We have a new LED light kit from Fiilex that just arrived in the shop. Actually we now have both the 3-head and 4-head kits, but only the 3-head kit was available when I was in the shop taking pictures so that's the one I'm going to discuss here. This kit is small, lightweight, and portable; lending itself to small corporate shoots and field portable documentary setups.
The 3-head kit comes with three P360 90-watt LED fixtures with color temperature variable from 3000K to 5600K. The manufacturer claims that the light has light quality better than 92 CRI at all color temperatures in it's range thanks to its special multi-LED bulb. The light level can be lowered down to 10% minimum. The fixture uses an external brick power supply that can range from 12-28Vdc, which is both good and bad. Bad in the sense that you have to wrangle an external power brick/set tripping source without a mid-cord power switch...which we all know is inconvenient for tall stands. Good in the sense that you can, with the correct power adapter, plug in any broadcast battery and have long lasting portable power without any need for a power socket. Anyone who does documentary or corporate shoots knows that there isn't always time to scout for power sockets, so it's good to have your own power available when you need it.
The rental kit comes with a well stocked number of light modifier accessories including a set of three dome diffusers, three barn doors, and a set of Fresnel lenses. The diffuser and lens attach via a set of two magnets and simply snap into place - easy and quick. Note that the diffusers and lenses are normally sold separately, but we want you to be fully stocked when going into the field.
The kit also comes with a single speed ring and a snap on 15-inch soft box for the normal key light softening on corporate interviews.
Below are three pictures showing a typical light pattern of each of the bulb configurations. First, the bare bulb, followed by the dome diffuser, and finally the Fresnel lens. I forgot my light meter at home, so I grabbed an approximate 18% Lastolite chart from sales and a dark corner of the office to test the light's power output. With a standard distance of 10 feet I found that I was getting an approximate exposure of f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/50th. For those of you who read our previous blog about foot-candles you would be able to calculate in your head that this gives us approximately 12.5 foot-candles. On the Fiilex web site they claim 15 foot-candles at 3000K and 17 foot-candles at 5600K and 10 feet.
The second picture shows the dome diffuser. The diffuser essentially steals one so I ended up at an approximate exposure of f/2.0. This is approximately 6.3 foot-candles.
The final picture shows the Fresnel lens. This lens adds one stop because I was back up to approximately f/4.0, giving us about 25 foot-candles.
Last, but not least, here's a picture of the full kit laid out on our shop floor. Note that the kit comes with lightweight stands and a Pelican-type roller case. Everything fits into the size of a small carry-on suitcase.
If you're interested in renting or purchasing a kit, please call the shop. As I mentioned before, we also have the 411 4-head kit available in case you want an additional light. However, the 4-head kit only comes with two P360 fixtures and two smaller P180 fixtures.
This is my first time visit here. From the tons of comments on your articles,I guess I am not only one having all the enjoyment right here!
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