F&V K4000S Bi-Color LED Studio Panel
£380, $500 www.fvlight.eu
Much larger and weightier than hotshoe mounting panels, this one has an active surface area of 30x30cm and mounts on a regular lighting stand. It’s powered by a clip-on mains adaptor (which is supplied with the panel) though you can fit an optional battery pack in its place if you prefer.
As one of F&V’s ‘bi-colour’ panels, the colour temperature is variable between 3200-5600K, via a rotary knob on the rear, which is positioned next to the power adjustment knob.
The panel is rated at 2490 Lux and, in our tests, enabled an aperture of f/4 at a distance of one metre, using both daylight and tungsten colour temperatures. It’s therefore not much more powerful in practical terms than some of the relatively small panels – including the Interfit Matinee, which sells for less than half the price.
Pros Good build quality; mains powered or battery pack. Cons Despite its size and power rating, output is disappointing. We say The price is competitive for such a large panel.