New from ShiftCam — ProLEDs Bi-Color Panel light

Experienced, proficient photographers and videographers know the importance of good lighting for their images. Cellphones, in particular, have very small sensors so they do not capture a lot of light. To increase brightness in particularly low light, cellphones and other cameras exposing images automatically may compensate by increasing their ISO and using slower shutter speeds and frame rates — the results of which, in the extreme, may be grainy, blurry images that lack fine details and accurate color reproduction. The use of good lighting can mitigate this.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been at a theme park at night, inside at some dimly lit event, or elsewhere in a low-light situation and observe people posing for photography and videography, to remember the day, but without using sufficient or, worse yet, any lighting. Most of us have done this, including myself when I take selfies at night. The results can be especially bad if there is bright light behind the intended subject, which produces a silhouette effect. Editing after-the-fact might help a little, but it is not a substitute for properly lit photos.

This photo of Jan is badly in need of supplemental light

ShiftCam, a globally award-winning company, sells a wide variety of cellphone-oriented lights, grips, lenses and accessories. The ShiftCam ProLEDs Bi-Color Panel light is a light-weight, easily-portable accessory LED light that will elevate your nighttime, indoor low-light, and daytime-backlit photography to a higher level.

What differentiates this light from a basic light source is that it is adjustable for color temperature — from 2500k to 6500k, and brightness, so your subject will look natural and the light will be sufficient, but not overpowering.

Depending upon the brightness/power output you choose, run-time of the 3100mAh battery ranges from two to fifteen hours. To recharge the battery, use the supplied USB-C cable connected to a power source.

A display screen on the back of the light displays the color temperature, as well as brightness and battery charge level expressed as percentages.

There are two 1/4-inch tripod sockets, and a cold shoe slot.

In addition to the USB-C cable are a cold shoe mount adaptor, and what ShiftCam describes as a “universal mount,” for mounting the light to the device. I tried but was unable to get this “universal mount” to satisfactorily attach to my iPhone. It blocked some of the iPhone’s screen; due to it pressing against the touchscreen, my touches on the touchscreen no longer had any effect; and I was uncomfortable with having to screw down the admittedly soft-tipped inner foot of the mount onto the fragile glass of my iPhone.

Fortunately, I have a ShiftCam ProGrip, which integrates an excellent cold shoe (see “AutoMatters & More” # 898 entitled “Review: ShiftCam ProGrip & Accessories, TravelPod Pro & ProMic Shotgun” https://automatters.net/review-shiftcam-progrip-accessories-travelpod-pro-promic-shotgun/.

I also found a very inexpensive way to attach the LED light directly to my cellphone, using my simple, spring-loaded “Ulanzi ST-07 Phone Tripod Mount with Cold Shoe Mount” (currently only $7.96 from Amazon.com). It easily and securely clamps onto my iPhone, and connects to the supplied cold shoe mount adapter. That, in turn, connect to the ShiftCam LED light.

The Ulanzi mount is so quick, easy to use and inexpensive, that I ordered a second one to install a second cold shoes on my iPhone, so that I could attach the light and an external microphone at the same time.

The ShiftCam ProLEDs Bi-Color Panel light is not just compatible with smartphones, but also with DSLR, mirrorless and action cameras; tablets and even laptops for videoconferencing. You can further improve the lighting by mounting several of these on tripods for key, back and fill lighting.

The ShiftCam ProLEDs Bi-Color Panel light is currently $89.99 on Amazon.com.

ShiftCam also sent me review samples of their Pro Camera Neck Strap and a ShiftCam 20W USB-C wall charger, which I used to recharge the LED light.

This cotton neck strap ($29.99 on Amazon.com) is both strong and comfortably padded. It can attach to cellphone cases that include an attachment point for a short, looped lanyard.

For more information, visit ShiftCam at https://www.shiftcam.com where they are currently offering 15% off for text message subscribers.

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Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #905