u/BusyImage5847

Hi everyone

Over the last year I’ve been testing and measuring LED lights used for photography, filmmaking and content creation, and I recently turned everything into a public database + collection of lab reports on our website:

https://smotographers.com/en/blog/led-database-2025/

The idea was basically born from being frustrated with marketing specs that often don’t tell the whole story. Many lights claim “CRI 96+” but behave very differently in real-world use once you look at things like SSI, TM-30, DUV consistency, output stability or spectral distribution.

So I started building a database with measured values and individual lab reports for lights such as:

• Godox
• Nanlite
• Amaran
• Zhiyun
• SmallRig
• Harlowe
• Ulanzi
• and others

The reports also include:

• Lux measurements
• CCT consistency
• Green/magenta shift analysis
• Fan noise observations
• Power behavior over USB-C/V-mount
• Reflector behavior and hotspot effects

Example lab reports:

I know there are already some great resources out there, but I wanted to create something that’s:

• independent
• creator-focused
• easier to compare
• and not only focused on CRI marketing numbers

Curious what you all think:

• Which metrics do you actually care about when choosing lights?
• Would you prefer shorter summaries or more nerdy deep dives?
• Any lights you’d want tested next?
• What’s missing from the reports/database?

I’d genuinely appreciate feedback from people who actually use these lights professionally or semi-professionally.

Also interested whether people even want this level of technical analysis, or if most buyers mainly care about output/price/ecosystem.

Rome with a small but very capable kit 🇮🇹📷

I had the chance to test the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II, kindly provided by OTT + Wyss AG, and paired it with the Tamron 16–30mm and 35–150mm.

• The setup turned out to be surprisingly versatile for a city like Rome:
• 16–30mm for the big scenes, architecture, and tight streets where everything feels massive
• 35mm for most of the storytelling work — natural perspective, great in all lighting conditions from morning to night
• 35–150mm for compressed city layers, details, and the occasional candid from a distance (yes, even a few moments around the Vatican)

The Sigma 35mm really stood out as a reliable “always-on” lens — sharp, fast, and consistent across changing light, from bright sun to night streets.

Overall, a very practical travel combo that covered everything from wide establishing shots to intimate street moments without feeling overpacked.

I tried for the first time a “long exposure” for Birds in flight and don’t know if the images are usable at all as I normally prefer tack sharp images with my bird-photos. I just wanted to try something new. If you know how I could improve the images or tell me what is good and what is not so good about them, I would be grateful.🙏