LED flash?

[Neilmac50]

I have a Nikon D3s along with various Nikkor lens and have enjoyed immensely its low light capabilities however I am getting to the stage were I would like a flash gun for certain subjects.Being a big Nikon fan I have been looking at there SB-700 flash gun as a reasonable step into this realm,I have been doing a little research and come across the LED lights that you can now buy.Knowing very little about them my question is are they a viable alternative to the conventional type? I have been looking at the above Manfrotto model and like the idea that it also can be used on a continuous setting for any video work that I do and it appears to be a similar price.
Thanks in advance for any of your replies, Neil.

 

[Garry Edwards]

These video lights definitely have their uses but...

1. They have very limited power, compared to a hotshoe flash. You may think this doesn't matter if you're using a D3S but high ISO should really be used only when necessary, not routinely, there is a marked image quality loss at high ISO settings, even with the D3S.
   
2. The Color Rendition Index is very low, which means that colours, especially reds, don't reproduce accurately. This is less important with video than with still photography.
   
3. They're designed for video use and can be used as an alternative to flash, but the current generation doesn't go anywhere near replacing flash IMO

 

[Neilmac50]

Thanks for your prompt reply Garry and honest advice,bearing in mind what you say about the poor colour rendition then this is not the way to go for any form of portraiture,I will stick with the conventional flash.Cheers, Neil.