Replacing Normal Modelling Lamps with LEDs - Can it be Done?

[Hermes]

Title says it all really - I've heard that there are some (albeit expensive) LED bulbs out there that use standard lightbulb fittings, but could they be used effectively in place of normal incandescent bulbs for strobe modelling lights or is there some mechanical/electrical issue that I'm missing?

I notice the latest Elinchroms use LED modelling lights too - do these have proprietary fittings or are they just LED bulbs in a normal socket?

[dave63]

Generally, they're LED's and a circuit, inside a fitting with a standard socket.

[Hermes]

Thanks. What about the practical side of things - e.g:-

Would they dim in the same way that incandescent bulbs do to remain proportional to the flash power? - I've read that they CAN dim within their working voltage but I just don't know how it would turn out in real life.

Would I be able to find LED bulbs anywhere near as bright as the 250w Halostars I currently use (which claim an output of 4210 lumens) - I keep reading marketing speak and slogans about how LEDs are 8-10 times brighter than incandescents but the most powerful LED bulbs I can find that are the same size as my currents ones are just 400lm, and it seems to take LED bulbs the size of pineapples to get just 2000lm. How are the BXRis' bulbs in terms of brightness in real-world use? Still feels like I'm missing something.

If anyone has any experience or ideas, I'd be grateful for some help.

[m3rdpwr]

The only LED bulbs I've seen were about 15 watt and it was in a flood light tight package as it needs so many LED's to create enough of it.

I'm sure there are others out there, perhaps dimmible, but I don't think it would be worth it, cost wise as well.

But hey, that's my opinion... :)

-Mario

[Hermes]

The only LED bulbs I've seen were about 15 watt and it was in a flood light tight package as it needs so many LED's to create enough of it.

I'm sure there are others out there, perhaps dimmible, but I don't think it would be worth it, cost wise as well.

But hey, that's my opinion... :)

-Mario

I know what you mean, but the reason I'm interested in doing it is because I use a lot of grids, deflectors & gels and my current modelling lights get so hot when enclosed that I end up just turning them off once the shot is set which is frustrating. A replacement bulb that I could leave switched on all the time would be ideal, even if it wasn't quite as bright.

[Hermes]

OK, am I going crazy or were the BXRis meant to have LED modelling lamps? I've just looked through Elinchrom's site and the modelling lamp isn't listed in the specifications

[tim]

Why do you want really really bright LED modeling lights? What's wrong with the current ones?

[TMR Design]

I think Hermes answered that in post #5. He uses grids, deflectors and gels extensively in his work and those modifiers reduce the output as well as cause heat buildup due to reduced air flow.

Having more powerful modeling lights that ran cooler would be a definitely plus and I can relate to that. I use modeling lights in my work and rely on them to do the intended job of 'modeling' the subject and the shot. It's a pain in the arse to have to turn on and off your modeling lights to avoid that heat buildup.

[eduardofrances]

OK, am I going crazy or were the BXRis meant to have LED modelling lamps? I've just looked through Elinchrom's site and the modelling lamp isn't listed in the specifications
I think the OP is refering to the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra which uses LED modeling lights :)

[drh681]

Let me see if i can find the link...
someone was selling these ( LED spot lights )
as part of a close-up kit for shooting jewelry.

here we are...
http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/dida50ledbu.html

[MR do little]

Im not sure if these have enough power,might be problem with clearance aswell.

http://www.ecoleds.com/CAT21417.html

http://www.ledlight.com/led-lightbulbs.aspx

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.907

[Hermes]

Thanks for all the links. These are the most powerful ones I can find that look like they have a chance of clearing the flashtube - http://www.joliet-europe.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=68&products_id=298

Problem is, they're 400 lumens and the stock halogen ones are more than 4000 lumens. I don't mind having less modelling light power in exchange for no heat but 400lm (equivalent to a 75w incandescent bulb) seems too low to work with.

Are there any other types of heat-free or low-heat bulbs that might work (not necessarily LED-based)?

[Jim M]

LEDs are fine for a focused light, like a flashlight, but I have yet to see an LED that was worth a hoot as an incandescent or fluorescent replacement. I hope the technology gets there some day, but so far, it isn't. We have an LED porch light as an experiment. You almost need a flashlight to find your way into the house. But it's really bright right under the bulb!

Would a compact fluorescent work? I'd like to try, but so far I haven't found one that would fit exactly the way I would like it to and still put out enough light. I could also see the flash tube lighting up the posphors in the bulb and changing color temperature of the light, but I don't have a clue if that is just my paranoia or not.

[Desertraptor]

Also I dont think white LEDS are perfect white yet although there is a company working towards perfect white

[Wilt]

Thanks for all the links. These are the most powerful ones I can find that look like they have a chance of clearing the flashtube - http://www.joliet-europe.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=68&products_id=298

Problem is, they're 400 lumens and the stock halogen ones are more than 4000 lumens. I don't mind having less modelling light power in exchange for no heat but 400lm (equivalent to a 75w incandescent bulb) seems too low to work with.

Are there any other types of heat-free or low-heat bulbs that might work (not necessarily LED-based)?


400 lumens is what you can get out of an 40 watt incandescent bulb meant for inside your oven or refrigerator! I have had problems seeing in bright settings when a studio light only had 100 watts of incandescent lamp so I can predict how unusable 400 lumens would be!:confused:

[drh681]

I think tis may be what you want to look at depending on the configuration of your monobloc
http://www.betterlifegoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LED%2DCAT21436

I suspect that the way to go for a modeling lamp is to be efficient about where the light goes.

[Wilt]

I think tis may be what you want to look at depending on the configuration of your monobloc
http://www.betterlifegoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LED%2DCAT21436

I suspect that the way to go for a modeling lamp is to be efficient about where the light goes.

That same link also had a link to a 10 watt device, which would seem to output more light. Intrigued, I read about it, and it claims only 400 lumens yet says it is as much as a 100w bulb :confused:, and it is not a dimmable device. So for a modelling light application it still falls short. All this for $100 bulb :confused: