MicroPro does not put out enough light

Dan Lukehart · July 11th, 2010, 07:39 PM

I bought a LitePanels MicroPro as my on camera light with my Ex1 about a year ago. I enjoy it being battery powered and dimmable with no color shift. This light IS a good light, just not for the type of work I do. This light is at its best when it is very close to the subject. It’s the wrong tool for what I need.

The problem is that this light simply does not put out enough light. It also does not fill up the screen as it has a very narrow beam of light. Two very big problems. Another problem is that the light is not a beautiful quality of light. Its ok, but not as good as a conventional light.

For weddings and dark reception areas the light is nowhere near what is needed. When I gel it to 3200 to match other on camera lights, its even worse. I need a whole lot of light that does not die after 6 feet.

In short, I need a new light. If im going to spend money, I want to get a lot of light and I want it to fill as much of my shot when I am zoomed out. Here is what im looking for

+/- $1500 with power
3200 degrees
something that is dimmable would be nice.
about an hour or so with batteries
100 watts (???) does 100 watts run to hot for an on camera light or is the batter time to short to be practical?

I was looking at the 75 watt minifill. Thoughts? Suggestions? I am new to all things batteries and on camera lights. My budget can be expanded past $1500 if that is what is necessary to get what I need.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/403306-REG/Frezzolini_91020_MFK_4XK_75_watt_Mini_Fill_Light.html

Marshall Levy · July 12th, 2010, 11:53 AM

I don't do light reviews anymore, but when I did, the Zylight Z90 was the only one that proved to be the most versatile, robust, functional, all the while putting out the best color and most even light distribution. While it's more expensive than a lot of the china-made cheap LED toys, the Z90 is a solid light.

Randy Johnson · July 12th, 2010, 01:17 PM

Dan,
Just a thought but I too am in the market for a new light. I currently use Anton/Bauers ultra lights I also I have ultra daylighrts all of which I now need to sell because of my new cameras. I am looking into the comer 1800 it doesnt throw like im used to but I started really analyzing my shooting and MAYBE you should too. I found that most reception shooting I do (dancing,interviews, toasts, etc) is dont at less than 10 feet so the LED lights are fine at that distance also since they are so soft I can get even closer without annoying people. plus the times where I need the distance (ie the bride and grooms entrance ) what I do is buy 2 LED lights one on my camera and one on a stand about half way between me and the entrance I also kinda carry around that light with me for some added help. just thought id give you a different perspective.

Don Bloom · July 12th, 2010, 02:17 PM

You might want to look at Bescor. they have an LED that goes from 35 to 150W's. I think it runs at 5600 but has a CTO filter to get to 3200. It's kind of big and runs off a seperate battery but you can get it with a power tap plug. A friend of mine has it and uses it on his JVC HM700, he loves it. 150W at 5600 for outside news type work? Gotta love it.

bescor home page
B&H carries it as well. Not too expensive either.

Just a thought.

Randy Johnson · July 12th, 2010, 04:02 PM

What about NRG? Are they still around I havent bought my LEDS yet I have only tried my friends. Does NRG still sell that power vest they used to?

Etienne Didelot-Pothier · July 13th, 2010, 08:37 PM

Just so you know, you'll never find a "perfect" on-camera light. They are used for fills and backups, not really for aesthetic purposes.

LED in generals are quite powerful but they fall pretty fast (in terms of distance). You can't only rely on your camera light to give you a perfect picture. If you really want to invest to have a nice light source get a cheap on-camera LED light to give you an okay fill for short distance, and buy tungsten fixtures, or even HMI if you can find some nice deals. You bounce them somewhere and it should be fine.

Taky Cheung · July 14th, 2010, 02:18 AM

Dan, I'm also a wedding videographer and we're DVinfo site sponsor. Check out the Comer 1800 LED light that will work great for you as a on-camera light.

http://lacolorshop.com/products/item.asp?id=cm1800

It put out more than double the brightness than the LP MicroPro. Default 4500K color temperature makes it ready to be used indoor. You can also use the tungsten filter which is on the top of the light to match 3200K color temp. It is shoe mounted. Using our Sony compatible NP-F970 battery can last over 3.5 hrs at maximum brightness continuously. It has a full dimmer too.

The light is diffused by default so you don't need to use any diffuser. But there is a condenser lens filter included that makes a spot light output. And it is still cheaper than LP Micro.

We also carry EX1/EX3 batteries that has a d-tap connector so the battery can power your camera and the light at the same time.

http://lacolorshop.com/products/item.asp?id=u65
Sony Compatible BP-U95 Battery for Sony EX1/EX3 | L.A. Color Shop

I put together a comparison video before. Check this out
6 On-Camera Video Lights Shootout | L.A. Color Blog

Many forum members are using this light and are happy with it.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-m...ml#post1165028

Bob Grant · July 14th, 2010, 04:56 AM

I can only backup what Taky is saying. I have access to most of the on camera lights and out of all of them the Comer 1800 will give about the best throw of any of them and at a reasonable price.

In terms of versatility it is not up there with the Zylight Z90 but that is a more expensive and heavier light.

It doesn't have the throw of the more expensive HID lights but they are more suited to use as outdoor fill or hard core ENG use.

July 11th, 2010, 07:39 PM	#1
Dan Lukehart Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 35	MicroPro does not put out enough light - new light needed I bought a LitePanels MicroPro as my on camera light with my Ex1 about a year ago. I enjoy it being battery powered and dimmable with no color shift. This light IS a good light, just not for the type of work I do. This light is at its best when it is very close to the subject. It’s the wrong tool for what I need. The problem is that this light simply does not put out enough light. It also does not fill up the screen as it has a very narrow beam of light. Two very big problems. Another problem is that the light is not a beautiful quality of light. Its ok, but not as good as a conventional light. For weddings and dark reception areas the light is nowhere near what is needed. When I gel it to 3200 to match other on camera lights, its even worse. I need a whole lot of light that does not die after 6 feet. In short, I need a new light. If im going to spend money, I want to get a lot of light and I want it to fill as much of my shot when I am zoomed out. Here is what im looking for +/- $1500 with power 3200 degrees something that is dimmable would be nice. about an hour or so with batteries 100 watts (???) does 100 watts run to hot for an on camera light or is the batter time to short to be practical? I was looking at the 75 watt minifill. Thoughts? Suggestions? I am new to all things batteries and on camera lights. My budget can be expanded past $1500 if that is what is necessary to get what I need. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/403306-REG/Frezzolini_91020_MFK_4XK_75_watt_Mini_Fill_Light.html

July 12th, 2010, 02:17 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	You might want to look at Bescor. they have an LED that goes from 35 to 150W's. I think it runs at 5600 but has a CTO filter to get to 3200. It's kind of big and runs off a seperate battery but you can get it with a power tap plug. A friend of mine has it and uses it on his JVC HM700, he loves it. 150W at 5600 for outside news type work? Gotta love it. bescor home page B&H carries it as well. Not too expensive either. Just a thought. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

July 13th, 2010, 08:37 PM	#6
Etienne Didelot-Pothier Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 59	Just so you know, you'll never find a "perfect" on-camera light. They are used for fills and backups, not really for aesthetic purposes. LED in generals are quite powerful but they fall pretty fast (in terms of distance). You can't only rely on your camera light to give you a perfect picture. If you really want to invest to have a nice light source get a cheap on-camera LED light to give you an okay fill for short distance, and buy tungsten fixtures, or even HMI if you can find some nice deals. You bounce them somewhere and it should be fine. __________________ http://www.EDPimagerie.com Canon XH A1 - Rode NTG-2 - Canon 7D - 8" HD - 50mm f1.4 - 11-16mm f2.8 - 70-200 f4L

July 14th, 2010, 02:18 AM	#7
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Dan, I'm also a wedding videographer and we're DVinfo site sponsor. Check out the Comer 1800 LED light that will work great for you as a on-camera light. http://lacolorshop.com/products/item.asp?id=cm1800 It put out more than double the brightness than the LP MicroPro. Default 4500K color temperature makes it ready to be used indoor. You can also use the tungsten filter which is on the top of the light to match 3200K color temp. It is shoe mounted. Using our Sony compatible NP-F970 battery can last over 3.5 hrs at maximum brightness continuously. It has a full dimmer too. The light is diffused by default so you don't need to use any diffuser. But there is a condenser lens filter included that makes a spot light output. And it is still cheaper than LP Micro. We also carry EX1/EX3 batteries that has a d-tap connector so the battery can power your camera and the light at the same time. http://lacolorshop.com/products/item.asp?id=u65 Sony Compatible BP-U95 Battery for Sony EX1/EX3 \| L.A. Color Shop I put together a comparison video before. Check this out 6 On-Camera Video Lights Shootout \| L.A. Color Blog Many forum members are using this light and are happy with it. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/photon-m...ml#post1165028 __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

July 12th, 2010, 11:53 AM	#2
Marshall Levy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 304	I don't do light reviews anymore, but when I did, the Zylight Z90 was the only one that proved to be the most versatile, robust, functional, all the while putting out the best color and most even light distribution. While it's more expensive than a lot of the china-made cheap LED toys, the Z90 is a solid light.

July 12th, 2010, 01:17 PM	#3
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	Dan, Just a thought but I too am in the market for a new light. I currently use Anton/Bauers ultra lights I also I have ultra daylighrts all of which I now need to sell because of my new cameras. I am looking into the comer 1800 it doesnt throw like im used to but I started really analyzing my shooting and MAYBE you should too. I found that most reception shooting I do (dancing,interviews, toasts, etc) is dont at less than 10 feet so the LED lights are fine at that distance also since they are so soft I can get even closer without annoying people. plus the times where I need the distance (ie the bride and grooms entrance ) what I do is buy 2 LED lights one on my camera and one on a stand about half way between me and the entrance I also kinda carry around that light with me for some added help. just thought id give you a different perspective.

July 12th, 2010, 04:02 PM	#5
Randy Johnson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,067	What about NRG? Are they still around I havent bought my LEDS yet I have only tried my friends. Does NRG still sell that power vest they used to?

July 14th, 2010, 04:56 AM	#8
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	I can only backup what Taky is saying. I have access to most of the on camera lights and out of all of them the Comer 1800 will give about the best throw of any of them and at a reasonable price. In terms of versatility it is not up there with the Zylight Z90 but that is a more expensive and heavier light. It doesn't have the throw of the more expensive HID lights but they are more suited to use as outdoor fill or hard core ENG use.