Whether it’s a photo studio or an outdoor snapshot: the correct lighting of the subject plays a decisive role in a successful picture. Professional photos can be taken with these photo lamps.
Even the best photographer can do little if the lighting is not ideal for the subject to be photographed. Because sometimes the daylight or the room lighting just doesn’t play along – the picture is too dark, has annoying shadows or the colors look distorted. An artificial light in the form of clip-on flashes or photo lights can help. But which artificial lighting is suitable for which shots? And which models do you recommend? TECHBOOK brings light into the darkness and presents a comparison of seven photo lamps.
Photo lights: what models are there?
The advantages of a photo light with LED light are obvious: the photographer has full control over the incidence of light, so that he can get the best out of his shots. But what types of photo lights are there anyway?
- snap-on lights are placed on top of the camera. There are clip-on flash units for short-term lighting and permanent lights for long-term lighting. The models are small, usually fit in a camera bag and are therefore ideal for use on the go.
- studio lights or the studio flash is available with and without a tripod, with and without a battery, and as a flash or continuous light unit. With the wide range of different models, there is a suitable lamp for beginners and professionals as well as for every budget.
- Portable Photo Lights are characterized by the fact that they are not screwed onto a tripod or the camera. The photographer or a few helping hands must capture the light on site and align it with the subject. This may be more cumbersome to use, but such photo lamps are relatively cheap and ideal for mobile use.
You should pay attention to this when buying a photo light
With the different types of photo lights, it is often not that easy to find the right model – because not only the prices differ. A few aspects that help when choosing and configuring the lights:
- The light settings: Most continuous and flashing lights can be adjusted in their light intensity and color from warm white to cool white. Photo lights with RGB lighting or color filters are also ideal for creative shots and light games.
- The height: The working height is particularly important for a photo lamp with a tripod. Depending on the type of recording, the height of the camera and thus the ideal incidence of light differs. A height-adjustable tripod for the lamp offers the greatest flexibility.
- video recordings: Most permanent lights can also easily be used as LED video lights. Portable photo lamps or clip-on models are the most practical here, with tripod lamps you should pay attention to a swiveling and tilting head for more flexibility.
Anyone who transports the photo light frequently should rely on a compact and light model. When it comes to outdoor sessions, there are often no power outlets nearby – this is when photo and video lights with rechargeable batteries come in handy.
The best photo lights in comparison
A classic photo light is available as a spotlight or as a panel that emits bright LED light. The lights can usually be screwed onto standard tripods or used in brackets and are therefore a flexible addition to any photographic equipment. High-quality models have various settings, dimming functions and often software control.
Aputure Amaran 100d: The spotlight model among the photo lights
The Aputure Amaran 100d is a spotlight model that is equally suitable as continuous lighting for photos and videos. The photo light shines with 100 watts and can be dimmed from zero to 100 percent. With a CRI (color rendering index) of 95+, the lamp guarantees a color rendering that almost corresponds to natural daylight. The colors do not appear distorted, as is quickly the case with colored light, for example. The photo light can be controlled via app – thanks to integrated mesh technology, several lamps can be linked and controlled at the same time.
Advantages:
- 8 light effects
- continuously adjustable brightness
- App control via Bluetooth
- versatile compatible
Disadvantages:
- no tripod included
The Key Light by Elgato: panel light with app control
A panel light, on the other hand, does not emit the light as a point source, but distributes the lighting over a large area. The advantage is that the light dazzles less than with a spotlight. Therefore, in addition to photography, these photo lights are also suitable for use with a front camera, for example as webcam illumination for the home office or streaming. The Key Light from Elgato performs well in practical tests: several specialist magazines praise the brightness and the operating options. The photo lamp has dimensions of 35 by 25 centimeters and a working height of 55 to 125 centimetres. The bracket allows the lamp to be attached to a tabletop, but not placed on the floor – this requires an additional tripod.
Advantages:
- continuously adjustable brightness and color temperature
- App control possible
- height adjustable
Disadvantages:
An attachable ring flash for the camera lens
A ring-shaped clip-on flash is particularly suitable for macro and product photography. It is attached to the front of the camera lens. The advantage: Due to the circular illumination around the lens, there are hardly any shadows on the object. Many manufacturers offer high-quality ring flashes for specific camera models. Third-party providers also have flash mounts that fit multiple cameras.
Neewer RF-550D: ring flash light for the camera
Neewer’s RF-550D Ring Flash, for example, fits Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus and Pentax SLR macro lenses. Eight adapter rings with a diameter of 49 to 77 millimeters and four flash diffusers in transparent, white, yellow and blue are supplied for the photo light. Seven brightness levels can be set on the photo lamp using the buttons and the LCD display. There are also different modes where you can choose between continuous lighting or a flash mode (full, left or right). The photo light is particularly suitable for beginners and occasional photographers who do not want to pay a three-digit amount for a clip-on flash.
Advantages:
- Many different light settings possible
- with LCD display,
- for many camera models
Disadvantages:
- Batteries not included
Artificial light for photography: adjustable ring light
Ring lights are also available as permanent lights, which are particularly suitable for portrait shots. For professional photos with a camera, they ensure even illumination, few shadows and the right lighting effects. Many of these photo lamps are also intended for use with smartphones and therefore come with an integrated cell phone tripod and a remote shutter release.
Neewer Continuous Ring Light: Photo light with remote trigger
Neewer’s continuous ring light, for example, sits on a height-adjustable tripod with a hot shoe adapter for DSLR cameras and a mobile phone holder. When folded it is 48 centimeters long, fully extended it has a working height of around 155 centimetres. The 25 centimeter long gooseneck tube is attached to the upper end so that the tripod head of the photo lamp can be tilted in all directions for optimal lighting. 240 55 watt LEDs shine in the ring with plenty of power. Thanks to the white and orange color filter, the light can be switched between cold and warm white at will.
Advantages:
- height adjustable
- with remote shutter release
- stepless dimming
Disadvantages:
- only two color options through filter
Soft boxes are probably one of the most popular lights in photo studios. The advantage of continuous exposure through a softbox: particularly soft light. The diffuser distributes the light emitted by the lamp over a large area, which makes the shadows appear finer than, for example, when exposed to a spotlight.
Softbox P120L from Godox: The photo lamp for every occasion
The sixteen-sided softbox P120L from Godox has a diameter of 120 centimetres. It is equipped with two diffusers that can be removed at will – depending on how soft the light should fall. The Bowens mount construction allows the attachment of various flashing lights or steady lights. The fiber rods can be folded on the adapter ring so that the light umbrella can be easily folded up and transported. The softbox is suitable for expanding existing photo equipment, because the scope of delivery does not include a lamp or a tripod.
Advantages:
- Removable diffusers
- collapsible
- easy to transport
- pressure, fall and wind resistant
Disadvantages:
- Without LED bulbs or tripod
Geetoko Softbox: The complete indoor equipment
Beginners who are looking for complete softbox equipment for their equipment will find what they are looking for at Geetoko: the set consists of two softboxes, each measuring 50 by 70 centimetres. It comes with two tripods that are height-adjustable between 68 and 200 centimetres. Bulbs are also included: two E27 CFL bulbs with an output of 85 watts. If necessary, they can be replaced with other lamps with an E27 socket. The brightness and illumination of the photo lamp were positive in the test. One drawback: the tripods made of aluminum alloy are pleasantly light, but they only withstand wind and weather to a limited extent and are more suitable for indoor use.
- Complete set of soft box,
- lamp and height-adjustable tripod,
- Head tiltable up to 210 degrees
Disadvantages:
- not suitable for outdoor use
Lumis Comfort from Rollei: mini video light with RGB light and effects
Small RGB lights like Rollei’s Lumis Comfort model are particularly practical for mobile use because they fit in any pocket. With a size of 10.6 by 6.6 centimeters, the photo lamp is not suitable for large-area illumination, as is necessary for portraits, for example, and is possible with a softbox.
However, the small lamp is ideal for macro shots or light effects in the picture – and there are quite a few effects: there are 20 different flash and color change settings in addition to the individual colors and brightnesses. 42 warm white and cold white LEDs as well as 36 RGB LEDs are installed. Thanks to the cold-shoe adapter and ¼-inch screw, the photo lamp can be attached to many cameras and smartphone holders – this makes it flexible to use and also ideal for the continuous illumination of videos. The integrated battery can be charged via USB and lasts up to three hours.
- battery operated
- can be used flexibly
- easy
- 20 light effects
- continuously adjustable brightness
Disadvantages:
Conclusion: These photo lights ensure the most beautiful pictures
If you want to add a photo light to your photography equipment, you should be clear about your own needs before you buy it. Depending on the use and requirements, not every photo light is suitable. Should the photo lamp be used outdoors or indoors? Is continuous exposure necessary or is an external flash sufficient for short exposures? Are the shots macro or portrait photography, scenes or even video? With these considerations, the selection of models that come into question is severely limited.
Nevertheless, there is the right photo lamp for every need – most offer additional settings and thus cover even more options than intended. It doesn’t matter whether you want atmospheric or particularly bright illumination: almost anything can be implemented with modern LEDs.