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Cheap on-camera LED for night exteriors

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Gabor D.

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I want to shoot a lot of night scenes on the streets for my feature film. As it's a no-budget flick I have to be really cost conscious. I try to shoot in available lights, but to enhance it a little I thought to give a cheap LED light to my gear (for fill light, or kicker, or whatever...). I would put it on a small light stand off camera.

Like this:
http://www.manfrotto.com/led-light-maxima-84-hybrid-850lxat1m-dimmer-flash-gels-ml840h

However I'm concerned about its power... Approximately how many watts it is?
 
Gabor D. said:
I found this also:
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/datavision_dvs-ledgo-b160c

+this:
http://www.cinegearpro.com/hdv-z96-96-led-5600k-3200k-professional-hd-video-light.html

I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks!
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I've got four of similar but branded different. For the uses you describe they work great. 8 double AA batteries and adjustable dimmer with gels included. They will surprise you how intense the light really is when turned up to full effect.

I got mine through a third party selling on Amazon. Can't remember the cost but I was amazed how inexpensive they were at the time. Their light-throwing ability and convenience is why I reordered and have four instead of two.

Plus, they fit nicely and aren't too heavy to use on those little desktop tripods. I have a batch of old music stands that I've converted to hold the lights and that gives me pretty much the same freedom of where to place them as a cheap camera tripod would.
 
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I agree they are very useful and versatile and have a lot of punch for such a small price tag (I have a number of cheap ones). The one thing they also have is A LOT of green in them.
If you get some I HIGHLY suggest you color correct them with minus green and any other gels they may need. It will cut transmission, but they will still have some punch.

And frankly if you're on a budget I would just say to get the cheapest ones you can find and color correct with some cheap gel cuts.
 
Are you guys talking about the Manfrotto, Datavision or FV LED right now?

Manfrotto is readily available in my country, Datavision and FV should be ordered from the UK. Is there any huge difference between this there? Or pros and cons?
 
My problem with these on camera lights is... they will feel like on camera lights. Unless you're going for the blair witch effect, don't put these on the camera. they work well for backlighting, but for key light you need a bigger source.
 
Bob Gundu said:
My problem with these on camera lights is... they will feel like on camera lights. Unless you're going for the blair witch effect, don't put these on the camera. they work well for backlighting, but for key light you need a bigger source.
Click to expand...

I don't want to use this on camera!!!!! I want to set it on a small stand OFF CAMERA when I shoot on the night street guerilla style.. I would use it as a key, or fill light, maybe kicker... it will depend on the actual circumstances on location at the time of the shoot.
 
Gabor D. said:
I don't want to use this on camera!!!!! I want to set it on a small stand OFF CAMERA when I shoot on the night street guerilla style.. I would use it as a key, or fill light, maybe kicker... it will depend on the actual circumstances on location at the time of the shoot.
Click to expand...


Oops sorry :)

I really should read the posts.

However I do use these on a stand as well for fill and back.
 
while its true that on low cost on cam lights do have a certain look to them; I think that you have to look at what other applications the light can be used for. I've been using Switronix LED Torches on various occasions and I must say the versatility and power you get from those bad boys can't be matched for the money.
 
Bob Gundu said:
My problem with these on camera lights is... they will feel like on camera lights. Unless you're going for the blair witch effect, don't put these on the camera. they work well for backlighting, but for key light you need a bigger source.
Click to expand...

I've used them for a hard key and they have enough punch that you could put a couple together and then break the light with some dif to make a decent key for a small two shot.
 
So anyone? How these three brands, types compare? I'm not really into luxes and stuff, so it would be great if someone could enlighten me...

Manfrotto 84 Maxima
http://www.manfrotto.com/led-light-maxima-84-hybrid-850lxat1m-dimmer-flash-gels-ml840h

FV Z96
http://www.cinegearpro.com/hdv-z96-96-led-5600k-3200k-professional-hd-video-light.html

Datavision 160C
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/datavision_dvs-ledgo-b160c

(Manfrotto is the easiest to get for me, so if theres not a huge pro on the other two I would buy the Manfrotto....
Switronix is out of my budget range..)

EDIT:
I found a reseller in my country for Datavison LEDs, and found the OC-170 in their product range. I think its similar to the 160C.
 
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i knoow for sure don't buy Manfrotto , i have one , it's a waste, low output, batteries good for half hour
 
I have a few of the FV lights. I've never tried them on the RED yet. On my old AF100 there was definitely some green contamination, but if shooting outdoors in low light, the skin tones are always going to look different and slight color shifts can theoretically be attributed to different colored street lighting. You can slap a big Sony battery on them at they will last for hours if not all day.
 
Thanks Ben!

Anyone has experience with Datavision lights? Like OC170?
 
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