LitePad • Visual Departures

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LitePad Axiom

How Do You Improve on an Amazing Product Like the LitePad? Give it Twice as Many LEDs, Add a Steel Frame, Universal Mounting System, and a Gel Slot!

Our longtime readers already know we've always been huge fans of Rosco's LitePad product. How can you not love a light source that fits almost anywhere, runs for hours on almost any power source, and weighs next to nothing? By the same token… how could you improve on something that was already so good? The wizards at Rosco Labs have managed to do just that, and now we'd like to introduce you to LitePad Axiom.

LitePad Axiom is a whole new class of LitePad. Designed specifically for the film and TV market, this more rugged and versatile product is a LitePad HO+ in a metal housing. LitePad Axiom has LEDs on all four sides and a “sunk” internal power connector. The extra LEDs mean your LitePad is now even brighter, while the slim-profile metal housing means your LitePad is now much more durable. The housing also enables you to quickly and easily mount the LitePad using one of the new Axiom brackets or by conventional LitePad mounting methods – even Velcro or rubber bands!

All LitePad Axiom units are available in either daylight or tungsten color temperature, and are built in various square and rectangular sizes from 3"x6" to 24"x24" (non-reinforced 3" and 12" circular LitePads are still available in the LitePad HO+ line.) The LitePad Axiom housing has a gel slot for color correction or other filters and is deep enough to hold more than one filter. On the back of the unit, there is a universal LitePad Axiom mounting system, allowing different Axiom brackets to be slid into the mounting system for various applications. For example, a 1/4-20 bracket could slide on for use with one of the new accessories or a Baby Pin could be used for attachment to a C-Stand. The new Axiom brackets will work with any size LitePad Axiom.

LitePad Axiom is meant to be a stand-alone unit; the housing was not designed for the LitePad to come out nor be taken apart. However, current LitePad owners can purchase LitePad Axiom conversion kits to upgrade their current LitePads to a tough new steel frame.

Interested? Find out where to buy LitePad Axiom…

Tags: Axiom LED lighting lights LitePad portable Rosco steel

Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Photographers

As we wind down 2010, everyone seems to be searching for unique gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays. As the distributors of quite a few unusual photographic products, we can offer a few suggestions. If you've got a friend who's into photography (or just want to get something nice for yourself) read on for some ideas…

The Strobist Collection

One of the most popular blogs for photographers, www.Strobist.com is a great place to learn to use off-camera flash techniques. Using gels on multiple strobe units can create some really striking lighting effects. David Hobby, the founder of Strobist.com, spoke with our friends at Rosco labs about packaging some of their most useful gels for "strobists" pre-cut to fit precisely over a standard strobe unit. These 55 pieces of filter come in a convenient clamshell case that fits into any pocket or camera bag; all you need is a piece of tape to hold them in place…

(Contact us to find your local dealer, or shop for the Strobist Collection online.)

microGAFFER Compact Gaffer Tape

Gaffer tape is a wonderful thing. It may be the most useful thing on a set, next to the camera itself (and the photographer.) The problem is, it's HUGE! A roll of gaffer tape can easily weigh more than your camera. A while back, we noticed how ridiculous that was and invented microGAFFER. It's identical to professional gaffer tape, but fits in your pocket (or camera bag; or glove compartment.)

(Contact us to find your local dealer, or shop for microGAFFER tape online.)

3" Circular LitePad and AA Battery Pack

We love, love, love LitePad. The 3" circular LitePad is thin, lightweight, and can be powered by your choice of a wall outlet, your car's cigarette lighter adapter, or (best of all) AA batteries. Being able to take a daylight-balanced light source anywhere (along with your imaging tool of choice, be it camera or iPhone) makes it possible to capture all kinds of wonderful photos from daily life.

(Contact us to find your local dealer, or shop for the 3" circular LitePad or LitePad AA battery pack online.)

Steadybag Junior

While the standard three-pound Steadybag is a bit too big to fit in a standard stocking, the half-pound, 7"x5.25" Steadybag Junior is perfect. And it's perfect for supporting any point-and-shoot camera, allowing you to use longer exposure times and lower ISO settings — which means less noise in your shots. It lasts for years (unlike a beanbag), comes in three great colors (again: unlike a beanbag), doesn't attract insects or mice (absolutely not like a beanbag), and sets up in about one second.

(Contact us to find your local dealer, or shop for the Steadybag Junior online.)

Need More Ideas?

If you're still stuck on just what to get for that special someone, give us a call! We can make recommendations for just about any type of photographer or filmmaker, young or old, amateur or professional.

Tags: David Hobby gaffer tape iPhone LitePad microGAFFER Steadybag Strobist

A Chance Meeting with Ross Kauffman ('Born Into Brothels', 2004)

A couple of weeks ago, I was in New York City to visit one of our newest dealers, Production Junction. Its owner, Chris Edwards, describes the company as a 'boutique rental house' operated by experienced film and video shooters. They're right — that's a perfect way to put it, and you should put them in your contact list. Just off First Avenue in the East Village (and about a 7-iron from Momofuku and other great restaurants), PJ is a prime example of the kind of small but expert companies that independent filmmakers can turn to for every item they'll need in a production package, as well as for help in securing the permits needed for filming in urban locations.

By chance, during my visit with Chris and his team, I also met Ross Kauffman, whose film Born Into Brothels won the Academy Award^® for Best Documentary a few years ago, along with a long list of other prizes. Ross was finalizing his equipment package for a trip to Africa later in the week to shoot a group of short films on education.

Since they're so light[weight], I always try to have a Rosco LitePad or two with me in my shoulder bag; after Ross told me about his lighting needs on location, I showed the LitePads to him. On seeing the accessory dimmers and AA-battery packs that can power LitePad for hours where there isn't any plug-in power, he immediately realized that they would be essential for his shoot. So, with a phone call back to our offices in Connecticut, the LitePads and accessories were on their way to Production Junction later in the day.

One of the things I like best about running Visual Departures is meeting other shooters (in all media), learning about their needs and experiences, and being able to introduce them to the tools and resources (not necessarily our own) that will be of real help in the studio and on location. Because we have dealers like Production Junction all over the country, just send us an email if you think we can help solve a problem for you.

Tags: Academy Award Africa Born Into Brothels Chris Edwards dealer documentary LitePad Momofuku Oscar Production Junction remote Rosco Ross Kauffman

Food Photography at Dawn, Using LitePad

When your assignment calls for a subject to be photographed at dawn or sunset — possibly in a remote location — LitePad is an excellent way to fill your lighting needs without using a ton of gear (or bringing along assistants to carry it all!) LitePad can be powered by AC power, or run for hours on AA batteries or your car's cigarette lighter. It's dimmable, generates no heat, and can be gelled to any color temperature you need.

In this video, Allen explains how to photograph food (or any other small subject your assignment requires) at first light with a minimal amount of gear and fuss; a situation made possible by our friends at Rosco Labs. Interested? Click find a dealer if you'd like to try one!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7R4VCG8TXE

Tags: beach dawn food LED lighting LitePad portable remote Rosco tutorial

LitePad: A Daylight-Balanced Flat-Panel LED You Can Use Anywhere

This Daylight-Balanced, Low Power, Portable Flat-Panel LED Light Source Unleashes New Lighting Possibilities

The engineers at Rosco have really outdone themselves this time.

Less than ½" thick, generating virtually no heat, weighing next to nothing, and able to run off AC or 12-volt DC sources (battery or car cigarette lighter), LitePad is a truly revolutionary product.

3"x6"
3"x12"
6"x6"
6"x12"
12"x12"
24"x24"
3" circle
12" circle
Custom sizes up to 48"x96"

You can fit LitePad anywhere. You can put it as close to your subject as you like — use it to light up a glass of white wine, and the wine will still be cool when you're done shooting. You can use it for 3-point studio lighting. You can dim it. You can run it for hours off AA batteries. You can hang it around your neck, if you're so inclined (or if it's Halloween.)

We did some tests using LitePad as a shooting surface; have a look at these sample pictures that show what you can do with small still-life subjects and a low-heat light source.

Accessories

LitePad gives you tons of new photographic possibilities by itself, but for even more options and control, take a look at the accessories. The following video examines the single-fader dimmer and the AA battery pack:

Color temperature: 6000° K
Thickness: 0.3"
Operating temperature: -22° F to 185° F
Lamp life: 60,000 hours
Power: 12V DC

A 2-channel DMX dimmer is also available; both the single and 2-channel dimmer fade smoothly from 0-100% without color temperature change. Other accessories include a car cigarette lighter adapter, 4-pin XLR and Anton/Bauer adapters, "Y" splitters and 4-way spider splitters, egg crates to fit any size LitePad, and 3", 6", and 12" mounting brackets.

Want a free product brochure? Just get in touch!

Tags: LED light LitePad portable Rosco