Yongnuo SYD-1509 LED

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:06 am

Yongnuo SYD-1509 LED (135 LED, 5500K)

Is anyone using one of these units or a similar type of product for macro?

An eBay search for the product will show various images and specifications of the SYD-1509.

There is also a smaller unit, the Yongnuo SYD-0808 (64 LED, 5500K)

Craig

ChrisR · Post by **ChrisR** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:39 am

I took a similar one on holiday, I think 81 led. Quite bright and quite a large source if near the subject of course, but not very bright, something around half second exposures. I'd have to set something up to be more accurate.
They give a broad spread, so a useful focus light, great in a tent, an hour or so's battery life, and ideal for wheel changing in the countryside when there were pussycats about.

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:59 am

Chris,

Nice 'pussycat'

I have one of the SYD-1509 units and have been suprised by its output. Exposures of 1/10 of second are possible when using a 20X objective, with some LeeLUX 400 diffusion around the subject. The diffuser improves the intensity and 'spread' of the light.

I currently have the LED unit powered by 6 AA Sanyo Eneloops and hope to have more time in the next few days to have a closer look at its potential.

Craig

ChrisR · Post by **ChrisR** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 6:33 am

That's bright, I wonder what would happen with a sheet fresnel lens over it, focused onto a small diffuser.
960 Lumens I think it means to say. Comparable with the brighter torch/flashlights then, though some go up to 4000 lm.
The size & shape would lend itself for larger subjects better?

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:56 pm

Chris,

Not sure about the fresnel lens approach, it had not occurred to me; but I will put it on my short list of things to do.

The unit comes supplied with a plastic hot shoe adapter....you can safely throw that bit away as it is rather useless, unpredictable and prone to failure.

I have the unit attached to an 11" variable friction arm. The removeable, metal hot shoe adapter of the arm can be used with the SYD-1509 and provides a solid, secure fitting.

The unit does not have an 'off' button, but changing the power source selector serves the same purpose.

The SYD-1509 does have various brightness settings, so if two such lamps were used, various 'ratios' could be applied.

The first test will be a stack at low magnification. I want to check if there are any notable differences in brightness between individual frames. I'm only using one of the units but have a second one on the way, plus a smaller 64 LED SYD-0808 for use as a focusing light outdoors.

*Later note:

I want to check if there are any notable differences in brightness between individual frames.

Answer = none evident.

Craig

edit: typo

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:26 pm

Single frame test image.

Canon 50D, Mitutoyo 5X, Nikon tube lens, 1/25s, ISO 100

Craig

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:26 am

Seem to work well!! Have you tried IKEA Janso's Lamps ?
My only concern about this kind of LEd lamp is its size, unless you concentrate the light (As ChrisR suggests) most of it will be wasted
Regards
JAvier

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 1:23 am

Javier,

Thanks for the suggestions

No, I have not used the IKEA Janso Lamps. They are still rather expensive in Australia, the last time I looked.

I use a large diffuser cylinder around the subject stage plate. The LED unit is positioned approximately 2" from the diffuser. A significant amount of the light that hits the surface of the diffuser finds its way inside and creates a broad, soft light with sufficient intensity. The area inside of the diffuser becomes a light collection chamber, so not too much is wasted. The point both yourself and Chris have made will be taken on board as I explore further. I want to have a look at the results using various subjects.

I'm pleased with the useable shutter speeds this single light can accommodate, when combined with Canon's Live View and EFSC (electronic first shutter curtain).

One feature this particular model LED unit lacks is the ability to plug in an AC adapter. They are battery hungry. The next model I consider will need to have an AC adapter. In addition to AA batteries the SYD-1509 can also be powered by 1 or 2 NB3L Li-ion batteries. The NB3L batteries can be charged via a USB charger built into the SYD-1509.

Variable temperature control output is also available on some LED units, but it is not a feature of the SYD-1509. Some LED units use gels attached by magnets whilst the better ones have a dial for adjusting colour temperature output. I'm of the opinion that such a feature is more applicable to videographers and not fundamentally important for macro; but that's not to say it doesn't have its merits if working with mixed lighting situations (static or otherwise) or when using LED as fill.

If photographing in natural light, an LED with temperature adjustment would be useful for macro, especially for those early morning shots where the subject is rather immobile and you would like to match the fill with the ambient light.

Here is a basic demonstration of three LED units (Walimex Pro) with various features. It's a typical sales pitch (though rather subdued in so far as hype is concerned).... the disinterested model looks like she may attack without warning

. The video briefly demonstrates some of the points mentioned in the previous paragraph.
http://youtu.be/h0p7drJCcC8

Craig