How to Make Your Own LED Panel for $60

If you have ever used LED panels for photo of video work, you know how awesome and helpful they can be. You also probably know that for a good LED, you are most likely looking at spending a good sized about of money. This is not always practical for the average photographer. However, in this 19 minute DIY video from DIY Perks, you can learn how to make flexible LED panel for around $60.

While this isn't the most basic DIY project, with a little bit of time and effort, you can create a pretty amazing LED panel. All you need is high CRI LED strip lights, a PWM LED dimmer, an articulating DSLR camera arm, some faux leather to create a backing, wiring, and a solder gun. A quality LED light, with a dimmer and the ability to change the temperature for only $60 is a great deal. While the project might require a little more time and electrical experience, the effort will surely be worth your time. Check out the video and let us know if you give it a try. For more DIY projects check out the DIY Perks YouTube channel. If you have any LED panels you love or customs lights that you have made, feel free to sound off in the comments section below.

[via PetaPixel]

Michael Brown's picture

Michael Brown is a freelance photographer based on the east coast, with a wide variety of photo, video and graphic design experience.

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11 Comments

I admit that was pretty cool, but I think that would take me a week to build and I'm sure I would not get it to work. Great tips nevertheless

I'm in the middle of building one. It's taken me about 2 days of working on it 2 hours a day and ill almost be done after today. So probably around 5 or so hours total. It's pretty easy if you can solder! It takes longer than he makes it seem though

Good for you to take it upon your self to make it! I can't solder and I don't have any tools sadly so I can only watch for fun.

How has this light been treating you? Is it holding up? I'm thinking about starting this project as my first electrical DIY, do you have any advice? Also, there was a lot of gluing, does the glue hold up? Thanks so much for any advice.

I wonder if it would be safe building this DIY as a wall 5ft panel for a home studio space...

This is very cool...thanks for sharing. :)

What an amazing how to video. This guy has thought of everything about his fantastic looking light panels!

This is a super cool project, thank you for posting! This method might be useful in adding LED panels inside softboxes too, where bulkier LED assemblies won't fit

80 is NOT a high CRI. Avoid the light strips that this article linked to, as they are missing out on some crucial wavelengths. 95-97+ is considered a high CRI.

Great idea! Could u pls post specs for the power-supply unit?

I love this idea! Have you by chance measured the light output of the unit?