iPhone Accessories – Filmmaking & Photography Lights
As we look to get more and more from our smartphone camera, one accessory which can use to improve our photography is some form of extra lighting.
But unless we have a large crew and budget, we cannot usually afford a big professional lighting rig. Luckily, there is now a wide range of small, lightweight lighting options at an affordable price.
For MoJo, documentary, vlogging and interview situations, 1 or 2 a small LED lights mounted to the top of the camera might be all you need.
For more complex lighting needs, where you want to place lights at certain angles to light a drama/fiction scene with actors, you might have to explore other options. Depending on what you are hoping to achieve, lighting is where things can really escalate in terms of crew and equipment needed.
For low-budget guerrilla filmmaking, my advice is either use existing lighting available or bring small lights to compliment a scene rather than build complex lighting arrangement. Even a photographer’s reflector (or simply something white or silver to reflect light with) can be used to bounce some existing light in the right direction. Perhaps a small light can be placed strategically to fill or highlight an actor who would otherwise be too dark.
There’s no rules – it all depends on what you want to achieve. So here’s a few lights you might want to look at.
1. Ulanzi Ultra Bright LED Video Light
3 cold shoe mounts support interlocking multiple video lights, to adjust the brightness to your needs. With both cold shoe mount and 1/4” screw on the bottom, you can not only use it on a variety of gimbal stabilisers. Examples: DJI OSMO Mobile 2, Zhiyun Smooth 4, Smooth Q, Feiyu Vimble 2. Also can be used on Canon, Nikon and Sony digital DSLR Cameras.
Ulanzi Ultra Bright LED Video Light on Amazon
2. Lume Cube Bluetooth LED Light
Lume Cube is built with professional quality specs and emits a powerful 1,500 Lumens of daylight, balanced light from it’s 1.5 inch aluminium body. You can mount the Lume Cube using the 1/4″ 20 tripod mount on the base of the cube.
The handy cube is fully waterproof down to 100ft (30M) and is built with a tough aluminium housing. Micro USB recharge port enables you to charge the light, which then gives you approximately 2.5+ hour run time (at 50% brightness). You can also remotely control multiple Lume Cubes via Bluetooth, independently or simultaneously, using the Lume-X App (for iPhone and Android).
3. Manfrotto LUMIMUSE 8 LED Light
This ultra portable light from Manfrotto is compact and efficient. Quickly add creative dynamic highlights, key lights, hair lights, or contrasting portrait lighting. Lumie is particularly useful when setting up in a hurry and when lighting various subjects, from individuals or couples, to food to products, table displays and so on.
The light quality is sharp without being hot. The Lumimuse 8 has four-step intensity. On a tripod, light is easily re-positioned. The Lumie itself has a flat base, with a recessed shoe mount slot, so it can easily sit on a table or a shelf. You can hang a cloth napkin over it to soften or alter the quality of light, or use the included filters.
There are also cheaper 6 and 3 LED versions.
4. Godox LED64 Video Light
The Godox LED64 is a great little light. The light allows a smooth transition between the different brightness levels. You can also run the light from a 5v DV power supply. So, if you run out of batteries, simply hook it up to a 5v source or an external battery pack. The light is surprisingly bright and battery life good.
The LED64 is lightweight, portable, provides high brightness and an accurate colour temperature. With a lux of about 1000, it will be good enough for subjects that are close to your phone camera. Multiple Godox LED64 lights can also interlock together and it works with smartphone tripod adapters or stabilisers that support the cold shoe mount.
Godox 64 LED Video Light on Amazon
5. Ulanzi 96 LED Video Light
The Ulanzi 96 LED is another great mini LED light for video and smartphone filmmakers. The light is powered by 4 AA batteries (or the micro USB port) and comes with 2 filters (soft or orange) which attach magnetically to the front. You can attach the light on any tripod or light stand using the standard hot shoe. A knob controls the brightness level. The strong plastic build is good enough – something to be wary of when purchasing such low cost equipment.
This will not light up a large area but when used appropriately the results are wonderful. The image below shows the light mounted to the Ulanzi grip rig. Uhm, I guess you might need it in broad daylight, but…
6. Neewer 176 LED Panel with 1/4″ Thread
This light is bigger than the previous examples and is powered via DC or Sony NP-F550/750/970 battery (not included). Or you can pay extra to get the rechargeable battery and charger included. As the light above, this comes with transparent and orange filters to soften the light source and enhance skin tone in portrait photography.
The 176 LED is also dim-able, with adjustable light (warm to cold) and portable. If you’re mounting this, you’ll probably want to use a tripod as it will probably be too big to attach to your phone rig. So if you want the extra power than compared to the smaller lights above, this is a great low cost option. The included filters are sturdy and work well.
Neewer on Camera Video Light on Amazon
7. Aputure AL-M9
Check out the tiny Aputure AL-M9. It fits in your pocket and comes with a diffuser, a couple of gels and a detachable cold shoe mount. The power output is controllable in steps and colour rendition is good. The light is affordable and surprisingly powerful for its size.
Check Price of Aputure AL-M9 on Amazon
Read Next: Best Smartphone Filmmaking Kit 2019.
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