LED lights are fantastic for both photography and videography, but they tend to be large and cumbersome to use on-camera. This is where the LitraTorch 2.0 steps in. Released in late 2018, this second iteration of the popular LitraTorch promises “studio lighting in your pocket.” How does it actually perform? Read this LitraToch 2.0 review to find out!
Specs
- Truly compact at 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches
- 16 LEDs – double the original version of 8 LEDs in version 1
- 3 brightness levels (100, 450, and 800 lm) + stroboscope (blinking light) mode
- Color temperature is 5700 Kelvin (bright, cool and neutral color)
- Optional filters to change the color cast
- Simple One-Touch Operation – just one button to cycle through the brightness settings
- Standard Micro-USB charge port with charging cable
- Waterproof up to 20m/60 ft
- US$89.99
What’s in the box?
Each LitraTorch 2.0 comes with a white silicone diffuser, belt clip, GoPro mount, 1/4 inch tripod cold shoe mount, and a USB charging cable.
Recommended extra accessories
These items are not included with the LitraTorch 2.0, but you can purchase them to enhance its functionality:
- a carrying case
- battery brick (the LitraTorch can be charged via micro USB and is usable while charging)
- LitraTorch filters and accessories (more on those below)
Pros
1. Solid construction
The LitraTorch 2.0 is not only a strong LED light, but it is also built tough to withstand extreme conditions. It is made of a waterproof aluminum body (up to 60 feet or 20 meters) and drop-proof. With its solid build and compact size of 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches, this light is the perfect compliment to action cameras like the GoPro. But it can also work well with other DSLR or mirrorless cameras, or by itself.
2. Strong light with 3 brightness modes
The LitraTorch 2.0 is packed with 16 LED lights, double the amount in the original LitraTorch. There are 3 brightness levels with outputs of 100, 450, and 800 lumens, and a stroboscope (blinking light) mode. Thanks to the positioning of the LED lights, there is a very even light spread with no center hot spot.
Color temperature is 5700 Kelvin (bright, cool and neutral color). The only way to change the color cast is to use optional filters that are available as an add-on.
3. Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
The LitraTorch 2.0 is powered by a built-in battery that can be recharged via micro USB. Fortunately, the light can work while it is charging. The battery lasts for about 7 hours on strobe, 4 hours on level 1, 70 min on level 2, and 35 min on level 3.
4. Flexible mounting options
Also built-into the LitraTorch 2.0 are two holes that accept 1/4 inch tripod screws. When used with the included 1/4 tripod screw cold shoe mount, this makes it easy to mount the light to the cold shoe or hot shoe of a camera or cage. The back end of the LitraTorch also has a built-in magnet for fast and easy attachment to magnetic surfaces.
5. Optional light shaping accessories to customize your light output
By itself, the LitraTorch and its dimmable settings are great as a key light, fill light, or hair light. However, there are optional accessories that you can purchase to further customize the way you shape light.
6. Barn doors
While the wide spread of the LitraTorch 2.0’s 16 LED lights is great for an even light spread, sometimes you want a more targeted light. This is where the optional barn doors can be helpful if you want the light to illuminate a specific part of your frame. The barn doors include a white diffuser and fold down flat when not in use.
7. Colored filter set
The LitraTorch 2.0 outputs a clean and neutral 5700k light, but it doesn’t offer any color options unless you add these colored filters.
This optional filter set includes 5 filter frames that you can use individually or stacked on top of each other. There are 3 sets of tungsten 4600k filters, 3 sets of tungsten 3200k filters, 1 white diffused filter, and 1 each of red, yellow, blue, and green filters.
While helpful and easy to use, these filters are small and easy to lose, so keep an extra eye on them!
Cons
The LitraTorch is pretty simple and straightforward, but there are a few things that could be improved.
1. Micro-USB charging port
While I appreciate the ability to charge the light via micro-USB, I wish this was USB-C instead since that charges faster, and most of my gear uses USB-C.
2. Built-in battery that can’t be replaced
The main downside to having a built-in battery is that you cannot replace it. Once the LitraTorch 2.0 is drained, you have to pause to recharge it and do not have the option of swapping in a fresh battery. On the bright side, the light still works while it is charging.
3. Does not come with a carrying case
When you buy the LitraTorch 2.0 by itself, it comes with a handful of small accessories, including a belt clip, which is really useful. However, there’s no carrying case, so you can easily lose these smaller pieces like the tripod and GoPro mount. If you get this light and plan to use a lot of small accessories with it, be sure to get a carrying case.
In conclusion
As a compact, high quality LED light, the LitraTorch 2.0 does not disappoint. It is easy to use with several dimming options and a plethora of light shaping tools to increase the usefulness of this light. But it can also be used by itself to light up any situation.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, high-quality compact light, this might be it!
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