I got mine today !!! Tested its brightness ... my conclusion? Run - not walk to your nearest Litepanels distributor and grab one off his hands ... for its size and weight, the brightness certainly surprises me. It gonna be superglued to my HVX202 from now onwards :-).

I got mine today !!! Tested its brightness ... my conclusion? Run - not walk to your nearest Litepanels distributor and grab one off his hands ... for its size and weight, the brightness certainly surprises me. It gonna be superglued to my HVX202 from now onwards :-).

Hi, could you tell us more about your Litepanels LP-Micro? What are theirthe pros and cons?
Thanks

Can you tell me if it is possible to decrease or increase the power of the light, please?

Pros - it weighs next to nothing. Especially when you put the Energizer e2 Lithium AA inside. It is very bright at full power from such a small thing. Angle of coverage is about 75 degrees (estimated). You can vary the power from full all the way to zero - in fact, the same button acts as a off/on switch as well. Using normal Alkalines - I get about 1.5 hours at full power. If I use e2 Lithium batteries, I get about 7 hours at full power. If I use less than full power, battery life goes up.

Cons - well, hard to find one so far. The filter holder does not have a catch to lock the filter in place - so, one has to be careful when lifting the holder upwards.

My unit has a loose battery clip - when you insert a battery, the battery pushes the clip downwards. I fixed it by applying a drop of superglue. No problems after that.

It is not meant as a wide area fill light - and should not be thought of one. Because it is so light - leaving it mounted on the hotshoe on my HVX202 is indeed possible. Then whenever you want a light for close fill in, it is there.

Pros - it weighs next to nothing. Especially when you put the Energizer e2 Lithium AA inside. It is very bright at full power from such a small thing. Angle of coverage is about 75 degrees (estimated). You can vary the power from full all the way to zero - in fact, the same button acts as a off/on switch as well. Using normal Alkalines - I get about 1.5 hours at full power. If I use e2 Lithium batteries, I get about 7 hours at full power. If I use less than full power, battery life goes up.

Cons - well, hard to find one so far. The filter holder does not have a catch to lock the filter in place - so, one has to be careful when lifting the holder upwards.

My unit has a loose battery clip - when you insert a battery, the battery pushes the clip downwards. I fixed it by applying a drop of superglue. No problems after that.

It is not meant as a wide area fill light - and should not be thought of one. Because it is so light - leaving it mounted on the hotshoe on my HVX202 is indeed possible. Then whenever you want a light for close fill in, it is there.

Very very interesting reply. I will buy it as soon as possible.
Could you tell me if it is possible to use rechargeable batteries?
In your opinion is Litepanels LP-Microor better than a halogen light for getting better image quality of flesh-coloured (complexion)?
thanks

Do you know a online shop where I have to buy it?

Halogen light is yellow - unless you have a diachronic filter. It is also very hot and drinks a lot of battery power. This LP-micro is very cool - in fact, after running it for 2 hours, the heat is barely felt.

The LED light is white (6000K) - about there. I think if you do a colour calibration on your camera using a white card with the LED light as the primary source, you will get nice colours on your skin tone. It is a cool light - not warm - which is the characteristics of halogen.

I am afraid you can't use NiMH rechargeable batteries because the voltage is too low. This unit requires a minimum of 5V to operate. Most NiMH batteries operate at about 1.2V to 1.3V per cell. It takes 4 batteries ... therefore, you get 4.8V to 5.2V in total. Really, on the borderline.

If you really want rechargeables, you can use 12V input from an external battery - but, that defeats the purpose of carrying the LP-Micro in the first place.

The unit accepts 5V to 12V DC.

Online store - go to www.zgc.com. Ask for Christina. She gives me excellent service. And also ZGC is one of the sponsors for this website too.

Tingsern,

Do you have an output rating on your light?

I looked at their website and could not get a wattage output comparison. Is it like a 50w, 75w ect...

Also, is there an effective way to get it to match indoor lighting (3200k)?

Thanks

Halogen light is yellow - unless you have a diachronic filter. It is also very hot and drinks a lot of battery power. This LP-micro is very cool - in fact, after running it for 2 hours, the heat is barely felt.

The unit accepts 5V to 12V DC.


Two questions please:

I think in the night a warmer light ceeates a better ambience, therefore a halogen light wins. Do I make a mistake?

I don't understand "The unit accepts 5V to 12V DC". Could I use 12 volts external batteries too?

thanks for your advice

I don't have any ratings at all - but I would think it is around about 10 watts equivalent. As I said - it is not a wide area fill light - and should not be thought of one. For short range (up to 5m) it is adequate.

If you want to reset the colour balance to 3200K, you can use filters - the unit comes with 2 of them - one of them is meant to drop the colour temperature to 3200K - but the light output will be cut. The other one is a diffuser.

The next best rating I can give you will be this ... using my light meter,

ASA 100, 1/125second, the aperature is f/1.4 at 2 feet from the light.
Measured colour temperature = 5310K.

The supplied colour conversion filter is a bit too much - I measured it at 2740K. You can get Kodak Watten filters for more accurate conversion.

Yes - at night ... use a halogen light - creates a warmer feeling. It depends on what you are trying to do. I intend to use this light for fill-in during the day - to avoid the harsh shadows.

The LP-micro can be powered by either 4 AA batteries (internal) or a standard 2 pole male plug which is connected to a DC source with ratings from 5V to 12V. If you exceed 12V, you can potentially burn the unit out. Less than 5V - the unit won't work.

http://www.s131567196.onlinehome.us/products/micro.asp

This is the manufacturers website info on the micro. It is pretty self explainatory.

It looks like a nice oiece of gear which by the way you can purchase a power cord to go with an AB power tap or cig adapter. B&H has the power cords but they do not list the light yet.

Don

If you are thinking of using the AB's Power Tap with a Dionics 90 or equivalent LiON battery - DON'T DO THAT !!! The voltage from a Dionics battery is 14.4V nominal - not 12V. You will blow the LP-Micro that way.

This is directly from the mfg data sheet and I would have to believe the mfg wouldn't offer the cable nor indicate that the light would be able to use the battery if it would harm the light.

"Not Power Hungry
Litepanels Micro produces 1.5 hours of continuous output from just 4 AA batteries (it's three times more efficient than a conventional tungsten camera light). What's more, it's virtually heat-free so it's easy to handle. And the system can be run off of either standard or rechargeable batteries. Power can optionally be supplied through a convenient 4-14V input jack located on the back of the unit."


Don

Very interesting ... mine says ... 5V to 12V - now I wonder who is right and who is wrong ....

I did test it out with 4 x NiMH batteries - rated at 1.2V each ... it didn't work. The voltage of 4 NiMH batteries = 4.8V to 5.2V (which is borderline). I did try using NiMH - the light did not work.

Therefore I am inclined to believe that 5V to 12V is more accurate than the one in the mfg data sheet - which might not be updated since the product is produced.

Here's a little video where you can see me holding the Micro on a Canon HV20. It kind of gives you an idea as to the real-world output. http://www.vimeo.com/463187

We're also a site sponsor and have a shipment arriving Jan 31 and a second shipment arriving Feb 4.

Use the coupon code "dvinfo" to drop the price 5%.
http://www.dvcreators.net/litepanels-lp-micro/

Guy,

Can you take a look at the sticker behind the light (underneath the external power socket) ... does it says 5V to 12V .... or 4V to 14V?

Thanks.

TingSern Wong,

Mine was a pre-production model, so I'm not sure if this is actually what is shipping, however, in the video I linked to above if you view it full screen at 0:02:50 it says "5-12V"

I'll pull one from inventory tomorrow when I get into the office and see if the shipping units are any different.

I preordered one through Todd at DVestore. he's very helpful. I'm very excited to get this to play with :)

This data is important ... apparently, the website on Litepanels says the light can work with 4V to 14V. I am doubting that very much ... my Litepanel says 5V to 12V ... and I have tested it using NiMH batteries - it didn't work. That implies it is really 5V to 12V.

And that really excludes the use of PowerTap from AB's Dionics 90 (or equivalent) batteries - because the power is 14.4V nominal, not 12V.

This data is important ... apparently, the website on Litepanels says the light can work with 4V to 14V. I am doubting that very much ... my Litepanel says 5V to 12V ... and I have tested it using NiMH batteries - it didn't work. That implies it is really 5V to 12V.

And that really excludes the use of PowerTap from AB's Dionics 90 (or equivalent) batteries - because the power is 14.4V nominal, not 12V.

DO NOT EXCEED 12V's - one unit is already toast from "experimenting".
The true spec is what is indicated on the unit itself "5V to 12V"

Litepanels will be changing the marketing materials on the web site to reflect the correct specs.

Taky - thanks for your order! I didn't know you were on DVinfo - I'll have Todd get you another 5% off - cool :)

hey Guy, thanks for the 5% discount. It is certainly appreciated. I pulled the trigger last week for a Merlin with Todd too. Todd is very helpful. You should give him a raise too. ...hahah :)

hey Guy, thanks for the 5% discount. It is certainly appreciated. I pulled the trigger last week for a Merlin with Todd too. Todd is very helpful. You should give him a raise too. ...hahah :)

Me too, could I get 5% discount?
thanks

Me too, could I get 5% discount?
thanks

Sure 5% off for everyone on everything! :)

This is directly from the mfg data sheet and I would have to believe the mfg wouldn't offer the cable nor indicate that the light would be able to use the battery if it would harm the light.

"Not Power Hungry
Litepanels Micro produces 1.5 hours of continuous output from just 4 AA batteries (it's three times more efficient than a conventional tungsten camera light). What's more, it's virtually heat-free so it's easy to handle. And the system can be run off of either standard or rechargeable batteries. Power can optionally be supplied through a convenient 4-14V input jack located on the back of the unit."


Don

The specifications on the website is WRONG. It is really 5V to 12V. Do NOT plug the AB's battery Powertab directly into the lite - it will blow the unit.

OK I went strictly by the mfg info. My bad, but man, that's dumb. A light like that could be a GREAT piece of gear if it would power off a 14v battery.

Oh well, it 's not going to stop me from getting one anyway.

Don

Don,

Litepanels will be changing the mfg's info to read 5V to 12V. But, it is so light - when you put in the e2 Lithium AA - weighs next to nothing. Why carry a brick (AB Dionics) next to it? Ha ha ha.

there are times using a full size camera with ABs that running off the cam battery is very convienient. I do that with my AB light and it's great but as you say the weight is next to nothing and if I have to change batteries every hour and a half it's no big deal so I think I'll be ordering it today or tomorrow.

Thanks
Don

1.5 hours runtime is for Alkaline batteries.
7 hours runtime when you use Energizer Lithium AA batteries.

Hi, in a different forum some people tells about Litepanels LP-Micro color tamperature. They tell it is a loathsomeness. When they use it, the image quality is bad.
I report what I have just read:

"If its a little icy-blue, then I think these are ordinary LEDs that
are only "close" to 5600K. What this means to me is that I can rig my
own with whats available over here by cannibalizing a bunch of
China-made flashlights. At 2USD for a whole bunch, its superior value.
What stopped me from doing this before was my insistence on finding a
bunch of LEDs that measure at exactly 5600 - probably doesn't exist."

Is there here a guy who is using it with satisfaction?
thanks

I measured mine to be 5310K. I am not sure what others are complaining about - but, I used mine for fill-in outdoors - it is fine.

Tom's Hardware has done a review...

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/04/video_let_there_be_light_litepanels_micro_brightens_small_cameras_and_camcorders/

I am pretty disappointed at the article. You call that a review? They didn't even bother to measure the colour temperature accurately. I did ...

At full power - 5310K

At half power - 5180K

Still within bounds of the "standard" 5600K - daylight ...

I didn't say it was a good review. ;)

Hi, I have just get the Litepanels LP-Micro and I have a orblem. I cannot use the
diffusion warming filter included because it always fall to the ground: I don't know how I could fix it. Any suggestions please?
thanks

the attached filter holder has little tabs that hold the filters in place. You need to kind of thread it in from the top behind the tabs. Should hold just fine.
IF for some reason those tabs arn't there (they're small) you could use a piece of gaff tape to hold the filter on place OR return the light and have them send you a new one.

Don

the attached filter holder has little tabs that hold the filters in place. You need to kind of thread it in from the top behind the tabs. Should hold just fine.
Don

Yes but if I raise the small windos, the filter falls to the ground.
Is it normal?

It would never be normal. They should have design the filter holder better. oh well, consider they already screw up the battery compartment. How likely is that.

THe diffusion filter is way too soft to stand on it's own. If you will use it on all the time, you might consider just taping it there.

It would never be normal. They should have design the filter holder better. oh well, consider they already screw up the battery compartment. How likely is that.


Ok, I agree with you but I'd like to know if every Litepanels LP-Micro has this problem or if it is mine only.
thanks

Ok, I agree with you but I'd like to know if every Litepanels LP-Micro has this problem or if it is mine only.
thanks

Mine has a mulfunction battery compartment that it pops out the battery on it's own. Already got a replacement.

Mine has a mulfunction battery compartment that it pops out the battery on it's own. Already got a replacement.

Me too . My battery compartment has the same problem. But I live in Italy and I have to spend much money to ship it. I think I will send it to seller.

Sorry!
I think I will not send it to seller.

hmmm, with 1 in place (diffusion) the filter seems to stay in place fine although I do have a small piece of gaff tape on the top to secure just to make sure. Most times I have a 2nd filter in place as well but when I need to yank it out I don't want the diffusion filter flying out at the same time.
I have noticed the filter holder doesn't want to move more than about 90 degrees without the feeling that it's going to break so when I do move it, I stop it at 90. It's kind of like a hat. I too had the battery clip problem but used a little crazy glue on the contacts and that has taken care of the problem.
While I realize it is not the most expensive piece around I think for the money a little more thought into the design could have really made the difference.
Having said that I really do love the light. Small, lightweight and powerful enough to do what I need it to do.
Don

hmmm, with 1 in place (diffusion) the filter seems to stay in place fine although I do have a small piece of gaff tape on the top to secure just to make sure. Most times I have a 2nd filter in place as well but when I need to yank it out I don't want the diffusion filter flying out at the same time.
I have noticed the filter holder doesn't want to move more than about 90 degrees without the feeling that it's going to break so when I do move it, I stop it at 90. It's kind of like a hat. I too had the battery clip problem but used a little crazy glue on the contacts and that has taken care of the problem.
While I realize it is not the most expensive piece around I think for the money a little more thought into the design could have really made the difference.
Having said that I really do love the light. Small, lightweight and powerful enough to do what I need it to do.
Don

Gentleman:

If you read this thread as someone who has never checked out this light in person, one would get the distinct impression that this light is not a professional piece of equipment. Faulty filter holder, faulty battery compartment, battery compartment lid, etc.

FWIW, I checked out this light at FilmTools today. While the price is cheap and it throws a fine quality of light, this light is decidedly consumerish in build. Mounted on a hot shoe, one good whack to the light and it will break off it's plastic hot shoe mount. I was really excited to buy one and was planning on it today but after seeing it and playing with it in person, I will forgo buying one and will save further for a LitePanels DV or a VidLed. I have used both of those products and am satisfied that either of them meet the criteria needed by a professional, namely that the light will not fall apart in the middle of a shoot and the hot shoe mount will not easily break off with one errant whack against something.

Cool little light but I would have gladly paid $400.00 if it were built like it's larger LitePanel brethren. If you are running around shooting as a hobby, go for it, but this light is about as consumerish as you can get, sorry.

Sign me disappointed.

Dan

Dan
If it were built the same as the litepanel bretheren it wouldn't be $300.00

So as not to make anyone think I am not happy with the lite in general I am very happy. As I stated before there are a couple of little things I wish they had done differently but for the money it works just fine. As for the hotshoe breaking off with one good whack I beg to differ as it's already been whacked more than once and it held up just fine. The first production models of anything aren't always perfect and the price range they are going for well they have to make some changes somewhere. IE the plastic body and that type of thing.
As for using this light only for hobby work I again beg to differ. After using ABs and Bescors with wires hanging off me or my camera it's a pleasure to work with a wireless light and frankly the last time I looked I was anything but a hobbist and honestly I really don't care if it looks consumerish. I'm not in it for looks.
Personally I am satisfied overall with the product as are the 3 other guys I know personally who have and used it professionally.
However after all is said and done obviously you are not satisfied with the quality of the light and are not going to purchase one to which I say, to each his own.
Don

As for the hotshoe breaking off with one good whack I beg to differ as it's already been whacked more than once and it held up just fine.

However after all is said and done obviously you are not satisfied with the quality of the light and are not going to purchase one to which I say, to each his own.
Don

Well, I will be honest, I have not broken one off, I just tugged on it and it felt as if the flimsy plastic on the hot shoe would easily break.

Dan

I can tell you my Litepanels LP-Micro has many problems. I have never bought an item so bad.

I can tell you my Litepanels LP-Micro has many problems. I have never bought an item so bad.
Can you be more specific as to the problems you are having? While it may not directly benefit those who have already purchased the first production run of these units, I'm sure it will help the team at Litepanels, inc. so that they can work on redesigning the Micro to address the flaws.

Dan
If it were built the same as the litepanel bretheren it wouldn't be $300.00

That's why I said I would gladly pay 25% more for a professional level product. Considering that a LitePanels DV system retails for around $650.00, I bet a smaller version with the same level build quality could be manufactured for around $400.00-$450.00, which I would gladly pay.

Purchasing a plastic unit with a flimsy filter holder, flimsy battery compartment and flimsy battery door is a waste of money IMHO. I would rather spend a little more and get something to better suit the needs of pros.

It's the same as all of the other gear that we buy and use. Sometimes marketing convinces engineering to hit a price point and this is what has happened with the LitePanels Micro. They hit a great price point. But if the thing is a flimsy light that will break and give users frustration like Adriano, for instance, then the manufacturer shoots themselves in the foot, tarnishing their reputation.

Sure, at $400.00, they wouldn't sell as many but the people that would buy them would be happier with the product, hence the company keeps it's reputation, sales increase from it's reputation. OR, they keep the price point the same, but increase build and manufacturing quality and make less profit per unit. Same end result. LitePanels already alienated a lot of people when they marketed their 1x1 as "having no discernable color shift when dimmed" when anyone who has used one can tell you that the units only flaw is that the color temp changes significantly when it is dimmed.

They hit a home run with their regular LitePanel kits, it's a great product and a good price with a good reputation. I understand that they are trying to hit the wedding videographer/event video market with the Micro but in my opinion, after examining the product in person, they need to go back to the drawing board. If there are many more Adrianos on the boards, their reputation and sales will suffer. Go on all of the other web boards and see how many dissatisfied users there are. Read the magazine reviews of the unit, the same comments keep cropping up, "flimsy filter holder, battery compartment issues, boy, this thing is delicate, etc." Then go look at the QuickTime on the VIDLed site of the VIDLed being thrown 30 feet in the air and landing on concrete and still working perfectly. Try that with a Micro and see what you get. I guess I am just tired of buying products that are flimsy and break. Some great engineering going on in our market but some poor manufacturing, tooling and choice of materials.

Just my .02. No offense intended, like I said, I am sure you are enjoying the end product, the light that the Micro produces, I would be too, if they built it better.

Dan

Can you be more specific as to the problems you are having? While it may not directly benefit those who have already purchased the first production run of these units, I'm sure it will help the team at Litepanels, inc. so that they can work on redesigning the Micro to address the flaws.

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?