Based off of the same body that can be powered off a single Sony NP-F style camcorder battery, the 312 / 508 / 876 LED Video Lights can offer truly 'off-the-grid' shooting using some of the cheapest rechargeable batteries available.
I recently received the 876 LED Video light to test out, so I thought i'd put them side to side against the smaller siblings. You can see how much brighter and how much more diffusion is available as we get to the larger panels, but also a noticeable shift in color bias. If you're trying to mix these lights with other LED panels or ambient light, then these tests will show you how they perform.
Here's a snapshot along with specs from an LED Meter.
The images above showed the light 7 feet away from the wall. These readings (below) were taken just 3ft away from the light. (note: The 312 is a bi-color version, so it will have less output than a 312 full daylight version). Click Light Meter image for larger view.
  312 LED Video Light |
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 508 LED Video Light |
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 876 LED Video Light |
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Emm
Post author@Josh - I would say the K4000 is going to be better color than the 876 I have tested.
Josh
How does the 876 compare to a F&V K4000 (daylight)?
Ivar
Hey Emm!
Have you compared the 876 to the high CRI bi-color 1024 panels also from Came-TV? Curious as to which outputs most lumen, as well as best color rendition.
John
I'd love to see a 508 comparison with the Aputure Amaran 528. Both NPF batteries. Both are 500+ LED's. Both are priced fairly close.
Emm
Post author@bryan - Mainly because they fall under different brand names, I just look for the model numbers. 312, 508, 876.
bryan
Is it me, or is the manufacturer's name missing on these lights? Where can they be bought?
Emm
Post author@Jordan - Yes, those are the same 600 LED lights that have been around for a few years. Here's one old article: httpss://cheesycam.com/tekkeon-here-and-gone-and-back-again/
Jordan
Hi Emm,
I'm looking for a portable (though not necessarily battery-powered) two-light kit for interviews and such. I was looking at this - have you had any experience with these lights? https://www.came-tv.com/bi-color-free-bags-2pcs-600-led-panel-video-film-camera-light-p-204.html
Thanks,
Jordan
bigfoot
After 6 months since I purchase the 508 led light panel, colour temperature becomes more likely the 867 led panel. Daylight colour shift towards pink. What can I do? I there any adjustment I can made?
jre
I don't know anything about the CN600s. I was only speaking in terms of a comparison to the lights in this post. And btw, in my experience with the aputure 528, the tint is magenta not green. Whether that is better or worse for you in terms of balance with your other lights I don't know. Just an fyi.
chopnshoot
There's a new version of the 312 LED light with barn doors and a LED read out on the back for the dimmer and color temp adjustments
https://www.ebay.com/itm/131045092472
Emm
Post author@apostolos - Sorry, was running around. Here's a video if it's helpful httpss://cheesycam.com/powering-cn-600cn-900-led-video-lights-with-sony-bp-u30-bp-u60-adapter/
apostolos
Okay, what's the big surprise on the 600/900?
Emm
Post author@apostolos - Want to see something interesting? I just ran into this yesterday. Give me about an hour and i'll have something up for you about the 600/900 LED lights.
apostolos
@jre. One more thought. I own CN-600s and 312s, (which seem pretty close color temperature-wise) but I'm always looking to pick up more lights when the opportunity arises. For me, the price of the light is only the first factor in my purchasing decision. The cost of batteries is the second factor, the color temperature the third (and potential mismatch) and the potential flicker fourth. The Aputure 528, compared to the 508 lights in this post is a theoretically attractive option at $180. BUT. The CN-600s can be picked up at around $200-$230 now. I saw an adapter on Amazon for NPF Sony batteries to V-mount for $50. I just bought one, but I haven't received it yet so I don't know how well it works. So, adding the cost of that adapter, the CN-600 goes to $250-280 (if you want to use NPF batteries with it). I'm skeptical about Aputure, because a)a smaller Aputure on camera LED I bought had a very strong greenish cast and I don't know if the 528s with match may CN-600 and b) some reviews on Amazon talk about a flicker. My 2c on the subject.
Emm
Post author@apostolos - I have not personally used these lights (yet). Maybe one day.
apostolos
I do a lot of events and weddings and the battery option is what freed me from needing AC, i.e. extension cables that needed to be taped on the ground, time for setup, labor to do it, etc. So these LED lights are great but the cost of the big V-mount batteries is significant. In fact now, the V-mount batteries end up being more expensive that the actual light, as in the case of the CN-600, so the option to use the NPF batteries is great. And it looks like the output difference between the 508 and the 876 is not significant, let alone the magenta of the 876. Did you ever have the change to use any of those lights with the 72 "high-powered" LEDs, as they call the, like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/300866022581
jre
I can't say for sure based on the pics, but the 508 seems pricy, especially since I picked up the 528 led aputure amaran for $180. Although the aputure does require two batteries to run.
OldCorpse
These lights are not super impressive. I mean, they are cheaper than the various F&V offerings, but the light quality is just awful. Hey Emm, whatever happened to the big comparison you were doing between the various LEDs including the F&V and Aputure? It's been awhile, and we're still waiting on the promised tests!
Joel
Rob I own two of the Swiftronix torches and can tell you they are not at all worth the money. I have not mishandled the units in any way yet both the battery contacts and 1/4" mounting points broke on both units. Funny thing is when they broke I had them in my hands and could not believe how awful the quality was for 300$
Calling Swiftronix support was a joke. I was told to ship the products in to them "if" they deemed it was manufacturers fault they would replace. I took that to mean, "thanks for your money, but we are not standing by our product".
Rob S.
Would be interesting to see how these budget alternatives compare in brightness and CRI to the slightly more expensive but smaller Switronix Torch.
Emm
Post author@Telecinese - The 508 is a slightly larger unit than the R-300. Unless you choose a bi-color version 508 (with less light output), I think I would just stick with the R-300 a bit smaller.
Telecinese
The 508 seems to have similar lux output to the F&V R300s. How do you think it compares in terms of light quality (softness, daylight color cast) and other practical issues (portability, durability)? For a typical project which one do you think would be your first choice, generally speaking?
Thank you for seeking out and testing this new stuff as it comes out, I'm sure it's helpful to a lot of people.
Emm
Post author@Jerry smith - Yeah the 876 is pretty off.
Emm
Post author@scottrellwi - I had the camera locked in at 5600K, and it does have a magenta bias (plenty of it). But you can't always go off the camera, so I included those light meter readings from an official LED spectrometer.
Jerry smith
On the 876... the color temp seems off! thats not a 56k color temperature!
scottrellwi
Is it just me, or is the 876 LED giving off a reddish color?
Thanks Emm.