Torch for light painting and Night Photography

Photos001

Photos001

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I'm trying to find a very bright torch for light painting and Night Photography. I've got a head torch which produces 200 lumens but at the weekend it wasn't bright enough to light up an object in the foreground. In the end a spare torch worked pretty well (and only £2) - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007B86KLC

I've seen a number of torches but could do with some advice or recommendations. There is quite a big range in price, these are some I've found on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fenix-PD35-Torch-Lumens-Metres/dp/B00JK5Y1NS
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fenix-UC35-UK-Year-Warranty/dp/B00OQOX7VU
http://www.amazon.co.uk/VicTsing-Waterproof-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B01B61IT68
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Edition-Flashlight-CR123A-Batteries/dp/B00SI4XU7A

Thanks in advance
 
The light from a torch is split into two parts, the outer widely conical spill beam, everything that light from LED reaches, and the much brighter narrow central focused beam from the reflector. If the reflector is smoothly polished the transition between the two is hard and sharp. If the reflector is textured, often like orange peel, that transition is smoother and more gradual. Depending on what kind of effects you want from light painting, one of these will be better.
 
Matt ( @MWHCVT ?) is the man to ask about torches for light painting. Hopefully he'll see the tag and be along to help.

Edit to get Matt's user name right!
 
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I have the Fenix PD35 and it is and excellent torch for carrying around at night for photography with it's 5 levels of brightness. It is not so great for LP as although the beam looks white it brings up a green colour casts on the photo's.
 
Photos001 said:
Thanks for your replies - @metroman - the Klarus XT11 is no longer available. @MartinCornwall - the Fenix PD35 looks but I forgot to mention I was looking for focus control too..
Click to expand...
Blimey, things move on quickly! I've only had about 3 years, I'm still on it's original battery. Good torch though, aircraft grade aluminium and BRIGHT, very bright.
 
LED Lenser P7.2 or any of the LED Lenser range to be honest. They are not cheap but they are good.
Beware of cheap torches with a high lumen output - not all lumens are created equal.
 
Photos001 said:
I'm trying to find a very bright torch for light painting and Night Photography. I've got a head torch which produces 200 lumens but at the weekend it wasn't bright enough to light up an object in the foreground.
Click to expand...
having dabbled in light painting a little, it was my experience that a torch not being so bright gave the best results and variable brightness very useful.


Night time Houghton House
by
Brian Lewicki,
on Flickr
This is a 27 second exposure and not exactly what I was looking for.


Night time Houghton House
by
Brian Lewicki,
on Flickr
A much longer exposure but with a different approach. I walked away from the camera with it's shutter open and just wandered around inside the building.​
 
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