As a photographer and videographer/filmmaker, having a small LED light or two in my bag is essential. I’ve accumulated 5 or 6 over the past few years, keen to try out different brands and styles of lights. Recently, I came across a relatively new brand called Harlowe. They just launched a pocket-sized light called the Iris 5 Spectra.
The light weighs only 0.35 lbs, delivers up to 300 lumens of brightness, and fits in your pocket. There are 36,000 colors to choose from to help you add some mood to a photo or video shoot, and the Creator Kit comes with an array of attachments to help you modify the light, including a Magic Lens, adjustable lens, aperture ring, Fresnel lens, and frosted dome. They all attach magnetically. You get a soft fabric pouch to keep them in when traveling.
Everything is so well made, and the attention to every detail so well considered, even the fabric pouch feels like a million dollars.
Multiple Uses
The Iris 5 Spectra is a useful tool for photographers and videographers. I’ve been using it for about a month now, and find it to be the perfect travel light to pop into my backpack or sling bag.
The light can be controlled via an app, has an IP54 rating, and comes with two 1/4-inch screw threads so you can easily attach it to a small tripod. There’s also a V-mount connector. All this adds up to being a perfect light to take outside for macro photography.
For videographers, mount the light onto your camera with a cold shoe adapter (not included) for some fill light when shooting video.
There is a convenient USB-C port to recharge the built-in battery.
The impressive selection of light modifiers in the kit allows for creative control when shooting everything from portraits to food. I have been using the Magic Lens the most. It’s a crystal dome that breaks up the light and creates a mottled pattern. It also features telescopic functionality. It adds texture and interest. I shot a client food project with it to great effect, and a variety of product shots. The light has an impressively strong magnetic ring, and all of the accessories attach so well, and also have magnets. You can build up 2–3 pieces for complete control and endless creative options. Very cool.
Because the light is so small, it’s perfect for travel photography. I often want to add some fill light or create some mood when shooting an environmental portrait, or shooting a plate of food in a dark restaurant. This light solves those problems.
I set up a shot for a client shoot and placed the Harlowe Iris 5 Spectra at the back. You can just see the stand. It’s not switched on yet.
Look at the difference now that the light is switched on, using the Magic Lens to throw down a light pattern.
This is the final result. I took two frames and blended them together: one using the Iris 5 Spectra handheld, with the diffuser dome accessory, to add extra light onto the food.
Another version was shot from above, using the Magic Lens to create some light “texture,” and then focused in to add more illumination to the food.
Beautiful Design
The first thing that struck me when I opened the box is how beautifully everything is made. It not only looks incredibly high-end, the attention to details and quality of all the pieces is top quality. So many small lights are cheap and plasticky. Not this one—it’s aluminum. It combines beautiful aesthetics, thoughtful functionality, and quality manufacturing. This has resulted in something that is a joy to use, and quite frankly, in a class of its own.
Things I Loved
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The design and build quality is in a class of its own. It’s simply gorgeous to hold and use.
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It’s made of metal, even the control dial.
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The magnetic front mount makes changing the decent selection of light modifiers quick and easy.
Things That Could Be Better
- It comes with a V-mount connector, which is useful in a professional environment, but it would have been nice to have a cold shoe adapter in the Creator Kit for mounting onto a camera.
A Few Specs
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Power: 5 W
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Input: AC 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, DC 5 V
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Battery: 3.7 V 200 mAh, 7.4 Wh
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Color Temperature: 1700 K–10,000 K
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Dimming: 0–100%
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RGBCW: 36,000 colors
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Protection Class: IP54
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Control: On-board or via app (Bluetooth)
This is a very small, light and incredibly useful kit for creators on the go. The Iris 5 Spectra Creator Kit retails at $229 and can be purchased here.