Ordered a Lume Cube Mini (Page 3): I purchase everything from B&H Camera and I also used my PayBoo card to eliminate the tax. I will pay the card off in a couple of days to avoid...

grandpaw

I purchase everything from B&H Camera and I also used my PayBoo card to eliminate the tax. I will pay the card off in a couple of days to avoid paying interest.

grandpaw

This is what I purchased

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Lumecube has three sizes. I look forward to your review because I think I want the next size up.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I have been using similar small LED panel lights for closeup, still life, and macro shots with great results.

EJMcD

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?

I'm a long time B&H fan also...and curious about that type of lighting device. Can you post some examples of still images taken with it? Other than the low cost, does it have any advantages over a standard strobe?

grandpaw

EJMcD wrote:

I'm a long time B&H fan also...and curious about that type of lighting device. Can you post some examples of still images taken with it? Other than the low cost, does it have any advantages over a standard strobe?

I bought this to compliment and maybe work with my strobes and for special situations. Will post some pictures when I get a chance

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

EJMcD wrote:

I'm a long time B&H fan also...and curious about that type of lighting device. Can you post some examples of still images taken with it? Other than the low cost, does it have any advantages over a standard strobe?

I'm certainly far from a lighting expert and rarely use strobes. The main differences I can see are that the led cube and panel lights allow you to see your lighting before you shoot and allow you to shoot video. You can't see what strobes have done until after you shoot.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

bsprague wrote:

I'm certainly far from a lighting expert and rarely use strobes. The main differences I can see are that the led cube and panel lights allow you to see your lighting before you shoot and allow you to shoot video. You can't see what strobes have done until after you shoot.

Also, when focus bracketing the flash doesn't always recharge fast enough.

EJMcD

bsprague wrote:

I'm certainly far from a lighting expert and rarely use strobes. The main differences I can see are that the led cube and panel lights allow you to see your lighting before you shoot and allow you to shoot video. You can't see what strobes have done until after you shoot.

Actually, some strobes do have a modeling feature that "may" be of some value with still images.

I'm guessing the led cube would in no way be powerful enough to compete with a strobe and would be of limited use. However, I did want to hear some input from anyone that has used them and can submit some sample images. While I don't do video, I always maintain an open mind with regard to lighting techniques.

EJMcD

Blenheim Orange wrote:

Also, when focus bracketing the flash doesn't always recharge fast enough.

That's why external battery packs exist which significantly boost recycle time.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

EJMcD wrote:

That's why external battery packs exist which significantly boost recycle time.

Of course, and in some circumstances that is what I do.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

EJMcD wrote:

I'm guessing the led cube would in no way be powerful enough to compete with a strobe and would be of limited use. However, I did want to hear some input from anyone that has used them and can submit some sample images. While I don't do video, I always maintain an open mind with regard to lighting techniques.

Here is an example. Out in the field in a remote location doing macro stacks is where a LED panel is a really good option for me.

Wood mint on Flickr

EJMcD

Blenheim Orange wrote:

Here is an example. Out in the field in a remote location doing macro stacks is where a LED panel is a really good option for me.

Wood mint on Flickr

Aside from Macro, have you found them to be of any other use and, if so. do you have any examples?

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

EJMcD wrote:

Aside from Macro, have you found them to be of any other use and, if so. do you have any examples?

No, sorry. I find them useful for macro, close up still life shots when focus bracketing. If I am not focus bracketing, flash is better, and recovery time then is not such an issue. The panel is inches away from the subject so the amount of illumination is sufficient. I would imagine that for portraits a larger light source would be better, but that is for someone else to answer.