Shillington A decent camera is required, but, happily, cell phones have advanced to the point where my Umidigi can handle most of my photographic needs. Good lighting is also essential. I started with a pair of table tripods and two 5500K fluorescent lightbulbs. Soon afterward, I graduated to a full-sized tripod stand with a pair of five-inch ring lights. While this setup proved to be far superior, its output wasn’t bright enough to adequately light the larger products I often review. I then moved on to a lighting system that featured a pair of bright LED panels. While I liked this setup, it lacked flexibility. Today I am taking a close look at the Pixel K80 Video Lighting System. According to its manufacturer, this device can handle the demanding requirements of photographers and podcast producers.
Description
The Pixel K80 RGB Video Lighting System comes packed within a large and well-padded carrying case. It consists of two LED panels, a pair of stands, two soft diffusers, two AC adapters, and a user guide. Some models also include a wireless remote. Adjustment to the lights’ brilliance, hue, temperature, and color saturation can be performed using the remote or the control panel located at the back of the LED panels. If required, one of nine useful special effects can be brought into play. These panels receive power via an AC adapter plugged into an AC outlet. Another option that significantly increases their portability is installing two Sony NPF-type batteries into each LED panel.
Specifications
Brand: Pixel Name: Video lighting system Model: K80RGB Cri: Ra 97+ LED beads per panel: 240 pcs RGB, 156 pcs warm, 156 pcs white RGB color gamut: 0-360 Full Gamut Lux at 0.5 meters: 5500 lux Lux at 1 meter: 2000 lux Metal barn doors: Yes Master/slave control: Yes Memory function: Yes Remote: Check product listing Operating Voltage: AC 110-240V Input voltage: DC 14-18V 4A Battery models: NP-F550, F570, F750, F770, F950, F960, F970 Power: 45W Remote radiofrequency: FSK2.4Ghz Wireless channels: 48 Wireless groups: 6 Brightness adjustment: 0-100 percent Saturation adjustment: 0-100 percent Hue adjustment: RGB (360 variations) Color temperature adjustment: 2600-10,000K Display: 2.2-inch LCD Extendable stands: 35-74 inches Material: Aluminum alloy and plastic Heat dissipation: Aluminum with natural convection Carrying bag: Yes Suitable for photography: Yes Suitable for podcasts: Yes
The Manufacturer
PIXEL is trademarked by Pixel Enterprise Limited of To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, HK
The Light Panels
Each of the panels contains 240 RGB, 156 warm, and 156 white CRI97+ LEDs. A dial and five pushbuttons located on the rear of each panel adjust brightness, color temperature, hue, and saturation. The RGB spectrum can be adjusted to produce 360 different blends of color. Saturation and brightness may be set anywhere between 00-100 percent. Color temperature control ranges from a very warm 2600K to an ice-cold 10,000K. These light panels can also create nine different special effects. These include various types of repetitive flashing and a continuously revolving series of RGB colors. 48 wireless channels and 6 wireless groups may be selected. These are used to allow or deny communication between the pair of LED panels or between them and the remote. Also included is a DC power input, power switch, and accommodations for two batteries. If the panel is fitted with batteries, a charge level indicator becomes visible. A white plastic diffuser may be affixed to the front of the LED array and held in place by four black-colored metal barn door panels.
Group Control
One of the most intriguing aspects of this lighting system consists of its capability to add or remove light panels from one of the six available groups. You can set up six completely different configurations that are accessible at the touch of a button. Group A, for example, might instruct the LED panel to project a color temperature of 3200K at full brilliance. Then, if you tapped the Group B button, the output could change to a bright green color. Even more interesting, if both of your light panels were switched to the same group, any change to one panel would also affect the second.
The Stands
Each stand consists of an aluminum alley pole with three adjustable extensions and a tripod that, if required, can be opened enough to provide a very large footprint. These stands may be set to any height between 35 and 74 inches.
The Diffuser
This thin plastic sheet scatters the light output of the LED panel, decreasing the presence of glare.
The Barn Doors
The four metal panels that comprise a barn door can be manually adjusted to confine emitted light to a specific area. While not particularly useful when photographing the products featured in my reviews, barn doors are an essential feature to those who produce podcasts. The secondary purpose of these barn doors is to hold the LED panel’s diffuser in place.
Battery Use
While this product is equipped to use NP-F550, NP-F570, NP-F750, NP-F770, NP-F950, NP-F960, and NP-F970 batteries, they are optional items. Shillington Shillington Each LED panel requires either a pair of batteries or a connection to AC power to operate. I inserted two NP-F970 batteries and set the panel to a color temperature of 6600K at 100 percent brilliance. The batteries lasted just over 1.5 hours. While that is a period sufficient for my photography requirements, those who produce podcasts should rely on AC power when it is available.
Proper Usage
I use this light system to aid in photographing the items I review. Typically, I point one light directly at the product. The second LED panel is positioned higher and aimed downward. Shillington The color temperature is typically set at 6600K, providing a strong white light. If the photograph includes someone holding the product, I usually lower the color temperature to provide additional warmth to the image. If I encounter glare, I reposition the lights or reduce their intensity. Those that produce podcasts will welcome the opportunity to introduce color to the light output and control the amount of saturation.
Overall Impression
This lighting system is relatively inexpensive, provides plenty of light, and is extremely versatile. It accommodates the basic requirements of a photographer while providing additional functions that will prove helpful for those that produce YouTube videos and podcasts. If you are searching for a capable and highly flexible lighting system, you should take a close look at the Pixel K80 RGB. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2021 Walter Shillington
