1

So, I’m completely new to all this flashlight stuff. Until the past two days, never heard of 18650, “BBL”, the distinction between “color temperature” and “tint,” or many of the other terms that apparently have some importance in looking for a good light.

Anyway, due to my ignorance and the time it’s already taken for me stumbling around forums, YouTube, and wherever else I can find info just to figure out what little I’ve gathered so far, I thought it might be faster to ask if anyone who is already knowledgeable on the subject and has real hands-on experience has any specific model recommendations for a good flashlight.

What I think I’m looking for:

  1. As neutral color as possible. Besides the “need” part of a general household flashlight and emergency light, I thought it’d be nice to get something I can also use to get some extra light for short video clips. (Primarily because I need as much light as I can get to get my camera’s slow-motion features to produce a usable image, and a flashlight could be a real help brightening up a small area for that.)
  2. As much and as consistent light output as possible for usual runtimes ranging from, say, one to five minutes on the low end, to 30 to 60 minutes on the high end.
  3. Something easy and comfortable to handhold or carry around for anyone from an average man to a small woman, that could also be rigged to sit on top of a microphone stand/tripod when necessary. So not tiny, but not huge, and not too hot to the touch.

Limitations:

  1. Obviously, all else being equal, spending less is always preferable, but realistically I’m expecting to have to spend the equivalent of presumably at least $50, ideally not more than $100, and an absolute will-not-spend-more max of $150.
  2. Since I just got some Amazon Japan gift cards, I’m hoping to restrict it to models available on Amazon.co.jp, though I’ll worry about looking that part up as long as you provide the brand name, model number, and any other necessary details to make sure I’m looking at the correct version. (Of course if there’s some super excellent light that kills the competition but isn’t available there, ok, I suppose I can buy the light elsewhere and use the gift cards for other stuff.)
2

BLF Q8, which has a ¼–20 threaded hole built in. Add diffusing film like DC Fix or even waxpaper to soften the beam.

~70bux, less with coupon code. Also get a 4-pak of 30Q cells to power it.

3

+1

https://www.amazon.com/Thorfire-Flashlight-Searchlight-Configurable-Professional/dp/B0773Q46D3

Coupon FSSS might give you an extra discount for $50.96

Sofirn version, cool white XPL-HI
https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Flashlight-Professional-Searchlight-Upgraded/dp/B07GR2HM2Y

From China

4

I’d stick with the BLF/Thorfire version, as it’s NW (vs CW), and a bit floodier (vs throwier). Both would be better for vids.