Weeylite, a division of Viltrox, sent me this bi-color constant LED light to check out and make a video on. I’ll be talking about it in this article and I have a long detailed video on YouTube as well.
Get the Weeylite Bi-Color LED Video Light through my links:
Amazon, B&H Photo Video, and eBay.
Or get it directly from the Viltrox Weeylite store website (not affiliated).
Ethics Statement: Keep in mind throughout this article and related video that Weeylite sent me this video at no cost and I will be keeping the light.
Weeylite is part of Viltrox. The company is popular for lenses and adapters such as the 0.71x EF to EF-M speed booster that I have.
Specifications from their website:
Model: ninja 400
Dimming method: Host control/iphoneAPP/Bluetooth/DMX
Color temperature: 2500K-8500K t 300(fixed)
Brightness: 20% ~ 100% (Adjustable)
Max.Brightness: 12750 LM
Max.illuminance: 3570 Lux / 2m, 16700 LUX/1m. (Use the machine glossy condenser to test the data)
Lamp beads: Constant power output, up to 150W
Continue light time: About 1 hour (Lithium battery “BP-L60A” 14. 4V 5.4Ah)
Group: 6 Group (A,B,C,D,E,F)
Channel: 1~19
Color rendering index: ≥95 (RA)
Power Adapter: Input: AC110-240V~50/60Hz;
Output: DC24V/8A Three-pin Cannon port
Lithium battery: V-type lithium battery:”BP-L60A” 14.8V 5.4Ah series/other V port 14.8V batteries
Size: 233 x 160 x 120mm
Weight: 1660g
Package contents of the light I tested out: Weeylite ninja 400 LED Light, Lamp Shade, RC-11 Remote control, Controller, Power Adapter, Power Cord, Connecting Cable, Carrying Case, Bag Strap, Messenger Bag Strap, User Manual, and Warranty Card.
In anticipation of receiving the light I ended up buying two light stands, a softbox, and snoot so that I could make the video as interesting as possible. It felt necessary to pick up this gear so I could give the light a full run. Studio photography isn’t something I’ve gotten into besides the times I’ve used equipment of other photographers or simple setups with DIY lighting. That said, I wasn’t able to test the v-mount battery functionality. Those are surprisingly expensive! If you do want to use this light not attached to a wall outlet it is possible. Weeylite does say in their documentation that the light is limited to 80% maximum power in that case.
The light is constant so it works well for video, but it can also work equally well for photography. It’s actually easier to use compared to strobes because “what you see is what you get”. You can have instant feedback when modifying the light with devices such as softboxes or snoots.
Setting up the light is pretty easy. It includes an AC adapter that connects to the controller. This port is unique with its 3 pins, so you can’t mix wires up. There is a 5 pin cable that goes from the controller to the light itself.
Keep in mind that you will need a decent light stand for the ninja 400. In my case, the first “heavy duty” light stand I bought didn’t have any type of protection against the telescoping tubes being loosened by accident. Given the amount of weight involved, it’s a bad idea. The second one I picked up locally does have springs, but I don’t think it’s a perfect solution. Getting a light stand with an air cushion system is the best option.
Besides the controller, there is the big AC adapter power brick and a case for everything.
The case has hard sides and a somewhat flexible bottom and top. Padding can be removed and situation how you would like do to the hook & loop.
Given that this is the first studio light I’ve used, I don’t have a good idea if the amount of power offered is competitive with whatever else is out there, but it definitely outputs a decent amount of light. Below is a test of lighting and color temperature (screen grabs from M50 source video)
Another thing I tested was wattage draw based on the light output number.
With the controller attached to AC power it uses around half a watt when powered off. When at 1% it uses around 23 watts, which seems pretty efficient. The image above lists: 25% = 44.4w, 50% = 82.5w, 75% = 122w, and 100% = 164w. Maximum power is actually higher than the light’s rating of 150w, but that could be the meter or other factors like how they measured the light for its rating.
What else is out there?
This looks like an alternative to the Aputure LS 120D II because that light is rated at 7000 LUX with a distance of 1m, whereas this one is rated 16700 LUX at the same distance. Also, the Aputure LS is fixed at 5500k and this one has a range of 2500k to 8500k. The ninja 400 is currently less than half the price. I obviously haven’t used the other light, but based on specs, the ninja 400 appears to be a good value. The ninja 400 is my first light of this type so I don’t have any frame of reference to give first-hand suggestions on alternatives. I do see that Godox have their SL series of video lights.
The connection point to add diffusion and other types of light modifiers to the light is Bowens type. Each accessory has three small tabs that lock the ring into the light with a twist. On the side of the light there is a release lever. It’s quick and simple to use.
Using the light was convenient with the included Bluetooth remote. I was also using my Canon EOS M5 wirelessly with their Canon Camera Connect Android app. While the ninja 400 does have an app, I prefer having a dedicated remote that won’t conflict with anything I might need to do on my phone (like adjusting my camera…).
Considering this light was set to me, I don’t see this as a review. It’s the same for all of my collaborations. My goal here is to try out cool devices, make sure it works as advertised, and increase the visibility of my work as well as the devices featured. I will say that I like the light after using it, and I plan on using it a lot more. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this look at the Weeylite ninja 400 constant studio light!
Get the Weeylite Bi-Color LED Video Light through my links:
Amazon, B&H Photo Video, and eBay.
Or get it directly from the Viltrox Weeylite store website (not affiliated).