Buyers’ guide
Kenro › kenro.co.uk
to soften the output – these are adjustable within a 3200-7500K range. The free LightSystem app for iOS and Android allows wireless adjustments. Sitting at the top of the Smart Lite range is the RGB Video Light, which sells for £189.99. The panel has 624 LEDs, giving a maximum output of 4600 lumens, which can be varied within a 3200-7500K range. The RGB mode allows 360 different colours, and the saturation of each can be fine- tuned from a range of 1-100. It’s a truly versatile unit for the money.
Kenro has its own range of LED products under the Smart Lite banner. Designed for on-camera use are two compact video lights – the Bi-Colour 810 lumens model with a 3200-5600K range, retailing at £49.99; and the RGB model at £89.99, which has a wider 3200- 7200K range and a selection of special effects. Both feature built- in lithium batteries. For vloggers and beauty portraits, there’s a 19in RGB ring light that retails for £169.99. This user-friendly model features 480 LEDs, with a built-in diffuser panel
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?
On the face of it, the Elinchrom Five is a battery- powered studio flash unit that can run off mains thanks to its Active Charging system. So why’s it in a guide to LED lighting? Simple – it features an LED modelling light, offering practical stills and video use as a continuous light source. The 26W lamp has an output of 4000 lumens, adjustable temperature from 2700-6500K, and a CRI of 91-94. From full battery, it will run at full power for over two hours, and up to 30 hours at minimum power. If you don’t want to make the switch to a continuous lighting set-up just yet, but like the idea of what it has to offer, the Five is an option giving the benefits of both a 500Ws studio flash and an LED. theflashcentre.com
Light & Motion › theflashcentre.com
StellaPro emerged in 2017 from Light & Motion, a brand which quickly established itself as a leading purveyor of rugged broadcast lighting kit. With a new UK distributor, Lumesca, its products are sure to find a very appreciative audience. The StellaPro CLx10 costs £1355, and is a portable LED light with plenty of power, delivering 10,000 lumens for 45 minutes from its internal battery. It can be run from the mains, too. A built- in receiver allows wireless remote control of any number of CLx10 lights. The Reflex family comprises hybrid models designed for stills and video use. The Reflex retails at £858 and the Reflex S at £1106, with those prices including the light head, medium optic, combined handgrip/battery and 0.6m USB cable. Reflex was the first Continuous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), and Digital Burst technology allows burst shooting at 10fps with the Reflex, and 20fps with the Reflex S – plus they’re compatible with Godox, Elinchrom and Profoto triggers.
Aputure › aputure.com
Founded in 2005 by a team of filmmakers, Aputure is now a market-leading global lighting brand, recognised for its high-end lighting kit and extensive range that can satisfy every creator’s need. Offering power, value for money and cutting-edge performance is the Amaran series. The Amaran 100d is a point-source light using a 100W COB LED to give a bright and accurate, daylight-balanced 5600K output. Colour fidelity is impressive, too, with CRI and TLCI ratings over 95, plus there are eight built-in lighting effects including paparazzi, lightning and fireworks. Handling is first-rate, and its lightweight all-in-one body design has an umbrella fitting and S-fit modifier mount, while a cooling fan keeps the LED lamp cool during long shoots. Aputure’s Sidus Link app even enables wireless control of up to 100 lights from a smart device. The Amaran 100d costs £219. The 100x – which has a bicolour LED giving 2700-6500K colour temperature range – sells for £272. Also available for greater power are the Amaran 200d and 200x, which sell for £315 and £370 respectively.
Interfit › interfitphoto.co.uk
Interfit’s LED offerings are typically competitive, with units in panel, ring and moonlight categories. The Badger Beam is a 60W LED dual-powered monolight with a 45-minute runtime at 100% output. It’s a compact unit, weighing just 1.5kg, so is suited to location work – and is fitted with an S-mount, so has no shortage of good modifiers. Output can be adjusted from 1% up to full power, and the LCD display keeps you up to speed with battery life, power delivery and so on. Cooling is provided by a super-quiet running fan supported by a heat sink and vents. Light quality itself is very good, and delivered at a fixed 5600K. The Badger Beam sells at £199, and a two-head kit with softbox and backpack goes for £499.
54 Photography News | Issue 104
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