Having really portable high quality LED lighting is crucial for me with my work. I’ve long since moved on from florescent lighting or red-heads due to the size, heat that they give out and the low CRI values.
I was looking for a small light that could be used either as a camera top light or as a hair light for interviews. One that would fit in nicely with my current LED panels, the Pixapro VNIX 1500S and the Aputure AL-H528S. I spent a while tracking down one which would suit my needs. Caleb Pike did a video comparing lots of different models under $100 which really helped.
After watching his video, I bought the Al-H198. It comes in either daylight at 5600K or bi colour and has a CRI of 95 (just like all of Aputure’s lights). With the daylight version you get a 3200K plastic gel. It costs about £40-£50 and I got mine on Amazon.
It can take either 6 AA batteries or Sony NPF batteries and has a handy battery indicator. Roughly this light lasts about an hour and a half on full power with either set up.
I use it as a hair light or 3/4 back light in interview situations. As it has no barn doors, I add blackwrap to create a snoot for more direction if I need more than the 45 degree beam angle.
It has a LUX output of 3400 at 1m which is very decent compared with the cost and colour accuracy of this light against other models.
One of the other features is that this light has both a cold shoe and hotshoe adapter so you can stack these lights together to create a larger light source.
Comfortably I would only put two of these together but Aputure have an example of 6 stacked together on their website.
I am consistently impressed with how this little light performs in every aspect of using it. I underestimate it and I shouldn’t because it’s fantastic and really, I should have more of them in my arsenal.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you on the next blog.
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