LED Spot combined with Strobe?

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

I want to shoot some dolls, with my 4x5 camera, I will add touches with a spot LED that's not very strong. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1506912-REG/godox_s30_led_focusing_light.html

Do I measure the light from that LED as ambient or do I need a special meter to measure it?

Please accept my advanced thanks.

wiltw · Nov 9, 2019

The LED is 'always on'...meter as you would any constant source...it is no different than sunlight (with exception of color temperature and intensity).
The strobe is 'briefly on'...meter is with a flash meter.

Set the aperture to suit the output of the flash, per the flash meter.
Then adjust the shutter speed to suit the lower intensity (usually) of the LED, compared to the strobe (unless you have manually chosen a low fractional output from the strobe) for the chosen aperture.

The relative strength of LED vs. strobe is simply to achieve what you have in your mind's eye for the shot.

Ariston · Nov 9, 2019

Yes, unless you are talking about putting an incident meter under the led. It is part of your scene.

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

wiltw said:
Thank you so much.

The LED is 'always on'...meter as you would any constant source...it is no different than sunlight (with exception of color temperature and intensity).

The strobe is 'briefly on'...meter is with a flash meter.

Set the aperture to suit the output of the flash, per the flash meter.
Then adjust the shutter speed to suit the lower intensity (usually) of the LED, compared to the strobe (unless you have manually chosen a low fractional output from the strobe) for the chosen aperture.

The relative strength of LED vs. strobe is simply to achieve what you have in your mind's eye for the shot.

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

Ariston said:
Yes, unless you are talking about putting an incident meter under the led. It is part of your scene.

Thank you

Pieter12 · Nov 9, 2019

I think you will find that unless you use a very long exposure or drastically cut the intensity of the strobe (distance, diffusion, ND gel, low power setting) the strobe will overwhelm the LED--you won't see it at all. The meter readings should show you that. LED as fill might work, but as a spot I doubt it.

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

Pieter12 said:
I think you will find that unless you use a very long exposure or drastically cut the intensity of the strobe (distance, diffusion, ND gel, low power setting) the strobe will overwhelm the LED--you won't see it at all. The meter readings should show you that. LED as fill might work, but as a spot I doubt it.

Thank you

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

Pieter12 said:
I think you will find that unless you use a very long exposure or drastically cut the intensity of the strobe (distance, diffusion, ND gel, low power setting) the strobe will overwhelm the LED--you won't see it at all. The meter readings should show you that. LED as fill might work, but as a spot I doubt it.

Thank you

Nokton48 · Nov 9, 2019

You could make two exposures, one with the LED which could be minutes......... You can measure the intensity and test it a few times if needed
Then "pop" the strobe and close the shutter.

Darryl Roberts · Nov 9, 2019

Nokton48 said:
You could make two exposures, one with the LED which could be minutes......... You can measure the intensity and test it a few times if needed
Then "pop" the strobe and close the shutter.

Right. Thank you

LED Spot combined with Strobe?

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