There is magic in good lighting, especially when it comes from the Hobolite Iris 5W Continuous LED Light. I have had an opportunity to test and review this fantastic product from Hobolite, which has consistently created beautiful LED continuous lighting. As a photographer who often uses still life, product, and headshot lighting, its usability and efficiency excited me.
Simplistic and High-quality Design
All Hobolite products have a reputation for being user-friendly, and the Hobolite Iris Creation Kit, their newest release, is no exception. With retro styling, this light balances an attractive look with a strong power capacity of 5W. As surprising as it might be, this power makes it versatile when placed on a mini light stand, hidden behind objects, or even used for macro shots.
Even better, the Blonde Robot, the distributor of Hobolite in Australia, sent me a Hobolite Iris 5W Continuous LED Light kit for review. As forever promised my readers, all opinions about this product are completely my own.
Pros
- Compact and battery-operated (dimensions: 8.6 x 5 x 3cm)
- Retro design with adjustable power and color temp controls (2700K — 6500K)
- Lightweight, minimalist design with included dome diffuser, aperture ring, three different lenses, and gel filters
- Intelligent cooling with heat sink and fan
- Battery lasts about two hours at full power
- Bluetooth connectivity and Hobolite App compatible
- Bright, high-contrast LCD screen
- Weather-resistant
Cons
The only drawbacks are that it has a built-in battery which means you can’t swap batteries, and that its 5W power might not be enough for some tasks. However, if you need more lighting, Hobolite has a range of other products to choose from.
Technical Specifications
For those of you who love the specs, below are the technical details as per Hobolite’s website.
- Output Power (Max): 5W
- Color Temperature Range: 2700K~6500K
- Luminous Flux: 300LM
- Magnetic Property: Yes (from lens mount)
- Expansion Accessories: Yes
- App Control: Yes (Bluetooth 65.6 feet)
- Dimming: 0-100%
- Battery run time: 2 hours on full power /18 hours at 10% power
- Dimensions: 8.6 X 5.0 X 3.0cm (without accessories)
- Net Weight: 0.45kg (without accessories)
- Operating temperature: 14-104F
- Protection Class: IP54
- Color: Brown Faux leather
Versatility and Build Quality
The Hobolite Iris Light offers remarkable versatility with its ability to adjust light intensity and color, adding gels to add atmosphere and various lens options. Its sturdy build, magnetic accessory fitments, and non-slip side surfaces make handling this light a breeze. The sleek retro look adds an old-school charm to the product.
In Conclusion: A Great Addition to Your Lighting Arsenal
In conclusion, the Hobolite Iris 5W continuous LED Light is a versatile and robust addition to any studio or photography kit. Its price is a bit on the higher side, but it does offer value for money considering the specs, versatility, and quality of light. It can be utilized for a number of purposes from macro, and still life to product photography, marking itself as a welcome addition. You can grab this light from Hobolite from the 24th of May for an SRP of $199.00.
