DIY (crazy) idea : feedback before jumping off the cliff!

Hi!

Bus riding back from work, I have noticed a 4X4 with a (30"?) bar of led... If one plugs one of these bars in a 12v converter, could it be a (more or less) cheap way of getting a flood for a home made studio?!

These led bars come in all shapes and lenght (led and HID). And they throw light... maybe to much! Eventually, some sort of diffuser could be set in front to get a more diffuse light.

Depending on the company, they range from 5000k to 7 500K. One would need a filter to get 5400k.

Anyway... just an idea that I want to confront.

Here are a few links of makers:
— Dead Link Removed
— http://www.genssiled.com/
— http://www.hid-lightsdownunder.com/default.htm

I could see this working quite well, actually, if you can get a cheap source. A friend of mine worked with an LED supplier-- he had an FJ Cruiser, and had 3 48"x4", 2 18"x4", and a 4"x4" LED Light Bars... he had to run a dual battery system, but it was surprisingly efficient. They all used CREE 3w LEDs, which all put out about 150 lumens each.

The ones that are cheap have pretty cheap LED's, and aren't super poewrful in comparison, and the ones with nice LED's will cost you.

For lots of continuous light cheaply, I think CFL's are they way to go. There's a bunch of companies that make light stands/adapters with standard E26 sockets, or you can use the cheap $5 clamp on work lights. 85 watt CFLs will put out light equivalent to about a 300 watt halogen flood, and cost $15-$20 a pop. No inverter needed.

EDIT: In fact, I just checked eBay, and there are specific kits, with stands, umbrellas, sockets, and 85w CFL's for about $50. Much fancier than my 85w CFL, duct tape, work light setup I used with a video project I did a while back.

We make these where I work, company is called Lighting Science, and they are proudly made in the United States with American labor

J-dogg,
Do you have any links for suppliers?

Here's a mug shot of Kat Cora done with florescent tubes.
http://petapixel.com/2012/08/23/want-a-free-studio-headshot-just-get-arrested-in-santa-barbara/

Also, here are LED light panels.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=819592&Q=&is=REG&A=details

So I think it's very possible.