Kraken? Multi-use? For Video

Trying to decide between a couple video lights.  Use cases are macro and wide video footage.  Always a chance of photos but not a focus.  Also hoping to pick something that will last 5 years or so, through a few cameras if possible.

One option is the Kraken Hydra 15000 WRGBU. I like how it has red for black dives as well as semi-strobe functionality. I don't see many people talk about them here so there's probably a reason, and my naivety is getting pulled in via features.  I also like how it has a remote control albeit is limited to only 2 lights.

The other one that I'm seeing a lot around here is the Keldan 8XR 20000LM.  I like the remote wireless, it has a good depth rating (Though my camera housing is also only rated for 90m currently), and the only negative I hear is the price.  I'm not. a fan of the 35m runtime, and can't find runtime or more detailed info about dimmer settings.  Would be interested to know if running it at 15000 would have similar runtimes as the Kraken. Also want to know about the mounting options, it looks like it's just a clamp but I can't tell if its got a screw mount in the housing or if I just need to trust the clamp.

In both cases they're kind of big (to me) but I understand the size is needed for the battery. I also see a lot of panning comments about the L&M lights so I didn't add them to my list.

Can't offer experience, though suggest you check the battery capacity I searched around and could not find the specs for the battery.  If you plan on travelling with them there is a limit on capacity for Li batteries for air travel of I think 100 W-hr.  The Keldan light specifically says the battery capacity is below the 100Whr limit and certified travel safe.  I'd also suggest checking how each light is activated and the output controlled.  I think the Kraken uses a dial for setting power, other lights might use sequences of button pushes.

Also for photo use even the 18,000 lumen burst mode is about 5-6 stops less than a full power flash burst .  It's most likely fine for macro, but will probably struggle to illuminate a wide angle scene with as much light as you'll get from a strobe.

Yeah, 18000 lumen seems to be more of a "Well, I guess I can try" option than expecting it to be ideal.  My focus is on video so I don't mind terribly.

Kraken light battery I've assumed are under the 100Whr based on run time but it's a valid thing to confirm before putting money down.  Both the lights appear to use a dial (Kraken dial plus button to change modes on the back), unlike my L&M which is the switch.  Using a remote in either case is a lot more convenient in either case.

@narnars, I'd double check about that battery capacity for the Kraken lights. I've also been researching this and my conclusion was that it was more than 100Wh, which was a dealbreaker for me. It doesn't explicitly say the capacity on the info page for the Hydra, but it does on their 15k Solar Flare, which from what I can see uses the same battery. That battery is listed as being 144Wh (https://krakensports.ca/product/solar-flare-mini-15000/). I'm sure the Kraken team or the dealers will be able to confirm this one way or another though.

I never got a response/confirmation so I ended up just grabbing two Keldan 8XR lights.  Might expand out to their higher stuff but that's a lot of bulk I'm not ready for yet...

On 5/11/2022 at 7:50 PM, shanesmith.photos said:

@narnars, I'd double check about that battery capacity for the Kraken lights. I've also been researching this and my conclusion was that it was more than 100Wh, which was a dealbreaker for me. It doesn't explicitly say the capacity on the info page for the Hydra, but it does on their 15k Solar Flare, which from what I can see uses the same battery. That battery is listed as being 144Wh (https://krakensports.ca/product/solar-flare-mini-15000/). I'm sure the Kraken team or the dealers will be able to confirm this one way or another though.

what is inportant for travel is what the label on the battery says.  Li batteries should have their capacity in W-hr listed on thire nameplate.