Best LED Photography Lights: Complete Buyer’s Guide For 2023

Photographers today have a number of options when it comes to the type of lights they use. Among those options are LED photography lights. These can be used for a number of applications, and they offer a variety of benefits to photographers.

But what are LED photography lights? Let’s take a look at what they are, how they’re used and why they’re important to photographers.

LED photography lights have become very popular among photographers because they offer a lot of power for the price.

They are also more energy efficient than other types of lights, and they don’t generate as much heat as their tungsten counterparts.
 

 

LED photography lights, also called LED light panels, are essentially rectangular-shaped light panels that are usually mounted on stands.

They have multiple LEDs (light emitting diodes) that can be adjusted for different levels of brightness or color temperature.

The majority of the LED photography lights come with controls located on the back of the panel.

These controls include buttons that allow you to adjust the brightness level, color temperature, and other settings.

Some will also have dials that allow you to make quick adjustments without having to press any buttons.

The size of each panel is measured in inches across and down from one corner to another.

For example, a 24-by-36-inch panel would be two feet across by three feet down from one corner to another.

What Are LED Photography Lights?

The first thing you should know about LED lights is that they come in a wide range of styles and sizes so you can choose exactly what type of fixture is going to work best for your needs.

The most common style of LED lighting fixtures is the panel light which has a lens that spreads out the light in a similar way to a traditional softbox. These panels are usually rectangular or square and can be folded or collapsible.

The next most common style of LED lighting fixtures is the strip light which is flat and thin and comes in different lengths.

This type of light will emit light from one side, so you’ll need to put it on a light stand or mount it to a wall if you want to direct the light in any way.

There are also LEDs that use an umbrella-style diffuser that spreads out the light over an area, but these lights tend to come with fewer LEDs per foot than other styles.

Best LED Photography Lights

LED photography lights have been getting a lot of attention from professional photographers lately.

For a long time, they were seen as inferior to other continuous light sources such as tungsten and strobe. But technology has improved and the LED’s popularity has sky-rocketed recently.

The square LED panel is the hottest new trend in photography lighting and a favored choice amongst many professional photographers.

Litufoto F12

Litufoto is one of the leading manufacturers of digital cameras, compact and specialty lighting, and accessories for the professional filmmaking industry.

The company has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing innovative technology for over 20 years.

Litufoto products are designed by photographers with a passion for great images, rather than a desire to simply sell something. The result is an extensive line of high-quality photographic tools that are affordable, reliable, and easy to use.

The Litufoto F12 LED light is a powerful LED light that’s ideal for portraiture and other studio work. Its multi-channel controller allows the user to position the light more precisely than many comparable lights in its class.

It also comes equipped with a wide range of accessories that let it be used in numerous applications beyond its intended use as a lighting source.

Viltrox L116T RA CRI95

This Viltrox L116T RA Cri95 LED light kit can be used for any type of photography, from fashion to sports and food to nature, as well as for studio photography. In addition, it can be used in video production.

The light offers three intensities in different frequencies (2kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz) and has two color temperature settings (2700K & 5600K).

The color temperature is the color of light emitted by a particular object or material at a certain temperature.

The lower-power LED is perfect for everyday use. The medium-power LED works well in low to mid-range lighting situations with its high output and soft beam angle.

Rotolight NEO 2

The NEO is a dual LED light that can be used for photography and videography. The LED bulb has a lifespan of 50,000 hours and gives off the equivalent of 100w tungsten lighting. The NEO 2 has improved cooling and power efficiency compared to previous models.

The NEO 2 features a power supply that allows you to plug in your camera and still have enough juice to light your entire setup.

It also features an easy-to-use remote control with wireless capabilities so you can adjust your lighting remotely instead of having to get down on the ground.

There’s also an optional mount that allows you to attach the NEO 2 right onto your camera’s hot shoe, allowing you to add more lights or different modifiers without having to put up a large studio light.

Neewer 176 LED Panel

The Neewer 176 LED is an effective alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs because it’s dimmable, doesn’t use much power, has a long lifespan (up to 100,000 hours), and can be set in effect as a daylight bulb.

The Neewer 176 LED uses an infrared filter to boost the color temperature of the light so it can be used as a warm white or cool white bulb. It also has three light levels and can be dimmed using a small screwdriver or hex wrench.

Manfrotto Lumimuse 8

The Lumimuse system is the ultimate in flexibility. The Lumimuse 8 can be used in both daylight and night shooting situations, with color temperature between 3000K and 5600K, or white light.

In addition to being used as a softbox, the Lumimuse 8 can also be used as a spotlight, gridded strobe, or main unit for beauty, fashion, and commercial photography like headshots.

Aputure Light Storm

Aputure Light Storm LED is a three-panel light panel with 30 LEDs that produces a powerful 3200-lumen output.

It is compatible with Aputure’s standard accessories like diffusion gel, diffuser, and softboxes.

Not only does it produce a stunning amount of light, but the panels are easy to use and the light output is adjustable.

The Aputure Light Storm LED LED light is ideal for any situation where you need intense illumination without being too bright.

LituFoto R18 RGB Pocket Light

The R18 has four settings — flash, color, white balance, and custom   and can be used with a variety of cameras, including DSLRs, smartphones, point-and-shoots, and action cams.

It also comes with three diffusers so you can shoot with great lighting even if you don’t have professional studio equipment.

If you’re looking for versatile lighting that’s compact enough to take anywhere and easy to use, the LituFoto R18 RGB Pocket Light is an excellent purchase.

Rotolight AEOS

If you work in fashion, you know how important it is to get that perfect look in-camera.

You want the shot to be so clear and clean that it doesn’t require a second pass in Photoshop.

To get that kind of clarity, you need a light that’s very powerful, but also very efficient.

That’s where Rotolight’s AEOS LED light shines. This powerful, variable-output light allows you to dial in just the right amount of intensity for any type of shoot.

For fashion shoots, for example, you can dial it up to give your models and clothes a more intense feel — or dial it down for a softer look that feels more natural. 

LED Photography Lights Opt For Square Over A Ring Light

LED photography lights have been getting a lot of attention from professional photographers lately.

For a long time, they were seen as inferior to other continuous light sources such as tungsten and strobe. But technology has improved and the LED’s popularity has sky-rocketed recently.

The square LED panel is the hottest new trend in photography lighting and a favored choice amongst many professional photographers. This blog explores how they work and why they are becoming so popular.

Image Source: Flickr

LEDs have been used in photography for some time, but up until recently, the most common use was in small battery-operated flashes or continuous lights used by amateur photographers.

This is because they were not powerful enough to compete with the traditional tungsten or strobes that professionals prefer. However, thanks to technological advances, this is now changing and the use of LED lighting for professional applications is on the increase.

The LED panel was first introduced in 2005 by Aputure but it wasn’t until late 2012 when Profoto launched their D-Lite 4 that the square panel took on a new life. They replaced their traditional ring flash with an 11″x11″ square that could be tilted and rotated around to give more creative options to photographers.

Are LED Photography Lights As Powerful As Studio Lights?

So, is the answer yes or no? Yes and no.

There are many different types of LED lights; a lot of them aren’t that powerful and they don’t really compare to tungsten lights.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get great results with them, but you have to watch out for the limitations. Just like a car, there’s more than one type of LED light and they all serve a purpose.

The main advantage that these lights have over incandescent bulbs is their longevity. They’re going to last you years, not months.

Also, they produce less heat as well as less power consumption than traditional studio lights, which also means less money paid on electricity bills every month.

LEDs are getting more affordable every day and there are plenty of affordable options to choose from when looking for studio lights that use LEDs for their power source, not just their modeling or color-rendering abilities.

You’ll find companies like Elinchrom, Profoto, and Westcott making some very affordable LED lighting kits that give you unparalleled power, flexibility (with battery packs), and ease of use in your photography sessions.

Is LED Lighting Good For Photography?

After all, LEDs are supposed to be bright, fast to respond, and have a long life span. So is LED lighting good for photography? To answer that question, you first need to know what exactly makes a light source suitable for taking pictures.

Tungsten vs. Fluorescent vs. LED

When determining whether or not LED lighting is suitable for photography you must first understand the difference between the three most commonly used light sources in photography today: tungsten (incandescent) lighting, fluorescent lighting, and LED lighting.

The light from incandescent bulbs is biased toward red colors while fluorescent lights are biased toward blue colors. The human eye will see things differently depending on the dominant color of light being produced by the bulb.

Incandescent bulbs are great for portrait photography as they produce a warm soft light that brings out skin tones and hides blemishes. 

Fluorescent lights are great for product photography as they produce a cool hard light that reveals the texture and details of objects.

LEDs have come a long way from their early days of producing light that was more green than almost anything else and tended to be rather dim, but they have come very far in terms of their abilities as a primary lighting source. Today LEDs can easily be used in both studio and outdoor shoots.

Can You Use LED Panels For Photography?

LED panels have become a popular choice for lighting in the last few years. They are more versatile than traditional strobes and are cheaper in some cases.

However, they also have a number of limitations that might not be suitable for your photography needs. If you’re thinking of using LED panels to light your photography, here are a few things to consider first.

LED Panels Are Not For All Situations

LED panels aren’t necessarily right for every situation. If you’re shooting on location and will be setting up and breaking down your photo lights frequently, you might want to stick with conventional strobe lighting.

LED panels are heavy and will weigh down your set-up if you need to move it often. LED panels are also less powerful than most studio strobes, so you’ll get less power if you need lots of light quickly or if you’re shooting outdoors on a bright day.

LED Panels Are Less Durable Than Strobes

LED panels can’t take as much wear and tear as strobes, so keep this in mind when choosing where to put them in your set-up.

They work fine under softboxes or umbrellas, but they may not be as durable when used outside without protection. They can also break more easily when dropped or bumped.

How Do You Take Clear Pictures Using LED Lights?

Lighting is a very important part of photography. It is the element that creates form, texture, and highlights in any scene. Without light, there’s no sense of depth or dimension that makes photographs come to life.

Well, the same principle applies when taking pictures using your cell phone, especially when using led lights to take pictures. Cell phone cameras are not that great compared to DSLRs so you need to set up good lighting if you want a nice clear picture.

So how do you set up good lighting when taking pictures with led lights? Here are some tips:

Make sure your background is evenly lit. The background should be evenly lit and without any sharp shadows or dark patches.

Use different colors of light sources for different effects. You can play around with different colors of LED lights to create different effects for your photos.

For instance, red color might give you a sunset-ish effect while blue and green can create more special effects like glowing eyes or other special effects appropriate for Halloween or Christmas photos. Experiment with different colors for different effects!

Which Light Is Best For Photography?

If you’re a photographer, you’ve probably heard that natural light is the best option for photography. While there is some truth to this statement, it’s not necessarily the best general rule to follow.

Natural light can be challenging and difficult to work with, especially if you don’t have a studio or the means to set up lights. Fortunately, there are other options that are just as effective as, or even better than, natural light.

Tungsten Lights

If you’re looking for a bright but cost-efficient source of light, tungsten bulbs are your best bet. Tungsten bulbs produce light that has a color temperature of 3200K to 5400K whereas daylight has a color temperature of 5000K.

The lower temperature allows you to achieve warm colors without the need for filters or other digital adjustments.

These lights are commonly used in photo studios because they don’t cast any shadows and provide even lighting that eliminates harsh shadows around your subject’s face and other unwanted areas.

Fluorescent Lights

If your photos often come out too dark, fluorescent lighting may be just what you need! It provides a high level of brightness with very little heat output and comes in either cool white or warm white. Fluorescents are more energy efficient than incandescent lights.

Are You Using LED Photography Light Panels Inside, Outside, Or Both?

Are you using LED photography light panels inside, outside, or both? The question is a valid one for those who want to use the same lighting for their product photography in both cases.

Tungsten lighting is traditionally used for indoor photography. It has also been used to illuminate the outside of buildings as well. There is a common misconception that it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

For example, a tungsten light bulb needs 3000 kelvin of color temperature to produce light in order to match daylight. Without this high color temperature, the light will be dull and yellowish green.

Also, the quality of light produced by LED panels is much better than that of tungsten bulbs and hence they are widely used by professionals. Moreover, they are more durable and convenient to carry around as they are available in different shapes and sizes.

If you have ever tried carrying an old-fashioned tungsten bulb around during your photo shoots, then you would understand what I mean.

For indoor photography, LED panels can be placed on tripods or stands just like any other type of studio equipment. You can also connect them to soft boxes, umbrellas, or diffusers if needed.

For outdoor photography, portable LED panels can be used directly without stands.

Use Two Or More LED Photography Light Panels For A Professional Look

I’ve been running a photography business for almost two and a half years now, and I’ve always used continuous lighting and reflectors to light my photos.

Recently though, I’ve been using LED light panels in place of my softboxes, and it has made a HUGE difference in my work! Not only do they give you the same quality of lighting that you’d get from softboxes, but their small size allows you to set them up so much faster and get your product shot out quickly.

TIP: If you use more than one light panel, you can keep them far enough apart from each other so that the reflections don’t show in the photo. This is a great way to save money on backgrounds as well!

LED photography light panels are awesome because they’re daylight balanced, meaning that they have no color cast whatsoever.

That means that if you put them behind something white, like a piece of paper or even your subject’s shirt, you’re going to get nothing but crisp shadows. 

The best part is that they’re incredibly easy to use! No more messing with gels or trying to find just the right color temperature of bulbs… LED lights will make sure that your product comes out looking professional every time!

What To Look For In An LED Photography Light Panel?

When you are looking for an LED photography light panel, there are several things to keep in mind.

The first thing is that even though they are called LED lights, they do not necessarily have to be LED lights – you can use them with any other kind of bulb and they will work just fine. The second thing to keep in mind is the size of your room.

If it is small, then you need something that is very powerful so that you can cover a lot of area with it.

On the other hand, if you have a large room, then you need something that can still cover all of the area but at the same time conserve power so that you do not have to buy the most expensive and strong bulbs on the market – no one wants to spend hundreds of dollars for a single light source!

The third thing is what type of bulbs you want to use. There are many different kinds of bulbs on the market and some look better than others depending on what type of effect you are trying to achieve.

For example, if you want a soft light source as opposed to a harsh one, then using incandescent bulbs might be better for your needs.

The fourth thing that you should keep in mind is how much heat it generates. 

Which LED Photography Light Panels Are Better? Round Or Square?

I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately on which type of LED Photography Light Panel should you get – square or round?

I’m going to start with a quick overview on the differences between square and round lights. Then I’ll go into why I personally like square lights better than round.

LED lights are basically an array of diodes that are enclosed into a case. The diodes emit light when current passes through them, and the brightness varies depending on the amount of current passed through them.

These diodes are usually grouped in sets of three in order to create a single color in the spectrum.

I’m not exactly sure why people started using round lights instead of square ones. Maybe it was some sort of marketing thing or maybe it was just a mistake from the factory but whatever the reason, it is what it is and we have to deal with it for now.

Square lights are easy to use because their surface area can be increased by just turning them up on a side (the light will spread out).

Round lights, however, must always be kept at a certain distance from subject matter so that they don’t appear too bright or too dim.