Moving on from the Pocket LED Lights, Hobolite has two more lights in more of a Pro range. Introducing the Hobolite Pro. I’m a huge fan of pretty much anything Hobolite produces these days, so I was super keen to try out this 300W Bi-Color Continous LED Light.
I was really interested in trialling it for product shoots and portraits. Like all Hobolite products, it offers ease of use and convenience for so many different genres in and out of the studio. The major benefit of the Pro is that it can run on power or batteries. Hobolite products, work straight out of the box and are brilliant.
Featuring superior performance, higher output, and extended control and power options, the light packs a bi-color punch, color accuracy, and smooth dimming. It is the only fixture of the brand’s LED line with built-in full-sized Bowens capability. A detachable control panel allows adjustment of settings, including brightness and color temperature, with a clear LCD screen and knurled knobs. You can also manage various parameters of the fixture via app and NFC tap to quickly connect your hobolites.
Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Blonde Robot (Australian Hobolite Distributor) sent the Hobolite Pro Creator kit to review and return. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are my own.
Pros
- Runs on batteries (max 20mins on full power) or on mains power
- Very cool and funky, great retro design, and compact
- Variable controls for power and color temp (2700K — 6500K)
- Minimalist design, Bowen mount for a variety of light modifiers
- Intelligent cooling with heat sink and fan
- The fan is whisper quiet, great for video
- Easy to turn dials for power and temperature, and simple on/off switch
- The control panel is removable and a fantastic idea
Cons
- Battery (on full power) only lasts 20 – 25 mins / 50% for 1 hr
- I found that it’s actually quite heavy, but once set up it’s fine, the entire creator kit, to be honest, I could barely lift it, but then I am not very strong.
- I also found the light stand to be very stiff, combined with the head weight difficult to move in the studio
- A little on the pricey side
Hobolite Pro 300W Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications are from their website/marketing material.
- Output Power (Max): 300W
- CRI: 96+ / TLCI: 96+
- Color Temperature Range: 2700K~6500K
- Luminous Flux: 3000lm (@6500K) / 24000lm (@2700K)
- Yoke Type: manually operated Yoke (3600 tilt)
- Cooling Method: built-in Fan
- Max Illuminance: 82386 LUX (@0.5m, 6500tK)
- Input AC – 100-240V, 50~60HZ / DC input power 24-48V
- Battery: 14.8V 6400mAh, 94.73Wh
- Dimensions: 7″ X 6.5″ X 12.3″ (without accessories)
- Net Weight: 8.1 lbs (without accessories)
- Creator Kit Net Weight: 37.54 lbs/ Dimensions: 33.75″ x 18.75″ x 17.13″
- Operating temperature: 14-104F
- Control Screen: Detachable control panel (LCD full color) or App
- App Control: Yes (Bluetooth 65.6 feet)
- Materials: Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Noise: [email protected]
- Expected Lamp Life: 30000 hours
- Front Accessory Mount: Bowens S
Hobolite Pro 300W — Versatility
You can adjust the light intensity and the color. I like it set to 5600k. But again that is really just a personal choice.
Ergonomics are great. It does have a fan, which is very quiet. The fact that it has a Bowens S mount is fabulous, as I can use ALL my current Bowens light modifiers with this light. The Creator Kit comes with a large Carbon fibre light stand and a sturdy carry pack to neatly fit everything inside (except the light stand and Lantern). The lantern was truly fabulous and it gives beautiful soft illumination.
Build quality
While not exactly small it is compact and sturdy, dials are firm and stable but easily turned. The control panel is removable, you can have it on the light, on the battery pack or in your hand (or table). It feels very sturdy and compact. Made of aircraft-grade aluminium. Funky retro look, a bit like an old-school film camera. Non-slip surface on the sides and it’s weather resistant, although I can’t see myself using it outside. The battery doesn’t last long and the actual weight of the unit makes it difficult for me to take out of the studio.
Out of the box
It comes in a handy carry pack with the 300W Pro light and lens, Pro Remote Control, 300W power supply, 2m DC cable, 3m AC cord, Barndoor, Honeycomb Grid, V-mount clamp, 1.5m AC cable, 90cm Softbox, 310cm Carbon Fibre Light stand, 2 x 95Wh V-mount batteries, Dual V-mount battery charger, and Quick Start guide. (Creator Kit pictured). Please note the standard kit does not have a light stand or Lantern.
Hobolite Pro 300W — Professional use with classic looks
Thanks to some innovative technology this light I was able to create some truly fabulous creative portraits, as well as some terrific product shots. The 300W makes it plenty powerful enough for the studio, a main light for video and for so many other uses – like still life, product photography or even in the studio. Versatile and adaptable to whatever you want to use it for. I used it to shoot all the Hobolite unboxing videos as well as the product shots!
Mounting
I mounted the Pro on the supplied light stand. Let me say, that while I really liked the design of this light stand, I found it is quite heavy and stiff to use (possibly will loosen with use?), especially with the light attached.
Setup
It’s so simple to use. However, to turn it on you press the power button. Adjust the dials for power and color temp. Add the barn doors, diffuser, grid or lantern softbox and you’re ready to shoot. It’s that simple. The removable control panel is fantastic, you can have it with you and control the light from a distance or you can use the phone App.
Hobolite Pro 300W — A terrific lighting addition to your kit
I have been using this light in the studio for a variety of shoots from portraits to product photography. It’s a terrific light and very handy. The 300w makes it fantastic for studio portraits, I used it with the Hobolite Avant (as a fill light) on a number of portrait sessions, plus on its own. Sample images below on Sony A7RV at 5600K. I used it for some creative portraits, as my main light. It gave beautiful soft and natural-looking light. Especially when using the lantern light modifier (just gorgeous).
Hobolite Pro 300W — Sample images
You can check out the studio walk-through I did with the Hobolite Pro, rather than a traditional unboxing, due to the sheer size of this item…
The Hobolite Pro 300W Bi-Color Continuous LED Lighting Kit is available from Hobolite or B&H Photo.