OK guys. I recently purchased a new Sony EA50 camera and wanted some hands on time with it. I never take new gear on gigs until I know the new piece well. I have never done a web review of anything, and I don’t shoot free commercials. In this case, since I was going to shoot anyway, I decided to see if I could spread a little bit of good karma.

1. By letting Chris Hurd know I support his sponsors. I prefer to buy from small vendors whenever I can and DVINFO sponsors come first.
2. By letting you guys know a sponsor has a great deal on a good on camera light.
3. By doing the sponsor a favor and giving him some extra exposure. I have no connection to L.A. Color Online.


Because this shoot was self assigned to check out a brand new camera body I wanted experience with, I did not put the same level of time and effort I would have if was a paid gig. It can be technically picked apart so please take it for what it is….an unsolicited testimonial for a vendor that sells a good light for a great price. I am going to put my ego aside and post it even though it is not a good example of my work. It is something I threw together.

The VL312LCD is a good light. I would recommend it to anyone that wants an on camera light for a very reasonable price. I am a buy cheap pay twice believer. I do not buy cheap gear. I took a chance this time and bought a medium to low priced light and got a bargain instead of a piece of junk. I like the light. It sells for $149.00 at L.A. Color. Other lights in this category seem to range from $80.00 to $400.00. This light is a great deal. If you read reviews of other inexpensive lights the first thing you see is the hot shoes break off. This one is solid and I believe will last a long time.

The video shows the features. I found all claims by the manufacturer to be true except one. The light is not truly dimmable down to 10% as stated. There is obvious flicker at its lowest setting. The usable low range is probably closer to 20 or 30 percent. Very common with inexpensive dimmers.

I did not make any statements about brightness specifications because those seem to be unclear. You can read it for yourself at L.A. Color Online. The bottom line is this thing is bright, soft, and broad. There is plenty of output. In fact the diffusion filter it comes with is not quite soft enough for me. That is a good thing because you can always knock it back by adding tough spun but you can’t get more power out of a light if it’s not there.

The light sells for $149.00 at L.A. Color Online | Online Photo/Video Gear Shop (http://www.LACOLORONLINE.com)

Steve

Here is the video: VL312, On Camera Video Light on Vimeo

Yep, had one for a while and while I got it from someone else, the gear is the same. It's kinda big looking on some cameras but fits the HM700 nicely. It has a nice even pattern and throws a nice light but here's is a caveate. I throw a piece of Tough Spun on almost every light I own. I find this light works really well either on the camera or a a key light for talking heads stuff. If I'm shooting outdoors and really need some gusto I am using the Chinese made 8 power LED. That puppy has every bit as much power as my AB Ultralite with an 85W tungsten and I think actually has more. It seems like it's got about 125W of light but regardless of wht it has at 8 feet outdoors as a fill, it is superb.
For indoor stuff though, this 312 is hard to beat from a light stand point and portability.
I have mine set up to work with the Sony type batterys, a Bescor 50W NiMH with a cig plug on it and now I have it set up to work off the power tap of the 700. I love it. It's the one light that's actually in my camera bag. All others reside in a seprate case. Well worth the money even though it's kind of big.
Just an FYI as well...the same company has a 512. I'm thinking about one. A 512 for a key light, 312 for a fill 2 light stands, fast setup, no cables, fast move around...and BAM talking heads at a seminar will never be the same. ;-)

Groovy editing, I was so hypnotized I almost placed an order. :D

Dang... so close. Almost worked! :-)

I mis-typed. The mfg. has a 508 not a 512. They also offer others like a 1000 in different shapes. Square and rectangle but they are strictly AC power so for me that defeats the portability.

I'd like to know the CRI of this light as well as its dimension. Neither appear to be specified on the web site. This light does seem appealing for its powering options alone. I'd also like to know the same for the Comer 1800. Taky? Or if no one has the CRI info, how does it look to the eye? Are either of these a little green?

Thanks.

(WidthXHeightXDepth) 7.5X4.5X1.25 with the diffuser lens in place. The CRI is listed at 80 and the light is eqivalent to a 130W tungsten.
These numbers come from the dealer that I bought mine from. This light is the same as the one Taky sells or appears to be so the information should be good for his light as well.

Thanks Don.

So it does have a low CRI. What do you correct with? Or do you simply rely on a custom white balance? And how does it look once you have? What interests me about this light is the possibility of using it for quickly set up interviews, not as an on camera light.

I have 2 LED lights at present. A lightpanels Micro pro which is great for its CRI but its powered by 6 AAs which last about an hour - not so good. (I do have an AC power supply for it but that defeats the portability) And I find it too large for my liking to be mounted on camera. I also have a coollights LED 600 spot. Even with the supplied minus green I just don't like the look. Not that its green (once you've put on the minus green) but its just not a flattering light imo.

I'm also curious to know which camera you're using that you find these lights have sufficient output to be used as key and fill. Perhaps they have a much better output than my litepanels but I can't imagine using that as a key, at least not with my XH A1 which is not very good in low light. Soon hope to upgrade, well past time for that so along with looking at all the usual specs, I'm interested to know what people are using that is quick for set up (run n gun frequently) and has good sensitivity.

Thanks again.

I also have a LP Micro-not the pro and used it extensively with Sony PD series cameras. I've used the 312 with those also as well as the JVC HM700 and Sony Z1.
I did a festival last September with a couple of big name bands from the 70s..anyway I was running the rover camera and had to get some crowd shots, at night dark as a cave (the stage was lit of course but as soon as I turned around BLACK! I flipped on my 312 which I had on the Z1 and while it wasn't going to throw 100 feet, I was able to get about 3 rows of people. This was all sent to Imag on a giant screen but there was no kind of CCU for the Z1 so we had what we had and the director was happy with it so I guess it worked.
I have been doing a lot of talking heads and promo stuff lately and I find the 312 off camera within about 5 to 6 feet works well as a key light with one of my other LEDs (usually a 160) as a fill. Everything I do with the 700 is a manual WB and I've had no problems with the light(s) showing anything off color. Even when I use on my my PDs it hasn't given me any off color look and when I'm using the PDs it's on auto white. I think for the money, the 312 is a pretty good value. Plus it gives me lots of options for power. The Sony type batterys, I can use my Bescor NiMH with the cig adapter or I can use the power tap on the 700.
HTHS

Jase,

Don is one of the most helpful and informative guys on this board. His info is always spot on.

The power options for this light are pretty impressive. It will run on one or two battery's at a time. And coming with a canon and pani adapter makes it helpful for us guys that have boxes of old stuff laying around. If you are shoulder on your XH A1 with one battery attached you will feel a little out of balance but I can live with it. I had that camera and this light would be good for it. My new EA 50 is a similar form factor but much lighter. Also much better in low light so the VL312 works great.

Interesting thing is the VL312 does not come with an AC power supply to feed the light. But like Don, thats not the way I use it. I have two universal power supplys in my kit. The kind with selectable voltage and a whole assortment of pins to fit just about anything with a hole in it for power. They work, and have been life savers in many situations for other things. The AC battery charger that comes with the 312 even has a USB port on it that has nothing to do with the light. Is your I-Pad, or phone fading on set? Whatever....

Don, I have an old Bescor battery belt in my bone yard that quit taking a charge a few years ago. Maybe its time to get out the soldering iron and replace the batterys! I never thought about using it to power an entire interview lighting kit.

Steven, I used to use a Bescor 50W with a lead acid battery. The battery died but the case it came in is a great accessory pouch for a belt. Also the connectors were slide on not soldered but your's might be different. I still have a Bescor lead acid double battery belt that I could power a fullsize camera off of and it still holds a full charge so I suppose if I needed to I could power my 700 the same way. I can also use it to power not only the 312 although I prefer the small 5ow NiMH for that but I also have the 8 power led light that has to be equal to about a 175 or 200W tungsten. I've used that outside as a key light keeping it about 5 to 6 feet and it's powerful enough to open up shadows and put twinkles in the eyes. That's a light that I could run off the dual battery belt or a Sony Type battery (all of mine do except the LP Micro) so I can be 100% cable free and portable enough to run around a trade show with an off camera light and an on camera light. To my eye it just looks better than the old news style of 1 light on the camera. Even at weddings now I use my 2 160s to light the dance floor and use my on cam light simply as a fill or if I'm in an area that the others 2 don't cover.
Everyone has their own way but this works for me. At least so far!

Thanks for the input guys. I too have a Sony PD, (150 in my case) although I don't use it anymore. Good in low light. Beats the XH hands down, as SD typically does over HDV.

Is it fair to say that the Z1 is comparable in low light to the XH? I believe it is but no direct experience.

I don't know for sure but since the XH is newer I'd say it's as least the same if not a bit better than the Z1. BTW I still have and use my original PD150, it's 12 years old has more miles on it than an over the road truck and works like a champ. It goes well with my PD170 that is getting up there in miles as well. I've always taken them to an authorized Sony tech every year just to "dust 'em off and check 'em out".They have made me a lot of money over the years and while I'll hate to get rid of them, I know someone else will be able to put them to better use than I do anymore. So 1 more job that calls for them in February and then off they go.

The two "old" cameras I have hung onto for SD are my XL2s. Paid for themselves so many times I can't count it. Their do for one more trip back to Canon for minor repair and service. Then....who knows.

The only disappointing moment I ever had was when me and another guy walked into a dimly lit ballroom. He had a PD150 and was still shooting, while I was going to my kit for a light. I was thinking how the hell is that Sony still shooting in here? Sony had it over Canon at the time in that comparison.

Steve

The PD series (and the VX series as well as the DSR250 which was a PD150 on steroids) were known as the kings of low light then. I had come from both JVC X2 cameras to a VX1000 which was an absolute revalation to the PD150 then 2 PD150s then a 150 and a 170 with a JVC GY-DV5000 and a 5100 plus a DSR250 thrown in for good measure. Now I'm back to JVC so maybe I AM a JVC guy and just didin't realize it. ;-)

It seems to be sold by a number of companies with wildly different pricing. e.g. Ikan seems to be selling the exact same light kit at more than double the price. What gives?

Not unheard of. A manufacturer makes the product...other companys buy a license for the product so they can put they're name on it and be in the market. the manufacturer brands the product to those people. Everyone makes money. Why? Some people won't buy anything unless it's branded "my favorite brand" others don't care. Market is covered, everyone makes money.

Used to be, Chevrolet and GMC trucks which are almost 100% identical, are made in the same plant, by the same people with the same parts. the nametag of one says Chevrolet...the other one says GMC. Difference in price.
Go figure.

Hi Don - if they're competing with each other and giving us authentic gear at better prices, then it sounds good to me! I've noticed the same thing with the Z96 lights from F&V.

Agreed but the thing is, is which one is the REAL DEAL? For example, mine is a Fotodiox brand. Now they make a bunch of different stuff for photo and video so are they the real one or is the one that Taky sells? Who knows. Both kits look about the same. For me, as long as it does what I want it to do and I don't feel I'm getting ripped off, I don't care what name is on it. I just want it to do the job! ;-)

Hey Don, I did some more searching and found that there's yet another version of this 312 LED light. I've only found it on eBay, and it's called the 312 ASZ. The seller claims it is an upgraded version of the light and it sells for about the same price.
From the eBay description:
"New Upgraded Model 312 ASZ
1-New Diffuser: 2x thicker than the original slide in diffuser panel, better close-up diffusion..
2-New Magnetic connectors: Attach diffuser/filters via magnets instead of sliding them in.
3-New Shoe Piece: Locks securely into place. No more slippage .
4-Thicker Plastic: Stronger frame, no longer a fragile body.
5-Longer 2 year warranty LED bulbs are covered under a 2 year warranty."

Keith, that looks similar to mine. Mine has the magnetic corners which are great, way better than the slide in (IMO). I got the following with mine which I got from the company that starts with an A(mazon).
The light, 2 off brand sony type 550 batterys, the adjustable shoe mount, the diffuser, a dual battery charger, a cable 2.5mm to cig adapter (hence I can use my Bescor battery(s)) and if you order RIGHT NOW!!!! A cute little carry case for all of the goods! Actually it just came with. I got it for $166 out the door. It by Fotodiox and honeslty it works like a champ. Very happy with it. I made a cable for it to run off the power tap on my HM700 and it's nice not having to worry about battery's even though I still keep them in a case in my car should I need them. Ithink ALL of the 312 lights are made by the same manufacturer. At least it looks like it.

I've been looking around at this light in different places, at what may or may not be the same light. Some clearly have the same features, others its hard to tell although in one case what looked to be the same from 2 different vendors apparently had 2 different, albeit close colour temperatures. On the other hand 1 site listed 2 colour temps (5400 and 5600) for the same light, so go figure.

Anyway, what really brought me back to this thread was the idea of using these battery operated lights on stands for interviews. Don, you earlier referred to using one for a key, another for a fill. You made no mention of it but have you found anything that you'd use for a back light?

I haven't found anything but for this:

Dedolight Ledzilla Mini LED Daylight Camera Light DLOBML-SH B&H

Looks good, but pricey. Of course you get what you pay for. I am wondering about the Comer 1800 in this respect. No focusing ability as with the Dedo, but at least you can control it to certain degree with the barn doors.

Thoughts?

I just shot a standup talking heads on a black background (my favorite) and my set up was as follows...
312AS on the 3200k setting on a stand for my KEY
CN160 with the "indoor" filter on it on a stand as my fill.
Both running at full power both have a piece of Tough Spun over the diffusers to soften things up a bit.
For a backlight, I used another CN160 set up the same as the fill but with the power set way down until I got the effect I wanted and of course the light was set down low on a light stand. I kept the subject about 3 1/3 ft off the background which BTW is a black king sized bedsheet that has some folds and wrinkles in it so when it hangs and is lit slightly, it has a bit of "character" to it. the room itself was pretty dark as once everthing was set I shut off the room lights so no spill, I manually WB and IIRC the camera set to 2800k. I can't pull a freeze to show it since this client got the footage DL'd to his computer right after the shoot and I already reformatted the card but I can say that it looked good on his laptop (a MAC of some sort) and when his "editor" dropped it on the TL of FCP it looked good.
So for talking heads up to 2 people that system works for me. For more than 2 well, gotta bring out more lights and frankly if they're run and gun at say a seminar or trade show, then realistically, I'll pop the 312 on my camera, if I can I'll use a couple of the 160s as fills from either side and off I go. A lot of the RnG Man on the street stuff at shows that I do is news style. Not exactly the kind of stuff I can get to take a lot of time on. I'm almost thinking about gettingone of the 508s and using that and the 312 and then the 160s for accent and backlites. Hmmm, more money going out the door!
HTHs

Thanks Don. I think I'm gonna have to give them a shot.

Jase,

You will like the 312. It is a good light. Especially for the cost. I want a couple more of them.

Steve

A thank you from me too, I think a couple of these will give me a portable self contained solution for stand up and run and gun interview situations! They are now available for delivery in the UK so no waiting for shipment from china!

Will post my own thoughts once I have had a chance to do some test shooting!

CRI: I've got the same question that Jase had about the CRI. With LEDs the CRI can be problematical. What are the users finding out about the color, especially the green spikes?

Charger: another question I have is with regard to the charger. Does it say that it is also good for 240V 50Hz? Several ads I've read say the seller ships world-wide but it's possible they could ship a different charger for the destination country.

I would like something that runs on 120V 60Hz that I can use a plug adapter to go from the US wall outlet to the European outlets. I would certainly ask a seller before I ever bought one what their charger takes but I thought that as long as I'm asking about the CRI I'd ask this one too.

Color Temperature: the 5400 vs 5600K does raise a question. Chinese suppliers are known to switch things for different buyers and if the lower temperature is cheaper and they just use the same enclosure then you never know what you get. It does raise a question mark.

John,
I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.
1st, to be honest, I haven't really noticed any problem with the color or green spikes but then perhaps I'm not a picky as I could be. I did a talking heads today and used the 312 as my key light with a 160 as a fill and it looked fine to my eye in the VF and on the computer screen.
2nd. As for the charger, the one that I got is not made for anything but 110-120v 60hz and as for using ac power, I haven't seen any of the 312s that say they can handle it. there is a cable (at least mine came with it) that powers the light off a battery that has a cig adapter as my Bescor NiMH 50W has and I can power the light at full power, 3200k for many hours. I've never run out of power using that battery.
3rd. The temp preset are 3200 and 5200 and seem to be right on. When I WB my HM700 those are the setting I get so I would say they are on point.
Keep in mind this light isn't a $1000 LitePanel but it is reasonable in price and decent in power and color and it works for me and a bunch of other folks I know around here. Heck, that's why I got it. I saw a couple of guys using them so I figured for $150 how could I go wrong. I've spent that on dinner and still had indigestion! Well, OK not $150 but you know what I mean! ;-)
HTHs

John,

The 312 head might be the same from different suppliers but it sounds like the accessory's do vary. The light in the video I got from LA Color came with a single battery charger. It is clearly labeled for 110V 60Hz or 240V 50Hz.

The cig adapter does not power the light. It will only power the battery charger. Weird.....

The light has an input for DC power @ 7.4V~14.8V. I thought I was going to use one of my universal power supplys if I ever wanted to go AC but none of my pins fit. With all of the battery options I have I don't see that as a big deal. Don, so you have a cable that fits this for your Bescor?

When I shot the video I used Lowell pro lights and the manual WB came in at 3200 as it should. I don't have a lux meter so I can't test it at 5400 vs. 5600. I tried a I-pad app but it was junk.

Steve

I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.
1st, to be honest, I haven't really noticed any problem with the color or green spikes but then perhaps I'm not a picky as I could be.
My main purpose to having a light would be for family videos and for that I could (reluctantly) accept a cost-effective solution with a somewhat less than perfect light. At the moment I have no portable light available so this would be my first one. All my other lights are on stands and aren't suitable in many situations.

Given all the bells and whistles and a light that is "close enough for Government work" based on what people are saying, I'm giving it serious consideration. The other problem, though, is the typical mixed-light situation and with todays variety of light sources, LED, fluorsent, and a few tungsten with some daylight thrown in, getting a perfect light is becoming almost impossible. The green in LED light is tough for me to edit out though, and filters don't seem to really do the job with the LEDs I have, but they get close.

2nd. As for the charger, the one that I got is not made for anything but 110-120v 60hz and as for using ac power, I haven't seen any of the 312s that say they can handle it. there is a cable (at least mine came with it) that powers the light off a battery that has a cig adapter as my Bescor NiMH 50W has and I can power the light at full power, 3200k for many hours. I've never run out of power using that battery.
This is one part I don't fully understand - how the battery and charging system works. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the battery types that will work with the adaptors people have talked about and I would really need something that will work on both the US power as well as European mains (British for "power"). There are power bricks that work with both power sources and the bricks some have adjustable voltages and come with various jacks. I would prefer if the light would come with a charger that said it would work with 120/240 though.

3rd. The temp preset are 3200 and 5200 and seem to be right on. When I WB my HM700 those are the setting I get so I would say they are on point.
Keep in mind this light isn't a $1000 LitePanel but it is reasonable in price and decent in power and color and it works for me and a bunch of other folks I know around here. Heck, that's why I got it. I saw a couple of guys using them so I figured for $150 how could I go wrong. I've spent that on dinner and still had indigestion! Well, OK not $150 but you know what I mean! ;-)
HTHs
Yes, I understand it's not the gold standard, but if it's, say, sterling, maybe it's good enough for my immediate needs and this would be good.

Now if only I could find a way to work it on 240V (12V DC isn't available) I might spring for one. It seems like the new "improved" model solved the initial "issues" of the original version so that's a plus.

Steve - that's a big help.
The 312 head might be the same from different suppliers but it sounds like the accessory's do vary. The light in the video I got from LA Color came with a single battery charger. It is clearly labeled for 110V 60Hz or 240V 50Hz.
So I'll have to ensure that the power brick is the dual voltage model. That's a big help.

As for the cig adapter and the charger setup I'm okay with that part.

Question: is the battery proprietary?

That's good to know about the 3200 temperature. For the price it wouldn't surprise me if the higher temperature is a little off as with LEDs it's a good chance it is, but for my use I think I can live with it. The other option is to strain the camera with a lack of lumens and deal with more grain, depth of field, etc. Given the possible tradeoffs I think I can live with 5400 if I have to.

I don't think I'm too picky (just don't listen to my wife).

I think your overly concerned about a fictitious 5400 and green spikes. If you don't have it you can't shoot with it. My stuff looks just fine. I have not turned anybody into a Martian yet :) :) :)

OK after all this talk about the 312 I decided to actually try to read what is printed on the 2 battery charger I got with the one I bought off of Amazon from Fotodiox.
So here's what I found. Yes, the AC adapter IS listing: INPUT 100/240V 50-60Hz 0.3A Max--
Output:DV12V/1000mA
AND the power cable that runs the charger DOES power the light off of AC power much to my surprise but then I honestly never bothered to look at it before. Again the kit I got had a cable with a cig adapter on it so I use it to power the light with my Bescor battery OR I use 1 or 2 Sony type 550s, 770s, or 950,60 or70s to run it.
BTW, Steven, I HAVE turned people into Martians but NOT because of the light! At least I would have LOVED to turn some peoplle I've met into Martians.
O|O
\--/

Just had a great meeting this afternoon about standing up a Video Club for our local area so I'm really feeling good right now. We've got a core group of some really top videographers and related expertise including script writers, a college prof who teaches Documentary Videography, a National Geographic videographer, and a few professional videographers. The first official meeting is March 2nd.

Anyway, getting back to lighting:
Steven - perhaps I am a little concerned about the green spike. A couple months ago I was using my CoolLights 600 panels for doing some product photography and I had a struggle with the green. I gelled them as close as I could then edited the pictures afterward for color balance and it was tough.

Don - Hey! Thanks for going the extra distance and, I know it's a guy-thing, actually reading the instructions. I get accused of (not doing) that all the time. On the other hand, I know how to read a road map by orienting it so North faces upward. And if I was co-piloting and the car turned a corner I wouldn't have to rotate the map 90 degrees to know where I am.

Today I did a "chat" with the store the OP got the light from and they apparently don't have the new model light in yet. If I get one I'd like to get the newer "Z" version.

I've been wanting an on-board camera light for a couple years now and thanks to this thread I finally have one one the way. After talking to LAcolor about various on-board camera lights I finally decided to spring for a different one; the Comer CM-LBPS1800. It was a difficult decision but some factors that affected it were:

The longer light throw was an important one
More lumens - kinda ties in with the above
Longer battery life (three choices available going up to 3.5 hours at 6600 mAh) (albeit with a little more weight)

Down the road I'll probably consider some kind of diffuser setup given the output available.

Looking forward to it's arrival.

Cool John,

Let us know how it works out for you. Diffusion is the least scientific thing to rig yourself. I know your concerned about color balance so you might want to stick with tuffspun or diffusion gels. Both are cheap. Other guys use anything from shower curtains to Tupperware! Whatever works for you.

Steve

Well, the Comer light showed up this afternoon and it looks and feels really neat. I suppose for $299 without the batteries, $400 with, it should.

First impression:
Very nice build quality. Nice and solid with lots of air vents.

Compact but it can be really, really bright.The instructions say to not look directly at the light as it can be harmful to your eyes, and I believe it. This will take some getting used to. Even at the lowest light level it is hard to look at but then it depends on what the ambient light has been and, besides, one isn't supposed to look directly at the light anyway.

Spot: this works very well. There is a visible spot circle with a diffused light area beyond it. Not sure what application I'll put it to but it's there if the need shows up.

The base of the hot shoe mount has a 1/4-inch thread. The built in screw/thumbscrew can be extended to attach it to a bracket. Conversely, the screw/thumbscrew can be fully retracted into the base to allow a tripod screw to be screwed in. I really like this feature. I've got a nice Stroboframe bracket with a Manfrotto 3270 quick-release plate and it has a 1/4-inch thumbscrew that can attach the light. This will be nice.

Built-in filter and built-in focus screen for the spot: no need to go rummaging around for filters because they're all right there, nice and solid.

LAcolor is offering a free table support for it. Not exactly sure how one could use it on a table but I did notice one good use. It has a hot-shoe on top and a 1/4-inch screw hole in the bottom so one could mount it on a tripod and it would be a quick easy-on/easy-off for the light. Neat.

What I would like:
1. A nice factory-made diffuser setup. I did read about someone who put together a home-made one.

2. The angle adjustment screw should not require a coin to operate. There should be a knob so one doesn't have to fiddle with a coin in a slot. The chrome looks nice now but surely after using a coin several times it's going to not look so good.

Otherwise, I really like it and I'm looking forward to using it.

Opted for the large 6600 mAh 3.5-hour and the smaller 2-hour batteries with the charger. That was basically about a $100 ad-on.

John

I'll be curious to know how you find colour correcting with the Comer. I haven't yet bought the lights that this thread is primarily discussing, mostly because other things have been a priority but also because I'm more interested in getting something that has a little more punch which it sounds like the Comer has.

BTW, I have a Coollights 600. I have to say I don't like it for the reasons you've stated. Very difficult to get skin tones looking right. Not that they're green. I use the supplied minus green gel and of course white balance but just not a flattering light imo. The issue as I understand it is that because LEDs, cheap ones anyway, are simply not full spectrum so even when you correct for the green spike, there are parts of the spectrum that simply aren't there. And you can't enhance what you don't have to begin with. Never having used them, I'm not suggesting that the 312 or 160 would be this way. In fact I'm sure I will get one or possibly both for a road trip thats upcoming in the next few months.

Hi Jase - the Comer CM-LBPS1800 arrived a couple days ago but I've been pretty busy and haven't had the time to "test" the light for green spikes. However, I have played with it a little bit and will give you my first impression.

The light has a nicer color to my eyes than my CoolLights CL-LED600s. The comparison, though, is made with the CLs been gelled with a 1/4-minus AND a 1/8-minus Green. I really played around with the gels and for my last project this is what I used.I'll attach a link to a Vimeo video where just one of the CLs was used for the lighting for expediency.

The Comer has three rows of LEDs with the top and bottom row being ~white and the middle row being colored about like the minus Green gel. The resultant light from the videographers view is, shall we say, pleasant. From the talent's point of view it is bright. Er, let me re-write that, it is BRIGHT. Well, it CAN be bright but of course there is a dimmer control so it's a function of what is needed in the way of lumens.

Last night I did a little messing around with it in the living room and shooting into the kitchen for distance, about 30 to 33 feet. The closer illuminated items were well lit but at the far range one really needed the spot with the camcorder set for typical daylight settings. With the camcorder set to low-light settings like a typically lit house the kitchen looked okay, albeit with the light-colored oak cabinets looking a little on the dark side but not like walnut. The scene looked a little on the "cool" side, temperature-wise but nicer than the CoolLights, even with their gels. I turned on the kitchen lights which are your fluorescent screw-in energy saver bulbs and - wow! the scene looked really good. If I wanted a picture to sell the house this is the combination I'd use.

What I'd recommend, then, is using the Comer in conjunction with any existing light and the mix would probably give a pretty good looking shot. Perhaps not just any existing light but my guess is most light mixes would do okay.

Built-in minus-Green filter: to my eyes this seemed a little over done and I'd prefer a little less minus.

The light has apparently been out for two and a half years as one of the earliest reports I could find was that old. Taky of LAColor said he uses this light for his wedding photography and I can see why. It has a lot of good output and for groups of people lined up at, say, 15 feet, it would do well with a fast lens.

The price from LAColor I felt was good compared with other street prices and the LAcolorOnLine site has a lot of customer input which is worth reading.

Here is the video I made while opening the box as it was delivered.

Caveat: Or maybe I should say "warning"; this is my first-ever performance of this type so not having a script writer and not practicing this ahead of time (things I'd change in any future video of this type), it leaves something to be desire. Unfortunately, you can only open the box the first time once.

Comer CM-LBPS1800b on Vimeo

haha John I was screaming at the monitor while watching your clip trying to lcoate the desktop stand. Glad you found it :)

Thanks John for the input. And I have to say I've sometimes un-boxed a new item and not found everything at first either, all the while simultaneously cursing the shipper and telling myself I've been through this before and found the "missing" item.