white LED flashlights for light at DVinfo.net

October 16th, 2002, 11:05 PM

has anyone tried these new LED flashlights that run 10 times longer on the same battery as a tungsten bulb? It seems like that technology has potential for location lighting. Obviously you would use a much larger version.

Nathan Gifford · October 17th, 2002, 07:46 AM

I haven't tried them yet, but there are other thing more important to the camera than the lux output of an illumination source.

The other important factors are color temp measured in Kelvin and CRI (Color Reproduction Index) measured in percent.

Since I do not have my book in front of me you will have to bear with me on the proper color temps for indoors and outdoors. I think indoor you want 3200K and outdoors is 5000K.

If the LED does not reproduce these K ratings the color will not look right. Further LEDs produce polarized light and this may prove problematic.

Still give them a try and see what happens. After all when 3M was testing adhesives and found a batch that did not work, they created the PostIt.

Andre De Clercq · October 17th, 2002, 11:56 AM

Leds have made an emormous breakthrough in terms of electro-optic efficienty and color the last couple of years and become real canditates for lighting (among other applications). The CRI for the "white" leds wasn't all that good till the full spectrum phosphorescence leds came available. B.t.w. leds are diodes and thus are electricaly polarized, but don't produce polarized light...laserdiodes do.

November 23rd, 2002, 07:31 PM

I just tried my GL2 with my handy-dandy white led keychain light. It's extremely blue (visibly) but white balance cured that. I think ther might be promise here for 'sewer cam ' work etc. At least till they get a bit bigger! I've seen some camping flashlights based on this technology, but haven't been able to check them out.
Andy
Imagine newmedia

Mike Rehmus · January 9th, 2003, 08:45 PM

As long as the white balance will handle the average color, Nathan, it does not matter what the color temperature really is (although I do suppose there are some limits).

As long as the LEDs emit broad and not line spectra, they should work very well.

I know, we can sew white LEDs to our clothes and become a broad (well I would be) light source!

Scott Silverman · January 9th, 2003, 09:25 PM

There are already some "security" cameras that use white LEDs to illuminate. Obviously they are not professional, because who would want a security camera that attracts attention to itself with 5 bright white LEDs? They are more for the average consumer to play around with and just labeled "security" for that professional marketing sound. I think they also make security cameras that out put infrared light via some LEDs. These would be more "security" type cameras because the human eye does not pick up infrared light but video cameras do.

Charles Papert · January 10th, 2003, 12:06 AM

There are a couple of companies that have introduced and are continuing to develop new LED based lighting units for the production industry. I have used a ring light that contains hundreds of LED's which outputs a clean 5600K, and allows for various color correction and diffusion materials to be quickly mounted on the front. There are some clear advantages to this technology, and my best guess is that it will replace the Kino-flo-type fluorescent fixtures within five years. Sorry, couldn't find a website for the manufacturer of the unit I used.

Dylan Couper · January 10th, 2003, 12:08 AM

I can't imagine how expensive those will be...

Charles Papert · January 10th, 2003, 12:15 AM

Yeah, expensive. Not priced for the prosumer market, that's for sure.

Mike Rehmus · January 11th, 2003, 06:36 PM

Assuming the white LEDs that can be purchased in the electronics stores are broad spectrum, it should be very easy to make up your own light.

They will be dimmable too.

Hmmmm again.

October 16th, 2002, 11:05 PM	#1
maddog123 Posts: n/a	white LED flashlights for light has anyone tried these new LED flashlights that run 10 times longer on the same battery as a tungsten bulb? It seems like that technology has potential for location lighting. Obviously you would use a much larger version.

October 17th, 2002, 07:46 AM	#2
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Its more than just illumination I haven't tried them yet, but there are other thing more important to the camera than the lux output of an illumination source. The other important factors are color temp measured in Kelvin and CRI (Color Reproduction Index) measured in percent. Since I do not have my book in front of me you will have to bear with me on the proper color temps for indoors and outdoors. I think indoor you want 3200K and outdoors is 5000K. If the LED does not reproduce these K ratings the color will not look right. Further LEDs produce polarized light and this may prove problematic. Still give them a try and see what happens. After all when 3M was testing adhesives and found a batch that did not work, they created the PostIt. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

January 9th, 2003, 08:45 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	As long as the white balance will handle the average color, Nathan, it does not matter what the color temperature really is (although I do suppose there are some limits). As long as the LEDs emit broad and not line spectra, they should work very well. I know, we can sew white LEDs to our clothes and become a broad (well I would be) light source! __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 9th, 2003, 09:25 PM	#6
Scott Silverman Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cupertino, California, USA Posts: 301	There are already some "security" cameras that use white LEDs to illuminate. Obviously they are not professional, because who would want a security camera that attracts attention to itself with 5 bright white LEDs? They are more for the average consumer to play around with and just labeled "security" for that professional marketing sound. I think they also make security cameras that out put infrared light via some LEDs. These would be more "security" type cameras because the human eye does not pick up infrared light but video cameras do. __________________ Scott Silverman Shining Star Digital Video Productions Bay Area, CA

January 10th, 2003, 12:06 AM	#7
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	There are a couple of companies that have introduced and are continuing to develop new LED based lighting units for the production industry. I have used a ring light that contains hundreds of LED's which outputs a clean 5600K, and allows for various color correction and diffusion materials to be quickly mounted on the front. There are some clear advantages to this technology, and my best guess is that it will replace the Kino-flo-type fluorescent fixtures within five years. Sorry, couldn't find a website for the manufacturer of the unit I used. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 17th, 2002, 11:56 AM	#3
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Leds have made an emormous breakthrough in terms of electro-optic efficienty and color the last couple of years and become real canditates for lighting (among other applications). The CRI for the "white" leds wasn't all that good till the full spectrum phosphorescence leds came available. B.t.w. leds are diodes and thus are electricaly polarized, but don't produce polarized light...laserdiodes do.

November 23rd, 2002, 07:31 PM	#4
Andy Wason Posts: n/a	I just tried my GL2 with my handy-dandy white led keychain light. It's extremely blue (visibly) but white balance cured that. I think ther might be promise here for 'sewer cam ' work etc. At least till they get a bit bigger! I've seen some camping flashlights based on this technology, but haven't been able to check them out. Andy Imagine newmedia

January 10th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#8
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I can't imagine how expensive those will be...

January 10th, 2003, 12:15 AM	#9
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Yeah, expensive. Not priced for the prosumer market, that's for sure. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 11th, 2003, 06:36 PM	#10
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Assuming the white LEDs that can be purchased in the electronics stores are broad spectrum, it should be very easy to make up your own light. They will be dimmable too. Hmmmm again. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!