Me too . My battery compartment has the same problem. But I live in Italy and I have to spend much money to ship it. I think I will send it to seller.

Sorry!
I think I will not send it to seller.

hmmm, with 1 in place (diffusion) the filter seems to stay in place fine although I do have a small piece of gaff tape on the top to secure just to make sure. Most times I have a 2nd filter in place as well but when I need to yank it out I don't want the diffusion filter flying out at the same time.
I have noticed the filter holder doesn't want to move more than about 90 degrees without the feeling that it's going to break so when I do move it, I stop it at 90. It's kind of like a hat. I too had the battery clip problem but used a little crazy glue on the contacts and that has taken care of the problem.
While I realize it is not the most expensive piece around I think for the money a little more thought into the design could have really made the difference.
Having said that I really do love the light. Small, lightweight and powerful enough to do what I need it to do.
Don

Gentleman:

If you read this thread as someone who has never checked out this light in person, one would get the distinct impression that this light is not a professional piece of equipment. Faulty filter holder, faulty battery compartment, battery compartment lid, etc.

FWIW, I checked out this light at FilmTools today. While the price is cheap and it throws a fine quality of light, this light is decidedly consumerish in build. Mounted on a hot shoe, one good whack to the light and it will break off it's plastic hot shoe mount. I was really excited to buy one and was planning on it today but after seeing it and playing with it in person, I will forgo buying one and will save further for a LitePanels DV or a VidLed. I have used both of those products and am satisfied that either of them meet the criteria needed by a professional, namely that the light will not fall apart in the middle of a shoot and the hot shoe mount will not easily break off with one errant whack against something.

Cool little light but I would have gladly paid $400.00 if it were built like it's larger LitePanel brethren. If you are running around shooting as a hobby, go for it, but this light is about as consumerish as you can get, sorry.

Sign me disappointed.

Dan

Dan
If it were built the same as the litepanel bretheren it wouldn't be $300.00

So as not to make anyone think I am not happy with the lite in general I am very happy. As I stated before there are a couple of little things I wish they had done differently but for the money it works just fine. As for the hotshoe breaking off with one good whack I beg to differ as it's already been whacked more than once and it held up just fine. The first production models of anything aren't always perfect and the price range they are going for well they have to make some changes somewhere. IE the plastic body and that type of thing.
As for using this light only for hobby work I again beg to differ. After using ABs and Bescors with wires hanging off me or my camera it's a pleasure to work with a wireless light and frankly the last time I looked I was anything but a hobbist and honestly I really don't care if it looks consumerish. I'm not in it for looks.
Personally I am satisfied overall with the product as are the 3 other guys I know personally who have and used it professionally.
However after all is said and done obviously you are not satisfied with the quality of the light and are not going to purchase one to which I say, to each his own.
Don

Well, I will be honest, I have not broken one off, I just tugged on it and it felt as if the flimsy plastic on the hot shoe would easily break.

Dan

I can tell you my Litepanels LP-Micro has many problems. I have never bought an item so bad.

Can you be more specific as to the problems you are having? While it may not directly benefit those who have already purchased the first production run of these units, I'm sure it will help the team at Litepanels, inc. so that they can work on redesigning the Micro to address the flaws.

That's why I said I would gladly pay 25% more for a professional level product. Considering that a LitePanels DV system retails for around $650.00, I bet a smaller version with the same level build quality could be manufactured for around $400.00-$450.00, which I would gladly pay.

Purchasing a plastic unit with a flimsy filter holder, flimsy battery compartment and flimsy battery door is a waste of money IMHO. I would rather spend a little more and get something to better suit the needs of pros.

It's the same as all of the other gear that we buy and use. Sometimes marketing convinces engineering to hit a price point and this is what has happened with the LitePanels Micro. They hit a great price point. But if the thing is a flimsy light that will break and give users frustration like Adriano, for instance, then the manufacturer shoots themselves in the foot, tarnishing their reputation.

Sure, at $400.00, they wouldn't sell as many but the people that would buy them would be happier with the product, hence the company keeps it's reputation, sales increase from it's reputation. OR, they keep the price point the same, but increase build and manufacturing quality and make less profit per unit. Same end result. LitePanels already alienated a lot of people when they marketed their 1x1 as "having no discernable color shift when dimmed" when anyone who has used one can tell you that the units only flaw is that the color temp changes significantly when it is dimmed.

They hit a home run with their regular LitePanel kits, it's a great product and a good price with a good reputation. I understand that they are trying to hit the wedding videographer/event video market with the Micro but in my opinion, after examining the product in person, they need to go back to the drawing board. If there are many more Adrianos on the boards, their reputation and sales will suffer. Go on all of the other web boards and see how many dissatisfied users there are. Read the magazine reviews of the unit, the same comments keep cropping up, "flimsy filter holder, battery compartment issues, boy, this thing is delicate, etc." Then go look at the QuickTime on the VIDLed site of the VIDLed being thrown 30 feet in the air and landing on concrete and still working perfectly. Try that with a Micro and see what you get. I guess I am just tired of buying products that are flimsy and break. Some great engineering going on in our market but some poor manufacturing, tooling and choice of materials.

Just my .02. No offense intended, like I said, I am sure you are enjoying the end product, the light that the Micro produces, I would be too, if they built it better.

Dan

My problems:

1) I cannot use the diffusion warming filter included because it always fall to the ground. I don't succeed on it.

2) I don't succeed to insert the batteries correctly. I have the battery clip problem.

3) When I turn on the lamp with integrated on/off dimmer I have problems. I see the light in the final part only.

Are they sufficient?

I bought a Vidled Deluxe last year for, less than 475, and I have been really happy with it. Robust and very efficient.
I was curious of the new lite panels because I will buy a HV20 , but after reading all the comments, I think I will get another Vidled!

Yes that is sufficient but more importantly, it is the feedback that a company like Litepanels needs to hear from it's consumers.

Thanks.

- Frank.

Oh my goodness - l must really lucky to get a functional model minus all those problems you guys are having.

Perhrps your model was made in Taiwan. ;)

Look at your serial number? Mine is the 581th manufactured item. If you have a higher number, that might be the newer batch with issues fixed.

My serial number is 00440.

The first one I have is 2xx.. I forgot. Now the replacement is 581.

But I'd like to know if mine is a newer batch with issues fixed. ;)

Obviously yours is the batch that have the have battery compartment issue. You should send back and get a replacement. That's what I did. I bought from Todd at DVeStore. He arranged shipment both ways.

But do I have to pay the shipping to USA? I live in Italy.
I have bought that item at:

ZGC, Inc.
264 Morris Ave.
Mountain Lakes
New Jersey, USA

You will have to contact them to find out. I can't speak for them :)

I have written them some hour ago and now I'm waiting for their reply.

Adriano,

You write in to Chris ... I am sure she will lend a sympathetic ear to your problems ... and change you a new one.

My serial number on my Micro is 167.

Yes there's a markup, but the Litepanels Micro works
 

Don't know what the fuss is: the litepanels micro works as advertised. $299 is a little steep -- probably should be closer to $199, but engineering and markup costs probably explain a lot of the difference. Can you blame the innovator for charging what the market will allow? You'd do the same. Over time, I think the price will moderate.

The filter holder is a little on the lightweight side, but it works fine -- if you put the filters in properly. There are little tabs on the sides of the holders -- put the filters inside the tabs! I place a mere sliver of gaffers tape on top of the filter's top edge and it works fine!

What difference?
 

Hi, does anyone can tell me what differences between Litpanel LP-Micro and 183 LED Camcorder Video Light Panel? There is a very big difference about price.
Find 183 LED Camcorder Video Light Panel Digital Camera E8F on eBay International Market, with worldwide deals on items in all your top categories
Thanks for your suggestions.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

CN-183 is heavy and not operated with small batteries. It comes with a heavy battery that you need to tie to your belt. LP Micro is very light weight and portable. Operated using AA batteries. CN-183 is 850lux and LP micro is about 300 lux at 1 meter. very weak.

I wouldn't recommend either light. If you are looking for budget LED light, you can consider CN-126, CN-160 or the HDV-Z96.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

Taky,
thanks a lot for your suggestions. I have just noticed this Light Panel:
Find 126 LED Lighting PANEL for HD Video DV Camcorder 7D D90 on eBay International Market, with worldwide deals on items in all your top categories
This Light Panel is lighter and leds give more powerful light.
I don't understand fine if too much light can be a problem for you.
I don't also understand because LP-Panel is so expensive if it has so few leds.
In your opinion are there difference between leds and leds or are all they identical?
I have just noticed you sell Light Panel, therefore you are an expert guy. If I will buy a Light Panel
I will buy from you ... if you can send to Europe.
Thanks again

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

I would go with CN-160 if you like CN-126. They are the same size and same weight, but CN-160 gives you more light output. With the dimmer, you don't have to worry about.

There is a problem with the CN126/160. They are made with 5600K color temperature which you can use it outdoor. To use it indoor, you have to use the included orange filter. but it shows a green spike and doesn't look good at all. Also, that light arm is plastic and can't hold the light in place. You have to constantly tightened the plastic arm. You should check out the HDV-Z96. That's a much better light than Cn-126/CN-160 in my opinion.

LitePanels is expensive because they are LitePanels. =)

I have on-camera lights for sell. Price is eBay is much cheaper. But it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to deliver.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

A last question please.
I have just noticed HDV-Z96 has Illuminance: 800Lx. How much is it more powerful than LP-Micro? Is it evident?
Thanks again

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

LP Micro is about 300 lux at 1 meter. Z96 is 800 lux at 1 meter. CN-160 is 900 lux at 1 meter.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

The question is: "What do you want to use the light for?"
The LitePanels Micro has very little 'throw'. It is good for illuminating a subject 2 to 3 feet from the source. Beyond that, the light level is quite low.
I use my LitePanels Micro mounted on my Canon HV-20 with a Rode Video Mic Pro. The mic and light are both at their optimal distances.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

>The question is: "What do you want to use the light for?"

I'd like to use it at at sunset and in the night.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

For your situation, LP-Micro won't do it. In fact, LP-Micro won't do anything other than an close up interview.

You might want to consider our Comer 1800 if you are looking for great output to be used at sunset and indoor at night.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

mmmm, your reply gives me anxiety. ;)
Specifications of Comer 1800 are wonderful, amazing. Can you tell me what filters are inclused with it? Is there warm filter?

I use Sony HXR-NX5 camera.
I like Comer 1800 but I think HDV-Z96 is more versatile. Do I make a mistake?
Comer 1800 is bigger and heavier.
I will bring it in my bag around the world and in rainforest for documentaries about indigenous people. I will use the light panel outside in the night but inside huts too.
In your opinion is Comer 1800 the light for me?
thanks again.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

Litepanels | LED Lighting for the Film and Television Industry

Litepanels Micro™ Photmetrics
DISTANCE LUX
2ft. / 0.6m 560 Lux
4ft. / 1.2m 280 Lux
6ft. / 1.8m 140 Lux

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

>Litepanels Micro™ Photmetrics
>DISTANCE LUX
>2ft. / 0.6m 560 Lux
>4ft. / 1.2m 280 Lux
>6ft. / 1.8m 140 Lux

I'd like to know if with Comer 1800 I can do the same things like Litepanels Micro. For example clos to the sobject as interviews. Will it be impossible?

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

Comer 1800 includes a Tungstun/warming filter. The light is diffused by default without any filter. And there is a Condenser lens which condenses the light beam into a spot light. It has a full dimmer so you can use it for close up interviews. And it is strong enough to be used at wedding receptions.

The light output is much stronger on Comer but with a full dimmer, you don't have to worry about too much light. Here's the comparison again.

Comer 1800 = 1800 lux at 1 meter
CN-160 = 900 lux at 1 meter
Z96 = 800 lux 1 meter
LP-Micro = 3xx lux 1 meter

Also, LP Micro, CN160, Z96 are all NOT DIFFUSED. it will project a hot spot in the center of the screen like some cheap home video. You will need a diffuser to even the light out to fill a wide screen. For Comer, it works the other way around. It is already diffused. However, the bottom filter makes the light even brighter and cast a stage style spot light.

Another issue is all these lights are made with day light color balance. You will also need the warming filter to use the light indoor. Comer 1800 is diffused and 4500K color temperature. You can use it indoor without any filter.

However, Comer 1800 is bigger than those other lights. Check out this photos with the 1800 light on DSLR. They aren't too big.

http://lacoloronline.com/blog/images/1800onGh11.jpg
http://lacoloronline.com/blog/images/1800on7D1.jpg

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

Also check out this thread. I did some comparisons with 6 video lights before including LP Micro.Scroll down and you can see the YouTube videos embeded.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-m...ml#post1455457

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

Litepanels Micro is over priced to say the least, I have two Z96 LED's that are a "lot" brighter and cost less than one Micro. In general these on camera LED's don't have that much light output but they fill the subject a little and give a pleasing image even in the daylight just gives your image that little extra sparkle. Works great for capturing party footage at weddings however they do have a slight green tint if you look very carefully at whites.

Re: Litepanels LP-Micro
 

I also have to agree... LP Micro is really overprice.

That's why the Comer 1800 shines as it's not just a light that give extra shines to the object, it does light up the scene at wedding reception. Check out these videos