This $7 Magnetic LED Photography Light Looks Like a Film Canister
TTArtisan has released the Mini LED Light, a tiny $7 light shaped like a canister of 35mm film.
In what is sure to be a stocking-stuffer staple for photographers and film enthusiasts alike this holiday season, photography gear and lens manufacturer TTArtisan’s new magnetic LED light promises vintage charm and style, although may not offer photographers much by way of powerful lighting.
Costing little more than a fancy cup of coffee, the $7 light includes a magnetic cold shoe mount for easy mounting. The light itself can switch between three different color temperatures — 3,000, 4,500, and 6,000K — and promises a battery life of approximately 80 to 160 minutes using a built-in battery that charges via USB-C. It even includes a lanyard loop so users can wear it around their neck or attach it to a keychain. The light also has a rotation range from 0 to 100 degrees, providing some versatility.
Obviously, something this small isn’t going to provide a lot of light. TTArtisan states the light provides 250 lumens up to a distance of three meters (9.8 feet), but photographers should temper their expectations. For comparison, a newer iPhone screen on a bright day could provide anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 lumens. Depending on the situation however, the 15-LED light fixture should be enough to add a small kick of light to a selfie or wide-angle close-up.
This light isn’t powerful enough to provide proper fill during a portrait session, and barring a Stanley Kubrick scenario shooting in candlelight at f/0.7, the light isn’t going to provide a significant change to a frame.
All that said, despite the light’s relatively small use case, it is a fun design. The film canister look will absolutely tickle the nostalgia of film shooters who fondly remember the days of carrying multiple rolls of film on them along with the sound of the canisters tapping against each other inside a bag. And for those retro-digital enthusiasts, it would certainly pair well mounted atop a Nikon Zf or on a tabletop next to a Fujifilm Instax Evo.
And for just $7, it makes for a cute toy!
Complete specifications and purchasing information is available on TTArtisan’s website.
Image credits: TTArtisan
