
Flashlights
TL;DR: The only flashlight I use these days for outdoors or studio light-painting photography is the Olight Warrior 3s-AX1
You’ll find below my current best options for tube light-painting, either for studio or outdoors work. All listed flashlights are waterproof and they all fit in a T8 size tube. Any 1" head (25mm) flashlight is going to fit easily inside my tubes. That means most of the 18650 battery type flashlight available on the market. I usually prefer a flashlight that can be powered on from the back button. It is easier to turn on/off the light when it's inside the tube. From my experience, constant strobe is available on all Olight, Astrolux, Thrunite, Folomov and Convoy brands. On the other hand, these brands have variable (non-constant) on some or all of their flashlights: Nitecore, Thorfire, Eagletac, Fenix, Soonfire and Klarus
I am not sponsored by any flashlight brands!
*2025 update: There are numerous new options on the market which I didn’t get the chance to test simply because they lack some essential features I need for my work (no pressure switch, no double-button strobe/continuous). But these might work for you for basic tube light-painting: Sofirn SP31 V3.0, ZTI Rechargeable Flashlights 2000 Lumen, WUBEN L50 Tactical Flashlight, ThruNite Archer Pro S.
*2025 second update: As every flashlight I use (and sell) is made in China, you’re going to get heavily taxed if you order from my store (we are in Canada). Please use the Amazon links below instead (affiliate links).
1- Folomov Hero (starter flashlight)
This is a great budget option! It is also the smallest 18650 battery type light on the market.
Specs: 3.9” long
Buy now: Lightpainting.store
Pros
Constant strobe (double click on the back button)
Five brightness levels
Extremely small
Very affordable
Single button design (back button)
Comes with a battery that can be recharged directly (micro-usb port on the battery itself!)
Cons
Not as bright as my other 1000 lumens flashlight. It doesn’t necessarily means that the LED itself is not bright enough, but it can have to do with the reflector and beam angle.
Small delay when you turn off the light from the button
No pressure switch available
2- Olight Warrior 3/3s/3s Tactical Flashlight (and Olight Warrior 3s-AX1 mod)
Here's the flashlight I have been using non-stop since April 2022. I use it with custom made dimmers, as demonstrated here: https://youtu.be/wKGs-Y0pr4M
*UPDATE: the 3s-AX1 mod is now available on my store. Check out the product release info here: https://lightpainting.art/news/introducing-the-olight-warrior-3s-ax1-mod
Specs: 2300 lumens
Buy now: Standard one on https://amzn.to/3F4rqlY or modified version on https://lightpainting.store/products/olight-warrior-3s-ax1
Pros
It's the brightest flashlight I own that fits in my tubes
This is the only flashlight I use these days
Magnetic pressure switch: https://amzn.to/3RZRa60
Magnetic battery charging
It is one of the most solid flashlight I own (Olight makes real high-quality products)
Modified version (AX1) comes with an extention tube and 6 dimmers
Cons
Proximity sensor may dim the light when inserted into a tube. The easy workaround is to cover it with a black sharpie (at your own risks!)
Sand or Salted water can disable the connection between the pressure switch and the flashlight
I haven’t found a way to combined two of these on a single button (it’s very easy with the Klarus and Nitecore below)
3- Klarus XT2CR PRO (and Klarus XT2CR-AX1 mod)
Another very good option. There’s only one major drawback when compared to the Olight Warrior 3: the light stays on when you hold the button for more than two seconds. This is very annoying 😵
Specs: 2100 lumens
Buy now: Lightpainting.store (and check out the pressure switch here) , or get the complete kit including the AX1 mod here: https://lightpainting.store/products/klarus-xt2cr-ax1
Pros
It is extremely bright
It has constant strobe, and they are equally spaced (as long as you hold the button)
Modified version (AX1) comes with an extention tube and 6 dimmers
Cons
Light sticks to on when holding the button for > 2 seconds
Non-constant strobe when releasing the button
4- Nitecore P10v2
One of my favorite studio flashlights. The pressure switch is absolutely necessary!
Specs: 900 lumens,
Buy now: Lightpainting.store (see also the RSW2 pressure switch)
Pros
Instant strobe AND instant continuous from the flashlight or from the pressure switch (without any locking like the Klarus does)
Instant continuous at selected brightness level (3 levels)
Bright enough for studio work
Super narrow beam! That means great light distribution in the tube
Solid build
Cons
Very stiff and bad quality pressure switch
Noticeable flicker