LP Tool Review: Light Painting Paradise Fiber Optics

This review is of the Light Painting Paradise (LPP) Fiber Optics, which are three fibre optic cable based light painting tools. I have tested 3 different products, the 10mm fiber optic, square fiber optic, and 5mm fiber optic. All tested samples are 2m long, though they are also available in 1m lengths. 

Product Description

All of the fiber optics have a plug at one end for connecting to either the LPP Round Adapter, and Double Round Adapter. The latter allows two fiber optics to be connected, and requires two flashlights. The plugs have been improved from earlier versions so that they are more stable in the Adapters. This is fine for most scenes, but I wouldn’t advise swinging the fibre optics around like a lasso. 

The LPP Circular Filters (available in a pack of 13 in Mango, Lime, Dawn, Earth, Orange, Red, Pink, Fuchsia, Purple, Navy, Turquoise and Green) can also be placed in the Adapters to provide colour. There are also removable end caps, which whilst not completely blocking the light, help hide the bright tip of the fiber optic cable. Tape can be used to cover the ends if required. 

10mm Fiber Optic

5mm and Square Fibers (with orange and red filters respectively)

Performance

The 10mm fiber optic is impressively bright due to the 10mm thickness, especially when used with flashlights with relatively high peak beam intensity such as the Klarus XT2CR. It is also bright enough to illuminate a model whilst moving the fiber optic around them if you set an appropriate exposure. The brightness is fairly even throughout the length of the fiber optic cable. Typical photographic exposures are f/8, ISO100 with a 1000 lumen torch, colour filter, and no highlight clipping. This is 2 photographic stops brighter than EL wire, with a much greater impact.

Created with the 10mm Fiber Optic, light blue filter, Klarus XT2CR. f/5.6, 8secs, ISO100. Modelled by @skadhi2.0

Created with the 10mm Fiber Optic, and Light Excursion Deluxe RGB light. f/4, 8secs, ISO800.

The 5mm fiber optic is narrower, but more malleable, and lightweight. Due to the smaller thickness it is less bright than the 10mm fiber optic, similar to EL wire and other fiber optic cable tools that I own. There is a gradual intensity fade along the cable, and gradual warmer colour temperature fade between 1m and 2m of the length. Typical exposures are f/8, ISO400, with a 1000 lumen torch, colour filter, and no highlight clipping. 

The square fiber optic, not surprisingly has a square cross section instead of a circular cross section. It is the least bright of the trio, but has some interesting characteristics. There is a heavy intensity fade along the cable, and gradually warming colour temperature during the whole length of the cable. Typical exposures are f/5.6, ISO400, with a 1000 lumen torch, colour filter, and no highlight clipping. 

Whilst the 5mm and square fiber optics can be used alone, but are best used as a pair in a Double Round Adapter. By using different colour filters, flashlight brightnesses, and even strobe patterns for each fiber optic you can create very interesting effects. If a suitable exposure is used then it is also possible to illuminate a model with these tools. 

Created with the 5mm and Square Fiber Optics, with orange and red filters. 2x Thorfire TK15S on 100 and 50% power respectively. f/5.6, 6secs, ISO400. Modelled by light painter @samwell01

Created with the 5mm and Square Fiber Optics, red and blue filters. Flashlights on 52 and 19Hz strobes. f/4.5, 6secs, ISO800. Modelled by @alyssahcameron

I only tested the 2m versions, however these are also available in 1m versions which would be more malleable to for light drawing / creating mid-air shapes.  

Conclusion

The Light Painting Paradise fiber optics are the longest single fiber optic cable tools available for light painting (that I’m aware of). The 10mm fiber optic is also by the far the brightest that I have tested. The 3 different thicknesses and 2 different lengths, as well as options such as single or double adapters and colour filters, allows for an interesting range of light painting effects. They have been an essential component in my light painting portrait kit for many months. 

The fiber optics are available from Light Painting Paradise:

https://lightpaintingparadise.com/en/product-category/exclusive-products/optic-fiber/