Lego Torch

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted January 24, 20164,657 views8 comments

I am admittedly a nerd. One of my interests is flashlights. No, not those run-of-the-mill flashlights you buy at the big box store, but rather "higher end" lights that are offered by niche manufacturers. Like comparing Aunt Betsy's point-and-shoot to our high-end photo gear, these lights are in a different league than what the non-enthusiast is familiar with.

This light was assembled with parts from various manufacturers (thus the "Lego" reference); The body, tail cap and switch from Oveready; the LED "engine" from Malkoff, the bezel from Surefire (all U.S. made parts). A specialty lithium-ion rechargeable battery is used to power this light with the voltage and amperage capacity required to power the LED engine. This particular engine has three levels: 15 lumens, 80 lumens and 400 lumens. Engines are available to produce up to 3500 lumens but with very limited run time per charge. As a point of reference, a typical car headlight is about 1500 lumens.

Physically this is a very small light, measuring just 3.2 inches in total length and it fits comfortably clipped to the inside of a pants pocket. I use a "finger lanyard" on this light that goes over the index finger to retain the light: a flick of the wrist flops the light over to the backside of my hand to free both hands while keeping the light ready for immediate use. A break-away coupling is used on the lanyard so I don't lose a finger if the light gets snagged on something (or if someone grabs the light and tries to tourniquet my finger off).

The photo was taken entirely with window light. How's that for nerdy?

Canon 50D, EF 100/2.8 USM Macro, f/16 at 6 seconds, ISO 100, cropped top and bottom, white balance re-set to daylight (a little cooler) in PS CS4.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 24, 2016 at 10:22 AM

Very cool, Jim. I like how compact it is and the three levels. What is the weight and what is the range at 400 lumens? I've actually been shopping around for something just like this for backpacking and night photography, but can't what I am looking for. When you going to be selling these in the group buy forum? enlightened

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Erhardt on January 24, 2016 at 10:44 AM

Scott, thanks for commenting!

This particular engine is a mix of "spill" (flood) and "throw" (spot). Its beam has a sharply defined center "hot spot" that can easily illuminate objects over a hundred feet away. Also, engines are available in a range of color temperature from warm (around 3500K) to cool (6000K and over) which will have a significant impact when used for photography.

I used the M361 engine that is rated at 6200K, there is a "neutral" version - the M361N at 4000k - that would be better suited for photography;

http://www.malkoffdevices.com/products/m361n-lmh-neutral-low-med-high-to-fit-surefire

http://flashlightguide.com/2013/05/review-malkoff-m361n-lmh-drop-in/

You could buy this Surefire light and simply drop the Malkoff engine into it;

http://www.amazon.com/Surefire-6P-Original-Single-Incandenscent/dp/B0000AUSNX

With the SF 6P, you can use standard CR123A lithium cells (2) to power it, and have the option to use a single Li-Ion rechargeable if you so choose. You would end up with a good quality, capable light that should be suitable for your purposes.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 245 Posts, 2421 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on January 24, 2016 at 11:05 AM

Thanks for the additional info and links, Jim. Going to check this out.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on January 24, 2016 at 10:02 PM

I did not know that the flashlight hobby could be THIS nerdy blush

WOW! I am speechless - specialty stores where you can buy different flashlight components to assemble the flashlight of your dreams? Or, perhaps, the flashlight that will keep your neighbors from having any dreams? That is almost worse than model airplanes and model trains (not that I would know anything about any of those things).

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Erhardt on January 25, 2016 at 5:34 AM

I did not know that the flashlight hobby could be THIS nerdy...

Indeed it can! :-)

Registered on November 1, 2003, 245 Posts, 2421 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 26, 2016 at 9:08 AM

Jim, I admit to having a tendency to buy more flashlights then anyone could ever use. In fact, I think I mentioned on one of your previous flashlight posts that I have an entire plastic tote container with everything from pen style up to and including hand held flood lights.

With that all said, this is an excellent setup shot of this high tech unit. It truly has that professional advertising sales display look about it. Not sure what you have here for a BG mat, but it really works perfectly for this arrangement overall. Very nice work on the final take of this "Lego" unit........ enlightened

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Erhardt on January 28, 2016 at 6:23 PM

Paul, thanks! The light is sitting on a hard case that I carry my laptop and projector in - it has this textured rubber covering with metal trim on the edges and corners.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 245 Posts, 2421 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on February 2, 2016 at 3:01 PM

I feel like it's sitting right in front of me, Jim. The background is so right - and, my, is this a great advert for window light as well !!

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments