CameraBright! Review

Clever little auxiliary light for cameras and camcorders

By Guy Wright

The CameraBright! accessory light

I think we can all agree that digital cameras and camcorders are great. No need to worry about wasting film just keep shooting and erase the bad shots later. No need to worry about shooting in dim light these devices can automatically focus on objects in pitch dark and adjust the flash for you or take shots by moonlight. Unfortunately, while these cameras and camcorders may be able to see in the dark we humans cant. Those little viewfinders just dont help unless there is enough light to begin with so you end up pointing the camera in the general direction of the thing you want to shoot and hope for the best. You take a shot, look at the results, adjust, take another shot, etc.

Well the folks at CameraBright!, Inc. have come up with a handy little device that solves those low light/no light problems the CameraBright! accessory attachment. Essentially the CameraBright! is a small auxiliary light that attaches to the tripod mount on the bottom of just about any camera or camcorder (digital or not). It comes in four versions; the X1-R ($29.95) for general photography and videos, the X1-W ($29.95) with a warmer light for portraits or videos of people, the X1-ER ($34.95) with higher intensity for shooting distant subjects, and the X1-ER+ ($39.95) higher intensity plus extra sturdy mounting threads for cameras or camcorders over two pounds. All but the X1-ER+ are available in either titanium grey or black. A shoe-mount adapter is available and there is also a single LED PhoneBright! X1 unit for camera phones.

The CameraBright! measures 2.5 x 1.75 x .75 (W x D x H) and uses four white LEDs, with estimated life of 20 years, powered by four CR2032 batteries that can run up to four hours of continuous use. Even with the batteries the device only weighs two ounces and it creates an amazing amount of light. There is also a threaded hole on the bottom so you can still use a tripod.

Operating the device is simply a matter of screwing it onto the bottom of your camera or camcorder and turning it on. Thats it. One button. Just about as simple as it gets. And, if you somehow forget, it will automatically shut itself off after about five minutes although its hard not to notice those bright LEDs even from a distance. In fact the LEDs are so bright that you could probably use the CameraBright! as an emergency signaling device if you had to.

The CameraBright! device is designed to supplement your existing flash or camcorder light, not necessarily replace them although, with cameras and camcorders being so sensitive these days it could easily function as your only source of light in most situations. CameraBright! also helps reduce redeye.

Considering what an inexpensive, clever, lightweight, and useful device this is I give it very high ratings. If you are a casual or avid photographer or videographer you should seriously think about adding one of these to your camera bag.

For more information visit www.camerabright.com.