Best On-Camera Video Lights
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Advanced On-Camera Video Lights
I try my best to be a bargain shopper, but oftentimes my friends are shooting with extremely advanced on-camera lights that make me feel behind.
I don't want to go broke over something as simple as on-camera video lights, but I also don't want to be shooting bad videos because I'm cheap.
I've looked long and hard for DSLR video lights that are both inexpensive and excellent at what they do. Here is my top 5 list of them.
Table of Contents
- Litra Torch LitraPro
- Litra Torch 2.0
- Yongnuo YN-14EX TTL Macro Ring Light
- Viltrox L132T On-Camera Bi-Color LED Light
- Aputure Amaran HR672W CRI95+ On-Camera Video LED Light
Litra Torch LitraPro LED Video Lights
I covered the LitraPro more deeply in a review a few months back, but allow me to recap.
The LitraPro is mid-range in terms of price, ringing in at $220, but top-shelf in terms of its capabilities.
Litra Torch LitraPro Specs
Each LitraPro is comprised of 60 individual LED lights, which is pretty impressive considering the overall size of 2.75 x 2 x 1.2 inches.
You can also adjust the color temperature between 3000K and 6000K.
Altogether, the light has 1200 lumens of output.
One of my favorite qualities on the LitraPro is that it's waterproof up to 90 feet. It also has dual industry-standard 1/4 20 mounts.
If you run the LitraPro for an hour at max output, the battery will last you one hour. But, if you run it at min output, that extends to 10 hours.
Finally, the LitraPro comes with full dimming capabilities and Bluetooth connectivity.
Litra Torch LitraPro Capabilities
Litra products are built like you're heading into a warzone, which I really appreciate. The LitraPro is no different. This on-camera video light has been MIL-SPEC 810 tested, and for those of you who don't know, this test is used by the U.S. military to determine whether a product is ready to be shocked, thrown, dropped and put into extreme temperatures.
The 1200 lumens on this light extend up to 9.5 feet. It also features a 70-degree beam angle, which means it provides flicker-free light at any angle.
Learn More About Litra Torch LitraPro
Litra Torch 2.0 LED Video Lights
I'm on a Litra kick lately. I also recently reviewed the Litra Torch 2.0 a few weeks ago, which you can read in full here.
The Litra Torch 2.0 is a good alternative to the LitraPro because of its $90 price tag.
Litra Torch 2.0 Specs
The 2.0 is tinier than the LitraPro, at just 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.65 inches. It uses 16 LEDs and offers three lumen settings at 800, 450 and 100.
It features a color temperature of 5700K with a CRI of 90+ and TLCI of 92.
Litra Torch 2.0 Capabilities
The Litra Torch 2.0, like the LitraPro, offers a 70-degree beam angle. It's also waterproof, but to "only" until 60 feet.
The best capability of the 2.0, in my opinion, is that it has a built-in magnet so you can stick it to any metal surface, which means no more messing around with implementing lights.
The 2.0 produces its max output for 35 minutes on one battery charge or up to 4 hours of min output.
Learn More About Litra Torch 2.0
Yongnuo YN-14EX TTL Macro Ring Light
You can't discuss the best on-camera video lights and not discuss Yongnuo. Yongnuo is known for building the cheapest professional quality video equipment, and the YN-14EX TTL Macro Ring Light is no different.
This macro ring light is currently on sale for $104 on Adorama. It, like the Litra Torch, features a color temperature of 5700K.
Yongnuo YN-14EX TTL Macro Ring Light Specs
This macro ring is compatible with 52, 58, 67 and 72mm lenses. Each side of the macro ring can be independently adjusted, which could be helpful to create more depth, particularly in macro photography.
It's charge recycle time is also just 3 to 5 seconds.
This macro ring light also talks to you, so you know exactly what your light readings are despite the fact that you're not looking at them at all.
Finally, you just need AA batteries to power it!
Learn More About Yongnuo YN-14EX TTL Macro Ring Light
Viltrox L132T On-Camera Bi-Color LED Light
Viltrox is a relatively new company in the top on-camera video lights field.
The company was founded in 2007 and primarily focuses on LED lights and HDMI equipment.
Viltrox L132T On-Camera Bi-Color LED Light Specs
The Viltrox on-camera bi-color LED light features LEDs with CE, EMC, FCC, and RoHS certifications. Rest assured, these LED lights are top of the line.
The LED also features a honeycomb design, which is popular amongst designers.
The light is amongst the biggest of the DSLR video lights I've highlighted here at 10 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches.
It features color temperatures ranging from 3300K to 5600K. The brightness is almost fully adjustable, ranging from 20%-100%.
Its LCD screen is easier to read than any of the other best LED lights for video featured here.
It has a 120-degree light angle, thanks in great part to its extra size and weight.
Finally, it also features 95+ RCI.
Learn More About VILTViltrox L132T On-Camera Bi-Color LED Light
Aputure Amaran HR672W CRI95+ On-Camera Video LED Light
The search for on-camera video lights in 2019 is especially stressful considering just how much you can spend on one.
I love Aputure because, while their products are considered an investment, they are still reasonable.
This on-camera video light is for sale for $278, but I guarantee you won't need to buy another DSLR video light for many years to come.
Aputure Amaran HR672W CRI95+ On-Camera Video Light Specs
This light is about the size of an iPad, with a thickness of 32mm. It produces a natural light at a 5500K color temperature.
Like the Viltrox, this video LED light features an RCI 95+. Like the Litra, it features a 75-degree light angle.
The most fun quality about the Aputure Amaran is that you can remotely control it from up to 100 meters.
It can be used for 2 hours on max output, and the light actually charges the batteries when in use if you are using the power cord to charge the light, which can indefinitely extend your shooting time.
Finally, you can control 4 different groups of this light to create more depth in your shots. Not bad, right?
Learn More About Aputure Amaran HR672W CRI95+ Bi-Color LED Light
We Recommend
Photography Equipment List for Beginners
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One of my favorite things to see online are questions from beginner photographers. Seeing or being asked questions tells me that the wonderful hobby of serious photography is growing and new photographers are reaching out to learn.
A common set of questions from beginners concerns the best photography equipment to purchase. I get asked this all the time and I have decided to create a photography equipment list for beginners that mirrors what I tend to say in person as replies. A beginner photography gear checklist, more or less.
The Camera
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The Camera is the title of one of my favorite photography books, but I’ll get to books later in the list. Right now I am looking at good camera choices for beginners.
I usually assume that anyone asking about what camera to choose is probably a photographer who either has outgrown their smartphone or a photographer who used to shoot a lot on film as a hobby back when.
This type of beginner is familiar with the creative process and wants to do more, but also sees a new camera as a significant purchase that they don’t want to make a mistake getting. Basically, you’re simply needing an interpretation of all that ad junk so you can figure out what’s best for you.
I recommend one of the two larger crop format camera types. Either APS-C or MFT. These cameras come closest to the hobbyist film cameras of just a few years ago. So, they will feel correct to anyone coming back to photography. They are also full of helpful features that will be appealing to photographers coming from current smartphones. Get more details on APS-C vs MFT formats in the video below by The Hybrid Shooter:
If we were speaking in person, I would ask you several more questions myself to narrow down your wants and needs, but for now I can point you in a general direction of a couple of nice entry level but full featured cameras.
In the APS-C format DSLR category, a fine camera is the Canon EOS Rebel T6. It has an 18MP sensor, Wi-Fi, video recording, 3” rear screen, and a bright optical viewfinder. It has autofocus, auto exposure, full manual override, and menu options with special effects.
A mirrorless MFT format camera choice is the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk II. This superbly designed camera boasts a 16MP sensor, electronic eye level viewfinder, in body 5-axis image stabilization. Adding classic camera styling makes this an attractive camera for beginner photographers.
Recommended Photography Reading
- National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography
- Photography: The Definitive Visual History
- Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs
Prime and Zoom Lenses
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Most of the entry-level cameras suitable for beginners come in kits with an all-around multi-purpose zoom lens. Lenses like 18-55mm or 14-42mm are common. These lenses have some limitations but are generally very optically sharp. So go ahead and buy the camera with the kit lens, the prices of most cameras with the kit lens is usually very close to the price of the camera body alone.
Part of the joy of moving into interchangeable lens cameras is having lenses to interchange. After the kit lens, other good choices are a telephoto zoom lens, an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, or a fast prime lens.
You will probably get a telephoto zoom first, and as I explain in the video above, that’s a good choice. Telephoto lenses have long focal lengths that allow you to get up-close images of far-away objects, making them prime tools for things like sports and wildlife photography, though they have many more uses.
The fast primes available for these formats will allow for low-light imaging and selective focus tricks. Ultra-wide-angle lenses open up many interesting views for landscapes, interiors, and other creative ideas. This is the beginning of a decent photography equipment list for beginners.
If you picked up a DSLR like the Nikon D3500 as your first camera, several Nikon brand lenses fit those criteria and are also relatively inexpensive. Some lens choices could be:
- Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR VR telephoto zoom lens
- Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX NIKKOR prime lens
- Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G IF VR ultra-wide-angle lens
Each camera brand making the best photography equipment of APS-C or MFT cameras has a similar range of inexpensive lenses targeted for beginners and enthusiasts. Several independent brands such as Sigma and Tokina do so as well.
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Flash or Speedlights
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Those built in pop-up flashes are great photography tools for snapshots and to get good exposure for people pictures up-close. Their range is limited, though. As are their features. A virtually essential early purchase of photography equipment for beginners is an external flash.
An external flash opens up a whole bunch of opportunities for photographers, so be sure to include one on your own personal photography equipment list for beginners. External flashes give more power for increased range and a variety of exposure settings, plus they usually have zoom, bounce, and swivel functions, opening up yet more lighting options.
Those built in pop-up flashes are great photography tools for snapshots and to get good exposure for people pictures up-close. Their range is limited, though. As are their features. A virtually essential early purchase of photography equipment for beginners is an external flash.
An external flash opens up a whole bunch of opportunities for photographers, so be sure to include one on your own personal photography equipment list for beginners. External flashes give more power for increased range and a variety of exposure settings, plus they usually have zoom, bounce, and swivel functions, opening up yet more lighting options.
The camera brand speedlights can cost almost as much as the initial camera kit kit with lens does, but other, less expensive options exist. YONGNUO YN560 IV speedlite has most of the same features as camera brand flashes, such as TTL metering, slave and wireless control, and a deep menu.
Neewer NW-670 is another nice choice for our photography equipment list for beginners. It also has the features you expect and is a great lower priced option.
Tripod
A tripod of some sort definitely deserves a spot on our photography equipment list for beginners. Newer DSLRs and mirrorless cameras and their lenses have amazing image stabilization features. Even so, having a good tripod gives you the ability to take advantage of special techniques such as HDR, panoramas, and ultra long exposure.
The trick with choosing a good tripod is figuring out the balance between a stable platform and a portable tripod. Two good tripod choices for our beginner photography list checklist are the GEEKOTO AT24EVO aluminum tripod and the Vanguard 263AB-100 3-Section Aluminum Alloy Alta Pro 263-AB Tripod Legs with SBH-100 QR Ballhead.
The Geekoto tripod has a removable center column that doubles as a monopod and the Vanguard Alta Pro has a center column that pivots plus extremely spreadable legs to let you put your camera anywhere you need for the picture.
If you’re going to have photography tools such as a tripod, it may as well be one that you can use to the full.
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Filters
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If you’ve come from the world of smartphone photography, the term filter probably brings to your mind apps to use for certain effects or functions. Interchangeable lens camera systems use different filters, optical filters that fit on the lens.
A couple of extremely useful optical filters that belong on our photography equipment list for beginners are circular polarizers and neutral density filters.
Personally, I prefer filter systems with a filter holder, lens adapters, and the various filters to fit them. An advantage of a filter system is that you only need to buy one filter that can be adapted to fit on all of your lenses, and you can position the filters exactly as needed.
A fantastic set of filters is the Haida M10 Enthusiast Filter Kit with holder, adapters, circular polarizer (C-POL), 10 stop neutral density (ND), and graduated neutral density (GND) filters.
This kit may be a little more expensive than what you expected, but the beauty of a filter system is that it can be used on many different lenses, so it will grow along with you as you move on to other high quality photography tools including professional caliber cameras and lenses.
If your photography equipment list for beginners budget is more modest, an essential filter purchase that is easy to afford is the screw in circular polarizer. A high quality example is the Hoya Pro-1 C-POL filter, available in a variety of single sizes.
The polarizer filter is one of the most useful of all the photographic filters. We have a lot of good things to say about circular polarizers.
Camera Bag
You have a fair amount of the best photography equipment for you to use now, you also need a way to carry it safely and efficiently. It’s not enough to carry your photography tools around safely, you also need to be able to access them efficiently. Therefore, a camera bag should be designed around photography, not just the gear.
HAZARD 4® Plan-B Hard™ - Go-Bag Shell Sling-Pack is one of the better examples of a bag that meets both criteria for fantastic protection and very efficient operation. A less expensive, somewhat more traditional approach is the Lowepro m-Trekker SH 150 Shoulder Bag. Both bags are far better than the bag that was included in the kit you may have started with.
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Extra Batteries
Learn from our mistakes. You don’t want to be at the photo opportunity of the year and have your battery die on you because you forgot to charge it. A very inexpensive way to make sure this doesn’t happen is also simple, keep an extra battery in your bag.
There are off-brand or third-party brands that fit and function well in many cameras, but some cameras don’t act properly with other brands that are not the manufacturer batteries. The camera brand batteries aren’t that much more expensive, so be sure to read the customer reviews to find out if the battery you are considering will work properly.
The battery for the Nikon D3500 and for the Canon EOS Rebel T6 will hold a charge for a long time in storage making them one of the essential photography tools that should be on our photography equipment list for beginners.
Memory Cards
Memory cards are part of the film for digital cameras, taking what the sensor sees and holding it for transfer or storage. Just as with film, not all memory cards are created equal.
Besides the size of the card’s storage capacity, file transfer speeds are also an important consideration. With large file sizes, the speed a camera can write those files to memory may make a difference in capturing the best image.
So, we look for a balance here, too. A balance among memory size, durability, transfer speeds, and price. Good news for beginners is that there really isn’t a bad card out there. Most of the entry level cameras will use a variant of the SD card, a format with a good track record in digital photography.
You can either get a larger capacity cardor you might like having several smaller capacity cards. Either way, you’re covered if you have a few extra memory cards in your beginner photography gear checklist.
Post-Processing Program
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Now comes the scary part. Photoshop! It’s really not that hard to learn, there are even tutorials you can take to give you a head start. Post processing is an essential part of digital photography, just as a darkroom or photo lab was a part of consumer film photography.
It can be a lot of fun, don’t let it worry you. Scaled down versions of some of the most powerful programs are simple and inexpensive, putting them on our best photography equipment list for beginners. Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 and Auto FX software are two fine choices.
Learn more about post-processing in our continuing series of articles on this website.
Photography Books
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You learn by doing, you also learn by instruction. Some of the best instruction for photographers comes from books written by experts. Websites with member forums and manufacturer websites are other good resources for helpful information.
Besides books like Nikon, Canon, or Sony for Dummies, there are general photographic instruction books that will expand your knowledge and skill set. DSLR Photography for Beginners
Is available in Kindle or dead tree versions. Another fine book, paper or electronic, is Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure.
Thousands of great instructional guides are out there, check the reviews to see which ones work for your photography equipment list for beginners.
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What’s On Your Own List?
Pick and choose from our photography equipment list for beginners. You know your wants, needs, budget…
Then, give us a shout out here. I would love to hear what worked for you. By the way, welcome to the wonderful world of serious photography!