Used Flashpoint 500 LED Dimmable Light - Runs on AC

2014-11-20T19:00:00

I purchased these in January and am surprised by the number of positive reviews on these lights. I have used them on a number of occasions for interview setups, mixing with daylight, daylight balanced bulbs, tungsten etc and they produce the worst colors I've ever seen. I feel like a hack with the results I'm getting. Mixing lights shouldn't be that big of an issue but these are nowhere near daylight balanced at all. The results have been a gross green color emitting from the daylight setting and it requires extensive post production to salvage the clips. It's to a point where I won't even use these lights anymore and have resorted to renting again while I try to sell these lights for whatever I can get. I wish I had a color meter to provide you with some actual numbers but I'm sure some "real pro" dps would find similar results after using these. It's too bad the internet is basically saturated with positive reviews for these cheaps lights because they are anything but professional unless you are lighting only with these lights. You do get what you pay for....oh yeah, the stands are trash as well. I've had to rip the heads apart because the screw in the cheap hot shoe pressed against the head and wouldn't allow for it to be tightened. If reviews are worth anything, please heed my advice and spend the extra 400-500 more and get a decent kit. This is the worst purchase I've made in my 10 years in the industry.

Jim R.

2014-07-06T21:00:00

Used on a couple of shoots -- did produce a reasonable amount of light. General build quality marginal -- has some broken components inside that rattle alarmingly. Mount is not so hot -- cannot tighten main clamp enough because it runs into u-mount.

MICHAEL B.

2013-06-24T21:00:00

I have had mine for few weeks and so far so good - I love the fact it runs on 110v or 220v so one can take around the world - I thought this model came with a battery as well as I seen a video from Flashpoint with the heading of the same model but I think there is another model that has the battery option as well - will look into that as well as it would be nice to have few with the option to take outside as well - Seems well made and I was happy that the light strength was what the sales rep explained - Now days good cameras can handle ISO at 400-800 quite well so this light provides good enough light - I have not tried with gels yet so cannot comment on where the ISO needs to be but suspect that given the distance is not to far and with ISO 800 it should be fine. These lights are cold which is nice on a warm days when AC is having a struggle to keep up and of course last lot longer - I know there are more expensive brands with few more features but I wanted to test out LED before invisting big time - So far I think for most typical portrait shoots and product shoots these will work out fine. So I am quite satisfied - Note that these do not come with a stand but Adoroma has some good priced air shook stands at a good price - also Flashpoint makes a unit that supports a battery to make these lights really portible. Light is not heavy so easy to move around - I think more studios will move to LED as they are now maturing and getting more powerful as it is always much easier to shoot where can see what you will get as far as lighting - so not so much need to runaround and meter various parts of the portrait

john h.

2013-06-24T21:00:00

Sturdy, well bit. Barndoors are a great bonus for lighting options as well as protective to the lights. Wish there was a bag option for this kit, I would definitely buy it. I definitely recommend buying the unit specific Flashpoint Stand for this light board as it is a little top heavy. Used two 5lb sandbags for safety.

SHANNAN R.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

THIS IS A PERFECT LIGHT FOR A SMALL STUDIO. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND SOME NEGATIVE COMMENTS SAYING IT IS FLIMSY. ON THE CONTRARY, I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE RUGGED AND VERSITILE TO USE. I LOVE THE COOL LED LIGHTS AND THE 5500K COLOR. IT IS SO BRIGHT I USUALLY USE IT ON REDUCED POWER. WITH A LITTLE TINKERING I WAS ABLE TO ADAPT IT TO AN OLD UNUSED TRIPOD.

Walt

2013-05-27T21:00:00

Product works exactly as advertised, right out of the box. Nothing to configure, plug it in and it works. So far, have used it about 3 hours, and not having hot lights to work with is great. This is a lightweight product, so it will not stand up to rough use, but for studio work or home use, it is perfect.

WERNER S.

2013-03-18T21:00:00

The first one I got did not work. Only half the lights lit up. I contacted Adorama an dthey were great about returning it and sending me another, which worked well. I like the dimmer. I can set the light I want. Each channel can be adjusted or both. Nice.

JOHN W.

2012-09-27T21:00:00

Light did not work properly on arrival. The LEDs on both banks will flash about once per second but will not illuminate continuously. Construction appears shoddy and the supplied adjustable mount cannot be used with the light's V mount. Will try to get a replacement, but am not going to hold my breath.

gryphon

2012-09-11T21:00:00

I have not decided how I plan on using this light unit yet other than general mixed lighting. It is not as bright as I had hoped for and in my opinion it should be 24 volt instead of 16 volt operation when on battery. 16 volt batteries are not readily available where as 24 volt batteries are.

PAUL H.

2012-03-11T21:00:00

Disappointed with this. The dimmer knobs are covered with a cheap, thin metal that is not firmly attached to the plastic underneath.They spin farther on top of their mounting than they should and are easily removed. The panel works by dimming one side at a time. Right out of the box one side would not dim, it was either on or off. within a matter of minutes it wouldn't turn on. I disconnected the power and tried again. This time the same half panel would not turn off. Disconnect power one more time and now it doesn't come on again. I think these led panels are a good idea but a different brand with a better build needs to be found. Also, the "Y" yoke mount did not come with rubber washers or spacers so the unit could not be properly mounted. I had to use faucet washers just to assemble the thing. Shoddy build, incomplete parts in box, and untrustworthy electronics...I returned this the same day.

Pons M.

2011-10-24T21:00:00

The dimmer system is quite good. The light is punchy and clean. No green tint. Usually works best with an 1/8 CTO or CTS on the light.

BENJAMIN W.