Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light

  • Price: $390.00
  • B&H # LILPMICROPRO
  • Mfr# LP MICROPRO

Product Highlights

  • LED Technology
  • Dimmable
  • Daylight Balanced 5600K
  • Uses AA Batteries
  • 9-watt Draw
  • 3-piece Filter Set
  • Carrying Bag

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The Litepanels MicroPro LED light housing is a compact addition to the Litepanels LED family of lighting. This light will work for on-camera applications with small cameras, offering a small size and an adjustable head. The MicroPro offers substantially more illumination than the standard Micro, and will work with more cameras. Included with this kit are a gel set containing 1/4 correction, full correction, and diffusion filters, as well as a shoe mount and carrying bag.

Note! Power Supply is optional

Power Source
The MicroPro can be powered by either standard or rechargeable AA batteries, or be powered by a 5-16VDC source via an input jack by using the optional AC Power Adapter (which includes an International Plug Set). Part number is MACA, which works with both the LP-Micro and the LP-MicroPro. The LP-Micro and LP-MicroPro cannot be powered via an Anton Bauer 2-Pin D-Tap Power Cable. Please see Anton Bauer's ULHM-LED for this powering option.
Heat Free LED
This light uses LED technology which offers heat free operation only drawing 9 watts of power.
Daylight Balanced
The Micro is a 5600K daylight balance device with the option of using provided filters to warm the illumination or change to tungsten 3200K balancing.
Compact
Measuring less than 6" at its longest dimension this small light will easily work with small DV and other digital cameras.
Runtime
This light runs up to 1.5 hours on 6 AA batteries (HD Alkaline) and 5-6 hours on E2 lithium ion batteries.
Lamp Type LED Array
Mount Type Ball Head Shoe Mount
Power Source 9VDC from 6 AA Batteries
5-16VDC from Optional Source (AC Power Adapter)
Power Consumption 9W
Power Connector AA Batteries Internal
Litepanels Proprietary External
Dimensions (WxDxH) 5.5 x 1.5 x 4"
13.9 x 3.8 x 10.2cm
Weight 10.5 oz
300g

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light
 
4.3

(based on 90 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (44)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (35)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (7)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (34)
  • Long lasting (24)
  • Even light source (16)
  • Easy to use (15)
  • Attach securely (13)

Cons

  • Flimsy (9)
  • Pricey / poor value (3)

Best Uses

  • Weddings (35)
  • Professional (27)
  • Professional work (14)
  • Home movies (12)
  • Outdoor events / games (11)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Film professional (28), Tech savvy (18), Aspiring film maker (10), Professional artist (7), Business owner (5)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (45)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Great Light Source

I purchased the MicroPro for events video work. The unit is small, lightweight, and powerful enough for close and medium range lighting needs. If you are conducting interviews 4-5feet from you subject,...Read complete review

I purchased the MicroPro for events video work. The unit is small, lightweight, and powerful enough for close and medium range lighting needs. If you are conducting interviews 4-5feet from you subject, then full output is too much light but you can easily dial it down, rather than adjusting your exposure. The unit also comes with three diffusion screens, which are a must if you plan to point the light straight into your subject's eyes. For medium distance, I would guess that you have 10-12feet of adequate light for a wide-angle scene. You could put it on a lightstand to keep the light source close to your subject, if you need to backup the camera.

The unit runs on 6 AAbatts, which is convenient, and I only had to switch out once in a 3-4hour period of constant use. Since the unit runs on LEDs, it doesn't get even remotely hot, which is great.

Two complaints: first, there is no battery level indicator. As your batteries die, your light begins to fade, which is a slow decline at first, then a dramatic dip to darkness. If you are not prepared to swap batteries, you are without light. It would be more helpful to have an LED indicator on the unit, so that you can swap batteries before they die completely. Also, the way batteries fit into the unit is a little too tight. It makes it very difficult to get that first battery out and that last battery in.

Second complaint, the hot shoe mount is a convenient way to mount the unit to a camera, and I was excited when I saw that it was designed with a ballhead because I really like to use directional and bounce light in certain situations. However, the unit simply screws onto the ballhead hot shoe mount, so that when you go to adjust the position of the ballhead while shooting, you end up loosening the unit, rather than swiveling the ballhead. It is easy to set the position, then clamp it down, but to make directional changes while shooting is not practical. Otherwise though, it is a lot of light for a reasonable price, especially compared to dSLR flash units.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Knock-off quality for top dollars

First impression when opening the package was: "what a piece of cheap Chinese junk". LitePanels must have thought: "If the Chinese can make knock-offs we might as well do ...Read complete review

First impression when opening the package was: "what a piece of cheap Chinese junk". LitePanels must have thought: "If the Chinese can make knock-offs we might as well do it ourselves". Everything feels like it could break any moment. At several places of the housing you can see white tension marks that suggest where the first cracks will occur. The "open" design will accept rain falling into the electronics of the unit very easily. The ballhead is made of some sort of weak plastic that can never really be tightened. The conducting clips inside the battery chamber are sharp and very tight, which will damage the isolating jackets of your batteries. If you want to remove the batteries you will have to slam the whole unit onto you hand in the hope that one battery may pop out, allowing you to remove the others. The plug of the original AC adapter that goes into the Micro Pro sits so tight that when removing it the female receptor part comes out of the lamp housing.

OK, on to what really counts: the quality and the amount of light that comes out of this product. I measured the light output at a distance of 72cm (2.4ft), with the light meter set to ISO 200 and 24fps. At maximum output I measured an aperture value of f3.5. Color temperature was 5650K initially. The quality of the light was quite bad at a needed CC correction of 10M. This is about the same as average fluorecent tubes need to look somewhat neutral instead of green. The CC value stayed roughly the same over the entire burning time. However, the color temperature shifted from 5650K at the start to 5930K (!) after 1.5 hours of burning, back to 5620K when the batteries where nearly empty. The aperture value stayed roughly the same over the 2.5 hours of usable light output that I measured from a fully charged set of new 2500mAh NiMh-batteries. LitePanels claims a consistent light quality of 5600K. They lie, as my measurements have shown. Especially the color temperature shift is very bad and if you want to filter out the green shift you will lose nearly a quarter of the light output.

Practical use of the unit. The very collimated light from the powerLEDs will blind anyone who looks into it/into the camera. In order to get better results a diffusion foil might be desirable. The diffusion piece that is included doesn't do much in this respect, but it does add a yellowish tint. So I have cut my own diffuser from a piece of LEE 216 diffusion foil. This gives a much better effect, although a lot of light is lost as well. I keep the diffusion foil in place by putting it under one of the provided amber filters, which you will need anyway due to the high color temp of the Micro Pro. As said, a set of freshly charged NiMh batteries will last for about 2.5 hours before the output begins to drift so strongly that it becomes unusable. That is pretty good. Having a dimmer available is also pretty nice, although because of all the correction filters needed you will most likely use the full output most of the time, while grumbling that it is not enough. Only when no other light source is used that you need to match you can use the Micro Pro without filters and use the white balance of your video camera to compensate for the bad quality of the light. That will give you a little more reach then.

My conclusion: LitePanels Micro Pro is a heavily overpriced product (had to pay about the double US price for it in Europe) that does not live up to the promised specs. A typical product of marketing bloat.

Reviewed by 90 customers

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5.0

Better than great

By Brandon Martin

from New York City, NY

About Me Film Professional, Tech Savvy

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Long Lasting

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Professional

    Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

    I shoot high quality videos that go on Youtube. Since using the On-camera light I notice a significant difference. Specifically, it captures many details that just weren't possible before.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Wonderful Service!!

    By Jen

    from Rockville, MD

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

      Cons

        Best Uses

          Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

          This was a gift for my daughter. I knew nothing about the light panel that I was purchasing, and called to ask for guidance on what type to purchase. The person that I spoke to was patient and very knowledgable. The buying process was a great experience! My daughter is very happy with the kind and brand that was chosen and said that it functions beyond her expectations!

          • Was this a gift?:
          • Yes

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          Nice light source

          By bchris

          from Bend, OR

          About Me Tech Savvy

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Lightweight
          • Long Lasting

          Cons

          • Not quite bright enough

          Best Uses

          • Professional
          • Weddings

          Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

          We use this product to augment available light whenever the situation requires a little boost in the shadows. It works as a great key light when mixing with low indoor light.
          It would be great if it had a greater output or if it was built like a "lego" and we could snap more than one together to make larger, and brighter units as needed.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          4.0

          Micro pro for dslr video shooting

          By Pinto

          from Hood river, or

          About Me Casual Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Attach Securely
          • Powerful

          Cons

          • Too Focused

          Best Uses

          • General Use
          • Indoors
          • Low Light
          • Night Time

          Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

          I ordered one of these to start with to see if it would make sense as part of a three light set up for dslr movie making. I plan on ordering 2 more. I was surprised how much light it puts out based on other reviews. It fits great on any light stand that has a 1/4 inch mount as well where I will be using these. The light coverage is somewhat focused but can be diffused with the included diffuser. Dslrs don't need a lot of light to start with due to their great light sensitivity. But with these lights at least you can go up a few stops.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          Packs A Punch

          By Austin

          from Dallas, Tx

          About Me Pro Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Attach Securely

          Cons

            Best Uses

              Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

              It never gets hot. It's dimmable. It's easily gelled. It runs off of AA's.

              You can either mount it or just hand hold it.

              I mainly use it for wedding receptions as an on-camera light (still need lenses to open up pretty wide though). I've also used it for basic run and gun interviews or a little hair light.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

               
              5.0

              great light for weddings

              By dave

              from ontario canada

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Lightweight

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Professional
                • Weddings

                Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                This dim-able LED light setup comes in a compact plastic casing, and takes 6 AA batteries. The on-off switch has an interesting feature. As you twist it out of the Off position, the LEDs will briefly flicker to let you know there is batteries and the light is active. And then you can gradually increase the power via the knob. Simplicity itself. The unit comes with 2 filters to match it to Tungsten / Incandescent light. A diffuser gel is also included. These clip into the front of the unit. Portable and compact and easy to use.
                The LEDs are set for a white balance of 5400K … Daylight white balance. The one gel just warms the color a bit, the other corrects the LEDs for 3200K .. close enough to Tungsten / Incandescent.
                It is simple to use. It also gives a pleasant spread of light. Not as intense as the 100W video light, and more evenly spread. But I might use it more often than the Lowel ID-light, simply because it is so easy to slip into a camera bag or your pocket. It also doesn't become hot to touch.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                Light it up

                By TJ

                from New York, NY

                About Me Parent, Tech Savvy

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Lightweight
                • Long Lasting

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Birthdays
                  • Home Movies
                  • Parties
                  • Professional
                  • Weddings

                  Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                  What is not to like!?! It allows me to capture a lot more action in low light situations and creates softer and nicer effects than a regular flash.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  4.0

                  'Pro' doesn't fit the quality

                  By ENGneer

                  from San Juan, PR

                  About Me ENG

                  Pros

                  • Dimmer
                  • Power Source
                  • Swivel mount

                  Cons

                  • ACDC SHORT cable
                  • No batt warning
                  • Open design
                  • Weight

                  Best Uses

                  • ENG
                  • Professional
                  • Weddings

                  Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                  I've been using this light over 2 years now. It's a handy light to secure the job in low light situations. I've been using this light in heavy and uncomfortable situations and works great.

                  What you want to know.

                  Pros.
                  -Swivel head, this allows you to turn the light away from your subject in front of you and bounce to a wall or reflector next to you to reduce highlights on skin.
                  - Fast snap, This unit is handy enough to take it out and snap it on the camera on emergency need.
                  - AA batteries. You may not have the chance to recharge a battery on the field, you can keep going with normal AA batteries.
                  - Energy consum. Batteries will last enough time for a ENG and weddings job.

                  Cons.
                  -Battery level. There no battery life indicator, and when the battery are getting low the leds will just start to blink. This is unacceptable specially when filming ENG material that cannot be filmed again.
                  - Open case. The case is open allowing ventilation on the TOP of the light. This is terrible when it's raining and light will soak in water.
                  - Weight. The AA batteries (6) will add some significant weight on top of your camera. If you are shooting handheld when a tripod is not accessible. this will cause some serious movements on the camera as the center of balance is totally messed up.

                  I usually take care of my equipment, and so far my MicroPro is in tip top shape. I would buy this item again, but not for this price. There are other good brands that produce same level of brightness/color for less money.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

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                  5.0

                  You get what you pay for.

                  By Rob D.

                  from Old Tappan, NJ

                  About Me Video Professional

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Color accuracy
                  • Good Battery Life
                  • High output

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Professional
                    • Weddings

                    Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                    I made the mistake of thinking I could get away with purchasing an inexpensive knock off product. The knock off worked fine but the LEDs were not truly daylight balanced. And the color filters were even less accurate.

                    So instead of saving money I ended up spending more than if I'd gone with the MicroPro in the first place. I purchased two of these MicroPros and I love them. The output and color accuracy is top notch. They are well made and the kit comes with truly useful and well made accessories.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Share this review

                     
                    1.0

                    Not The Best By A Long Shot

                    By CPanic

                    from New York, NY

                    About Me Essential Photographer

                    Pros

                    • NONE

                    Cons

                    • Hard To Use On Camera
                    • Overpriced
                    • Poor construction

                    Best Uses

                    • NONE

                    Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                    The unit I have is poorly made. The knob to control the brightness needs to be turned more than halfway before there is any light at all. At some levels the LEDs flicker making the unit useless. The AC adapter connection fell out of the unit. The camera mount is poorly designed. The light output is dim at best. It hasn't performed as expected. I have not found any use for it at all.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Share this review

                     
                    5.0

                    Great portable light for wedding work

                    By Tsukroff Photography, LLC

                    from Gray, ME

                    About Me Film Professional

                    See all my reviews

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Lightweight
                    • Long Lasting

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Professional
                      • Weddings

                      Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                      I use this light on a camera bracket for wedding videos. This is a great portable light source. Extremely bright at full power and can be dialed down as needed! Somewhat narrow coverage when using a 17mm lens on an APC-size DSLR camera - the falloff is obvious around the edges. Not a problem, however, since this light allows flexibility and motion that can't be achieved with a larger light source. Very lightweight, and battery lasts a long time.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

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                      5.0

                      I like it!

                      By Photo by Sarit

                      from Delray Beach, FL

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Lightweight

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Professional
                        • Weddings

                        Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                        Lightweight, uses 6 AA batteries. Portable. Great light source. Did I say its light weight?
                        I love using it for my boudoir photos. Its a very soft and intimate light. I also use it for all the details shots in weddings. Very easy to use and easy to carry.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Share this review

                         
                        4.0

                        Sweet light source for better video

                        By drumhedz

                        from Tucson, AZ

                        About Me Aspiring Film Maker

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Lightweight

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Home Movies
                          • Parties
                          • Professional

                          Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                          Even coverage, cool LED on-camera light source -- guaranteed to make your videos better. Love the dimmer switch and integrated filter holder to drop in the included 1/4-CTO gel. This unit is very lightweight, just need to handle with care since it is made out of plastic.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • No

                          Share this review

                           
                          5.0

                          Awesome On Camera Light

                          By isingatt

                          from Memphis, TN

                          About Me Tech Savvy

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Weddings

                              Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                              I own two and they change the way my video looks.

                              A+ Product!

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Share this review

                               
                              5.0

                              Strong and much needed for interviews

                              By Donrubes

                              from Los Angeles, CA

                              About Me Aspiring Film Maker

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Attach Securely
                              • Even Light Source
                              • Powerful

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Night Video
                                • Professional Work
                                • Weddings

                                Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                Easy to use, opened it, put 4 AA batteries in it and was ready to go. Helped a lot on my interviews and the people didn't get blinded by the light, so that's a plus. I've had some lights that just hurt the interviewees, which was no good.

                                • Was this a gift?:
                                • No

                                Share this review

                                 
                                4.0

                                1 of these just wasn't enough. wow

                                By Young Grasshopper Bernard

                                from Baltimore

                                About Me Aspiring Film Maker, Tech Savvy

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Even Light Source
                                • Long Lasting
                                • Powerful

                                Cons

                                • Flimsy

                                Best Uses

                                • Night Video
                                • Professional Work
                                • Special Events

                                Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                the only thing that isn't too great with the ball socket is its mobility at times allows it to loosen during shoots. However, the light is incredible, and I wish I had more of them. . . What a wonderful lighting piece for someone who shoots in small dark bars/clubs a lot...like me!

                                • Was this a gift?:
                                • No

                                Share this review

                                 
                                5.0

                                Great Supplement

                                By J.

                                from Albany, NY

                                About Me Film Professional

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Attach Securely
                                • Powerful

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • Professional Work

                                  Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                  Supplies a wonderful little something extra when used with my HVX.

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • No

                                  Share this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  Great portable light

                                  By MGK

                                  from Brooklyn, NY

                                  About Me Film Professional

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                  • Attach Securely
                                  • Even Light Source
                                  • Long Lasting
                                  • Powerful

                                  Cons

                                    Best Uses

                                    • Night Video
                                    • Professional Work

                                    Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                    Lightweight and easy to use. Great that it has its own case. I used the light while shooting a documentary late at night in the dark streets of Medellin, Colombia. It did the job well.

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

                                    Share this review

                                     
                                    4.0

                                    MicRO Pro Led Dimmer

                                    By EMVP

                                    from NY

                                    About Me Tech Savvy

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Even Light Source
                                    • Long Lasting

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Special Events
                                      • Weddings

                                      Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                      Over all this is very tidy peice of lighting.
                                      The only discomfort is having to turn the dimmer too far around before the leds start to glow.
                                      The company must address this, if they haven't already done so.

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

                                      Share this review

                                       
                                      5.0

                                      Excellent for event work.

                                      By Kay

                                      from Louisville, Kentucky

                                      Verified Buyer

                                      Pros

                                      • Even Light Source
                                      • Long Lasting

                                      Cons

                                        Best Uses

                                        • Special Events
                                        • Weddings

                                        Comments about Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light:

                                        In low light conditions, like wedding receptions, this light works great, especially with the dimmer switch. Put a row of lithium batteries in and go! What a great change from those hot lights I used to have.

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • No

                                        Share this review

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                                        Batteries & Power

                                        Pearstone -  NM-4H23 4 AA NiMH Batteries (2300mAh) with 4 Hour Charger (110-240V)
                                        • Price: $13.99
                                         

                                        Color Correction & Light Balancing

                                        Norman -  810551 Neutral Density Pack of 3 - 5" N.D. Filters
                                        • Price: $18.50
                                         

                                        Bags & Cases

                                        Porta Brace -  HIP-2 Hip Pack for Small Accessories (Medium, Signature Blue)
                                        • Price: $111.97
                                         

                                        Stands & Support Equipment

                                        Vello -  Dual Shoe V Bracket (10.5 cm Wide)
                                        • Price: $24.95
                                         

                                        What's in the Box

                                        Litepanels MicroPro LED On-Camera Light
                                        • MicroPro Fixture
                                        • 3-piece Gel Set
                                        • Deluxe Ball Head Shoe Mount
                                        • MicroPro Carrying Bag
                                        • 4 Month Warranty
                                         
                                         
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