Lume Cube XL App-Controlled 60W RGB Mini COB LED Light

See Turtles: The Red Light We Use At Night

I’m a photographer for Curaçao’s national sea turtle conservation organization, STCC, and I needed a superior night light so we could see the turtles safely. Based on best practice guidelines, I needed true RGB lighting that could be set to red; not white light passed through a red filter. And the light source needed to be dimmable so that the light was only as bright as needed for photos, not brighter. Curiously, hatchling turtles will orient towards a bright red light, despite the fact that red light is considered turtle-safe (non- or low-impact). And I needed the light to be hand-held, so my assistant could instantly change orientation depending upon which scurrying hatchling I was seeking focus. After too much time reading reviews, I purchased the Lume Cube XL and two other LC lights. I’m glad I did. Top shelf kit! Baby turtles are surprisingly quick, and moonless nights are notoriously dark. Even using a Canon R5 MK II with a RF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM Z lens, achieving critical focus on scampering hatchlings is a challenge, but the Cube XL worked, often by providing a raking sidelight which amped up the highlights and deepened shadows in the darkness, developing the contrast the camera system needed to function. Equally as valuable for the organization, the broad red light of the Lume Cube XL allowed staff and volunteers to more easily work, ensuring the safe passage of dozens and dozens of hatchlings - in short, one massive light was far less distracting than half a dozen wavering red-light headlamps. The two images shown were taking with the Cube XL handheld to the side of the sea turtle’s path. I had a Lume Cube Panel Pro 2.0 mounted to my camera’s hot shoe as well. If you’re curious, these are Loggerhead hatchlings.

WHAT AN UPGRADE

I wish I had purchased this light 3 years ago. Definitely get the power grip- not tripping over cables is a game changer!

Incredible!!!

I did a late night light painting session with it and it did not disappoint. It worked flawlessly with the app on my phone and we had so much fun changing the colors on the fly. It’s such a beautiful piece of technology. I absolutely love it!!!