Ordered a Lume Cube Mini: Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little...

grandpaw

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

For photos? Video? Both?

I've been trying to justify a Lume Cube kit for video. I'm not quite there yet so am anxious to read your impressions.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

Would be a waste of money for me!! I don't do videos

tcthome Loc: NJ

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

It seems alright. I wouldn't mind owning one & have thought about it a couple of times.

jcboy3

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

This article compares the Litra and Lume Cube lights:

https://www.stuckinplastic.com/2019/04/litra-vs-lumecube-a-toy-photographers-guide/

Personally, I think neither of them are suitable for most photography. I went with the Litra Pro, which a bit larger and a whole lot more useful. I've used it as a light source for digitizing slides and film; I use it for macro work, and I use it for events where I need a bit of light to frame and focus subjects in very low light venues.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

jcboy3 wrote:

This article compares the Litra and Lume Cube lights:

https://www.stuckinplastic.com/2019/04/litra-vs-lumecube-a-toy-photographers-guide/

Personally, I think neither of them are suitable for most photography. I went with the Litra Pro, which a bit larger and a whole lot more useful. I've used it as a light source for digitizing slides and film; I use it for macro work, and I use it for events where I need a bit of light to frame and focus subjects in very low light venues.

That is not what the OP bought. Lume Cube makes LED panel lights, in a couple sizes. Grandpa, the OP bought a panel light. There is the Mini, Pro and Go panels.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

Before this thread, I had no idea what a “Lume Cube” might be. My only familiarity with the term “Lume” is from some disgusting TV ads for a female deodorant called “Lume”.

jcboy3

bsprague wrote:

That is not what the OP bought. Lume Cube makes LED panel lights, in a couple sizes. Grandpa, the OP bought a panel light. There is the Mini, Pro and Go panels.

Oops. My bad. The Mini does look like a good option.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

Good Luck with your new toy. I saw the light demonstrated at a Photo Convention. I was skeptical because it looked too small to be useful. I hope I’m wrong.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

grandpaw wrote:

Supposed to be here Wednesday from B&H Camera. Thought I would give it a try. Should have asked before ordering one but what are your thoughts on this little light?

If you need something small maybe the minis might work for you. I ordered GVM lights from Amazon. Better working size, lower price, softbox included, about $220 for two on sale, can run on batteries, bright output, color, phone app control.

It depends what you are going to use it for but if for video I think the panels do a better job, don't know what you would use it for photography for, but maybe that works for background or something.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

r1ch wrote:

If you need something small maybe the minis might work for you. I ordered GVM lights from Amazon. Better working size, lower price, softbox included, about $220 for two on sale, can run on batteries, bright output, color, phone app control.

It depends what you are going to use it for but if for video I think the panels do a better job, don't know what you would use it for photography for, but maybe that works for background or something.

At one point, when my camera wouldn’t work with flash, I used an LED panel designed for video.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

rehess wrote:

At one point, when my camera wouldn’t work with flash, I used an LED panel designed for video.

My GVMs are over 10"x10" and I would use them for photography, macro, but for people it is too bright even turned down, causes them to squint. That is what flash is for. But I would use these in a pinch and they have a decent surface area. For videos I think they would be great,

But the mini looked like it was 100 bucks for one light. I would spend the extra money for better lights. You have to buy 2 batteries for portability at $50 for two with charger.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

r1ch wrote:

My GVMs are over 10"x10" and I would use them for photography, macro, but for people it is too bright even turned down, causes them to squint. That is what flash is for. But I would use these in a pinch and they have a decent surface area. For videos I think they would be great,

But the mini looked like it was 100 bucks for one light. I would spend the extra money for better lights. You have to buy 2 batteries for portability at $50 for two with charger.

The one I was using is perhaps 3” square and mounts as a flash would.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

rehess wrote:

The one I was using is perhaps 3” square and mounts as a flash would.

What did you use it for, where did it help most? Was it a key light or did it just fill in shodows, and on what subject?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

r1ch wrote:

What did you use it for, where did it help most? Was it a key light or did it just fill in shodows, and on what subject?

Basically as I would a flash or spotlight -inside to light up the entire scene.