White LED, crazy idea... or not? at DVinfo.net

Ignacio Rodriguez · October 11th, 2003, 02:11 AM

I have this cute little white LED flashlight and was thinking about building a panel of white LEDs and trying that as a portable light for ENG-type work. Then searching around the 'net I found a whole range of flashlights which use white LED technology... even one with 60 LEDs and a nice hand grip, advertized as good for underwater video. Any chance this can be good for general videography? Is this kind of light really full spectrum and usable with the white balance available in semipro DV cams? Is flourescent better for some reason?

Here is a link: http://www.theledlight.com/trek6000.html

Dylan Couper · October 11th, 2003, 09:33 AM

They are the lighting system of the future, go for it!

Mike Rehmus · October 11th, 2003, 01:14 PM

I looked into this a while back.

What you suggest is already available on the market.

At nearly $5 per LED in small quantities, these lights are generally high priced for do-it-yourselfers.

Still, they could save on battery expenses and weight.

Rob Belics · October 11th, 2003, 02:04 PM

Charles Papert, I believe, used one on 'West Wing' and provided a link to the manufacturer recently.

Ignacio Rodriguez · June 7th, 2004, 11:11 PM

Does anybody know of availability of white LED lights in the Vancouver, BC area? Perhaps a store that sells scuba diving equipment...

Mike Rehmus · June 8th, 2004, 12:30 AM

It has been said that you can buy the LEDs on ebay for a lot less than the stores charge.

Try there.

Ignacio Rodriguez · June 8th, 2004, 07:47 AM

Yes Mike, it has been said, but I don't have easy access to a credit card at this moment and my sister will be in Vancouver for a short time frame, so shipping dates can be a problem (has been in the past). I would much prefer to buy, in this case, one of those waterproof multi-LED things designed for underwater use from a specialized store in the area.

Mike Rehmus · June 8th, 2004, 10:22 AM

Try a sporting goods shop. Any place that sells weapons and gear to the police will also have the LED flashlights.

Scott Spears · June 8th, 2004, 10:29 AM

I'd try electronic surplus stores.

Scott

Mike Rehmus · July 11th, 2004, 10:05 PM

DB640-0IW-014M is the part number at $76 per. 40 white LEDs per bulb. Meant for automotive bulb replacements.

http://www.ledtronics.com/

Here's an interesting article

http://users.telenet.be/cisken/LED_r...ringlight.html

Ignacio Rodriguez · July 11th, 2004, 11:04 PM

Wow, look at THIS ONE! :
http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/gdl002-200/

Richard Maloney · July 12th, 2004, 06:58 AM

Try and get some Nichia's if your going with the small ones. I've found the white they produce mmm.. less brown.
Some guy made a cool light using a sony camcorder battery on dvxuser.com, no 'resistance' needed because the battery is 7.2 volts so wire 2 in series and those in parralell (if memory serves me). You need a plate adapter for the battery, if anyone knows where to get such a thing please post.
I find these lights to give a hard shadow line and the light they produce to be diffrent looking than normal light. Can make a great effect. An add-on diffuser might help. Happy soldering, fun project!

Mike Rehmus · July 12th, 2004, 12:00 PM

This one isn't bad for those who want to light inside vehicles:

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/PLT100/

Jos Svendsen · July 21st, 2004, 02:41 AM

Hi

Your local Brookstone might have something thats usable. I am trying to get one as a part of my guerilla lighting kit.
Take a peek at: http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product.asp?product_code=446716

NEW 20 LED Worklight

Brookstone sku # 446716

Super-bright worklight has 20 powerful LEDs and a pivoting head to deliver the right light in the right direction. Super-extended battery life means light works for 80 to 160 hours continuously. Rugged plastic/rubber construction makes it even more versatile. Two modes of operation: 10 LEDs provide bright, broad light; 20 LEDs provide ultra-bright area light. Durable LEDs never need replacement because they’ll last more than 100,000 hours of continuous use. Rubber on/off switch makes light easy to activate. Uses three D batteries (not included).

Jos Svendsen · July 21st, 2004, 04:53 AM

This little beautie uses 1 (one) led to create the equivalence of a 8 W halogen. And it runs on AA batteries. Adorama has it.

------------------------

3282
KAISER: „digiNova“ LED Video Light
Super compact camcorder light using LED
technology.
White high-performance LED combined with
facetted reflector and cylinder diffusor for
even light distribution. Light intensity comparable
to 8 watt halogen light.
Powered by four regular AAA-batteries or
rechargeable NiMH batteries.
Accessory shoe with blocking screw.
Specifications:
Oprating voltage: 4,8 - 6 V
Color temperature: approx. 5.500 Kelvin
Operating time with set
of batteries/charge: up to 2 hours
LED service life: up to 200,000 hrs
Weight (w/o batteries): 60 g (2.1 oz.)
Dimensions (WxHxD): 47 x 80 x 57 mm
(1.9 x 3.1 x 2.2 in.)
Supplied without batteries.

October 11th, 2003, 02:11 AM	#1
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	White LED, crazy idea... or not? I have this cute little white LED flashlight and was thinking about building a panel of white LEDs and trying that as a portable light for ENG-type work. Then searching around the 'net I found a whole range of flashlights which use white LED technology... even one with 60 LEDs and a nice hand grip, advertized as good for underwater video. Any chance this can be good for general videography? Is this kind of light really full spectrum and usable with the white balance available in semipro DV cams? Is flourescent better for some reason? Here is a link: http://www.theledlight.com/trek6000.html __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

October 11th, 2003, 09:33 AM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	They are the lighting system of the future, go for it! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 11th, 2003, 01:14 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I looked into this a while back. What you suggest is already available on the market. At nearly $5 per LED in small quantities, these lights are generally high priced for do-it-yourselfers. Still, they could save on battery expenses and weight. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 7th, 2004, 11:11 PM	#5
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Does anybody know of availability of white LED lights in the Vancouver, BC area? Perhaps a store that sells scuba diving equipment... __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

June 8th, 2004, 12:30 AM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It has been said that you can buy the LEDs on ebay for a lot less than the stores charge. Try there. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 11th, 2003, 02:04 PM	#4
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	Charles Papert, I believe, used one on 'West Wing' and provided a link to the manufacturer recently.

June 8th, 2004, 07:47 AM	#7
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Yes Mike, it has been said, but I don't have easy access to a credit card at this moment and my sister will be in Vancouver for a short time frame, so shipping dates can be a problem (has been in the past). I would much prefer to buy, in this case, one of those waterproof multi-LED things designed for underwater use from a specialized store in the area. __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

June 8th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Try a sporting goods shop. Any place that sells weapons and gear to the police will also have the LED flashlights. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

June 8th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#9
Scott Spears Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 65	I'd try electronic surplus stores. Scott __________________ Scott Spears Emmy Winner Cinematographer http://www.scottspears.net IMDB listing: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0817387/

July 11th, 2004, 10:05 PM	#10
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Look at this bulb replacement DB640-0IW-014M is the part number at $76 per. 40 white LEDs per bulb. Meant for automotive bulb replacements. http://www.ledtronics.com/ Here's an interesting article http://users.telenet.be/cisken/LED_r...ringlight.html __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 11th, 2004, 11:04 PM	#11
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Wow, look at THIS ONE! : http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/gdl002-200/ __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

July 12th, 2004, 06:58 AM	#12
Richard Maloney Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 90	Try and get some Nichia's if your going with the small ones. I've found the white they produce mmm.. less brown. Some guy made a cool light using a sony camcorder battery on dvxuser.com, no 'resistance' needed because the battery is 7.2 volts so wire 2 in series and those in parralell (if memory serves me). You need a plate adapter for the battery, if anyone knows where to get such a thing please post. I find these lights to give a hard shadow line and the light they produce to be diffrent looking than normal light. Can make a great effect. An add-on diffuser might help. Happy soldering, fun project!

July 12th, 2004, 12:00 PM	#13
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	This one isn't bad for those who want to light inside vehicles: http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/PLT100/ __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 21st, 2004, 02:41 AM	#14
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	Brookstone has it Hi Your local Brookstone might have something thats usable. I am trying to get one as a part of my guerilla lighting kit. Take a peek at: http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product.asp?product_code=446716 NEW 20 LED Worklight Brookstone sku # 446716 Super-bright worklight has 20 powerful LEDs and a pivoting head to deliver the right light in the right direction. Super-extended battery life means light works for 80 to 160 hours continuously. Rugged plastic/rubber construction makes it even more versatile. Two modes of operation: 10 LEDs provide bright, broad light; 20 LEDs provide ultra-bright area light. Durable LEDs never need replacement because they’ll last more than 100,000 hours of continuous use. Rubber on/off switch makes light easy to activate. Uses three D batteries (not included). __________________ ---------------------------- 12c41 JOS. Svendsen

July 21st, 2004, 04:53 AM	#15
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	Well - Kaiser has made it too This little beautie uses 1 (one) led to create the equivalence of a 8 W halogen. And it runs on AA batteries. Adorama has it. ------------------------ 3282 KAISER: „digiNova“ LED Video Light Super compact camcorder light using LED technology. White high-performance LED combined with facetted reflector and cylinder diffusor for even light distribution. Light intensity comparable to 8 watt halogen light. Powered by four regular AAA-batteries or rechargeable NiMH batteries. Accessory shoe with blocking screw. Specifications: Oprating voltage: 4,8 - 6 V Color temperature: approx. 5.500 Kelvin Operating time with set of batteries/charge: up to 2 hours LED service life: up to 200,000 hrs Weight (w/o batteries): 60 g (2.1 oz.) Dimensions (WxHxD): 47 x 80 x 57 mm (1.9 x 3.1 x 2.2 in.) Supplied without batteries. __________________ ---------------------------- 12c41 JOS. Svendsen