Are these LED lights legit? at DVinfo.net

Natan Pakman · July 23rd, 2010, 09:11 AM

I am wondering about LED lights like this one:

Amazon.com: ePhoto 500 LED Ultra Bright Video Photography Light…

In this same price range, for either LED or Fluorescent fixtures, does anyone have recommendations? I am looking for 3-4 lights with a total cost of 1000-1200 to light a small tv show set.

Marshall Levy · July 23rd, 2010, 01:22 PM

It's the same thing as what many other companies are selling, just with a rebranded image. They've received fair reviews, but for me, I wouldn't touch them. The Amazon price is quite a bit cheaper than what others are charging for the same thing, names being withheld.

Matt Shefford · July 23rd, 2010, 08:16 PM

I'm keen on picking up a few of these types /ebay if anyone has a good review on them, filming a small tv show later on in the year and would love to have multiple led panels at my disposal.

David Seguin · July 23rd, 2010, 09:10 PM

Those lights look awesome for the price.

Has anyone tried them out?

Mark Wheeler · July 24th, 2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natan Pakman

I am looking for 3-4 lights with a total cost of 1000-1200 to light a small tv show set...

Given your budget let's hope 'small' is a slight exaggeration.

Since you're not too forthcoming with what you're going to be doing I can only offer some really broad suggestions.

I'd start off with my usual PVC stand / clamp light suggestion (use PVC pipe and clamp lights from Home Depot/Wal-Mart) and about eight

Alzo 5500K 85 Watt CFL

bulbs. I'd build the PVC 'stand' close to the wall and across the ceiling, running copper through/around the PVC and placing strategic four gang outlets where you think they'll do the most good. Paint the whole thing black if you want to impress. You should be into it for about $250 at this point and throwing somewhere around 45,000+ lumens into the room. You can always add or subtract as needed.

Then I'd get a couple of LTM Pepper 100 Fresnel... using 200W bulbs... (about $420 for both w/bulbs) and a LTM Focal Spot (about $285 w/retainer ring). Gel them to 5500K to match the CFL and find a couple of M series gobos to throw interesting patterns. At this point you're in for about $1,000.

Finally, I'd get a selection of Chinese lanterns in various sizes and color that'll accept your CFL bulbs.

Eight 85 watt CFL and two 200 watt tungsten will be pulling about 10amps so you should be fine.

Luck.

Natan Pakman · July 24th, 2010, 05:38 PM

Mark,

"Forthcoming." Nice one.

I am more than willing to explain the details of my shoot, but it's nothing too special: 2 subjects around a large wraparound desk with a couple monitors close by. I can't use hot lights for this location.

What CRI do the Alzo bulbs have?

What about the Coollights LED panels?

Also, could you send me a link to an example of a PVC Pipe and Clamp light from home depot?

D.J. Ammons · July 25th, 2010, 07:58 AM

A couple of years ago while searching online I found a company that sold a kit that included two four bulb light fixtures with soft boxes and a total of eight of those 5500k large 85 watt CFL lights. The total kit was under $400. Better than anything I had found on ebay or anywhere else at the time.

I have only had occasion to use them a couple of times but they have worked fine and the light fixtures have two on/off switches so I can use one fixture full power for my key light and the other for the fill light. I have used one of those aluminum clamp lights with a 5500k CFL from Home Depot as a back light.

While traveling on a business trip I wanted to visit an elderly uncle and aunt and video their recollections of my father growing up. I had one of my Sony V1U cameras, wireless mics, tripod, and that was it. I bought three clamp lights at home depot. I had my Aunt and Uncle sitting beside each other in chairs in a small living room. I used a mixture of the 100 watt and 60 watt equivilent 5500k CFL bulbs for the key, fill, and backlight. I had the lights clamped on a door, curtain rod, and the back light on something I can't even remember. The results were amazing. Watching the footage when I got home I would have sworn it had been lit with a real lighting kit.

Mark Wheeler · July 25th, 2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natan Pakman

2 subjects around a large wraparound desk with a couple monitors close by. I can't use hot lights for this location.

Well, the little LTM are not all that hot and I love that focal spot but you know best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natan Pakman

What CRI do the Alzo bulbs have?

No idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natan Pakman

What about the Coollights LED panels?

Solid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natan Pakman

Also, could you send me a link to an example of a PVC Pipe and Clamp light from home depot?

I was looking for one on-line but I really don't have have the time to find a good example. It's really nothing more than a length of Sch80 PVC suspended below the ceiling. It can be held up there however your imagination dictates. IndyMogul has an example of PVC used for a green screen and you can use their example... just ditch the chroma key cloth.

Clamp lights are available Wal-Mart, Lowes, wherever. Just ask.

Mike Watson · October 14th, 2010, 03:00 PM

Pulled the trigger last night on one of those ePhoto 1000 LED and one 500. Amazon ships next day, and I am looking at "real" lights within the next few weeks... Will let you know how these do.

Bob Krieger · October 15th, 2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wheeler

.... IndyMogul has an example of PVC used for a green screen and you can use their example... just ditch the chroma key cloth.

Clamp lights are available Wal-Mart, Lowes, wherever. Just ask.

Also, take a look at this vid I made a while back for a stand alone light stand with clamp lighting.

Mike Watson · October 15th, 2010, 01:39 PM

ePhoto 500 and 1000 (both from Amazon) arrived today. Initial impressions are that they are solidly built - body feels to be made of aluminum. Barndoors are solid (though they seem to get loose fast - phillips screws though, so it'll be an easy tighten job), but the reflectors inside are very thin and a little flimsy - we'll see how they hold up. A thick piece of foam was included as packing material between the barndoors and the LEDs, which is nice -- I can keep it for travel.

I bought the 500, but wasn't sure if I could use it as a key or not. Turns out it is plenty bright for a key in certain situations. The 1000 is certainly bright enough - probably not as strong as a diffused 1k fresnel but close. Both are *very* soft, and though I had planned to use the 500 as a back light, I think I need something with more edge. Furthermore, closing down the barn doors starts to create visible led "stripes" on the subject. I hope a little spun will take care of this, but we'll see.

Both lights have 4 switches to turn of 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or all of the LEDs (plus a master switch). There was a light with a dimmer available, but I didn't see how one would need a dimmer with all these options. Turns out I was right, it is very versatile.

Haven't had the camera out yet, but the visible light is around 5600k. No noticable green spike, but again, haven't seen the images it's produced yet. We'll see how she does with a sheet of CTO on, as I shoot a lot indoors.

Updates as they come.

Bill Zens · October 16th, 2010, 04:59 PM

Mike, I am interested in how those work out, so keep up dialed in with some updates...

Bob, interesting stands. Not sure about their stability for lights, but like you stated at the end, for reflectors, flags, cookies, or other lightweight things that need to be held up they would be perfect.

Anthony Auci · October 16th, 2010, 06:20 PM

Would two of these 500 watt leds equal one cool light 4x55 watt portable flo?

Mike Watson · October 27th, 2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Zens

Mike, I am interested in how those work out, so keep up dialed in with some updates...

Used these lights filter-less today for a simple shoot. No noticeable green spike (mixed them with diffused daylight), and everything looked good. They are *really* diffused... going to need 1/4 blue on a hard light for any noticeable backlight effect.

Have used them a few times now, and they get a lot of notice from passers-by. Moreso than the ordinary 1k fresnels do.

I had the opportunity to put the Kill-A-Watt on the 1000 light panel. 44 watts. The 500 is (predictably) 22.

More as I come up with it.

Mark Boardman · October 29th, 2010, 11:34 AM

Hello Mike,
I have a few questions about the 1000w version.
For a keylight...do you think diffusion in front is needed? Is it harsh for talent to sit in front of?
I have the Lite Panel 1x1 but it can barely make it as a hair light without getting close.

July 23rd, 2010, 09:11 AM	#1
Natan Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 196	Are these LED lights legit? I am wondering about LED lights like this one: Amazon.com: ePhoto 500 LED Ultra Bright Video Photography Light… Amazon.com: ePhoto 500 LED Ultra Bright Video Photography Light… In this same price range, for either LED or Fluorescent fixtures, does anyone have recommendations? I am looking for 3-4 lights with a total cost of 1000-1200 to light a small tv show set.

July 23rd, 2010, 09:10 PM	#4
David Seguin Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 104	Those lights look awesome for the price. Has anyone tried them out? __________________ Canon XH-A1, Sony Vegas Pro 8.0c, ProAm 12' Jib, Matthews M25 tripod, Rode NTG-1 http://ozvideoproductions.webs.com

July 25th, 2010, 07:58 AM	#7
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	A couple of years ago while searching online I found a company that sold a kit that included two four bulb light fixtures with soft boxes and a total of eight of those 5500k large 85 watt CFL lights. The total kit was under $400. Better than anything I had found on ebay or anywhere else at the time. I have only had occasion to use them a couple of times but they have worked fine and the light fixtures have two on/off switches so I can use one fixture full power for my key light and the other for the fill light. I have used one of those aluminum clamp lights with a 5500k CFL from Home Depot as a back light. While traveling on a business trip I wanted to visit an elderly uncle and aunt and video their recollections of my father growing up. I had one of my Sony V1U cameras, wireless mics, tripod, and that was it. I bought three clamp lights at home depot. I had my Aunt and Uncle sitting beside each other in chairs in a small living room. I used a mixture of the 100 watt and 60 watt equivilent 5500k CFL bulbs for the key, fill, and backlight. I had the lights clamped on a door, curtain rod, and the back light on something I can't even remember. The results were amazing. Watching the footage when I got home I would have sworn it had been lit with a real lighting kit. Last edited by D.J. Ammons; July 25th, 2010 at 08:07 PM.

July 23rd, 2010, 01:22 PM	#2
Marshall Levy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 304	It's the same thing as what many other companies are selling, just with a rebranded image. They've received fair reviews, but for me, I wouldn't touch them. The Amazon price is quite a bit cheaper than what others are charging for the same thing, names being withheld.

July 23rd, 2010, 08:16 PM	#3
Matt Shefford Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 40	I'm keen on picking up a few of these types /ebay if anyone has a good review on them, filming a small tv show later on in the year and would love to have multiple led panels at my disposal.

July 24th, 2010, 05:38 PM	#6
Natan Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 196	Mark, "Forthcoming." Nice one. I am more than willing to explain the details of my shoot, but it's nothing too special: 2 subjects around a large wraparound desk with a couple monitors close by. I can't use hot lights for this location. What CRI do the Alzo bulbs have? What about the Coollights LED panels? Also, could you send me a link to an example of a PVC Pipe and Clamp light from home depot?

October 14th, 2010, 03:00 PM	#9
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	Pulled the trigger last night on one of those ePhoto 1000 LED and one 500. Amazon ships next day, and I am looking at "real" lights within the next few weeks... Will let you know how these do.

October 15th, 2010, 01:39 PM	#11
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	ePhoto 500 and 1000 (both from Amazon) arrived today. Initial impressions are that they are solidly built - body feels to be made of aluminum. Barndoors are solid (though they seem to get loose fast - phillips screws though, so it'll be an easy tighten job), but the reflectors inside are very thin and a little flimsy - we'll see how they hold up. A thick piece of foam was included as packing material between the barndoors and the LEDs, which is nice -- I can keep it for travel. I bought the 500, but wasn't sure if I could use it as a key or not. Turns out it is plenty bright for a key in certain situations. The 1000 is certainly bright enough - probably not as strong as a diffused 1k fresnel but close. Both are very soft, and though I had planned to use the 500 as a back light, I think I need something with more edge. Furthermore, closing down the barn doors starts to create visible led "stripes" on the subject. I hope a little spun will take care of this, but we'll see. Both lights have 4 switches to turn of 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or all of the LEDs (plus a master switch). There was a light with a dimmer available, but I didn't see how one would need a dimmer with all these options. Turns out I was right, it is very versatile. Haven't had the camera out yet, but the visible light is around 5600k. No noticable green spike, but again, haven't seen the images it's produced yet. We'll see how she does with a sheet of CTO on, as I shoot a lot indoors. Updates as they come.

October 16th, 2010, 04:59 PM	#12
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	Mike, I am interested in how those work out, so keep up dialed in with some updates... Bob, interesting stands. Not sure about their stability for lights, but like you stated at the end, for reflectors, flags, cookies, or other lightweight things that need to be held up they would be perfect.

October 16th, 2010, 06:20 PM	#13
Anthony Auci New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, New York Posts: 23	Would two of these 500 watt leds equal one cool light 4x55 watt portable flo?

October 29th, 2010, 11:34 AM	#15
Mark Boardman New Boot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cadillac Michigan Posts: 11	Hello Mike, I have a few questions about the 1000w version. For a keylight...do you think diffusion in front is needed? Is it harsh for talent to sit in front of? I have the Lite Panel 1x1 but it can barely make it as a hair light without getting close.