Digital Photo Help

Litepanel MicroPro photographic lighting grabbed my attention when I walked into a Canon Pro day late last year. An off camera light that didn’t heat up, used AA batteries but didn’t drain them in minutes, is easy to carry around and relatively small…

The compact little unit that is the MicroPro is very easy to stow in my camera bag and lightweight enough to mount on my hot shoe should I want to. It has a neat little (Included) swivel bracket that sits between your hot shoe and the MicroPro unit itself. It is a well designed product that is easy to use – it’s on or off with a rotating dial to control how much light you want in-between.. from 100% to 0… It will run for about 6 hours if you keep it down low and if you crank it, you’re going to get about 1.5 hours out of it – these are factory figures, my garlic wasn’t going to sit there for an hour and a half!

I didn't have a model, I got creative with Garlic…

For these photos I was using 1.2v rechargeable batteries (I love my 2850’s – Ansmann 2850mAh) and I’m not sure if that was effecting the light output or not.

Specifications for those of you that like the numbers…

• Size: 5.5″ W x 4″ H x 1. 5″ D
• (139mm x 101.6mm x 38.1mm)
• Weight: 10.5 oz (300g)
• Power Draw: 9 Watts
• Six AA batteries (internal)
• 5600°K Daylight Output (cool white)

What are the advantages?

• Heat-free LED technology
• Produces bright, HD friendly soft light
• Integrated dimmer 100% to 0
• All-in-one with no external cables
• Absolutely flicker-free light output
• Runs 1 to 1.5 hrs. on 6 AA batteries (HD Alkaline)
• 5 – 6 hours on E2 Lithium batteries
• Uses standard or rechargeable batteries
• Lightweight and compact

But does it work?

The short answer is yes, if you’re in nice and close! From about 2′ away the Litepanels MicroPro will give you a nicely lit portrait, any further than about 2′ though and you’re starting to push the limits of what is usable. I didn’t have a model and frankly you’re better off not having let me do self portraits… I had some near dead roses and some left over garlic from dinner… So I played with the MicroPro with what I had. I actually really like the results of the MicroPro on still life’ish stuff.

Litepanels MicroPro on old roses…

If you’re working in tight and want a light to fill in shadows or provide some interest, this could be the light for you. You can have it in dead close as it doesn’t heat up unless you drop it in a toaster oven!

Well, actually, here’s what I did just now, a snap shot if you will…

Quick, turn away before your eyes explode!

Hand-held with the light about two feet away (That’s 6o.96 centimetres folks) a bit to my left.

I like the MicroPro for fill and adding interest, but not as a main light. What are your thoughts?

Get a price on the Lightpanels MicroPro LED Camera light on Amazon.

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

Litepanels MicroPro LED Camera light Mini Review