New to this forum and am hoping to get some pointers. I am a photographer and use LED flashlights on a fairly regular basis. I'm now wanting to expand a bit and am looking for perhaps a Chinese light that has as many of the following features:
1. variable output, at least 3 levels or continuous
2. smooth/floody beam with no artifacts - good clean light for portraiture
3. small
4. 150-200 lumens max
After that I will be working on a mount for a lightstand and perhaps some modifiers to soften the light and warm the color temp.
I did some test shots with the Ultrafire. Since the only subject for portraiture was the assistant, I shone the Ultrafire at her. I was using it on a headband and with the light less than a metre from her, I still had to crank up the ISO to 3200 which does nothing for noise levels. The only other lighting was 20 watts of CFL light in the opposite corner.
That's about 120 lumens shining at her - unless you have a really low-noise sensor I don't think this'll be enough.
Thanks for the reply! I've been using a LED Lenser P7 and some smaller lights to use in the field when I can't get my large reflector out. Oddly enought, the P7 is usually too bright for most situations, but that is using it straight. If I put it in an umbrella or other modifier I could use more power. That ultrafire looks incredible for the price!! I've never used a light that faces on the side like that, very interesting!
It'll also work on a headband with a DSLR - I wasn't sure if that was going to work or not. Thanks for putting the thought of trying it into my mind.
This next one was done with a much more powerful light with its reflector removed. Don't think it works so well. It is wedged between my knees about half a metre from the assistant.
I like your pictures, the one of the girl with the owl on your website reminds me strongly of John Thornton's work. You are definitely a better photographer than me.
I think the Ultrafire might suit you - and it certainly is a lot less expensive than most options when it comes to photography.
I can still remember blanching at the cost of anything for the Sinar F (Long since sold) I dragged around Edinburgh in the early 80's.
