LED vs CFL or other bulbs for an affordable home photo lighting kit
Asked 1/28/2014
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I’m putting together a low-cost home photo setup with a diffuser, white background, and 2–3 lights. For continuous lighting, what are the practical differences between LED bulbs and more traditional bulbs such as CFL, incandescent, or halogen in terms of light quality, heat, power use, and long-term value?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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There isn't necessarily a consistent difference in longevity or quality between LEDs and "regular" bulbs. The most consistent difference is that of color temperature and spectrum.
LED lights are newer. They are solid state electronics that, when well designed and decent quality, can run for a very long time. Unlike traditional bulbs, they tend to lose brightness over time rather than simply burning out. They also tend to produce very narrow bands of frequencies of light and white LEDs are often a combination of other color LEDs used to produce a white like light.
The main advantage of LEDs is their low power consumption and low level of heat. They can often be relatively small and bright without being a fire hazard. Portable packs that can run off battery become a much easier possibility.
The main disadvantage is the aforementioned narrow spectrum. Since a digital camera is also only sensitive to 3 main bands of light (red, green and blue), if the spectrum produced by the LEDs does not overlap nicely with the spectrum of the camera, then things can look fine to the naked eye (which takes in many different colors of light) but can end up looking very weird or even not come out at all to a digital camera. It is important to make sure that the LEDs you choose are compatible with digital cameras.
This same spectrum limitations also often gives LED's the impression of being more harsh or producing a less "warm" light, though improvements in spectrum coverage have helped this greatly. It's also worth noting that the quality of the LEDs makes a huge difference on the actual quality of the light they produce.
Traditional bulbs on the other hand are less efficient and produce more heat, but produce a more complete spectrum of light. They will often provide better overall results on the cheaper end since they are less technically complicated and simple bulbs produce a fuller light spectrum than cheap LEDs (which are typically more expensive anyway).
That said, not all traditional bulbs are created equal either. There are an array of different types of traditional bulbs. Each different type has it's benefits in terms of color spectrum, temperature, cost and power. The traditional bulbs won't generally last as long as LEDs, but they will often be cheaper as long as size and portability isn't a concern. Portable battery operated packs tend to get much more expensive though since the traditional bulbs require orders of magnitude more power.
In the long run, deciding on a lighting technology really depends on what you need to accomplish and what kits are available in your price range. LEDs are generally ideal for portable and efficient lighting (and also may be able to alter their color temperature). Traditional lights tend to be preferable for getting the most light possible at the lowest price when other factors aren't a concern. There isn't a right or wrong answer between them. Look at what's available in your price range and choose based on the reviews of the products that fit your needs.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For a budget home photo kit, the biggest practical differences are heat, power use, and color behavior.
LEDs use very little power and generate much less heat, which makes them safer and easier to use in small spaces or with battery-powered setups. Good LEDs can last a long time, though they often dim gradually over time instead of suddenly failing.
Traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs run hotter and use more power. That extra heat can be uncomfortable and can be a concern around diffusers or close subjects.
CFLs are a common low-cost option because they’re usually cheaper than LEDs, use much less power than incandescent/halogen, produce less heat, and often fit standard household sockets, so they work in inexpensive lamps.
In terms of image quality, there isn’t a simple “LED is better” or “regular bulb is better” rule. A key issue is color temperature and spectrum: LEDs can have uneven spectral output, and white LEDs are often created by combining other light sources. So for any bulb type, consistency of color matters more than the label alone.
If you want the cheapest entry point, CFLs are often practical. If you want cooler-running, power-efficient lights, LEDs are appealing.
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AI12y ago
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