Anyone used Dracast LED lights? at DVinfo.net

Colin Froud · May 8th, 2013, 10:24 AM

I am looking to buy a set of 4 LED light panels for filming in areas where I cannot have mains electric power easily, so my beloved Dedo's and Arri's have to be left at home!

Unfortunately the job I need them for is next month, so waiting for F&V Z400's and Zacuto plazma panels is out of the question.

I understand that LED lights have a void in the spectrum and that the higher the CRI, the whiter the light and less chance of green and magenta spikes. I have experienced problems with green and magenta spikes in the past and sent lights back. My current LED panels are only cheap ones that I have colour corrected with minus green gel.

I came across Dracast LED lights and wanted to know if anyone has experience with their lights or the company. They seem like well made products, but a search on the internet doesn't reveal very much at all.

As I am based in the UK I would have to ship direct and don't want to buy a load of lights that are no good.

Anybody have any comments?

Tom Guiney · May 21st, 2013, 01:48 PM

I've got one of their lights, a 160LED. I primarily have it for demo purposes to show the range of different LEDs that my inflatable softboxes fit onto, but that said, I have shot with it and I do use it.. It's a decent cheap LED. Each LED light maker seems to get a different color white, so if you're getting several different lights, I'd recommend getting them all from the same manufacturer.

The color is not perfect, for sure, but Dracast lights are definitely priced to move. The one I have only woks off battery; there's no direct line in for power. That's a consideration. The batteries last a very long time though.

What's more important to you, price or quality? What's your priority? Dracast lights are probably for the more cost-sensitive amongst us, but they do perform as advertised.
(disclosure: plug for my own product to follow-) The quality of the light is dramatically improved by using an Airbox inflatable softbox. The harsh multi-shadow thing that LED lights do is not a problem when you use a softbox.

hope that helps.

Tom Guiney
Airboxlights.com inflatable softboxes for LED lights
DP, gaffer, inventor
SF Bay Area

May 8th, 2013, 10:24 AM	#1
Colin Froud New Boot Join Date: May 2013 Location: Dorset, uk Posts: 6	Anyone used Dracast LED lights? I am looking to buy a set of 4 LED light panels for filming in areas where I cannot have mains electric power easily, so my beloved Dedo's and Arri's have to be left at home! Unfortunately the job I need them for is next month, so waiting for F&V Z400's and Zacuto plazma panels is out of the question. I understand that LED lights have a void in the spectrum and that the higher the CRI, the whiter the light and less chance of green and magenta spikes. I have experienced problems with green and magenta spikes in the past and sent lights back. My current LED panels are only cheap ones that I have colour corrected with minus green gel. I came across Dracast LED lights and wanted to know if anyone has experience with their lights or the company. They seem like well made products, but a search on the internet doesn't reveal very much at all. As I am based in the UK I would have to ship direct and don't want to buy a load of lights that are no good. Anybody have any comments?

May 21st, 2013, 01:48 PM	#2
Tom Guiney New Boot Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6	Re: Anyone used Dracast LED lights? I've got one of their lights, a 160LED. I primarily have it for demo purposes to show the range of different LEDs that my inflatable softboxes fit onto, but that said, I have shot with it and I do use it.. It's a decent cheap LED. Each LED light maker seems to get a different color white, so if you're getting several different lights, I'd recommend getting them all from the same manufacturer. The color is not perfect, for sure, but Dracast lights are definitely priced to move. The one I have only woks off battery; there's no direct line in for power. That's a consideration. The batteries last a very long time though. What's more important to you, price or quality? What's your priority? Dracast lights are probably for the more cost-sensitive amongst us, but they do perform as advertised. (disclosure: plug for my own product to follow-) The quality of the light is dramatically improved by using an Airbox inflatable softbox. The harsh multi-shadow thing that LED lights do is not a problem when you use a softbox. hope that helps. Tom Guiney Airboxlights.com inflatable softboxes for LED lights DP, gaffer, inventor SF Bay Area