Trying low cost LED lights for portaits

[Kinnock]

I'm sure we've all looked at those cheap, no brand LED ring lights in MBK and Fortune Town and wondered if they are any good?

 

Well I bought 2, one ring, one rectangular, both with adjustable color temperature and complete with light stands.  I added a white umbrella to one, and convinced the Missus to pose for a few test shots.

 

I used a Fuji 23mm f1.4 lens, bit short for portraits I guess, but space was limited so I needed a short focal length (35mm equivalent on full frame) and the output from the LED"s is not as strong as flash - so needed a wide aperture.

 

Being able to see the effect of the lights 'real time' in the EVF was a joy compared to faffing with off camera flashes, so think I'll use them more in future.

 

What do you think?  

 

 

 

[Halfaboy]

Did you also try to picture her without these lights and if so, what were the differences....

[Kinnock]

2 hours ago, Halfaboy said:

Did you also try to picture her without these lights and if so, what were the differences....

It was night time and the room lights were off - as fluorescent lighting tubes would not look good.

 

I've used natural light in the same room (see examples below), but that's not always practical or reliable. 

 

When I've used off-camera flash, the results can be better, but only after a lot of trial and error to get the lighting right.

 

Constant LED is much easier to balance and position - as I can immediately see the impacts.

 

 

 

[Halfaboy]

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Making pictures using external sources as i.e. LEd lights is new to me. 

 

Have fun....