Hello neighbours. This time I want to drill into the subject of continuous LED lights for photography and for videography
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One of the reasons that we choose any kind of supplied light is to give us control of the three constituents of lighting, which are quality, direction and colour
Quality
This is a rather loose description of how hard or soft the light is on the subject. Hard shadows indicate hard light, whereas soft shadows or minimal shadows indicate soft light. Quality is controlled by how large the light source is relative to the subject. The closer to the subject, the larger any source becomes relative to the subject and thus the light becomes softer.
Direction
Direction is simply the direction that the light is coming from relative to the subject. Direction can control whether the lighting appears flat, defines texture, creates a split image or a silhouetted image.
Colour
Colour is simply the colour of the light source. While measured in degrees Kelvin for specifics, generalizations are also common, to say a warm light is slightly yellowish or orange or a cool light tends to blue. Our descriptors work for what our eyes see and brains interpret, however these descriptors are the opposite of actual colour temperature. We might call K warm and K cool, yet in reality, you can see by the temperature numbers that k light is considerably hotter than K lighting. This contradiction of how we see and interpret causes immense confusion for many.
LED Lights
There are three defining factors for light in an LED light. When we think of quality, we are really talking about the size of the source which may include the number of individual LEDs on an LED panel. The larger the panel, the more LEDs and therefore the softer the light at a given distance to a subject. Single LED tools like a Lumecube have only one tiny source and when used as the dominant light source is very hard. A panel at the same distance from the subject with 400 LEDs is going to be much softer if the Lux value is the same.
When we talk about direction, we are really talking about how easy it is to move and place the panel, which pulls into question what other equipment is required to place the panel where you want it. Often the support infrastructure is larger and more cumbersome than the panel itself.
When we talk about colour we talk about the colour temperature of the light. When considering an LED light, the choice is one with variable colour temperature or one fixed at daylight. The variable range is commonly between K and K which means that if you are mixing light sources and have a colour meter you can match colours. If a single light is your dominant source by at least three stops a panel that only does daylight (K) is perfect. Also in this area comes the metric of CRI which is a measure of consistency in colour fidelity. CRI is self-assigned by makers so I would say that it is not always a consistent or even accurate metric, particularly on really cheap LED panels
Placement
An LED light is typically not going to be a self supporting thing. You will need a stand of some kind for it. Small panels, often sold as on camera video lights will have either a cold foot mount or a 1/4-20 tripod mount. Some provide a cold foot that is also tapped 1/4-20. Larger lights will have a mount system that accepts a standard 5/8” light stand stud. The light will determine the type of support needed. If a 1/4-20, small table top tripods can work fine, because the weight of the panel is small. Larger lights will require larger stands, and perhaps booms if you want to get the light up and over a subject. Get the right stand for your light and always err on the side of bigger. If using a boom, you must place weights on the stand so it will not tip, and if the boom is long, also add a counterweight to the boom. While you may not care about safety at home, it’s not optional when working anywhere else or where the subject has any tangible value. A camera tripod can be used as a light stand with a 1/4-20 hole tapped in a 5/8” stud. These adapters are readily available from any good camera store or even on Amazon. Note that using a tripod as a light stand is not optimal because of the need to spread the legs wide.
Output
LED lights look super bright and hurt your eyes if you stare into them. Many people then conclude that they are in fact putting out a lot of light. They are not. You don’t stare into the sun to determine its brightness and so you also cannot trust your eye / brain combination when it comes to an LED light. A small hot shoe type flash hits much harder and brighter than an LED light. For this reason when choosing an LED light for photography and or videography you want as much power as you can afford in a size that fits your needs.
Sadly there is no simple to understand consistency when it comes to how vendors measure and market things. You will see terms like LUX, Candlepower and Lumens and they all are measured differently and mean something different. This can make comparison shopping challenging.
Any decent LED light maker will advise the Lux rating. Lux are measured at a specific distance from the panel, typically 1 meter. Let’s say that you are accustomed to a 100 watt incandescent lightbulb in terms of brightness. We would all agree that unless the light is right on top of the subject that this is not very bright. This is roughly equivalent to a panel driving approximately 500 Lux at distance of 1m. Also not very bright. So we want to look for a light that can approximate the output of at minimum an old 250w photoflood. This would mean that we would be seeking a light rated at approximately Lux. The Godox LEDP260C panels that I often use are only 550 Lux so I need three of them to get the equivalent light of just one 250w photoflood!. You also have to be careful with some ratings as they can be self assigned. An example is the Lume Cube 2.0 which specs at 750 Lux at 1m. There is a harshness issue here, but that does sound nice and bright. The challenge is that independent testers consistently rate it at about 300 Lux which is still quite incredible for such a tiny battery powered device.
As we understand the inverse square law in the example of one of those Godox panels, if I increase the light to subject distance by 1 more metre, by doubling the distance the panel ends up delivering about 130 Lux on subject. This means longer shutter open times, or higher ISO or both, than I would get with flash. This is not specific to that light, it is true for all lights of any type.
Flash is of no use for video, and many people do not like flash because they cannot preview how it will look until they make the shot. Thus if you will go to LED panels, and there are lots of reasons to do so, consider going to the highest output panel that you can find. Watch out for Lumens ratings, because they are a measure of efficacy of the source at source. You could have two different panels of the same size and LED count with very different Lumens ratings. We can use lumens as a means of comparison with incandescent bulbs but it’s not nearly as useful when considering lighting for photography or video as Lux is.
Buying Your Led Light
There are two predominant routes for selecting an LED light. LED panels can offer decent brightness at a very low price and because they can come in a larger panel diameter tend to negate the need for further light shaping tools. They can also be lighter and easier to transport. A dedicated LED light that delivers much higher output tends to look like a strobe style flash. For example, the LED lights in the Godox LA family look and handle like strobes. The LA150D retails for about $280 but instead of perhaps Lux in a panel pushes nearly 90,000 Lux at full power. The light is pretty hard with the basic reflector, but you can use ANY Bowens S Ring mount light shaper with this light. The downside is bulk and space required. It’s heavier, takes more space, is longer back to front even without a light shaper, and a light shaper will consume even more space.
What is an LED Panel Light?
LED panel light is a high-end indoor lighting fixture. The light passes through the light guide plate with high transmittance to form a uniform plane luminous effect. Matching different accessories (clips, surface-mounted frame, or steel ropes), these lights can be easily mounted on a range of surfaces, making them suitable for diverse applications.
LED panel structure:
1. Panel light aluminum frame
The frame is an important part of a flat panel light, and the high-strength frame makes the panel light more durable. The lateral frame of the LED panel light is constructed from diverse materials, each exhibiting distinct heat dissipation capabilities. At present, the frame materials of panel lights mainly include aluminum alloy, steel, PC, A, aluminum-plastic, steel and other materials.
The most commonly used is the aluminum frame (small panel light, with a plastic shell), and it is divided into splicing and welding frames. The welding frame will be stronger and the price will be higher than the splicing frame. The general frame has a flat frame and a step frame according to the style, and the price will be different. In addition, the weight of the frame will also affect the price.
2. LED light source
The type, brand, and quantity of LED chips will affect the light effect, and the luminous flux will also affect the price.nd quantity of LED chips will affect the light effect, and the luminous flux will also affect the price.
SMD and SMD are used a lot in panel lights, brand chips like HONGLI, SANAN, SAMSUNG, Lumileds (formerly Philips) are our first choice. The direct-lit panel light generally needs far fewer lamp beads than the side-emitting panel light because the light-emitting of the lamp beads is scattered by the optical lens.
3. LED light guide plate
The light guide plate is essential for edge-emitting panel lights. It refracts light, guiding it from parallel to perpendicular through the light-transmitting plate. Reflection via a reflective paper directs the light to the panel light’s back. Efficiency depends on dot design and plate choice (transmittance), often PMMA, MAS, or PS, varying in cost.
PS and MAS will turn yellow due to long-term use. PS will probably last for two years, and MAS will last for three years. It also depends on the climate of the region. Generally speaking, it will be produced in hotter places. The yellowing time will be shorter. If you want a 5-year warranty or higher light efficiency, PMMA light guide plates are basically used. The size of the light guide plate used by various factories is generally in the range of 1.6-3.0mm, and the thicker the plate, the higher the price.
4. LED diffuser
The function of the diffuser plate is to evenly disperse the light of the light guide plate, and it can also play the role of blurring the dots. The materials used are mainly PC (polycarbonate plastic), acrylic, PS (polystyrene plastic), PP ( polypropylene plastic), etc. The price is from high to low, and PS and PP are used more.
The light transmittance of acrylic is 92%, PC is 88%, and PS is about 80%. Acrylic boasts higher light transmittance and affordability, though it’s less resistant to aging. Comparatively, PC is pricier but excels in anti-aging properties. Diffuser plate thickness varies among manufacturers, with conventional options falling between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm and costing more. Direct light-emitting panel lights demand stronger diffuser intensity compared to side light-emitting types, often requiring a thicker design.
5. Reflective Paper
Reflect the residual light on the back of the light guide plate to improve the light efficiency, generally RW250.
6. Back cover
The most commonly used is the iron back cover; the thickness and weight are different, and the strength is different. Compared with the side-emitting panel light, the direct-lit panel light has a different style, and the back cover is thicker, and the direct-type back cover will be spray-coated, in addition to coloring for better reflection.
7. LED driver
The quality and price of the LED panel light power supply depend on the brand, voltage, isolation (isolation is safer), non-isolation, whether it is stroboscopic (it will affect whether the light of the lamp is stroboscopic when taking pictures under the mobile ), functional requirements (such as dimming and color grading) and certification requirements will vary.
8. Installation parts
Suspension wires, mounting brackets, etc. are used to install and fix accessoriesounting brackets, etc. are used to install and fix accessories
What types of panel lights are there?
Different areas or places often choose different styles and types of LED panel lights. LED panel lights can be divided into the following categories:
1. From the way of lighting
- LED back-lit panel light is designed with a reasonable LED spacing by using the LED light-emitting angle, and with the diffuser plate and the height of the lamp to achieve the ideal light mixing effect. Emphasis on high brightness, 595*595 specifications can reach lm, high light efficiency products, replacing the traditional grille light panel. Thicker, usually more than 45mm thick. The light output is relatively uniform, and the brightness uniformity can reach more than 0.9. The process requirements are relatively simple.
- Side-emitting panel lights use light guide plate tech, designed with dots aligning with LED chip arrangement for uniform brightness. They offer lower brightness (usually under lm for 595*595 specs), suitable for low-ceiling spaces, with a slim profile (≤15mm). However, they may exhibit uneven surfaces and brightness variations (up to 0.85) if not handled carefully. Installation environments must maintain high cleanliness levels to prevent dust-related issues affecting yield rates.
2. From an installation way
- Recessed LED panel light. This is the most basic and conventional panel light, and the market demand is the largest. Mainly installed on the ceiling, it blends well with the building.
- Surface-mounted LED panel light. It is suitable for installation in places where it is not easy to drill holes, such as the top of the cement ceiling. Conventional side-emitting panel lights are usually used with independent surface-mounted conversion frames. The back-illuminated panel light can choose an integrated surface-mounted lamp body.
- Suspension-mounted LED panel light. With a wire hanging rope, the panel light can be used as a hanging wire for installation.
3. From functional choices
- Dimmable LED panel light. It is mainly matched with a dimming LED driver (change the driver of the LED panel light to a dimming LED driver, and it can become a dimming LED panel light). There are three conventional dimming solutions: Triac dimmable, 0/1-10V dimmable, and DALI dimmable. You can refer to this blog to understand the difference between Triac dimmable/0-10V and DALI dimmable solutions.
- Waterproof LED panel light. It generally adopts a special lamp structure, and at the same time adds a waterproof rubber ring, and is equipped with a waterproof outlet connector and power supply to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the lamp body. The waterproof LED panel lights are generally IP44, IP54, IP65, and IP68. Usually suitable for special places such as toilets, toilets, laboratories, bathrooms, etc.
What wattages and dimensions do panel lights have?
We have a versatile panel light with different wattages and sizes, choose the one you need from our wide range.
LUFUL supply professional and honest service.
Note 1: Backlit panel light will be available to do higher wattages than edge-lit panel light in the same sizes.
Note 2: The other special dimensions, such as x150mm, x200mm, and × mm can be customized.
How does the LED panel light work?
Structurally, positive light-emitting LED panel lights are different from side-emitting LED panel lights, and their light-emitting working principles are also different.
Edge-lit LED panel lights working principle
It mainly includes a frame, diffuser plate, light guide plate, light bar, reflective film, back plate, and other components. The light of the LED chips enters the interior of the light guide plate from the light-emitting surface, and the light hits the reflective point of the light guide plate and then exits downward, and is irradiated from the light-emitting surface of the lamp. The light that does not reach the reflective point will be reflected back through the reflective film, so that the LED Most of the light from the LED chips is converted into light used for lighting. The quality of the light guide plate is an important criterion to measure the quality of the side-emitting panel light.
Back-Lit Panel light working principle
The structure of the direct type (Back-lit) panel light mainly includes a frame, a diffuser plate, a light bar (including an aluminum substrate, lamp beads, a lens, a back cover, etc.)
The light of LED chips is scattered by the lens and reflected from the back cover and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the lamp. It does not need to be refracted by the light guide plate and is directly illuminated.
LED Panel Application
LED panel lights have become a versatile lighting solution for various settings due to their efficiency, versatility, and aesthetic appeal; LED panel lights are mainly used in:
- Ceiling (replacing the original grille lights);
- Walls (not only for lighting purposes but also for artistic expression);
- Decorations (pursuing the combination of practicality and art, convenient and simple installation);
- Others (can also be used in other places, such as train boxes or large mobile cars, counters, etc.)
The key places like Office Spaces, Commercial Areas, Educational Institutions, Healthcare Facilities, Residential Spaces, Parking Garages, and so on, LED panel lights can be seen almost everywhere in our lives.
What are the common quality problems of panel lights?
1. Dark areas appear around the panel lights
This phenomenon generally occurs in side-emitting panel lights because the thickness of the light guide plate is not enough. Please replace the thicker light guide plate, such as 2.0T and 3.0T.
2. A yellow light appears around the panel light frame
This also often occurs in side-emitting panel lights because the distance between the light guide plate and the side lamp beads is too close during the production process. The distance between the lamp beads and the light guide plate needs to be adjusted. Of course, it may also be a quality problem of the LED lamp bead itself, which needs to be replaced with a better LED lamp bead.
3. The middle part of the panel light turns yellow
This is one of the main aspects of the current quality problems of side-emitting panel lights. For this question, please refer to the blog “Why LED lights yellow changing”.
4. Water ripples appear
The reflective film in the side-emitting panel light is generally made of PE material, and some low-end suppliers often use foam reflective film to reduce costs, which will deform during prolonged heating. resulting in the appearance of water ripples.
5. LED panel lights flicker
The main reasons for flickering are as follows: 1. The power supply is broken; 2. The power supply does not match the current and power parameters of the lamp bead, 3. The lamp bead is damaged
How do I choose a ceiling panel light?
To choose the right LED panel lights, you need to understand the important parameters related to panel lights, as follows:
Lighting mode: Edge-lit or backlit panel light. The positive light-emitting panel has high lighting efficiency, no risk of yellowing, and the price is cheaper than the side light. High-end side-emitting panel lights are generally expensive and suitable for use in high-end places, while low-end side-emitting panel lights often have yellowing and dead spots. So, we recommend buying positive-emitting panel lights.
Dimensions and power: The standard size of panel lights is ×300mm, 300×300mm, 300×600mm,600×600mm 600×mm. Power: 9W 12W 18W 21W 22W 24W 36W 48W 72W 85W 90W. For general home lighting, such as kitchens, bathrooms, study rooms, living rooms, etc., small-sized and low-power panel lights can be used.
For example, 3-8 square meters, with 300*300 specifications, the general power is about 10W. 8-15 square meters, 300*600 specifications can be used, and the general power is about 18W-20W.
In commercial lighting places, the space is often larger, whether a large size such as a 2×2 LED panel light, 4×1 or 4×2 LED light panel is used, it can provide more brightness.
Lumens: The higher the luminous efficacy output, the more energy-saving and is, and the fewer lamps are used in the same project. Now, LED technology can keep the actual output of panel lights at a minimum of 100lm/W, and a maximum of 150-170lm/W.
Power Factor: The energy consumption of LED is only 1/10 of incandescent lamps and 1/4 of energy-saving lamps. The service life can reach more than 100,000 hours, and the maximum power factor is 1, indicating that the load is purely resistive, and the power transmission only has active power, no reactive power, and the utilization rate is the highest.
The power factor of LED lights depends on the LED driver. At present, the efficiency of qualified LED drivers is generally above 85%. In reality, the power of 3W, 5W, 7W, 9W, 12W, and 15W LED lights with small wattage is generally not affected. The factor requirements are high, generally between 0.5-0.65, and the power factor of large wattage will be higher. Many people think that the higher the power factor, the more efficient the power supply. Of course, under the same wattage, the higher the power factor, the better.
UGR: Glare creates a bright sensation in the visual field that the human eye cannot adapt to, and may cause disgust, discomfort, or even loss of vision. Excessive brightness in a certain part of the field of view or excessive brightness changes before and after. Glare is one of the important causes of visual fatigue. The lower the glare value, the more comfortable the LED panel light will be. Some special places, such as school classrooms, generally require the use of Anti-glare LED panel lights with UGR<19 or lower.
Lifetime: The life of the LED light is theoretically at least hours, so if the LED panel light works for 12 hours a day, it should be able to be used for 11 years. The longer the durability, the greater the cost savings.
Led driver brand: Judging from our years of production and sales experience, the LED driver largely determines the final lifespan of an LED panel light. Poor quality LED panel lights often use low-end LED drivers (mostly non-isolated drivers). In terms of quality, brand driver > ordinary isolated driver > non-isolated driver. The high-end quality LED panel light driver generally adopts the isolation scheme. If the price is within the acceptable range, try to use high-end brand drivers.
How to install LED panel lights?
Totally 4 different installation ways for LED ceiling panel lights as follows: (You can check the step drawing or download the guide PDF file)
Recessed led panel lights
This installation method is often used in offices, shops, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. It is also the most common installation method. First, remove the ceiling, put the LED panel light driver on the ceiling next to it, connect the power cord, and then put it in. Panel lights are sufficient, and the installation method is relatively simple.
Suspension flat panel LED light
You need to prepare a set of steel ropes first. Hang the lighting from the ceiling with steel ropes. First, fix the 4 hanging wire bases on the lighting fixture on the roof, then tie the 4 hanging wires to the LED panel light, connect the light’s driving power cord, and pull the wire to adjust the height of the panel light. The installation method is more flexible
Surface-mounted LED panel light
Use screws to fix 3sides of the frame onto proof, then connect the led driver, insert the Led light panels into frames, and finally, screw the last frame.
Clip installation
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