2019 Best Lights for Photographers
Since photography is all about good light, one of the most important things you can have in your camera bag is a top-notch light.
Now, I know what you’re thinking - using artificial lights is expensive and time-consuming and difficult to learn.
And maybe that was true back in the day when you had to invest in big, heavy lighting gear to get the job done.
But these days, there are all kinds of small, portable, and affordable lights for photographers that make it far simpler to get just the right light for your photos.
That being the case, let’s check out the best lights for photographers that we’ve tested in 2019.
Hakutatz Pocket Size RGB+AW LED Light
As its name indicates, this little light fits in your pocket, but don’t let its small size fool you…
With amber, white, and RGB LEDs, you can come up with virtually any kind of light you need for your photos.
Add visual interest and drama with any color of the spectrum using the RGB lights or get the perfect white balance using the amber or white lights.
Editor's Note: The Hakutatz Kickstarter campaign was a huge success! Their Amazon store will be open and ready for orders in early December.
Whatever the case, you can fine-tune the settings using the companion app. That means that with a simple touch or swipe of your finger, you can adjust the RGB color, the color temperature, special effects, and even control multiple lights at the same time.
You can adjust saturation and brightness, too, so you don’t need to invest in other lighting gear like diffusers or softboxes. All you need is in this one little portable light!
Learn more about the Hakutatz Pocket Size RGB+AW LED Light
PilotFly AtomCube RX1 RGBCW LED Video Light
When considering what lights made this list of the best lights of 2019, one of the first to come to mind is the little guy shown above.
The AtomCube RX1 from PilotFly is another excellent example of how far lighting for photography and videography has come in the last few years.
Not only is this a key light in your pocket, but it’s also packed with features that will help you achieve your creative vision.
For example, it has nine common lighting scenarios built right in, that way you can quickly and easily implement a lighting scheme. Likewise, it offers tons of adjustments, from the color temperature to the brightness to the color saturation.
This light is also fully dimmable from 0-100 percent, so you can truly get the precise level of light you need for the shot or video sequence you’re working on.
If you need to create a more elaborate lighting setup, PilotFly has you covered because you can link up to 255 AtomCubes together via Bluetooth. And don’t worry about the light not being consistent - these lights are calibrated so you get color tone and brightness that looks the same across multiple lights, especially when they’re mounted together using Magic Cubes.
You can then control all those lights using the AtomCube smartphone app. Literally with just a few taps of your phone, you can adjust brightness, change the color temperature, and create an unlimited number of groups of lights, all in real-time. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that when you’re multitasking at a photo shoot!
The high-strength, all-aluminum frame makes this light super lightweight, yet incredibly durable, so it’ll be a solid companion and workhorse for you for years to come.
Add in a three-hour battery life on full power, a CRI of 95+, a TLCI of 97, and a variety of lighting accessories to expand your creative possibilities even further, and you begin to see just what a high-quality, reliable light this thing is!
Learn more about the AtomCube RX1 RGBCW LED Video Light
Litra Studio
Weighing in at just 33.5 ounces and measuring 5.5" x 3.9" x 2.9", this light is ultra-compact for easy transport, yet is capable of producing up to 3,000 lumens of continuous light and up to 6,00 lumens of flash. Nice!
Better still, the light is fully dimmable, tunable, and offers CCT, HSI, RGBWW, gel presets, flash modes, and effects as well.
It CCT mode, the light gives you 2,000-10,000K adjustable bi-color lighting with a green and magenta color shift control to allow for tunable blue and green screen optimization.
It also offers flicker-free lighting at all shutter angles and features a 97 CRI and TLCI color accuracy.
With a rugged, waterproof design, efficient passive thermal management, and up to 20 hours of battery life on the lowest setting, this light is one of the best lights for photographers this year, hands down.
Learn more about the Litra Studio
Andycine Boling P1 RGB Pocket LED Light
Designed for video use, the Andycine Boling P1 is pocket-sized for easy transport and has a 360-degree mount to make manipulating the direction of light a quick and simple task.
In RGB mode, the light gives you 360 unique colors so you can get just the right light for each situation.
Color temperature is adjustable - from 2500-8500K - giving you the ability to match any ambient light sources. There are also nine built-in special effects, including candles, car lights, and lightning.
The rechargeable battery will give you over two hours of continuous use and has a built-in feature that prevents overheating.
This light is fully dimmable, has a CRI of 96 and a TLCI of 97, and has a ¼-20” shoe mount for easy mounting.
Learn more about the Andycine Boling P1 RGB Pocket LED Light
iLED 144 Bi-Color Flood Light
Another option for an affordable light for your photography work is the iLED 144 Bi-Color Flood Light.
This unit is just over 5 x 3 inches in size, so it offers excellent portability while also offering high-quality LED lighting.
Its solid construction means you get a light that's durable and reliable, and that will offer professional-grade performance for the long-term.
It utilizes energy-efficient bi-color LEDs and a 60-degree angle that gives you the reliable, consistent lighting you need to elevate the quality of your photos.
You can quickly and easily adjust the dimmer as well as the color temperature (from 3200-5600K) so you can dial in just the right lighting too!
This stackable on-camera light is also an affordable option that won't break the bank. What's not to like about that?!
Learn more about the iLED 144 Bi-Color Flood Light
Litra Torch LitraPro
As I noted in my LitraPro review, this little light is one of the smallest you can buy at just 6 ounces and measuring 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches.
But Litra has packed 60 LEDs into this light, which gets you 1200 lumens of light for your photos.
The light is flicker-free, crisp, even, and very clean, which is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to getting high-quality light for your photos and videos!
The LitraPro offers bi-color light and has an adjustable color temperature of 3,000-6,000K so you can customize the lighting for each specific shot.
It has a 70-degree beam angle, is waterproof up to 90 feet, and has a 10-hour battery life on low output.
Add to that MIL-SPEC 810 durability, a bright OLED display, and Bluetooth control, and you have the makings of one of the best small photography lights you can get your hands on!
Learn more about the Litra Torch LitraPro
Aputure 120D II
If it’s a powerful studio light that you’re after, the Aputure 120d II performed very well in our review.
With a 1000-watt tungsten equivalent, fully dimmable light, and a CRI & TLCI of 97+, this light gives you beautifully clean output.
It comes with many different built-in lighting effects that enable you to create a more custom and interesting look in your images.
It has an integrated power and control box, which helps minimize clutter in your studio, and with an 18dB quiet fan, you won’t have to listen to a loud fan as you try to work with your clients.
I had the original 120d and while it was an excellent light, this one takes its spot on this list of the best lights for photographers because it’s 25 percent brighter than the original. It’s color temperature is also slightly warmer (5500K rather than 6000K) which I particularly like.
Add in a wireless remote, DMX controls, and good portability, and you have a light that ticks all the boxes for a quality addition to your studio.
Learn more about the Aputure 120d II
LitraTorch 2.0
This is yet another light I’ve reviewed this year that left me really impressed.
Not to be outdone in the smallness department, the LitraTorch 2.0 is by far the smallest light on this list, measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.65 inches and weighing just 3.17 ounces.
In terms of portability, that’s hard to beat!
This light has 16 LEDs that offer 100, 450, or 800 lumens depending on what you need for the shot.
Regardless of the lumen output, you’ll get clean, crisp, flicker-free light with a 70-degree beam angle. As you’d expect from one of the best lights for photographers in 2019, this one offers a CRI of 90+ and a TLCI of 92.
You can use the light on its low setting for up to four hours or get about 35 minutes of output on the maximum brightness.
It’s also waterproof to 60 feet in case you need to do a little scuba diving, has a magnet for easily attaching to metal surfaces, and two ¼-20 mounts too.
Like the other lights on this list, the LitraTorch 2.0 is simply a versatile, do-anything light!
Learn more about the LitraTorch 2.0
Aputure Amaran AL-M9
Rounding out my list of the best lights for photographers in 2019 is this little guy, the Aputure Amaran AL-M9.
This daylight-balanced LED light offers surprising brightness for such a small fixture.
It has a color temperature of 5500K and comes with a removable diffuser, CTO, and CTB filter. There are 9 steps of dimming as well.
The integrated battery gives you about two hours of runtime on full brightness when fully charged, and it can be charged quickly using the optional USB charger.
There are multiple mounting options as well, including as a cold shoe accessory or on a ¼-20 mounting point.
And at $45.00, it’s the cheapest light on this list!
Learn more about the Aputure Amaran AL-M9
We Recommend
Photography Lighting Equipment Worth Checking Out
Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash
In the market for new photography lighting equipment?
You’ve come to the right place…
Whether you need lighting for photoshoots, video work, or both, the gear outlined below is some of the best photography lighting equipment on the market today.
With a range of products with varying capabilities, functionalities, and prices, you’ll be able to find the ideal light for your needs and your budget in the list below.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Aputure 120d II
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Geekoto GT-200
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: LitraTorch LitraPro
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Aputure AL-MW
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: LitraTorch 2.0
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: CLAR Maxin MX-B15
- Best Photography Lighting Equipment: ANDYCINE Portable Boling P1 RGB Video Light
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Aputure 120d II
A few weeks back, I wrote an Aputure 120d II review in which I proclaimed that after just a month of using it in my home studio that it had already proven itself one of the best lights I’ve ever used.
That still holds true about seven weeks into my ownership of this light. It is simply incredible, which is why I’ve placed it at the top of this list of the best photography lighting gear.
This light is deserving of the top spot for a multitude of reasons:
- 1000-watt Tungsten equivalent
- Dimmable from 100 percent down to just 1 percent
- CRI & TLCI 97+
- Built-in lighting effects
- Integrated power and control box
- 18 dB quiet fan
And that’s just the start…
The 120d II is also 25 percent brighter than its predecessor and has a slightly warmer color temperature (5500K as compared to 6000K in the original 120d).
It has a wireless remote that works up to 328 feet, DMX controls, and is extremely portable as well. The yoke has been redesigned to make it more functional, and the handbrake offers a secure lock to prevent the light from moving.
Truly, from its design and construction to its features and specs to its ease of use, this light has proven to be top of the class. Aputure has clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this refresh of their 120d. It isn’t a cheap light, that’s for sure, but when the quality of the light you use matters, it’s a smart investment to opt for a top-quality light like the Aputure 120d II.
Learn more about the Aputure 120d II
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Geekoto GT-200
If it’s a flash speedlite you’re after, the Geekoto GT-200 is a very solid choice.
This little guy is highly portable - it fits in your pocket - and yet still offers flash power up to 200W.
You’ll appreciate the 2.4G wireless control and the 3.5mm sync jack that allows you to choose from a variety of synchronous triggering methods from as much as 200 feet away.
Speaking of triggers, this unit is compatible with both Geekoto triggers and Godox XPro triggers as well. Either way, you get wide power adjustment and color temperature selections.
This light comes as part of a kit as well, so you get the flash, a light stand, a quick-folding softbox, a filter magnet soft cover, and a carrying case as well. Talk about value!
This unit also offers wide power adjustment range from 1/1 to 1/128 with 22 levels of fine-tuning to get the precise light output you need.
Add to that battery power for more than 500 full-power flashes, support for 1/8000-second high-speed synchronization, and an included set of color filters, and you have the makings of a high-quality, functional flash that you can literally carry in your pocket. Not bad!
Learn more about the Geekoto GT-200
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: LitraTorch LitraPro
Where other lights are portable, the LitraTorch Pro is ultra portable.
As I note in my full LitraPro review, this thing weighs just 6 ounces and measures 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a smaller light than that!
But don’t think that because it’s a tiny light that it doesn’t have the power to illuminate your photos or videos.
To the contrary, the LitraPro has 60 LEDs that put out an amazing amount of light - 1200 lumens of clear, crisp, flicker-free light.
But perhaps the best feature of this light isn’t its output, but the fact that it’s bi-color and adjustable from 3000K to 6000K. Add in a 70-degree beam angle, and you have a light that gives you excellent, customizable light coverage.
You can get about 10 hours of operating time out of its batteries, and with MIL-SPEC 810 construction, you can really put it through its paces without worry of damaging the light.
In other words, the LitraPro offers the functionality, performance, and durability that action photographers and videographers demand.
Learn more about the LitraTorch LitraPro
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: Aputure AL-MW
When it comes to lights that are bright, rugged, and waterproof, the Aputure AL-MW certainly delivers.
This unit provides you with an astounding 6000 lux output - twice that of its predecessor - yet it is small enough to fit in your pocket. That’s because this little light uses the same COB technology found in the impeccable Aputure 300d, which means you get the best of both worlds - superb brightness and unparalleled portability.
More than that, the folks at Aputure made sure that this little light offers perfect color fidelity. As you’d expect from an Aputure light, the AL-MW has a CRI and TLCI rating of 95+.
Additionally, Aputure has stuffed the AL-MW with all kinds of features, including five pre-programmed lighting effects, a battery that runs for 24 hours on minimum power, a waterproof and dustproof housing, and a gel holder with a variety of CTO and CTB filters.
All things considered, the Aputure AL-MW is certainly worthy of consideration as the ideal mini light for your photography and videography kit!
Learn more about the Aputure AL-MW
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: LitraTorch 2.0
By far the smallest light on this list, the LitraTorch 2.0 comes in at a scant 3.17 ounces and measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.65 inches. That’s a small light!
But, again, Litra has figured out how to cram a ton of lighting into a small package, as the LitraTorch 2.0 has 16 LEDs that offer 100, 450, or 800 lumens depending on your needs.
Like the LitraPro, this unit puts out crisp, clean, and flicker-free light with a 70-degree beam angle. Its color temperature is 5700K and has a CRI of 90+ and a TLCI of 92.
Litra also worked to ensure that this second-generation LitraTorch works harder and longer. It has a 10-percent longer battery life that gives you 35 minutes of illumination on maximum output and more than four hours of output on the low setting.
It’s waterproof up to 60 feet, has two ¼-20 mounts, and has a magnet for attaching it to metal surfaces as well.
This is simply a versatile, go-anywhere, do-anything light!
Learn more about the LitraTorch 2.0
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: CLAR Maxin MX-B15
Available in 12 x 12 and 12 x 24 sizes, the CLAR Maxin MX-B15 is a perfect light for your studio.
This light has bi-color LED fixtures that offer 3200-5600K color temperatures and the ability to dim from 100 percent to 0 percent at the touch of a button. This unit employs SMD LED technology that has excellent color accuracy and 95+ CRI.
You’ll love the fact that this light has a companion app so you can control the light with your smartphone. The app allows you to fine-tune everything from the light’s power status to its light intensity values to its color temperature. You can even control DMX channeling via the app.
You’ll get 120-degrees of cool, flicker-free light, and with an aluminum housing and vents, the light itself stays cool despite its incredible light output.
The solid frame has incorporated barn doors as well as a tilting yoke stand adaptor so you can customize the breadth and height of the light.
The 12 x 12 model utilizes a single Sony BP V series battery while the 12 x 24 model utilizes two. In either case, you get long-lasting power for your photo and video projects!
Learn more about the CLAR Maxin MX-B15
Best Photography Lighting Equipment: ANDYCINE Portable Boling P1 RGB Video Light
If you’re after a dedicated video light, this rig from ANDYCINE should be at the top of your list.
With a 360-degree arm support and an adjustable bracket arm, you can position this light precisely where you want it to illuminate your video sequences.
It’s svelte size - it’s barely more than .5 pounds and ½-inches thick - makes it super portable and easily mountable on a tripod. Its durable construction means you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged under normal working conditions either.
This lightoffers full color output from 2500K-8500K, nine built-in lighting simulations, and a battery that will get you more than two hours of shooting time on full power as well.
It’s simply a feature-packed, highly-portable light that’s perfect for video work in the field.
Learn more about the ANDYCINE Portable Boling P1 RGB Video Light
We Recommend
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500
Those of you that know me know that I have been dabbling in video work lately.
I have to say that it's been exciting to use my cameras in a different way and create content that differs so much from what I've always done.
Getting started can be a bit of a bear, though. Having little to no experience in creating video content meant that I wasn't completely sure what accessories I needed to get the job done.
Now that I have slogged my way through, made a ton of mistakes, and now actually have a clue what I'm doing, I thought I'd share my thoughts on a few video accessories that I've found helpful.
I shoot with a Sony a6300, so that's where my frame of reference is coming from. If you have a Sony a6400 or a Sony a6500, these accessories will work for you as well.
Let's get started!
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Ikan Delta DH5e-V2 Field Monitor
Having a field monitor is a must-have accessory for any videographer so you can actually see what you're filming.
But more than that, a field monitor like my Ikan Delta makes getting the correct focus and exposure miles easier
This rig is small, lightweight, and has stunning image quality. As you can see below, the monitor is crisp and bright, too.
The full HD screen offers 440 pixels per inch for a super clear picture, and the touch capability makes checking menu settings, exploring features, and zooming a breeze.
The Ikan Delta is equipped with software features that help me get better shots - guides, a histogram, and audio meters, as well as peaking, zooming, and false color.
This unit has HDMI input and output (with 4K UHD support), a USB port for loading 3D LUTs, and a 3.5mm audio jack as well.
It's the perfect companion for any videographer, but as a relative newbie, I can tell you it's one of the most valuable accessories I've bought thus far.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Litra Torch LitraPro
If you want to up the production value of your videos, you need a good light source (and great audio, too...but that's another topic).
The problem with lighting for video is that so many of the options are big, bulky, hot, expensive, or some combination thereof.
That's not the case with the LitraPro LED light...
The LitraPro has a whopping 60 LEDs that put out 1200 lumens. It's fully dimmable, too, so you can max it out at 100 percent power or rock it at 1 percent - whatever you need!
This thing puts out gorgeously even and clean light with 95 CRI and a 70-degree beam angle for broad coverage. It's bi-color and has an adjustable color temperature of 3000-6000k to meet your needs.
And, as you'd expect from a Litra Torch product, it's incredibly small and lightweight - just 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches and 6 ounces.
On top of all that, the LitraPro is Bluetooth compatible, waterproof up to 90 feet, and has a 10-hour battery life to boot.
If you need a high-quality light that's easy to use, rugged and reliable, and puts out beautifully crisp light, the LitraProshould be on your radar!
Check out my full LitraPro review for more details.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Joby GorillaPod 5K Kit
I waffled back and forth between the Joby GorillaPod 5K and the GorillaPod 3K, and ultimately went the 5K route even because it's Arca-Swiss compatible.
This little guy has been invaluable thus far because it allows me to use it as a tripod or wrapped around an object for stability, as well as a grip when I need on-the-go footage.
It also features Joby's BallHead 5K, which has independent 360-degree panning and 90-degree tilt so you can get the precise positioning you need.
Setup is fast and easy thanks to the Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate, and with a weight rating of up to 11 pounds, you can stack a ton of gear on it and still have all the stability you need.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500 Ikan Stratus Cage
Another top accessory you need for videography is a rock-solid cage.
I chose the Ikan Stratus Cage because it's form-fitted to the a6300 (and a6400 and a6500) so you can add tons of accessories without having a big, cumbersome cage wrapped around your camera.
It's base on an Arca-Swiss plate, so you can mount it directly to an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod.
There are 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 threaded mounts all over the cage so you can add all the accessories you need to get the job done. There's a shoe mount and an ARRI rosette for more options for mounting gear.
As you can see above, I just have my field monitor and mic attached to the cage, so I have plenty more room for more accessories down the line.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Rode VideoMic GO
As any seasoned videographer will tell you, your videos are only as good as the audio.
That means that a high-quality mic is a must so that 4K UHD video you shoot has crystal clear audio to go with it.
I chose the Rode VideoMic GO for a few of reasons.
First, Rode has a long-standing reputation for quality and performance, so a Rode mic was a must.
Second, I didn't want to spend a giant amount of money, so I wanted a budget-friendly option that would still get me great results (this mic is $99.00 at the time of writing).
Lastly, I wanted a mic that was compact and lightweight, and the VideoMic GO certainly delivers on that front.
As you can see above, it's not obtrusive in any way, and even though it's a tiny little thing, it still gets me excellent audio that picks up my voice while minimizing surrounding sounds.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Shure VP83F Lens Hopper
I know I've already recommended a microphone, but the Shure VP83F Lens Hopper is so good that it warrants inclusion on this list.
Though the Rode mic described above is a great microphone, this Shure mic is a step above.
Yes, it's more expensive, but that extra money gets you plenty of extra features...
The biggest benefit of this mic is that it can record digital audio by itself - no need to rely on the camera to do so (though that's an option if you need).
The shotgun design with electret condenser cartridge and integrated shock mounting system offers excellent audio quality with top-of-the-line isolation of unwanted noise.
Additional features include:
- Dedicated audio output so you can monitor audio in real-time
- Low self-noise and high sensitivity with a wide frequency range that results in natural audio reproduction
- Easy access to the MicroSD card for quickly swapping cards
- Highly directional supercardioid/lobar polar pattern that rejects off-axis audio
It runs on two AA batteries, mounts to the hot-shoe on your camera, and comes with a windscreen, too.
If you want to step up your audio game and have the budget to do so, I strongly suggest investing in the Shure VP83F!
Get more details on this fantastic little mic in the video above by Jason Vong.
Top Accessories for Sony A6300, A6400 and A6500: Andycine Hot-Shoe Stand
An unsung hero of the Sony accessory world is a solid hot-shoe stand that you can use to mount accessories like a flash, LED lights, a monitor, and so forth.
For my money, it doesn't get better for this purpose than the Andycine Hot-Shoe Stand shown above and below.
With 176 degrees of viewing angles and 360-degree rotation, this stand makes shooting video a much easier task.
Installation is a breeze as is making adjustments, that way you spend less time messing around with your gear and more time actually making videos.
There's an upper 1/4-inch screw for fast attachment to accessories and on the bottom is a standard shoe and 1/4-inch screw so you can quickly attach the stand to your camera's hot shoe or other rigs.
It's small and lightweight, too, so you won't feel like you're carry around a ton of extra weight by adding this little guy to your camera.
Top Accessories for Sony a6300, a6400 and a6500: Good Glass
Just like a microphone enables you to capture the audio that makes your video sing, a high-quality lens will make your camera more capable of capturing footage that makes your videos shine.
But don't confuse "high-quality" with expensive.
Sure, there's tons of really good lenses out there with giant price tags, but that's not the route I chose.
I picked up a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens and a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 version that are absolutely outstanding, and neither one was particularly expensive as lenses go (the 16mm was $400 and the 30mm was $289).
In both cases, these lenses are ultra-light, incredibly sharp, and have stepping motors that enable quick and quiet autofocusing that's so crucial to video.
Additionally, both lenses have a huge f/1.4 aperture, which is great for getting gorgeously blurred backgrounds in my videos and for shooting in low-light conditions.
I've been blown away by the ease of use of these lenses and with the quality they produce when I'm shooting video.
Combined with the other accessories I've highlighted above, I think I have a pretty darn good setup going!