Anyone see this?
Switronix | Torchled TL-88 Dimmable 5600K LED Light - 75 watts (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/616436-REG/Switronix__Torchled_TL_88_Dimmable_5600K.html#accessories)
They dont seem to have anything on their website about it but I read about it somewhere. I wonder how it stacks up against current lights.

Not sure why you would pay $569.00 for 68 LEDs and 75 watt output when for $299.00, you could have 256 LEDs with the equivalent of about 500 watt ouput? The CoolLights also runs off of Sony or Panasonic camcorder batteries, external batteries or AC. Also features more mounting options, barndoors and color correction filters for minus green, CTO and diffusion.

CL-LED256 256 LED Spot - Cool Lights USA (http://www.coollights.biz/clled256-spot-p-126.html)

No comparison.

Dan

Where do you see 500 Watt?

Dan probably meant to say its about equivalent to a 250w tungsten which is the approximate range of the LED 256 if you wanted to compare it in that way.

Still 250 watts is ALOT of light. Does it really put out that much light? I mean I have a tungsten of about 60 watts if I got one of these it would put out more light?

If you have a light meter, check what your tungsten light is putting out at 2, 4 and 6 feet and compare that to the photometrics on the LED 256 product page and the specifications tab. That'll tell the story but yes it should be about comparable.

Hi:

I just received my CoolLights 256. The 500 watt figure was just a guesstimate as I have not yet had time to test it head to head with a 500 watt light but suffice it to say that this little light is VERY bright for its size and weight and is a much better value than of these LED on-camera lights that have flooded the market.

I am sure that Richard's photometrics are accurate, if he says 250 watt equivalent, I am sure it is. It is bright enough to light up one entire end of a small room. Bright enough to use a small softbox with it (Richard, have you considered a speed ring or softbox for this little pup?). That Switronix light just doesn't seem like a good value in comparison.

Dan

I'd be thrilled if it does compare to some 500w lights but I like to be conservative so we under report a bit.

On the softbox, I hadn't considered it as I just thought it was too small and am not sure that the current stand mount would hold the considerable weight of a softbox. Maybe we can consider something more like a flozier for it or some such simple solution to keep weight down. I'm open to suggestions however as always on what's a good addon or accessory. Whenever people have ideas, feel free to post them or drop an email.

You recall my speedring I made for 600s, right? Still using it with my small Chimeras all of the time although the new solution you came up with looks pretty decent too.

I have a really cheap plastic speed ring for flashes and a small softbox that I use for flash, I may see what I can rig up with this setup. Since the 256 runs so cool, I could probably get away with using a strobe only softbox as long as the vents on the 256 are exposed.

I'll let you know what I discover.

Thanks,

D

Strobe type softbox should be no problem as long as the stand adapter can handle the weight of the softbox. Even if the existing adapter can't handle it, there are plenty of 1/4-20 solutions available that can go in the standard bottom mount on the LED 256. Would love to hear what you come up with. And also how much surface area on the front of the softbox you end up with.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the CoolLights feedback on your new LED256. This will be another vote when we consider getting these lights.

Best,

Hi Richard,

Are you considering adding a softbox option for your LED light kits? (If you have some now, would you mind pointing it out to me? Thanks!)

Best,

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your interest and comments. We do have a softbox now for the LED 600, its under LED Fixture Series and LED Accessories categories on our site. We call it the "speed softbox" as it collapses down and unfolds to put on the LED 600 very quickly. We haven't done one for the LED 256 yet but may do sometime soon.

Hi Richard,

Appreciate the reply. We're currently working for a university at the moment, and they bought an Arri tungsten light kit. Unfortunately, we've been visiting (and will need to re-visit) factories where setting up a tungsten light is cumbersome to say the least, but could be a real safety hazard in other cases. I really like the idea (like Tim Polster's review of your LED lights in a factory environment) of having portable lights which are battery powered.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I do find on camera lights to be a bit too "spot on" for our situation. Whereas a more diffused, low key light will work better for us.

Best,

Hi Jeff,

That's just what the LED 256 was designed for anyway so its within the application of what you want to do and it is more at home on a stand then on a camera given its (nearly) 2 lb. weight.

Although it can be done - I spent yesterday chasing around after our federal politicians with a LED 256 mounted on a broadcast cam, heaps of punch but dimmable.

A bit slow to slip in the CTO filter but if I was doing this all the time I'd rig up a swing away filter & diffuser.

Thanks for your comments Rohan, glad to hear that's working well for you. How'd you mount it on the cam?

I had the light upside down so I could get to the dimmer knob (but that did slow down filter change) Attached to camera handle with an israeli/noga arm and resting on the Mattbox for a bit of extra support.

At one stage I was set up with my LED600s near to an ABC crew with their new 1x1 panels - I didn't have time to do a side by side shot comparison but I was very happy with the performance of the 12volt 600s

Very cool. Never thought about mounting upside down like that. That would slow down putting in a filter but luckily the accessory lock on the top will keep the filter from sliding out. Thanks for posting that.

So how does this light compare to say the litepannels micro pro? I took one of those out on a job and it put out a little less than my lowell i-light with a soft box (55 watt).

I'd like to know how it compares to the LP MicroPro as well. Anyone?

So how does this light compare to say the litepannels micro pro? I took one of those out on a job and it put out a little less than my lowell i-light with a soft box (55 watt).
Randy and Annen, the LED256 will have much more intensity and throw than the LP MicroPro. But keep in mind that the LP MicroPro is meant to be used as an on camera light and the LED256 is meant to be used as an off camera light. So while both lights can be used off camera, the LED256 will give you more options as it will be a much stronger light.

If you are thinking of a light for on camera purpose, then don't look to the LED256 for this, as it's going to be much too large for most on camera applications.

I have used these on several shoots already, mainly for interviews to go along with the LED600 and love them.

But I have also used a pair of LED256 lights on opposite corners of a dance floor for supplemental lighting, and I was very pleased with it. I used to use a ReceptionLight light which was a pair of NRG Varalux lights (75 watts) mounted on a 11-13 light stand and powered by large battery belts at the base. These lights were used as supplemental lighting for wedding reception usage and placed on opposite corners of a dance floor, and used with some on camera light for fill. I was happy with them, but wanted something smaller with more pop to it, which is why I picked up a couple LED256 lights, and I am much happier with the results. As the output form the LED256 was significantly stronger then the 75w tungsten light that I was using. And the spot configuration of the beam works nicely for the long throw on the dance floor.

Keep in mind that this is used for supplemental purposes as I use onboard camera lighting as well, a pair of Comer1800s. But I love these lights for remote usage, as they're small and portable enough to take anywhere and can be powered any way you like.

I have some remote interview shoots coming up in the next few months, where I have to fly to my destination and will be taking the pair of LED256s with me. Looking forward to putting them to the test in the field. I might also try bringing a LED600 with me, but logistics in air travel might prevent me from doing so.

EDIT: Just of note, I have tried many LED lights; LP Micro, LP MicroPro, Sony HVL-LBP, TorchLED TL50, Zylight Z90, Comer1800 etc. And like the Zylight Z90 the best, but it's too expensive for me, so for on camera use I prefer the Comer1800, as it's the most powerful of the bunch, dimmable, and self powered. But I wanted to move to all cool lights for off camera use, and have found that the CoolLights work great for my current needs. I mihgt be adding a FLO light to the mix, but LEDs are so convenient because they draw very little power and thus better for field use.