Video demonstrating the Cinematix LED 150 camcorder light.
I must say, the Cinematix LED 150 camcorder light is a dandy gadget.
It mounts on top of your camera and runs off any one of five different kinds of battery. (Including standard AA)
Its light output is rated the equivalent of a 160 watt tungsten halogen lamp (bulb) but the Cinematix LED 150 is only 9.6 watts.
With LEDs, no energy is wasted generating heat. Every bit is going toward producing a bright beam on for this camera-mounted light.
One of the most amazing things about it is the fact the five different batteries will power the Cinematix LED 150.
- Standard AA
- Sony Lithium- 3 sizes
- Panasonic Lithium-1 size
A full charge will last up to three hours, which is an awfully long time compared to what a tradition tungsten lamp would suck up.
Another comparison that shows traditional tungsten halogen inferior to the newer LED style is lifespan. LEDs are predicted to 30,000 hours, which is eight hours a day for ten years! Even if that prediction proves overly optimistic, a tungsten light would burn out a few months of heavy, daily use.
From a user’s standpoint though, not scorching your fingers is one of the best features of LED.
One of the big drawback to LED lights has been the cost. Naturally!
The Cinematix LED 150 is much less expensive than similar Lite Panel models that have been on the market longer. List price for a similar Lite Panel was $450 at Amazon. Used ones were selling for over $300.
I got this Cinematix LED 150 for $159 from Image West. It comes with three filters.
- Diffusion
- Amber
- Pink
My biggest disappointment with the light was the diffusion filter. It barely did anything! For diffusion, it was really next to worthless. The amber and pink did what they are supposed to do, which is color correct the light if needed.
By itself, the Cinematix LED 150 is white balanced for daylight. The amber and pink will bring that down to match light that’s more orange, like tungsten.
The filters come with the product. With more expensive brands you often have to purchase the filters separately. So I guess I will forgive them for making the diffusion filter to weak. 
Overall the light was not terribly harsh.
Video camera lights are great tools for field use. You’re down in the bottom of a cave. No place to plug in! An on-camera light is your only realistic option in a situation like that. No one wants to haul a generator down into a cave.
Camcorder lights are also great for run-and-gun style videography. No cords, no hassles. Go ahead and run after that crooked politician who doesn’t want his shot taken!
Used outside, this is a great fill light for the sun. If you’re close enough to your subject, an on-camera light will do a lot to fill in the deep shadows created on a bright, sunny day.
If you’re using a small camera that doesn’t have a standard shoe mount, which is what the Cinematix LED 150 mounts onto, then you can purchase a separate adapter. The adapter can be out on an arm that swivels in order to give you some leeway with placing the light.
On-camera lights are notorious for giving that flat, light-in-you-face look, but if you use the swivel arm you can take it off center to give your lighting some depth.
All-in-all, this is a handy gadget for field videography.
Thanks for reading VPT
Lorraine Grula
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