LED lighting for studio has advanced significantly in recent years, with more accurate color, the ability to shape or direct lighting, adjust color temperature, and usable brightness level. In addition, its 'what you see is what you get' look, makes them quite popular among videographers and photographers. In this article, we will recommend 4 COLBOR picks, talk about their features, pros & cons, and discuss some frequently asked questions about LED studio lighting.
COLBOR CL60M: Daylight LED studio lighting ideal for content creators working in home studios
The COLBOR CL60M is a studio light for video shooting that has a 65W COB LED with a daylight color temperature of 5600K. It has a high color rendering index of 97+, which means it can reproduce the natural colors of your subjects. It also has a PowerCube design that allows you to combine multiple lights into a powerful light matrix. It supports various power sources, such as PD adapters, PD power banks, V Mount batteries, and NP-F batteries. It has a Bowens mount adapter that makes it compatible with different light modifiers. It also has 7 built-in lighting effects and can be controlled remotely by the COLBOR Studio app.
While this light is appropriate for any kind of media creation, it is best to be used in smaller studios where the light may be closer to the subject. It is advised to use COLBOR CL60M for at-home product shoots or Youtube and streaming content.
COLBOR CL100X: Bi-color LED lighting for studio to work as key or fill light in filmmaking and photo shooting
The COLBOR CL100X is a compact and powerful LED light for streaming, photography, and video production. It has some features that make it stand out from other similar products, such as:
- It has a bi-color temperature range of 2700K to 6500K, which means you can adjust the color of the light to suit different scenes and moods.
- It has a high color rendering index of 97+, which means it can reproduce colors accurately and naturally.
- It has a PowerCube design, which allows you to connect up to 10 lights together to create a 1100W lighting matrix. You can control the matrix remotely via the COLBOR Studio app or on the light itself.
- It has 10 built-in special effects that can simulate 46 kinds of realistic scenes, such as lightning, fire, TV, etc.
- It has a Hummingbird-Intelligence cooling system that keeps the light quiet and stable.
COLBOR CL220R: One of RGB LED studio lights to ensure creative photography
The COLBOR CL220R is a 220W RGB COB LED video light that offers full-color lighting options for studio and outdoor use. It has a Bowens mount that allows you to attach various light modifiers, such as reflectors, fresnel lenses, or projection lenses. It also has a NATO rail that enables you to stack multiple lights together or mount a V-mount battery for portable power.
The CL220R has a color temperature range of 2700K to 6500K, a high CRI/TLCI rating of 97/98, and a M/G balance function for precise color correction. You can control the light’s hue, saturation, and intensity via the COLBOR Studio app, which also has a color pick-up function that lets you match real-life colors. The CL220R also has 13 preset lighting effects, such as fire, spark, TV, party, and lightning, to create cinematic scenes. The CL220R is a versatile and powerful RGB light that can brighten up your creative projects.
COLBOR CL330: LED recording studio lighting that is powerful enough for creators in larger studios
The COLBOR CL330 is a 330W bi-color LED light for studio that can produce accurate and consistent colors for photography, film, and live streaming. It has some features that make it stand out from other LED lights, such as:
- It can adjust the Duv value to shift to red or green tint, which helps to match the color of other light sources and reduce the need for post-production.
- It can maintain the same power output of 330W at different color temperatures, which ensures stable and high-intensity lighting.
- It uses 42mm COB LED beads to improve the illumination and color mixing, and it has a TM-30 index of Rf96/Rg103, an SSI score of 85, a CRI of 96+, and a TLCI of 97+ for accurate color reproduction.
- It has a Bowens mount and a NATO groove for attaching various light modifiers and accessories, and it supports multiple power supply solutions, including V mount batteries, for flexible and mobile shooting.
How to choose the best LED light for studio: Five factors to consider
You need to consider beam angle, output, color temperature, CRI, and noise level to decide which is the best fixture for your studio.
Beam angle: It depends on how much space you want the LED lighting for studio to illuminate
How much space do you hope this light will illuminate? Do you want to brighten the entire scene or create a more focused effect? These are the most critical factors to consider when selecting a beam angle for your new LED studio light. Broader beam angles provide light that illuminates a larger area, whilst narrower beam angles produce a more focused stream of light.
Light output: Choose proper brightness level based on the area of your studio
The lights used behind the scenes on professional film productions are likely to have a high light output, but they will also be expensive and emit a lot of heat. There is no need for very high lux lights if you are recording in a home studio or a somewhat small location. In the table above we used lux at 1 meter to measure brightness, where a higher value indicates brighter light and higher output. To avoid safety issues, it is also recommended to investigate how compatible your house outlets are with various light outputs.
Color temperature: Wide color temperature range is advised for building various moods
When choosing a light, keep the mood in mind, since this will assist you in choosing the appropriate color temperature. Lower color temperature lights will generate a warm, orange hue, whilst higher color temperature lights will provide a sharper, blue hue. Color temperature influences the hue and often runs between 1000K and 10,000K.
Noise: It is a key factor for LED studio lights for video
When purchasing lighting for video material, noise is an important consideration. It is unprofessional to have distractions in the backdrop of your videos. As a result, it is best to avoid larger lights that need cooling fans or look for the one that comes with a noise-less cooling fan.
Color Rendering Index (CRI): Higher value is good for accurate color reproduction
CRI decides the lighting quality. It is advised to invest in LED lighting for studio with a CRI of 90 or above. This allows you to reproduce colors similar to what they appear under natural sunshine. It is the key to avoid a "Expectation vs. Reality" issue.
Comparison table of 4 COLBOR LED studio lights based on the above factors
|
LED studio lighting |
COLBOR CL60M |
COLBOR CL100X |
COLBOR CL220R |
COLBOR CL330 |
|
Beam angle |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠15° |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠15° |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠15° |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠15° |
|
COB Output Power |
＞60W |
≥100W |
C/W: 220W R/G/B: 100W |
330W |
|
Illumination |
3243Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 22,540Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
CL100X: 3,680Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 25,070Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
7,100Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 30,600Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
12,400Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 65,800Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
|
Color temperature |
5600K (±200K) |
2700K-6500K (±200) |
2700K-6500K (±200) |
2700K-6500K (±200) |
|
Cooling mode |
Smart/Quiet |
Smart/Quiet |
Smart/Quiet /Performance |
Smart/Quiet /Performance |
|
CRI |
97+ |
97+ |
96±2 |
97+ |
|
Price |
$102.90 |
$159.00 |
$319.00 |
$439.00 |
Note: The price is specially offered by B&H store.
FAQ
What are the benefits of LED lighting in studios?
It brings the following benefits.
LEDs are available in a various color temperatures and brightness
LED lighting for studio is available in daylight, bi-color, and RGB colors to fit different needs. This allows you to adjust the fixture itself to create the effect you want rather than adjusting camera settings or having complex post-production. RGB LED studio lights enable content creators to experiment with creative lighting ideas without purchasing extra color gels. You can also adjust its brightness by onboard buttons, a remote control, or a mobile app to have more control over the brightness.
It allows you to preview the lighting effect
Continuous LED studio lighting allows you to see how much illumination is needed when you are setting up the scene and make adjustments accordingly. Unlike studio flashes, this “what you see is what you can” effect helps you know what is needed right away without having to make lots of trial and error.
LED lighting for studio runs cool
LEDs make subjects and photographers feel more at ease during the shooting process. However, the coolness of LED studio lighting extends beyond simply making the studio comfortable. These cooler running lights outperform hotter traditional bulbs. An LED light may be positioned in a nook where a conventional light would be dangerous to place. Gels may be attached to them without causing them to burn. Furthermore, running cool means that there is little to no cool-down period after a shoot, allowing you to spend your time more productively.
You can use LED lights for photography studio and video studio
It's typical to need to shoot both still photos and video footage in the studio, and by using an LED light kit, you can quickly achieve both without having to set up additional equipment. Because continuous lighting is required for video work, fine-tuning your light placement to get gorgeous portrait lighting on your subject while also illuminating the whole scene allows you to work with a simpler setup and leave your flashes at home.
LEDs use less electricity and have long lifespan
LED lights convert 80% of the energy they require into light, which is a significant improvement above traditional tungsten's 20% efficiency. LEDs also have a long lifespan. You may go years without having to replace them, resulting in far less waste in the environment. They are almost maintenance-free and have a lamp life of over 25,000 hours before needing to be replaced.
What are included in a LED studio lighting kit?
An LED studio lighting kit normally consists of one or more LED studio lights, light stands, power adapters, and sometimes accessories such as softboxes, diffusers, or color filters. The quantity and kind of LED lights in the kit may vary based on its function and budget. Some LED lights, for example, can adjust color temperature or brightness, whilst others may generate RGB colors or special effects. For added convenience, some kits may include a carrying bag or a background.
Besides buying a professional lighting kit, it is also good to build your own kit according to your needs. You can choose from the aforementioned COLBOR products, and purchase the following items if needed.
- Light stand: It is a tripod-style structure that keeps LED lighting for studio at the proper height and angle. It often includes a universal mount that allows it to be attached to many types of lights, such as LED panels, flashguns, or softboxes. Stands are necessary for properly placing lights in a studio.
- Power adapter: It is a device that transforms the electrical voltage and current from a power source to match a lamp or other piece of equipment required. When connecting LED light panels or other devices to a wall outlet or a battery pack, power adapters are required.
- Softbox: It is a modifier that connects to a light source and diffuses the light using cloth. Softboxes are often used in photography as a soft light source that reduces sharp shadows. Softboxes can be rectangular, square, or octagonal, and they can change the quality and direction of the light.
- Diffuser: It is a transparent substance that distributes light from a source, softening it. Diffusers can be used in photography and video to minimize glare, contrast, and shadows. Diffusers can be attached to a light source, like an LED panel or a softbox, or they can be put in front of the subject, like a reflector or a screen.
- Color filter: It alters the hue or saturation of light that passes through it. Color filters may be used to achieve a variety of effects, such as improving mood, correcting color balance, and mimicking different lighting situations.
Video tutorial: How to use LED lights for home studio?
Video by Shoot Film Like a Boss
In this video, the YouTuber Shoot Film Like a Boss shows how he uses COLBOR CL100X LED lighting for portrait photography. He uses it to create different lighting effects by using different modifiers and changing the placement and other settings. Check the video to get some lighting ideas.