[AQ]

I am planning to do some indoor macro photography ( as soon as I have bought a suitable lens ) and I was wondering about the suitability of the relatively small LED torches as a light source. They are small enough to easily fit into laboratory clamps and thus easy to position and emit little heat. The spectrum looks well spread out across the visible region although with a peak in the blue. I assume that a custom white balance will sort that out.

Now the question. Has anyone used these lights and what were the results like.

AQ

[Dabhand16]

Not used LED torches for photography, but do know that you can get them with up to (and maybe more than) 42 LED heads. When we were evaluating these torches for work, the light was more even with the 21 or 42 heads.

The ones with a single higher-powered LED behave more like ordinary torches and have quite a pronounced hot spot, so may be less suitable for photo use.

[AQ]

I was thinking about the multi LED ones rather than the single ones as the multi LEDs are what I commonly see for sale. I need some UV led torches for work and am thinking how I can play with them as well.

[silkstone]

I have one with 6 high-intensity LEDs that has a tilting head and a self-contained tripod. It's very useful but not for photography - the beam pattern isn't wide or even enough.

LED lamps are a great idea but I haven't come across any that beat a couple of 150W halogens and a light tent - as long as the heat doesn't set fire to anything.

[AQ]

Originally Posted by silkstone

I have one with 6 high-intensity LEDs that has a tilting head and a self-contained tripod. It's very useful but not for photography - the beam pattern isn't wide or even enough.

LED lamps are a great idea but I haven't come across any that beat a couple of 150W halogens and a light tent - as long as the heat doesn't set fire to anything.

Thanks for that. We have just bought a new room light that uses GU 11 halogen bulbs - very hot . B&Q also had some GU 11 LED lamps which may be useful with a difusser. I want to try 1:1 macro so the light distrubition may be OK with these or a torch. It will not cost much to try.

[Rob Barron]

I have used LED torches for macro and they work extremely well for a couple of reasons.

One is that the beam spread need not be large because we are only talking about a small area anyway.

Next is that they are small and directional so you can get light onto the subject even when the lens is very close to the subject, for example if using a set of bellows which typically need the camera to move in very close.

The other thing I have found very good is that tend to give a very even light which makes it easier to meter and also to set the white balance (I do it later in adjusting the RAW file) as it is fairly 'pure' light.

Have a play with it and you'll find it to be a very useful light source. I agree with the comments about multi-LED torches as that does help the light to be more evenly spread but also the fewer head torches can be very good IF they have a decent lens across the front. One torch I use is a hadlamp, attached by a wide band to my forehead. This is excellent and puts a nice clean light onto my subject even though it only has 3 LEDs because it is well spread with the lenses. This is also useful because I can just look at the subject and still have my hands free to take the shot if I so want to. Obviously a steadily positioned light source is the best but this does give you another option.

Experiment with the coloured LEDs as well, there are good effects to be had.

Cheers,
Rob

[emmettleffel]

Anthraquinone, this might be of interest

Home-Made Super Macro Photo Equipment

[emmettleffel]

Or even this, perhaps it could be reverse engineered to work as you want.

48 LED UFO Camping Light Torch + Battery + Warranty on eBay, also Lanterns, Lights, Lanterns Torches, Camping, Sporting Goods (end time 30-Jan-08 20:30:03 GMT)

[Boofers]

Sorry Anthraquinone,
I can't help you any because I am so new to using lights for this. I do have the LED's like Rob talked about, small ones and one to go around the head. I was going to crawl around the garden placeing my camera under leaves, I was caught up in clover at the time. There is a lot of good information in this thread for me, I have just started to use reflected halogens off my ceiling,,,and use one small diffuser, oh well

Boofers

[Rob Barron]

ROFL Emmettle, talk about a Blue Peter 'Here's one I prepared earlier' I bet the guy who made that is famous for never having bought a fully-made item in his life LOL.

Being serious, that looks like one heck of a palava for something so relatively simple but if you're a budding DIY fan who loves building things, LEDs can be bought in packs of 20 very cheaply and they are a doddle to wire up so go for it :o)

Would love to see a pic taken by anyone who does go this route

Cheers,
Rob

[brian wright22]

This may help Anthraq. If you want to experiment. 10off leds ultra bright 6000k colour temperature. This tends to be slightly bluer than daylight!!.from LED1.DE. Just Google this you get 10 for 8 Euro's post free to the uk.from Germany.
LED 5mm white diffuse 1900mcd - 10 pcs. The maximum brightness you can get from these is 3000mcd. The resistor values for a given voltage I have listed below.
If you don't use them for photography you can use them to light the car dashboard up with "very trendy Mercedes look alike"

Technical Data:
Case: 5mm white diffuse
Viewing Angle: 60°
Power: 3,3V
Current: 20mA typ., 30mA max.
Color Temperatur: 6000K
Chromaticity Coordinates x/y: 0,30/0,31
Maximum Intensity / Brightness: 6000mcd


Power Recommended Resistors
5V 90 Ohm
9V 330 Ohm
12V 470 Ohm
13,8 V (car) 560 Ohm

Regards Brian