Flashlights

TL;DR

The two flashlights I use most these days for outdoor or studio light-painting photography are the Olight Warrior 3s-AX2 and the Klarus XT2CR-AX2.

What I look for in a flashlight

These are my current favorite options for tube light-painting, both in studio and outdoors. All of the flashlights listed here are waterproof and fit inside a T8-size tube. Any flashlight with a 1-inch head, about 25 mm, will usually fit easily inside my tubes, which includes most lights built around an 18650 battery.

I usually prefer a flashlight with a back button because it is much easier to turn the light on and off when it is already inside the tube.

From my experience, constant strobe is available on all Olight, Astrolux, Thrunite, Folomov, and Convoy flashlights I have used. On the other hand, brands such as Nitecore, Thorfire, Eagletac, Fenix, Soonfire, and Klarus can have variable, non-constant strobe on some or all models.

I am not sponsored by any flashlight brands.

2025 notes

There are many newer models on the market that I have not tested yet, mostly because they are missing some features I need for my own work, such as a pressure switch or separate controls for strobe and continuous light. Still, these may work for simpler tube light-painting setups:

A second note for 2025: every flashlight I use and sell is made in China, so orders from my store can get heavily taxed in some regions because we ship from Canada. In many cases, it makes more sense to use the Amazon links below. These are affiliate links.

1. Folomov Hero

A great budget option, and also the smallest 18650 flashlight I know.

Specs: 3.9 inches long Buy: Lightpainting.store

Pros

Constant strobe with a double click on the back button
Five brightness levels
Extremely small
Very affordable
Single-button design with rear switch
Includes a battery that can be recharged directly through a micro-USB port on the battery itself

Cons

Not as bright as my other 1000-lumen flashlights, likely because of the reflector and beam angle
Small delay when turning the light off from the button
No pressure switch available

2. Olight Warrior 3 / 3s / 3s Tactical Flashlight

This is the flashlight I have used non-stop since April 2022. I use it with custom dimmers, as shown here: https://youtu.be/wKGs-Y0pr4M

The 3s-AX2 mod is now available on my store. Product release info: https://lightpainting.art/news/introducing-the-olight-warrior-3s-ax1-mod

Specs: 2300 lumens Buy: standard version on https://amzn.to/3F4rqlY or modified version on https://lightpainting.store/products/olight-warrior-3s-ax

Pros

Brightest flashlight I own that still fits inside my tubes
The one I personally use the most
Magnetic pressure switch: https://amzn.to/3RZRa60
Magnetic battery charging
Momentary-on works for both continuous light and strobe
Extremely solid build quality
Modified AX2 version includes an extension tube and 6 dimmers

Cons

The proximity sensor can dim the light when the flashlight is inserted into a tube. A common workaround is to cover it with a black Sharpie, at your own risk.
Sand or salt water can interfere with the pressure-switch connection. You can usually fix that with dielectric grease.
I still have not found a good way to combine two of these on one button, which is much easier with the Klarus and Nitecore options below

3. Klarus XT2CR PRO

Another very strong option. Its main drawback compared with the Olight Warrior 3 is that the light can stay on if you hold the button for more than two seconds.

Specs: 2100 lumens Buy: complete kit with the AX2 mod here: https://lightpainting.store/products/klarus-xt2cr-ax

Pros

Extremely bright
Constant strobe with evenly spaced pulses as long as you hold the button
Momentary-on for both continuous light and strobe
Smoothest pressure switch I have used
Modified AX2 version includes an extension tube and 6 dimmers

Cons

Light can stick on when the button is held for more than 2 seconds
Strobe becomes non-constant when you release the button

4. Nitecore P10v2

One of my favorite studio flashlights. In practice, the pressure switch is essential with this one.

Specs: 900 lumens Buy: Lightpainting.store Pressure switch: RSW2 pressure switch

Pros

Instant strobe and instant continuous light from either the flashlight or the pressure switch, without the kind of locking behavior found on the Klarus
Instant continuous light at the selected brightness level, with 3 levels
Bright enough for studio work
Very narrow beam, which gives excellent light distribution inside the tube
Solid build

Cons

Very stiff pressure switch and poor switch quality
Noticeable flicker
My AX2 cannot be fitted on this one

Flashlights to avoid

WUBEN L50 Tactical Flashlight: no strobe and a buggy memory mode
Acebeam P15: interesting flashlight, but the pressure switch can do either strobe or continuous, not both
Olight Warrior Ultra: too big for my tubes, even though it does work with the AX2