Lighting technology is moving at an incredibly rapid pace, and LED lights are only getting better. Light output is increasing while the housings get smaller and use less power. Litepanels has led the pack for a long time, but we are now seeing a tremendous amount of competition with other companies producing small LED lights, and even some producing lights using plasma technology. Rick Macomber, who I had the pleasure of meeting at NAB, is a Boston-area shooter who took the time to review the Switronix TorchLED Bolt.
Here are the specifications from the Switronix website:
- Material of Light Housing: Black, ABS
- Dimensions: 5.59"L × 4"W × 2.95"H (Light Body)
- Color Temperature: 3000K-6000K
- Illumination: Approx. 1800LUX(3200K, 1m), 2000LUX(5600K, 1m), combined over 200w output equivalent
- Weight: 1.15lbs.
- Electrical Consumption: 22w
- CRI: 89
- Power Supply: DC 7.2V-16.8V, Sony DV Battery(Large Capacity Models ONLY)**
- Dimming Range: 5%-100%
If you've been looking for a small LED that can be useful for daylight fill, the Switronix TorchLED Bolt could be the ticket. It is extremely powerful for its size and can also give you a nice in-between color temperature if you're working inside with mixed lighting. I was on a recent shoot where we were using FloLight daylight balanced LEDs, and while they worked perfectly for a lot of the material, it would have been nicer once we shot outside to have one of these for fill. While it's a little disappointing that you need specifically the Sony NP-F970 to get the full power of the light (unless you use a more heavy duty battery with the D-tap), Switronix has a great deal going where you can get a free battery and charger if you purchase by August 31st.
At $300 including the battery kit, it won't break the bank for the amount of power you're getting.
Link: Switronix TorchLED Bolt & Switronix Website
[via DSLR News Shooter]
Disclosure: Switronix is a No Film School advertiser.
