LED light

[Bob Hill]

Just wanted to post a couple of pics of an LED light I made a while back.  I've been using it a lot and I just never got around to taking pictures of it.  All the parts together ran about $85 and it took about 1 1/2 hours to wire it up and drill the holes in the project box that I used.    The LEDs are 8000k so they go slightly to the blue and they are extremely bright and surprizingly diffuse.  Since I made this one though I have been thinking about adding a few switchable/dimmable red, green and blue LEDs to a light similar to this one to add a little color for effect.  If anyone would like to weigh on on that one I would greatly appreciate some thoughts on either benefits or uselessness of adding that feature.

Bob Hill

[trung dau]

hi,
 ur led light is about 8000k so it's too much blue. Look at this led light on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Video-Light-On-Camera-Broadcast-Anton-Bauer-Bescor_W0QQitemZ230034695297QQihZ013QQcategoryZ107937QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
they combine their white led light and yellow led light ( cold white and warm light) to make the light is better about 5600 k is standard..
Can i learn from u how to make a led light liek this?

                                                                                                                   TRUNG

[Bob Hill]

My light is towards the blue end but for my purposes it works very well, particularly with filters applied to it.  That said, if you are looking for a warmer light there are other LEDs available that will work great.  As for learning how to make up an LED light it is probably one of the easiest circuits to wire up.  Two websites to check out for both LEDs and information are:

www.ledtronics.com
www.superbrightleds.com

Bob

[Joe Sanders]

Cool looking lights you have there .

Actually its quite a bit towards blue. Daylight is 5600K  But I bet it does work ok for lighting corners when shooting in daylight.  Indoor lights are generally 3200K.

Do you have white ballance in your editing software.  You should always shoot something white at teh beguinning of a shoot it make it much easier to white ballance in post.

[Bob Hill]

I'm shooting on an HVX200 and I white balance on the camera before every shoot and I have a nifty setup for gray balance as well.  You are right about how I am applying the light too.  I don't use it by itself but as a fill to get rid of unwanted shadows, bags under peoples eyes, etc.  For that it is great but if I am going for "daylight" I am still renting/borrowing lighting equipment.

Bob

[Bob Hill]

I forgot to put a link up for 5600k LEDs.  Here is one place to get them

http://www.lc-led.com/View/itemNumber/118

Bob

[trung dau]

thanks alot BOB

[Phillip Barnett]

Any chance you care to share the plans for this little project?

[Bob Hill]

I think I still have a parts list and schematic for it so I'll try to dig that up and post everything up.  Worst case I can post up a bunch of good places to get parts or I am sure Joe can chime in with some great places to find LEDs as well.  Word of caution, like all things let the buyer beware.  LEDs are not all the same and it is easy to get crappy lights.  I have been bitten by this on a couple of occasions so be warned.

Bob

[Phillip Barnett]

Look forward to any info you can provide.

[Phillip Barnett]

Any luck finding the plans??

[Bob Hill]

My apologies for not getting back sooner but things in my world are pretty hectic this time of year.  I'll finish putting together the info and either post it up or send it to you directly.

Bob

[Phillip Barnett]

Thanks! I know what you mean by hectic. Three events this weekend. 1 Friday 1 Saturday 1 Sunday and a nephews birthday party Sunday afternoon.