Monday 6 August 2012

LED there be light!

When packing your lighting box you'll probably check for gels, spare bulbs and clips but unless you're intending to hide your identity for a crime spree your fingertips will definitely be pleased to find some sturdy gloves hidden away in there.

Lights get hot. Really hot! So there's nothing worse than having to fiddle about with the barn doors or clip on some more diffuser whilst hiding your fingers under the thin protection of a handy piece of costume. 

So what's the solution? Get someone else to do it of course but if that's not possible why not try out our new LED fixture?


That looks cool! And it is, very cool. No more singed fingers with this little chap in your kit bag. The other big bonus with LED fixtures is that they draw very little power so this light can also be powered with a V-lock or even Sony NPF battery. That means handheld fully directional lighting in any situation. Put it in a car, stand with it in a field or shine it through the trees - you'll never need a cheap noisy or expensive quiet generator again!

If that sounds too good to be true then it is unfortunately. Whilst LED lighting is by no means brand new, incorporating it into affordable and practical video fixtures is still troublesome. LED lights are bright but don't have much throw. There is a diffusion cover which is perfect for interviews if you're using this as a key light. Careful positioning should mean that your interviewee isn't seeing stars by the end of it but they certainly won't be sweating buckets either - unless your questions are particularly probing.

For dramas and music promos this won't light your whole set but it will work great for closeups and difficult situations and, being fully daylight balanced, should cause you a bit less work in post.

To find out more or see it in action give us a call on 01206 560255 or email paul@signals.org.uk