I apologize if this has been posted/asked previously. I searched, I promise. My search might have just sucked. 

I was going to order an LED light panel, This one, and wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with these, or similar.

While I do not expect it to be my sole source of light I was thinking it might do good for up close images, or for a general fill light of a scene while still using off camera flashes as required?

I talk to myself all the time, so I thought I would just go ahead and replay to myself.


Forgot that I had posted this actually, and was just perusing through the board for my reading pleasure, saw this and just wanted to update, that the LED light panel is one of my best friends now while exploring. I absolutely love it and will go no where without it. It is big and bulky sure, but it throws out as much or as little light as you would want in an area. Best 30ish bucks I've spent on an exploring item.

Posted by NeuroticMatt I talk to myself all the time, so I thought I would just go ahead and replay to myself. Forgot that I had posted this actually, and was just perusing through the board for my reading pleasure, saw this and just wanted to update, that the LED light panel is one of my best friends now while exploring. I absolutely love it and will go no where without it. It is big and bulky sure, but it throws out as much or as little light as you would want in an area. Best 30ish bucks I've spent on an exploring item.

Just seeing this thread lol... but totally agree. Best 30 something dollars I've invested. Can be stealthy or light up a whole building. Glad you enjoy it! Good luck on future explorations!

Thanks for the reviews

It doesn't spec the color temp or CR value; incomplete specs.
Blue biased light sources aren't as usable as properly color balanced ones with a high color rendering index... your WB must be adjusted accordingly as well.

Down in the fine print there was this:
"Color temperature:5400K/3200K "

And in the question/answer section I dug a bit and found this:

"Question: What's the cri (color render index) of the leds?
Answer: daylight = around 80, with filter = about 95"

Sources:
The temp was supplied by manufacturer, the CR provided by a user, not sure how reliable the user answer would be.

The same manufacturer has an larger model of this that states "Color Rendering Index (Ra): ≥85" but that one is ten inches square, a little big to mount on camera for me.


Which if I was going to state one negative on mine it would be the fact that I have to turn my hat around with the bill facing backward to look through the viewfinder on my camera. I hate wearing my hat backwards. But that is a pretty minor gripe. If for nothing else this thing is great for lighting an area up for hazard identification.

Posted by NeuroticMatt Down in the fine print there was this: "Color temperature:5400K/3200K " And in the question/answer section I dug a bit and found this: "Question: What's the cri (color render index) of the leds? Answer: daylight = around 80, with filter = about 95" Sources: The temp was supplied by manufacturer, the CR provided by a user, not sure how reliable the user answer would be. The same manufacturer has an larger model of this that states "Color Rendering Index (Ra): ≥85" but that one is ten inches square, a little big to mount on camera for me. Which if I was going to state one negative on mine it would be the fact that I have to turn my hat around with the bill facing backward to look through the viewfinder on my camera. I hate wearing my hat backwards. But that is a pretty minor gripe. If for nothing else this thing is great for lighting an area up for hazard identification.

A xenon flash is near 100 CRI; sunlight at high noon. Color temp varies between 5000-6000k depending on voltage/current, 5700k is typical.
Of coarse most aren't continous duty, and they have their own drawbacks.

Always thought magnesium flares would be bitchin to use in areas where there aren't combustibles...

Use a Ausie style bush hat, the brims bend and give superior protection. I always wear mine.

I've done a lot with red road flares, fireworks, steel wool, and fire. Mostly in drains, where I am the most flammable thing around, Magnesium flares are pretty spendy.

For photography work, nearly any light source is adequate if there is the right amount of light. It might take a saturation boost in the reds if you are shooting with ice blue LEDs, but anything works.

The best light you can get for cheap is a cool and warm light blended. If they are blended without colorful shadows, you have nearly the color tone of a studio light at nearly the price of 2 cheap LED lights.