I like magnets for mounting lights
and
for illuminating machinery for photography, I greatly prefer a light with No Hotspot
in my experience, lights with hotspots are problematic when used for photographing things like the engine bay in my car…
choices of No Hotspot lights include the relatively inexpensive Utorch S1 Mini and the Klarus Mi1c (only the aluminum model)
I do not love the LEDs, most of my lights have been modified to N219b
since those lights have tailmagnets, it is potentially easy to mount them for use when taking photos
l-r Hotspot from a reflector light w LED modded to N219b 4500k, Aspheric lens on Utorch modded to N219b 4500k, stock Utorch S1 Mini
do not be dissuaded by the ring around the aspheric lens beams, particularly noticeable on the right, in actual use that is outside the field of illumination in the photos I take, and I actually like being able to see clearly, where the edge of the beam is
Note the lenses on the Utorch and Klarus are plastic, and may have artifacts, such as the ring in the center of the Cool White Utorch on the right in the above photo
for real money, a McGizmo Mule (no defined hotspot, but the center is brighter than the perimeter), with high CRI
or a McGizmo Sundrop, with high CRi
are tools worthy of an investment in professional equipment
the lenses are made out of Sapphire Crystal
the mule has no ring around the beam, it diffuses gradually, the Sundrop does have the ring around the edge, which I prefer
mcgizmo beam pics
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-Sun-Drop-LE&p=3077892&viewfull=1#post3077892
I have a shelf queen En Mcclickie Mule from Don's latest wave. This little gem features an outstanding flood beam. I recently acquired a Sundrop XP from a very famous CPF member (gotta love that one "DAD") and I am now offering this Mule with genuine McGizmo built light engine harvested from the Sun Drop! This little light now features a SOB 333 driver pushing a Nichia 083 High CRI LED. The yellow emmiter actually looks like the sun! The color and tint are excellent and ideal for close up work and reading. I am asking $225 shipped in the continental USA.
Sun Drop Left ... Mule Right (Pics are from Don's thread)
or, for less money than a McGizmo
Bob_McBob is building some awesome Zebras with the incomparable N219b 4500k 9080, and he has floody beam options
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?438804-Zebralight-SC64c/page12
also some lights, notably ones loaded with Primaries, will stick to a magnet, sideways.. which means the light can be aimed by attaching to different sides of a portable magnet, or rotating the light on the magnetic mount