Z1 with Lite Panels
 

Anybody can please tell me if I can use these lite panels (http://www.litepanels.com/main.html) as an on-camera lighting for my future Z1?
Can they be fitted ? Arr they any good ???
Thanks for any help.

http://www.dvformat.com/articles/vie...e.jsp?id=30655
I liked em'.

Douglas,
thank you so much...great review...Looked like a great buy but now I will for sure buy it !
Gabor

That price is insane. I would go for a Kino ring light instead. ( also high but better value)

I guess the single light for $700 is not that bad...the package for over $2K is a little deep...

I have to agree the pricing is insane. But LED lights should be coming out of the woodwork like mice at NAB

I hope so David, I've been wanting litepanels since we met a crew using them in St. Louis last Summer.

<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Jacobson : That price is insane. I would go for a Kino ring light instead. ( also high but better value) -->>>

I disagree, the Litepanels are much more flexible and handy in the field than a Kino ring. See my DV Mag review at

http://www.dv.com/reviews/reviews_item.jhtml?category=&articleId=159905070

John, do you know how much light you loose if I add a 3200K filter to it?

A typical 3/4 CTO (convert 5500°K daylight to 3200°K) has a transmission of 58%.

Going the other way, a full CTB (3200°K to nominal 5500°K) has a transmission of 36%.

Thanks for the info.

Though it lacks barndoors till NAB, here's a solution from IDX. It throws a lot of light from what appear to be 3 LEDs. They must be a newer generation form the dozens used in the litepanel.

Lot cheaper too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=365696&is=REG

The IDX web site has no photometry information other than the claim that the unit is as bright at as 35 watt halogen. I wouldn't hasten to compare it to the Litepanels without a hands-on test and more photometric info. The build also looks like cheap plastic as opposed to heavy cast aluminum.

Part of the reason that Litepanel uses an array of LEDs is to slightly soften the light -- the IDX will be hard light, and if you put a diffuser over it the diffuser will eat up a lot of the light.

I checked it out over the weekend. It throws plenty of light. Plastic housing yes, but not at all flimsy. I felt it could be a lot smaller. But its 3 led's throw much more light than the led's on the litepanel. It needs barndoors, with a swing on diffuser and W85 filter.

I'm just suggesting that while the litepanel is a heck of a good idea, it IS expensive and it does have it's weight issues when used with an NP1 on a small camcorder.

What we NEED is a Frezzi micro pro form factor with leds running on 7 volts and powered by a tap on a 7 volt camcorder battery. Who gives us that will rule.

If those who are going to NAB see it there, please post immediately. (I leave for a shoot in India on the 28th.) If you don't see it, work on the lighting manufacturers by appealling to their profit motive.

David

Build them
 

I am trying to source a handful of white LEDs to build a litpanel... there is no reason that they need to cost $2K.

I am guessing that the dimmer is wired up to an adjustable 3 pin voltage regulator. I will post results when I get the first one built. I think a wide array with a pice of Opal diffusion would beat the heck out of a Anton with less power consumption to boot.

George
www.videonow.info