Rosco LitePad LED Light Panels Review
The Rosco LitePad HO+ (high output) is an LED light panel that projects light inward to give a soft and more evenly filled light source rather than projecting light directly out for the more common directional throw that LEDs typically give. The lights are a thin acrylic panel, which makes them extremely light weight, super durable, and even water resistant. The LED lights are located around the circumference of the LitePad and point inwards to a special grid design. Rosco LitePads are cool to the touch and have a life of over 60,000 hours.
Super Thin Featherweight Acrylic Panel – Daylight or Tungsten
So that you don’t lose light output with Gels, a tungsten version of the Rosco LitePad HO+ is now also available. Rosco LitePads have an optional Axiom housing that provides you with mounting options, more durability, and a place to hold your Rosco gels. Without the Axiom housing, they are listed as simply HO+ products. The LitePads are groundbreaking for videographers, photographers, and filmakers that need extremely soft lights that are versatile, lightweight, generate no heat, draw little power, can be battery operated, easy to transport, and durable.
Here are some other videos from Rosco talking about their products:
The 12X12 LitePad is a Rosco staple, especially when creating a 3 point light setup. Coupling the 12X12 (key) with their 3X12 (fill) and 3X12 (rim) gives off an extremely clean look to create an evenly lit subject. Rosco LitePads not only come in an assortment of 6 standard sizes, they are also customizable so you can order according to whatever shape and size you need to get the job done perfectly. These LitePads have been used from everything to Dior store fronts to the big screen. The tiny sizes that these powerful lights come in make Roscos really fantastic for product photography. The small 3X6 is also ideal for vehicle shots and can be easily mounted on the dash of a car to light up the driver.
(2) 12×12 Rosco Axiom LitePads + (1) 3×12 Rosco Axiom Litepad
The Digital Shooter’s Kit that we’re using in the video includes a wide assortment of accessories such as dimmers, battery packs, mounting brackets and adapters. The kit came with several LED panels, along with stands, dimmers, gel packs, and more in a convenient rugged case. You can find more information about the complete kit we were using here: Rosco Digital Shooters Kit – Daylight
Rosco LitePad Digital Shooters Kit
When shooting in the field, rather than carrying around your usual LED light on camera, a 3X6 Rosco is a great alternative. It’s lightweight, only 0.3″ of an inch thick and less offensive (than typical LED lights) when pointing at your subjects. It’s very easy on the eyes, diffuses well, and is also dimmable. If you opt to pass on the Axiom housing, the HO+ LitePad alone will run you less than $150. The Rosco LitePads won’t outpower some of the other LED Panels on the market, but the diffusion and quality of light from the Rosco LitePad HO+ is far greater. The light given off is in effect more full, softer and fills more space.
Diffusion – Easy on the Eyes
These are great lights for their versatility, and we love how they can be powered with just common batteries (even AA batteries). Dimmable, featherweight, and in many different sizes to fit your needs. The 12″ square panel we used worked great, but rosco also has a 12″ circle, or even a 24″ square panel as an even broader and softer light source. You can find a variety of different sized Rosco Litepads following the link (click here)
Rosco HO+ Litepads and Axiom Litepads
These lights are great! I’m thinking about using the 3 x 6 for my rig. I’m assuming there is no mounting without the Axiom housing. Do you think this would be a better choice than the LED312ASZ?
What kind of shooting will you be using the light for, Daniel? The throw of light isn’t as far as the LED312 but it is much more diffused and looks better on the skin in my opinion.
Thanks for responding so quickly. Mostly for indoor (real estate) lighting situations. I’d be using it both for some extra fill when used with my rig and for basic interview situations.
The Roscos are not as directional so you’ll have to be a bit closer to your subject. The quality of the light is much more appealing on the skin in my opinion though. The 3X6 should be sufficient, the 3X12 might give you more versatility. Also, w/o the axiom housing you will have to DIY your mount for the LitePad.
Hi Olivia
I plan to produce a music video in a photo studio with different backgrounds (example: white, black, blue, gray, gold…) I don’t know, if this Rosco lights are strong enough to light up the subject at ISO 160 on a canon dslr with shutter speed 1/50 and a lens at aperture about F2.8. We will shot medium shots to close ups.
I think to problem is, that if you have to light up the background, you will need stronger lights that the Rosco one, so then the background will be brighter than the subject… not good:-)
kind regards
Dave
Hi Dave, this all really depends on the look you’re going for and what type of lights you want to use for your background. The Rosco’s would certainly be bright enough to light the backdrop, it all depends on what type of setup and light kit you have going. If you’re looking to purchase the Rosco’s I could assist you in getting the right kit for your needs. These are also great lights to just light your subject as they’re even, clean and a sufficient light source.
Hi Olivia
I think I will gonna go for the biggest one: HERE
is this the biggest choice of the kit?
sorry, I still wait of the following aswer: ISO 100, 1/50 F2.8 ore higher… Did you test it under this condition…
I dont like to shoot a video at 640 ISO:-( in a photo studio
Dave, I had to really look into this. Here is my best advice to you in regards to the Rosco LitePads. The kit would light a subject just fine. If you’re using colored backdrops, you really don’t have to light up the background very much at all if at all. Have you run any tests in the studio? My only concern is lighting white at ISO 160. The Rosco kit probably won’t be strong enough to create an infinite white backdrop or light a green screen. Do you have alternative lights that you could use to light the white?
Dave, that kit is for daylight. They also have a tungsten version or kits with both types of light. Here is their largest kit: CLICK HERE
Olivia,
Have you had any experience using the LitePads for still photography? I’m interested in getting the for the work that I do (e.g. weddings, corporate events; etc). What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Jonathan
Jonathan, I have not had any experience with this kit for photography. I was reading the description and it says that it’s ideal for “table top” photography. What kind of photography are you doing? If it is a full studio setup in a large space, I’m not sure I’d go with this option.
Great review! I had been recommended this product by a friend, but have never seen it in action. (Nor has the only dealing in this province!)
I run a photo studio and need to upgrade my old old lights. I shoot a ton of high key, fashion, boudoir and of course some family type of stuff. I am thinking of adding video and I love working in continues light.
I was thinking about getting this kit and a 24×24″. I would use the 2 12×12′s for the white, a 12×12 for a fill and the 24×24 as a main light. The other option would be a extra 12×12 and keep them all the same size. Do you have recommendations or suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Ryan, when you say 2 12×12′s for the white, are you talking about to light an infinite white style backdrop? Let’s start there. These lights are beautiful for 3 point lighting or for stylized shoots. They also have gel options. Also, as far as keeping it all 12×12, personally I’d go with one 24×24 just to have a larger light on hand in case I wanted to use it. For us, the 24×24 was really helpful while we were playing with intensity.
Thanks for the info! Wow, these new lights are going to change everything.
For the camera mounted Rosco light, I’d love to see a ‘light comparison’ to a typical brand LED camera mount style light