That's what I did. I bought from Todd at DVeStore. He arranged shipment both ways.

But do I have to pay the shipping to USA? I live in Italy.
I have bought that item at:

ZGC, Inc.
264 Morris Ave.
Mountain Lakes
New Jersey, USA

You will have to contact them to find out. I can't speak for them :)

You will have to contact them to find out. I can't speak for them :)

I have written them some hour ago and now I'm waiting for their reply.

Adriano,

You write in to Chris ... I am sure she will lend a sympathetic ear to your problems ... and change you a new one.

My serial number on my Micro is 167.

Don't know what the fuss is: the litepanels micro works as advertised. $299 is a little steep -- probably should be closer to $199, but engineering and markup costs probably explain a lot of the difference. Can you blame the innovator for charging what the market will allow? You'd do the same. Over time, I think the price will moderate.

The filter holder is a little on the lightweight side, but it works fine -- if you put the filters in properly. There are little tabs on the sides of the holders -- put the filters inside the tabs! I place a mere sliver of gaffers tape on top of the filter's top edge and it works fine!

Hi, does anyone can tell me what differences between Litpanel LP-Micro and 183 LED Camcorder Video Light Panel? There is a very big difference about price.
Find 183 LED Camcorder Video Light Panel Digital Camera E8F on eBay International Market, with worldwide deals on items in all your top categories (http://global.ebay.com/183_LED_Camcorder_Video_Light_Panel_Digital_Camera_E8F/270723996591/item)
Thanks for your suggestions.

CN-183 is heavy and not operated with small batteries. It comes with a heavy battery that you need to tie to your belt. LP Micro is very light weight and portable. Operated using AA batteries. CN-183 is 850lux and LP micro is about 300 lux at 1 meter. very weak.

I wouldn't recommend either light. If you are looking for budget LED light, you can consider CN-126, CN-160 or the HDV-Z96.

Taky,
thanks a lot for your suggestions. I have just noticed this Light Panel:
Find 126 LED Lighting PANEL for HD Video DV Camcorder 7D D90 on eBay International Market, with worldwide deals on items in all your top categories (http://global.ebay.com/126_LED_Lighting_PANEL_for_HD_Video_DV_Camcorder_7D_D90/110674132389/item)
This Light Panel is lighter and leds give more powerful light.
I don't understand fine if too much light can be a problem for you.
I don't also understand because LP-Panel is so expensive if it has so few leds.
In your opinion are there difference between leds and leds or are all they identical?
I have just noticed you sell Light Panel, therefore you are an expert guy. If I will buy a Light Panel
I will buy from you ... if you can send to Europe.
Thanks again

I would go with CN-160 if you like CN-126. They are the same size and same weight, but CN-160 gives you more light output. With the dimmer, you don't have to worry about.

There is a problem with the CN126/160. They are made with 5600K color temperature which you can use it outdoor. To use it indoor, you have to use the included orange filter. but it shows a green spike and doesn't look good at all. Also, that light arm is plastic and can't hold the light in place. You have to constantly tightened the plastic arm. You should check out the HDV-Z96. That's a much better light than Cn-126/CN-160 in my opinion.

LitePanels is expensive because they are LitePanels. =)

I have on-camera lights for sell. Price is eBay is much cheaper. But it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to deliver.

A last question please.
I have just noticed HDV-Z96 has Illuminance: 800Lx. How much is it more powerful than LP-Micro? Is it evident?
Thanks again

LP Micro is about 300 lux at 1 meter. Z96 is 800 lux at 1 meter. CN-160 is 900 lux at 1 meter.

The question is: "What do you want to use the light for?"
The LitePanels Micro has very little 'throw'. It is good for illuminating a subject 2 to 3 feet from the source. Beyond that, the light level is quite low.
I use my LitePanels Micro mounted on my Canon HV-20 with a Rode Video Mic Pro. The mic and light are both at their optimal distances.

>The question is: "What do you want to use the light for?"

I'd like to use it at at sunset and in the night.

For your situation, LP-Micro won't do it. In fact, LP-Micro won't do anything other than an close up interview.

You might want to consider our Comer 1800 if you are looking for great output to be used at sunset and indoor at night.

mmmm, your reply gives me anxiety. ;)
Specifications of Comer 1800 are wonderful, amazing. Can you tell me what filters are inclused with it? Is there warm filter?

I use Sony HXR-NX5 camera.
I like Comer 1800 but I think HDV-Z96 is more versatile. Do I make a mistake?
Comer 1800 is bigger and heavier.
I will bring it in my bag around the world and in rainforest for documentaries about indigenous people. I will use the light panel outside in the night but inside huts too.
In your opinion is Comer 1800 the light for me?
thanks again.

Litepanels | LED Lighting for the Film and Television Industry (http://www.litepanels.com/ipad/pages/micro.php)

Litepanels Micro™ Photmetrics
DISTANCE LUX
2ft. / 0.6m 560 Lux
4ft. / 1.2m 280 Lux
6ft. / 1.8m 140 Lux

>Litepanels Micro™ Photmetrics
>DISTANCE LUX
>2ft. / 0.6m 560 Lux
>4ft. / 1.2m 280 Lux
>6ft. / 1.8m 140 Lux

I'd like to know if with Comer 1800 I can do the same things like Litepanels Micro. For example clos to the sobject as interviews. Will it be impossible?

Comer 1800 includes a Tungstun/warming filter. The light is diffused by default without any filter. And there is a Condenser lens which condenses the light beam into a spot light. It has a full dimmer so you can use it for close up interviews. And it is strong enough to be used at wedding receptions.

The light output is much stronger on Comer but with a full dimmer, you don't have to worry about too much light. Here's the comparison again.

Comer 1800 = 1800 lux at 1 meter
CN-160 = 900 lux at 1 meter
Z96 = 800 lux 1 meter
LP-Micro = 3xx lux 1 meter

Also, LP Micro, CN160, Z96 are all NOT DIFFUSED. it will project a hot spot in the center of the screen like some cheap home video. You will need a diffuser to even the light out to fill a wide screen. For Comer, it works the other way around. It is already diffused. However, the bottom filter makes the light even brighter and cast a stage style spot light.

Another issue is all these lights are made with day light color balance. You will also need the warming filter to use the light indoor. Comer 1800 is diffused and 4500K color temperature. You can use it indoor without any filter.

However, Comer 1800 is bigger than those other lights. Check out this photos with the 1800 light on DSLR. They aren't too big.

http://lacoloronline.com/blog/images/1800onGh11.jpg
http://lacoloronline.com/blog/images/1800on7D1.jpg

Also check out this thread. I did some comparisons with 6 video lights before including LP Micro.Scroll down and you can see the YouTube videos embeded.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-management/235277-six-camera-video-lights-shootout.html#post1455457

Litepanels Micro is over priced to say the least, I have two Z96 LED's that are a "lot" brighter and cost less than one Micro. In general these on camera LED's don't have that much light output but they fill the subject a little and give a pleasing image even in the daylight just gives your image that little extra sparkle. Works great for capturing party footage at weddings however they do have a slight green tint if you look very carefully at whites.

I also have to agree... LP Micro is really overprice.

That's why the Comer 1800 shines as it's not just a light that give extra shines to the object, it does light up the scene at wedding reception. Check out these videos

Comer CM-LBPS1800 LED Light Spotlight Mode at Wedding Reception on Vimeo
Using Comer CM-LBPS1800 LED Light On Stage on Vimeo
The Woow Factor of the Comer CM-LBPS1800 Light Spotlight Mode on Vimeo

However, Comer 1800 is bigger than those other lights. Check out this photos with the 1800 light on DSLR. They aren't too big.

Thanks for the link, I have just seen the very interesting comparison tests with 6 video lights. I understand also Comer 900 look better than Litepanels LP-Micro. I think if I will replace Litepanels LP-Micro with Comer 900 I will get better videos.
I avail myself of the opportunity to ask you a suggestion between Comer 1800 and Comer 900.
I will use above all the light on my travels and a smaller and lighter video light is useful but I am afraid to mistake again. I did a mistake buying LP-Micro. In your opinion will be more useful Comer 1800 or Comer 900 for my travels around the world?
Thanks again.

I would suggest Comer 1800 as it's more powerful and flexible. In situation you need more light, 1800 can deliver. With a full dimmer, you can always dim it down. Comer 900 is a great light too but it only half the brightness of Comer 1800. Also it doesn't have a full dimmer, but only 2 levels of brightness.

Taky what's the green cast on the Comer 1800 like? I would really like to replace my Z96 LEDs in time to something better however for the price of a Comer 1800 I bought a 600 LED sometime ago but also with a green cast, the Comer looks very versatile though. One last question, is the BP-C190S Li-ion Battery any good?

I never notice any green cast of the Comer 1800 light. Comer manufactures professional lighting products compared to those inexpensive LED lights found on ebay. Also Comer light is 4500K color temp compared to 5600K or 5800K in other LED lights which is made for day light use.

BP-C190S is gooooood.. the price is good too =)

@ Adriano,
I know what you mean about size and weight of the fixture and batteries. I use the Ledzilla and SWIT 8u62 batteries for my "rustic" travel.

You may like the Light Panels Sola 3 ENG. It's a new fresnel light with dimming, barn doors and focus controls. Unlike a 4500K light that you lose light gelling for indoor and gelling for outdoor, the Sola is a 5600K light so you only lose light when you gel it for indoor. I think it's the brightest per watt unit out there right now...but check out the specs for yourself and some of the threads here on DVInfo.

I use 4500K both indoor and outdoor without any gel.

I have another video here for our CM 5500 light (5500 lux). It can perform variable color temperature between 3200K to 5600K. You can see the comparsion to see 4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor.

Comer CM-LED5500K Illumination and Color Temperature on Vimeo

I use 4500K both indoor and outdoor without any gel. ... You can see the comparsion to see 4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor.

That is your opinion and you probably should say it that way. When I look at your (and other DVInfo folks) indoor footage shot with a 4500K light, the skin tones look unnatural and there's a bluish wash from your light. Similarly, I think your outdoor footage shot with a 4500k light has unnatural orange skin tones.

Of course, for situations when the color temperature is in fact 4500K, it should look fine. The blending approach taken by the Lowel Blender and now followed by Comer only underscores the higher production value of matching production lighting with the natural light.

I did say "I use 4500K ....". Yes that's my opinion. It's a forum here so everything we said are pretty much our opinion. =)

Ever since I start using Comer in 4500K 3 years ago, I love it. When I look at wedding skin tone and wedding gown, the white is natural. It's not too blue or too orange. Just like the video I posted above, I found the 4500K scene more natural. I like it. Some people disagree with me. Then don't shoot with 4500K. =)

Here's another video I did at open dance floor at wedding. There're 3 comer 1800 around the dance floor all in 4500K.
Wedding Open Dance Floor on Vimeo

I did say "I use 4500K ....". Yes that's my opinion. It's a forum here so everything we said are pretty much our opinion. =)...Here's another video I did at open dance floor at wedding. There're 3 comer 1800 around the dance floor all in 4500K.

I have to disagree. The DNA of DVInfo was to share information. Opinion comes along for the ride. Many posts here are seeking and dispensing information. Bad information needs to be corrected.

Statements such as "I use 4500K", "Sola is a 5600K light", and "4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor." are statements made as facts the latter which I feel is incorrect. That is only your opinion and examples of when it worked out (to your eye) will not change the physics.

It's clear you have a lot of experience shooting weddings and that you like shooting them with 4500K. Considering the mixed lighting and hectic environment, I can understand that. But, using your experience shooting weddings and then asserting 4500K is generally good for indoor or outdoor shooting is, in my opinion bad advice in general and specifically bad for Adriano who clearly stated he is shooting documentary.

It's one thing for you to travel across town, running in and out of buildings shooting a wedding for people who are 100% vested in the event and care more about Aunt Ethel showing up in the video and are kinda happy that you made her look like she has a tan. It's quite another thing for Adriano who is traveling across the planet to Camaroon, Columbia and Papua then hauling all his gear miles into the jungle. For all that effort, he's got to come back with footage that will pass muster in the documentary crowd who DO have an eye for the deleterious effects of punching a 4500K hole in the face of a tribal leader while his nearby 2700K family is huddled around a campfire.

I think you mix up facts with opinions. What you typed in the post is your opinion. I don't agree but I respect your opinion.

To the contrary. You recognize my opinions because they are expressed as such. My point to you is that you often express your opinion as if it were fact. As a DVInfo sponsor and dealer of Comer equipment, I would expect you to be more careful about criticising your competitor's products/pricing and representing yourself as an expert in lighting. But that is just my opinion. ;-)

I clearly said I don't agree with your opinion but I respect everybody's right to share their thought. =)

I think that is very unfair of you saying I representing myself as an expert in lighting. I am never a lighting expert and I never claim I am one. I'm a wedding videographer. What I share was my experience with the lighting equipment that I owned and used in weddings (LP Micro, CN160, Z96, Comer). Those lux output, spread angle and color temperature specs are FACTS. How I find LP Micro is an overprice and a weak light is my OPINION. I am entitled to my own opinion but I didn't make up facts.

Regarding shooting with 4500K, that is from my own experience and I have video to prove they work. If you don't agree, then don't do it. For people reading info on DVinfo (or anything being read on the internet), it's their own responsibility to filter and to judge if information is useful to them. Of course we should be leaving correct information, but everything I said so far including "I use 4500K", "4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor." are correct information.

Still, be clear what is "opinion" and what is "fact".

Now I think it's pretty cool people think I'm a lighting expert! hehe =D

@Taky, These online debates are uninteresting. I will give you some slack...english isn't your first language. Read my post again. It says you represent yourself as an expert. It's good you said that you aren't. If someone thinks you are, then that adds strength to what I said. Also, it would only be cool if it were 5600K. Haha

Debate and sane discussion is good, always good. It's not good when the topic switch from color temperature to one's personal character. That's just not 5600K cool. =) But thanks for thinking of me as a lighting expert (I think you are the only one who did). ..I'm solly.

I use 4500K both indoor and outdoor without any gel.

I have another video here for our CM 5500 light (5500 lux). It can perform variable color temperature between 3200K to 5600K. You can see the comparsion to see 4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor.

Comer CM-LED5500K Illumination and Color Temperature on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/21383793)
Taky, just a quick suggestion on your lighting samples...
I know you mentioned that you're not a lighting expert, but you might try shooting your samples where the lighting is more evenly balanced. On a lot of your samples, it seems that the subject is blown out as your key light is always is too hot.

I know that you're trying to show the power of the lights. But if you show how the lights can be used in a real world environment properly and balance the lighting out more. Then it would showcase your lights in a better light.

No pun intended. =)

Michael, thanks and that's real good suggestion. I shot the Comer 5500 light demo the second day I have the light. I don't know enough about the characteristics of it. For one thing I want to do (like you said) is to show how strong the output is. Since I'm not an expert, I will learn and improve. =)

We sold a lot of the Comer 5500 at the NAB show last week. I guess it's more appealing to see it in person.

Guys .... if I use Comer 1800 and I want a colder shot in day light is not it possible to add an additional filter on Comer 1800 to correct the different gradations of ligh? Then ... it is possible to configure the videocamera for getting colder shots. I think 4500k is not a problem too much big. Do I make a mistake?

@Taky, These online debates are uninteresting. I will give you some slack...english isn't your first language. Read my post again. It says you represent yourself as an expert. It's good you said that you aren't. If someone thinks you are, then that adds strength to what I said. Also, it would only be cool if it were 5600K. Haha

Les I don't want to spark up the debate again but you have a very aggressive stance and a few slippery slopes in your arguments, no need to get personal. Taky never said shoot 4500K at a 2700K tribal camp fire, haha, common sense usually prevails here. In general a 4500K is a good overall colour temperature to have, if you are shooing outside in 5600K sunlight the LED won't really make much of a dent compared to the sun anyway. Forums are not Wikies but a platform for discussion & opinions. Personally I find that 5600K LEDs are too blue for many daylight situations & the 3200K gels for indoor filming don't look great either, 4500K is a nice balance, a person will be using the light indoors mostly.

Adriano,
Do you remember what the lighting was when you shot this? The skin looks a little yellow and that's a sign of daylight lighting shot on a camera set for indoor (Tungsten) lighting.
My unpublished documentaries (indigenous peoples) (http://www.webalice.it/poturu/page_padaung.htm)

In post #85, I made the point that when you have an 4500K light like the Comer 1800 and you want to shoot in daylight, you gel it to make it match the existing lighting and that reduces the amount of light.

Similarly, when you are indoors and you want to match the indoor lighting, you gel the 4500K to match the existing light which also reduces the light output. So in both cases, you are gelling to match existing light and in both cases reducing the amount of light. I wanted you to be aware that if you care about mixing light, you will be gelling in both cases and reducing the light output in both cases. That was my point.

It's good to care about color temperature. Mixing light temperature can make your footage look bad...especially with skin tones. Whatever lighting you setup, doing a white balance in your camera is a must but mixed lighting means the parts of the picture that have light from a light at a color temperature different from what your camera is set to, will be off. I know that when doing in-country shooting, sometimes you can't do a white balance and so being able to dial the light temperature to the existing light will give you even lighting which gives the best results. That is why I suggested looking the Lowel Blender for an on-camera light that lets you adjust the temperature and also has a dimmer to adjust the output.
Lowel Blender LED 1-Light Kit (120VAC/12VDC) BLN-9145LB B&H


Nick,
I hear you. Please interpret my positions as passion about good documentary lighting. Post #90 is a personal attack on me and later posts put words in my mouth I didn't say. #94 is my attempt to give grace and to diffuse with humor to no avail... the misrepresentation/attack continued.

To your point, I objected to the response to my post #85 when it was said in post #86 "4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor" as if it were fact. It wasn't stated as "I think 4500k is perfectly fine". Are there situations you can make it work? Yes. Is it "Perfectly fine" for Adriano? I think it is not fine and am concerned that it was bad advice or just a Comer dealer just pushing a product. In either case, I felt Adriano should know that.

I've done "in-country" shooting and experienced the difficulties lighting in those environments. I think saying "4500K is perfectly fine to be used indoor as well as outdoor" is bad advice to Adriano. If you want great documentary footage in 3rd world environments, paying attention to color temperature will give the best results. Compromising to mixed lighting can, of course, be managed if you have to but I would always opt for matched lighting over mixed lighting whenever I could. But that's me. YMMV.