Light & Motion Sola Series

Manufacturer: Light & Motion
Type: LED focus, video, and dive lights
Year introduced: 2010
Predecessor: Light & Motion Classic Focus Light (halogen, 2004)

Overview

The Light & Motion Sola series was a comprehensive line of compact, factory-sealed LED lights that transformed underwater focus and video lighting when introduced in 2010. The series’ defining innovation was its zero-maintenance sealed design — the lights never needed to be opened by the user, with recharging handled through exposed gold-plated external contacts and controls operated via a lockable magnetic bump switch (^[1]). This virtually eliminated the risk of flooding, which had long plagued traditional dive lights that required battery compartment access (^[2]).

The Sola concept grew rapidly from a single focus light into a family spanning three product lines — Dive, Photo, and Video — each distinguished by colored bezels (blue, red, and silver respectively) and optimized for different underwater imaging needs (^[3]). Over more than a decade of development, the series evolved from the original 679-lumen Sola 600 to the flagship Sola Video Pro 15K, maintaining the same sealed, rechargeable design philosophy throughout.

Historical Context

Before dedicated focus lights became mainstream, underwater photographers relied on diving torches with narrow beams to assist camera autofocus, spending as much dive time adjusting aim as concentrating on photography. Strobe aiming lights were another common solution, but these required pointing the strobe center directly at the subject — not always ideal for lighting (^[4]).

The revolution in dedicated focus lights began with the Fisheye FIX light range, reviewed by James Wiseman for Wetpixel in 2004, which caused a mainstream shift from small diving torches to purpose-built focus lights among serious shooters. The FIX lights produced wide, soft beams that eliminated the need to re-aim during a dive, though they elevated focus lights from sub-$100 accessories to several-hundred-dollar investments (^[5]).

Light & Motion’s own first foray into focus lighting was the Classic Focus Light, announced in June 2004. Powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery with a separate battery pod, it offered three output levels ranging from 10 to 20 watts with burn times of 45 to 65 minutes, priced at $399 with an optional extra battery for $99 (^[6]).

The company’s LED transition began in September 2007 when Eric Cheng previewed a prototype LED video light with 18 LEDs and a peened reflector producing approximately 2,000 lumens — 35% brighter than Light & Motion’s existing 21-watt HID lights. The prospect of instant-on, solid-state lights with no bulb replacement excited the community (^[7]).

Sola Product Lines

Sola 600 (May 2010)

The original Sola 600, the light that launched the series, produced 679 lumens from a six-LED white light array adjustable through three output levels, plus 225 lumens of red light from a four-LED array for night close-up work. It weighed 0.54 lbs (245g) and featured a 75-degree even beam pattern, a magnetic bump switch for level adjustment and mode switching, and a recharge time of 2.5 hours. Maximum burn time was 75 minutes. It retailed at $579 (^[8]).

Adam Hanlon noted in comments that at 679 lumens, the Sola was closer in output to the Fisheye FIX LED1000 (777 lumens) than the LED500 (466 lumens), and was nearly twice the price of the FIX LED500 (^[9]).

Sola Lineup Expansion (December 2010)

By December 2010, Light & Motion had expanded the single Sola 600 into three complete product lines, each with subtly different configurations optimized for specific use cases (^[10]):

Sola Dive (blue bezel):

• Sola Dive 500 — 500-lumen spot beam, 3 power levels, 70-280 min burn time, $379
• Sola Dive 600 — 670-lumen flood + 500-lumen spot (toggleable), 3 power levels, 80-320 min, $579
• Sola Dive 1200 — 1,200-lumen flood + 500-lumen spot, 3 power levels, 70-280 min, $679

Sola Photo (red bezel):

• Sola Photo 500 — 500-lumen flood, 3 white power levels, 80-320 min, $379
• Sola Photo 600 — 670-lumen flood + 500-lumen red with 3 red power levels (225/110/55 lumens), 80-320 min, $579

Sola Video (silver bezel):

• Sola Video 1200 — 1,200-lumen flood + 500-lumen spot, 3 power levels, 70-280 min, $679
• Sola Video 4000 — 4,000-lumen prototype, 7 power levels, neutrally buoyant, supporting clip-on filters and diffusers, expected to ship April 2011 at $1,599

All compact models shared the same dimensions (57mm x 101mm) and 2-cell Li-ion battery with 1.5-amp charger, weighing 265-287 grams (^[11]). The larger Video 4000 was substantially bigger at 85mm x 143mm and 750g with a 6-cell Li-ion battery (^[12]).

The new Sola Photo 600 addressed one of the early criticisms of the original Sola 600 — its single red power level — by adding three adjustable red power levels (^[13]).

Sola 2000 (March 2012)

The Sola 2000 Video light dramatically increased output to 2,000 lumens while maintaining a compact form factor at 238 grams (283g with mount). It featured regulated output with a “Smart Dashboard” for monitoring power and battery status. Burn times were 60 minutes at full power (2,000 lumens), 120 minutes at 1,000 lumens, and 240 minutes at 500 lumens. It recharged in 150 minutes via the external port, came with both 1-inch ball and 1/2-inch Locline mount options, and retailed at $899 (^[14]).

The 70-degree flood beam angle was wider than the Sola Video 1200’s 60-degree beam. A comment from a Light & Motion representative confirmed the beam angle progression across the video line: 60 degrees for the Video 1200, 70 degrees for the Video 2000, and 80 degrees for the Video 4000 (^[15]).

Sola Video 4000

Originally announced in December 2010 as a prototype with a planned April 2011 ship date, the Sola Video 4000 was the largest model in the original lineup at 750 grams with 7 power levels and neutral buoyancy (^[16]). The light was intended for the Wetpixel SLR video light comparative review in May 2012, but Light & Motion was unable to supply test units in time, and the review proceeded with only the Mangrove VC-4L6 and Keldan LUNA 4V (^[17]).

2014 Models: Sola Dive 2000, Video 2100, and Video 2500 (November 2013)

Light & Motion announced three new models for the 2014 lineup in November 2013 (^[18]):

• Sola Dive 2000 — A 40% output increase over the previous high-end dive model, featuring a patent-pending dual beam system with 60-degree flood and 12-degree spot switched via the magnetic slider
• Sola Video 2100 — 2,100-lumen output with a 60-degree flood reflector, plus a 1,200-lumen 12-degree spot beam, marketed as the most powerful spot beam on the market for macro video/photo enthusiasts. Run time 1 to 4 hours depending on output level
• Sola Video 2500 — 2,500 lumens with a 90-degree flood reflector, optimized for wide-angle camera lenses. Run time 1 to 4 hours

Sola 3000 (November 2014)

The Sola Video 3000 Flood was announced as “the lightest, brightest, widest, most compact light in its class,” claiming to be 33% smaller than its closest competitor and 20% more powerful. It featured a 3,000-lumen output with a 90-degree beam angle in water (FWHM), three power levels with burn times from 50 to 200 minutes, and weighed just 265 grams. Output was tested and certified to the FL-1 Standard for consistent, regulated performance (^[19]).

The Sola 3000 introduced Light & Motion’s “Fast Charge” capability, reaching full charge from empty in 1 hour 45 minutes, or 80% charge in just 50 minutes — a significant improvement over earlier models’ charge times. It retailed at $799 with a 2-year warranty. Shawn Heinrichs of Blue Sphere Media endorsed it for challenging environments (^[20]).

Sola 8000 Pro (November 2014)

Announced simultaneously with the Sola 3000, the Sola 8000 Pro was a ground-up new design delivering more FL-1 certified lumens than any light in its class. It featured Light & Motion’s patented “direct cooling technology” that allowed the LED array, driver, and high-capacity battery to operate with increased performance, enabling higher output and longer runtimes in a smaller package (^[21]).

Key specifications:

• 8,000-lumen output with 90-degree beam angle
• 7 power levels with burn times from 50 to 800 minutes
• An OLED display for monitoring power levels, battery, and charge status
• “Fast Charge” internal circuit charging to 80% in under one hour, full charge in 1 hour 45 minutes
• Factory-sealed housing with easy-to-remove faceplates
• 984 grams
• Retail price: $2,299

Wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum endorsed the light, noting that Sola lights were smaller and lighter than strobes and easier to move underwater, with less weight at the airport (^[22]).

Sidekick (January 2015)

Light & Motion launched the Sidekick companion light for GoPro action cameras via a Kickstarter campaign seeking $50,000 to fund tooling. At just 123 grams — less than a GoPro — the factory-sealed Sidekick produced 600 lumens of flood and featured external USB recharging. Two models were offered: the Sidekick Flood ($129) and the Sidekick Duo ($149) with both 23-degree spot and 90-degree flood beams. Run time was 60 minutes at full power. CEO Daniel Emerson framed the Kickstarter as a way for small American manufacturers to keep production domestic (^[23]).

Sola Video Pro 15K (by 2022)

The Sola Video Pro 15K represented the pinnacle of the Sola line, with 15,000 lumens of output. Blue and green “Bluewater Dome Port Cover” filters were available for the light at $39 each, designed to match supplemental light color temperature to ambient underwater light and solve the mixed-light problem that had long plagued underwater videographers (^[24]). The light appeared in the used market at prices around $650-750 (^[25]).

Reviews & Discussion

Alex Mustard’s Review (August 2010)

Alex Mustard reviewed the original Sola 600 for Wetpixel and called it “my favourite underwater photography accessory of the last 12 months.” He compared it favorably to the Fisheye FIX LED 500, noting the Sola was approximately half the size and produced a marginally wider and softer beam. He tested it extensively in the Maldives, Florida, Bahamas, UK, and Holland, plus five other photographers used it, all without any problems (^[26]).

Mustard highlighted the sealed design and lockable magnetic switch as key reliability features, though he noted potential concerns about sand accumulation in the switch mechanism (especially in black sand locations like Lembeh) and salt water on the charging contacts if users did not rinse thoroughly. He also provided historical context on the evolution from diving torches to dedicated focus lights, crediting the Fisheye FIX range as the product that drove the mainstream transition (^[27]).

A commenter named Steve Douglas raised a long-term concern: “once they come out with a new product they stop supplying parts and service for the old ones” (^[28]).

Adam Hanlon’s Comparative Review vs. iTorch Pro 3 (July 2011)

Adam Hanlon tested the updated Sola 600P (post-November 2010 redesign) against the iTorch Video Pro 3. The updated “P” version featured an integrated 1-inch ball attachment and now included three levels of red output (225/110/55 lumens, measured outside the lens), addressing a criticism of the original. Amy Mack of Light & Motion confirmed at DEMA that lumen measurements were taken outside the torch lens rather than as raw LED output ratings (^[29]).

Key findings from the comparison:

• The Sola 600P ($579) was vastly more compact at 283g vs. the iTorch’s 700g (with batteries)
• The Sola produced a more diffuse beam ideal for wide-angle, while the iTorch had a tighter 80-degree beam suited to macro SLR video
• The Sola’s red light was more powerful and more evenly spread in all modes
• The iTorch ($350) offered significant cost savings and used standard AA batteries, avoiding reliance on integrated rechargeable batteries
• There were forum reports of problems with Light & Motion chargers and power fluctuations
• Hanlon noted the internal battery design reduced flooding risk by never requiring o-ring seal disturbance, but placed reliance on continued battery and charger function

Hanlon concluded both represented excellent value: “The SOLA 600P is a statement radical design that is amazingly compact, functional and attractive. Many retailers state that the best way to sell these lights is to let people hold them in their hands” (^[30]).

Wetpixel Ambon/Raja Ampat Field Test (2010)

Light & Motion lent Wetpixel four Sola lights for their Ambon Night Safari and Raja Ampat expedition in November 2010, with video and photos of the lights in action promised (^[31]).

Wetpixel Live Coverage

Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard addressed lighting topics relevant to Sola users in several Wetpixel Live episodes. Episode 27, “Are Lights or Strobes Better for Underwater Photography?” compared continuous lighting approaches (including video lights like the Sola series) against strobe-based workflows (^[32]). Episode 47, “Essential Tips about Focus Lights” (3,911 views), provided practical guidance on selecting and using focus lights for autofocus assistance and subject illumination (^[33]). A later episode on buying a focus light offered updated model recommendations (^[34]).

Community Discussion

The Sola series generated extensive discussion on the Wetpixel forums over many years, revealing both strong advocates and notable criticisms:

Long-term reliability: Forum user interceptor121 reported using Sola Video 1200 lights for close to 10 years, changing the battery on one only once, and continuing to use them for macro video where narrow beams were preferable. He valued the spot/flood beam switching capability (^[35]).

Mixed reception: Forum user draq stated “I hated sola lights when I tried them and will never get one again,” while lewis88 was “a big fan” of their Sola Photo 600 and Sola 1200 (^[36]).

Charging system concerns: TimG noted the Sola P800 was good but the “charging system [was] finicky and not always reliable,” describing a quirky system for reactivating the light from sleep mode that involved tapping the charger pins against the light’s pin inlets. He found the Inon LP1300-S “much better than the Sola” partly because it used standard AA batteries (^[37]).

No auto-off feature: Multiple forum users noted that Sola lights did not automatically shut off when strobes fired, though several argued this was rarely a problem in practice since strobes easily overwhelm focus light output (^[38]).

Ambient light matching: By 2022, the Sola Pro 15K had blue and green filter options for solving the mixed-light color temperature problem in underwater video, following the path pioneered by Keldan with their cyan filters (^[39]).

GoBe/Sola hand strap: Forum users discussed the GoBe Sola hand strap mount as a solution for rigging focus lights on housings without dedicated mount points (^[40]).

Competitive Landscape

The Sola series competed in a rapidly evolving LED focus and video light market:

• Fisheye FIX LED — The incumbent focus light leader when the Sola launched, with the FIX LED 500 ($299) and FIX LED 1000 ($599) offering variable power dials and wide beams (^[41])
• iTorch Pro 3 — A more affordable alternative ($350) using standard AA batteries and aluminum construction, with a tighter beam suited to macro (^[42])
• Keldan LUNA 4V — A 4,000-lumen Swiss-made video light with 5-stage magnetic switch, competing with the Sola Video 4000 (^[43])
• Inon focus lights — Including the LF1300-S and LE350, widely praised for reliability and AA battery convenience (^[44])
• Weefine/Kraken — Later competitors offering auto-off strobe detection and snoot lens accessories (^[45])
• Bigblue — Known for adjustable beam angles and rugged construction (^[46])

Timeline

• 2004-06: Light & Motion announces Classic Focus Light, a halogen-based predecessor at $399 (^[47])
• 2007-09: Eric Cheng previews Light & Motion LED video light prototype with 18 LEDs and ~2,000 lumens (^[48])
• 2010-05: Sola 600 announced with 679 lumens, factory-sealed design, magnetic switch, $579 (^[49])
• 2010-08: Alex Mustard publishes glowing review calling it his favorite accessory of the past year (^[50])
• 2010-11: Sola Photo 600 redesigned with three adjustable red power levels, line expanded to Dive/Photo/Video families (^[51])
• 2010-11: Four Sola lights lent to Wetpixel for Ambon Night Safari and Raja Ampat expedition (^[52])
• 2011-07: Adam Hanlon reviews updated Sola 600P against iTorch Pro 3 (^[53])
• 2012-03: Sola 2000 released with Smart Dashboard, regulated output, $899 (^[54])
• 2012-05: Sola Video 4000 unable to supply units for Wetpixel SLR video light comparative review (^[55])
• 2013-11: Three new 2014 models announced: Sola Dive 2000, Video 2100, Video 2500 (^[56])
• 2014-11: Sola 3000 announced with Fast Charge and FL-1 certification, $799 (^[57])
• 2014-11: Sola 8000 Pro announced with OLED display, direct cooling technology, $2,299 (^[58])
• 2015-01: Sidekick GoPro companion light launched on Kickstarter at $129/$149 (^[59])
• 2020-08: Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard discuss focus light buying advice on Wetpixel Live (^[60])
• 2022: Sola Pro 15K available with blue/green ambient filter accessories for color-matching (^[61])

References

Wetpixel Live