Best Flashlight for Photography: I've been wanting to get a flashlight to use for at night photography to add fill light, help with focusing and things like that. I'd love to get one...

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

I've been wanting to get a flashlight to use for at night photography to add fill light, help with focusing and things like that. I'd love to get one with variable output that could be set very low and I'd like to get one that focuses the beam. I've looked and can't quite find anything like that but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

jcboy3

I use a LUX-PRO LP630. It has a good beam focus, and high/low/strobe settings.

WALL

Take a look at the Fenex brand or Maglight and look at a police supply store.

Give some thought to LL Bean or REI. good service.

Try one that isn't too expensive, it could do what you want and it will always be handy in your car. If you get bored using it for photography.
I am assume you would only get a LED light.

You would be better of using white paper over the lens to lower the light.
Dimming would alter the color adding another variable into the mix.
Post a example of what you get.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Check out Surefire had one forever still works great. Use mine every day. Virtually indestructible. Bought newer ones for the wife & kids.
Lots of features & price ranges.
http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights.html

twowindsbear

Check ACE Hardware or LOWE'S.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

bkellyusa wrote:

I've been wanting to get a flashlight to use for at night photography to add fill light, help with focusing and things like that. I'd love to get one with variable output that could be set very low and I'd like to get one that focuses the beam. I've looked and can't quite find anything like that but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Hmmm. You may need more than one. If your going to use it for fill or light painting, you need to consider the color of the light. The variable output is a cool idea. Not sure if I have seen that on a flashlight but not to hard to rig up.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

If you have a COSTCO near they have a three pac of led flashlights made by duracell with the features you are looking for. Surefire and streamlight are the best quality, but are expensive.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

bkellyusa wrote:

I've been wanting to get a flashlight to use for at night photography to add fill light, help with focusing and things like that. I'd love to get one with variable output that could be set very low and I'd like to get one that focuses the beam. I've looked and can't quite find anything like that but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

I recommend the Fenix LD12 G2, it has settings as low as 3 lumens and as high as 125 lumens. Fenix makes a red filter for this flashlight, it can be used to preserve night vision. The beam does not focus, but it is small and uses 1 AA battery. Very easy to fit anywhere, pocket or camera bag.

http://smile.amazon.com/Fenix-Compact-Flashlight-Battery-LumenTac/dp/B00C31G24M/ref=sr_1_1?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1449833842&sr=1-1&keywords=fenix+ld12

lehighjack Loc: somewhere in FL

Amazon has some LED flashlights that have an output as high as 800 lumens, though the ad copy may say 1000 or 1500L. the good news is that are great for light painting or illuminating subjects, and searching one's kit bag.
the brands are: spot w/moderate flood-UltaFire WF502B and for vaiable flood to square(!) spot-UltraFire CREE with a zoom ability. they are not built as well as Fenix, but sell, with charger and rechargeable battery(ies)from $10 to $20 shipped from US and usually arrives in five days or less.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

So far I haven't been able to find one with beam focusing and very low output settings all in one flashlight. So far, the brands I have looked at and that have been recommended here and elsewhere are the Fenix, Nitecore, Thrunite and Vizeri. I also need to look up the UltraFire units just recommended by "lehighjack".

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Consider a head lamp for hands free use. It's comfortable to wear and the light tilts. The one I have has varied light settings. Great for making adjustments in the dark and for getting to and from your car. I got mine at a national sports store- Dicks I think.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

suntouched wrote:

Consider a head lamp for hands free use. It's comfortable to wear and the light tilts. The one I have has varied light settings. Great for making adjustments in the dark and for getting to and from your car. I got mine at a national sports store- Dicks I think.

I don't know if I can get the kind of features or power I need but that's a great idea. Thanks!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

What distance you want that light to throw. It is all calibrated in Lumens. The more lumens the great throwing power.

bkellyusa wrote:

I've been wanting to get a flashlight to use for at night photography to add fill light, help with focusing and things like that. I'd love to get one with variable output that could be set very low and I'd like to get one that focuses the beam. I've looked and can't quite find anything like that but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Toddzzilla Loc: Modesto california

I have a streamlight 600 lumins and really like it, doesn't focus the beam though but it a bright lil bugger. And yeas it's pretty pricey. Bought it from a police tactical store but you can shop on Amazon and get them for a Bett
er price. Very compact and heavy duty with lithium batteries.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Toddzzilla wrote:

I have a streamlight 600 lumins and really like it, doesn't focus the beam though but it a bright lil bugger. And yeas it's pretty pricey. Bought it from a police tactical store but you can shop on Amazon and get them for a Bett
er price. Very compact and heavy duty with lithium batteries.

:thumbup: I carry one of these everywhere, and it also serves as a weapon because it can blind somebody is so bright.