Modern photographers and videographers now have the option of purchasing battery powered video lights thanks to advancements in technology. They run on batteries and do not require an outlet or electricity to function. These lights may last for many hours if you stock up on rechargeable batteries and keep them charged.
What is battery operated video light?
It is a type of video light that is powered by batteries rather than electricity. This makes it an excellent choice if you don't have an outlet near your shooting locations since you can place it anywhere you want to set up ideal lighting without without having to worry about wires getting in the way.
Types of battery used to power video lights
Battery powered photography lights usually use two types of batteries. They are used in different ways and come with different characteristics.
V mount battery - External power supply with large capacity
V mount batteries, also known as v lock batteries, are large capacity batteries that are used to power high-end cameras, LED lights, monitors, microphones, and other compatible equipment.
The phrase "v mount" refers to the mounting technique used to attach to the devices they power. V-mount battery packs are made up of a number of smaller lithium-ion cells that are linked together to create the power capacity mentioned on the label.
It is often bigger and heavier than a standard portable battery configuration, and it takes longer to charge. However, these are small trade-offs when a large capacity V-mount system can run for an entire day on only a few batteries.
The COLBOR CL100-M daylight balanced LED light, for example, can be powered by the V mount battery. Use the COLBOR VBS to mount the battery on it, you can use the CL100-M for outdoor filming without the limits of power mains.
Lithium-ion - Safe, durable, and lightweight inbuilt battery
Lithium ion batteries, often known as Li-ion batteries, are a type of rechargeable battery. These batteries contain lithium ions, which are responsible for the overall functionality provided. During operation, lithium ions within the battery are drawn from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. This is referred to as a lithium ion battery discharge. When the battery is charged, the entire procedure is reversed.
The battery powered photography lighting COLBOR PL8B, for example, is inbuilt with a 5000mAh Lithium Battery. After a full charge, it can run for 125mins at the 100% brightness. The large capacity and Type-A DC Output port also enable it to work as a power bank for the recording smartphone.
Four benefits of using battery continuous light for video
Compared to the type that gets power by plugging into the mains socket, battery powered video lights stand out in the following aspects
Battery powered LED video lights are far more mobile
Mobility is one of the biggest benefits. You can use it anywhere you want since you don’t have to make sure that it is close to the power supply outlet to ensure normal operation. For example, you can use battery powered outdoor lights for shoot video, especially for video shooting at night when no regular lighting is available.
There is no power cord getting in the way
Rechargeable video light does not use obtrusive and ugly power wires. As a result, it appears more appealing while also being more functional. You can position it wherever without worrying about the power wire being tangled, and there is no need for a nearby power socket to activate the light. This is quite useful when you set up indoor lighting for photography in a tight space.
If you want to use a regular one and the spot where you need to position it was not near a power outlet, you would normally run a really long cable. This not only looks sloppy, but it also increases the likelihood that someone may trip over the cord, resulting in an accident.
Using battery powered led lights for photography can save time and money
Because these fixtures do not require any connections, you will save a lot of time setting them up, running cables, and connecting power cords. The time a battery powered photography light lasts on a single charge will vary from model to model. The good news is that it will save you money on electricity costs. The rationale is that, while you will need to recharge the light for live video from time to time, you will not need to have it constantly hooked into your main power source. As a result, battery-powered lighting consumes less electricity overall.
Ensure continuous video lighting even if the power goes off
This is a significant benefit when setting up lighting for home videos. When you come across the event of power outage at your video studio but don’t want to interrupt the shooting, it comes to help. As long as you have enough battery reserves, you can continue to shoot until the power supply returns to normal.
Cons: It requires you to keep charging in mind
You must remember to charge your fixtures before you start the video shooting project. This is not something you can consider one hour before filming.
The another risk of using a battery powered video light is that the recording may be forced to pause due to a discharged battery. It is known that it cannot work all the time on a single charge, so to some extent it can bring trouble to long-time recordings. Fortunately, however, some battery-powered fixtures will come with power connectors and power cords that you can plug in and run on electricity.
Conclusion
In many aspects, battery powered video lights offer practical and cost-effective lighting options. There are a wide range of choices on the market to satisfy different lighting styles and situations. If you are looking for your ideal lighting equipment, just check the article Lights for video studio: Top 3 picks at COLBOR.