Best LED Headlamp for Photography?

[Frank Petronio]

I know I can run into EMS and choose from half a dozen good LED headlamps these days, but, since I am not in urgent need but do need to get a new one - which is the best? Ultralightness is not a priority but I want a simple, self-contained unit with an easy on-off and as nice a beam as possible for close work like setting shutters in the dark (so more a flood than a spot).

Are there are switchable red ones to preserve my night vision or is that just BS I picked up somewhere, that red filtered light retains my "tactical advantage"?

Feel free to diverge into flashlights, last week I had a little CR123 Cree in my mouth for hours since the headlamp died. Tasted terrible.

[Mark Woods]

No Frank, it's true. The color spectrum that the rods see (night vision) is cyan. Red is the complimentary of cyan and the rods don't really react to it. Don't have a clue about the headlamp. Hope all is well.

Mark

[vinny]

petzl tikka 2 is what I've had for years. multiple brightness settings and I think some come with switchable (red) lenses. takes AAA batteries.

[bracan]

petzl tikka 2 is what I've had for years. multiple brightness settings and I think some come with switchable (red) lenses. takes AAA batteries.

Excellent choice

[Sal Santamaura]

...Are there are switchable red ones to preserve my night vision or is that just BS I picked up somewhere, that red filtered light retains my "tactical advantage"?...

Here's the full answer to that part of your inquiry:

http://stlplaces.com/night_vision_red_myth/

[bigdog]

The TacTikka gets you the red lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E49P-Tac...adlamp+tikka+2

Myth or no, I started using a red light in the darkroom (not a safelight) when I needed to turn up the brightness briefly to find something. (With the paper safe closed!) I did this based on the use of red lights by astronomers. I assumed they knew what they were doing.

I have a red "keychain" type led light that I got a few years ago at Brookstone (IIRC). I hang it around my neck on a lanyard. Maybe I'll try a blue one ...

[Louis Pacilla]

LED LENSER is simply the best Frank. I have owned all others and LED LENSER has them hands down. I use the lightweight H7

http://www.ledlenser.com/family/Headlamps/Lightweight

[Rain Dance]

Hmm, any chance these headlamps (the Lenser and tactikka) can be used as a safelight??

[Cletus]

IMO Streamlight makes the best portable lights available, period. In my day job I rely on quality flashlights like few others do and have found no equal to the Streamlight at any price. They make a full range of Leigh's in every configuration, including what you're looking for. If you want absolute reliability and quality (at the price these attributes demand) then you can't do better.

...I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to flashlights, in case you couldn't tell...

Cletus

[Cletus]

Whoops! Stupid iPad was implying that "Leigh" makes flashlights! Sorry Leigh! I meant to say "LIGHTS"!