We recently had the opportunity to test and review Manfrotto’s LED Light – Mini-24 light. I am very impressed by the quality of their products.
According to Manfrotto http://www.manfrotto.com/led-light-mini-24-continuous-220lxat1m-ml240
They say:
DESCRIPTION
The ML240 Mini LED light is small enough to fit in a camera case or small bag, but fully-featured enough for versatile use with compact cameras and smartphones. It can be hand held, mounted on a flash hotshoe or fitted to any number of Manfrotto supports via its standard ¼” thread.
The ML240’s 24 LEDs emit continuous light at a constant temperature of 5600°K (daylight), with an illuminance of 220 LUX at a distance of 1m. Its infinitely variable dimmer allows precise control over light output and exposure. The ML240 is a useful compact light, often less harsh than an on-camera flash for photos of subjects close to the camera and good for very low-light close-up video shots, or for specific, quick off-camera applications like macro photography. When fitted onto a DSLR shoe, a handy 3200K LED lights your camera controls to assist you in low light conditions.
I tried it out in a couple of different environments and as well as subject matter. I used it at an Ice Rink outside to shoot video of people on the ice and for photos as well.
It was quite effective in removing shadows and improving contrast, and making the images look better.
I could see how if one was shooting video they might want 3 of the wee lights one for each side and one on the camera or one directly behind the camera.
I also used one of the Mini 24’s for close up photography of items around the office to see how they worked. I was impressed by the overall quality.
The Manfrotto ML240 Mini-24 LED Panel is a LED light that attaches to your DSLR, Micro Four Thirds, or other compact camera, for shooting video under 5600K daylight. The Mini light features a shoe mount at the bottom for attachment to the hot shoe of your camera, and the shoe mount features a 1/4″ thread underneath it for attachment to various 1/4″ gear, such as articulating arms.
There is also an accessory that one can get to mount the light as well for cameras without a hot shoe to hold the light.See (http://www.manfrotto.us/product/24329.1108711.58969.1108724.0/MTPIXI-B/_/PIXI_Mini_Tripod_Black). The Pixi is a small solution for mounting it.
Overall I was impressed by the Mini-24’s size, design, light weight and its’ utility for improving the quality of videos and photographs.
It made the objects being photographed look more natural and reduced shadowing as well.
I was impressed as well by an accessory that I found on the internet that will allow you to use the Manfrotto Mini-24 with a smart phone as well called the Klyp. I did not get to test it, but it seems to allow you to video and take photos from your smart phone with the video light. It would be great to have one of the devices to use with my smart phone for photos. It would be really nice for trade shows to shoot a quick product video as well like at CES 2015.
My opinion of the Manfrotto Mini-24 Led is quite high. I would definitely recommend it for anyone that needs to shoot video or take photos from a compact system camera or SLR camera or a smart phone and needs a simple but easy to use solution for improving the lighting in the scenes that are being photographed or video’d.
