Alright! I am back in town..... and although I don't have much of a practical update, I feel it necessary to share my latest and greatest.
I came back to work after globe trotting it to Washington DC (and meeting Son1c in the process), and low and behold my new light source was waiting for me. I am not sure yet how practical it will be but a lot of you were patiently waiting and PM'ing me, so here is my latest brain child.
For those that inquired, the boom I bought was
$75 shipped, on my Prime account. After much research and consideration, this was the best possible option available (from load capacity to locking mechanism), that is without going way over budget.
To that boom (and possibly to my little tripod friend) I am planning on using the following
500 LED panel light which cost me right @ $119.50 delivered
Here is why I chose it:
1) 500 LED with a max 4500 Lumen of 5500K daylight power @ 30 degree flood angle.
2) 4 banks of light which are selectable and dimmable (which I may never use but.....)
3) Weight is about 5 lbs which can easily be attached to my boom (which has a 12 lbs capacity)
4) Can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Horizontal if you have the boom coming over your shoulder (working on a horizontal panel) or if you have it set on the small tripod (would need a weight at the base of the tripod to make it more stable). It can also be mounted vertically if the boom is coming perpendicular to work surface.
5) LED produce very little heat so I can have it right next to my head or the paint
6) Functional "barn doors" to focus or reflect (and to protect the light when closed)
7) Supposedly is the equivalency a 500W light source (more on that later)
8) You can add diffusion colored filter.... if you ever find a use, let me know
.... I am probably forgetting a couple things but....
So what came in the box? The light, the light stand attachment and a power cord.
How do the light banks work? (BTW, I did dim the light substantially to take the pictures)
Attachments?
How will it work??? I was planning on making the update a functional one showing all kinds of comparisons but this will have to wait as I am swamped at work and this weekend will be a KILLER! I promise to update but not right away.
I normally work with some 1000W halogen lamps and it is brutal in the summer. For those not familiar with light engineering I do have to mention that even though this product claims high lumens and 500W light equivalency, you have to understand that the functional lumens decrease substantially the farther you are from your work surface. Although this light does not compare to my halogens in terms of wattage, I believe I will be greatly helped by the fact that I can have the light within 2 feet of a panel without fear of being burnts or "cooking" the paint/products........ and will be able to dim the light as needed. The biggest complaint I had with a single light source situated behind me is that my big ol' body would always get in the way of the light reflection. I've tried a headlamp but although 220 lumens is good enough for a quick inspection it does have the limitations of being attached to my head and requires the perfect position for reflection. Also as a work light, the headlamp is a little lacking in illumination.
Why did I select this light over others? I am speculating that the selectable banks will come in handy for inspection purposes. As you can imagine, this light source will reflect from multiple angles (having the light close to the panel and having alternate rows of lighted LEDs and dark LEDs.... and will be a GREAT work light (measuring 5x11"). A larger 1000LED brother is available however I fear the weight may be a hindrance in a boomed situation.
As I mentioned before this light will be great on the boom, but I anticipate that it may work as well on the small tripod light stand..... we shall see!
P.S. Before I forget, the attachment does adjust side to side 90 degrees which will come handy if the light boom is not perfectly square and you are OCD like me and want the light perfectly square
