# How to calculate the wattage I need for my studio space?

> The wattage you need depends on the size of your space, how far the light is from the subject, what modifiers you use, and your camera settings.

URL: https://camerashop.com.eg/how-to-calculate-wattage-for-studio/
Language: en

## The wattage you need depends on **the size of your space, how far the light is from the subject, what modifiers you use, and your camera settings**. A small home studio needs far less power than a large commercial space. Here is how to calculate what you actually need.

## **General wattage guidelines**

**Small home studio (2×3m, close subjects):** 60-100W COB light is sufficient. At 1-2 meters from the subject with a softbox, this provides plenty of light for both photo and video at ISO 100-400.

**Medium studio (4×5m, portraits and products):** 150-200W COB light as key. This handles larger softboxes (90-120cm) and gives you headroom to use lower ISO and faster shutter speeds.

**Large studio (6×8m+, groups and full-body):** 300W+ COB light as key. Large spaces mean the light is further from the subject, and light falls off with distance (inverse square law).

**Outdoor fill / competing with daylight:** 500W+ to match or overpower sunlight. Daylight is extremely bright — indoor studio lights need serious power to compete outdoors.

## **Factors that affect how much wattage you need**

**Distance:** Light intensity drops dramatically with distance. Moving a light from 1m to 2m away reduces brightness by 75% (inverse square law). Further distance = more wattage needed.

**Modifiers:** A softbox absorbs 1-2 stops of light. A beauty dish absorbs about 1 stop. A bare reflector loses almost nothing. Budget extra power for your modifier.

**Camera settings:** At ISO 100, f/8, you need much more light than at ISO 800, f/2.8. Video at 1/50s needs more light than a photo at 1/200s.

**Color temperature:** Bi-color LEDs produce less light at the extremes (full warm or full cool) than at their midpoint. Budget 20-30% extra for extreme color temperatures.

## **COB lights by wattage at Camera Shop Egypt**

## **The practical test**

The best way to know is to test. Borrow or rent a light, set it up in your space with your modifier, and check the exposure at your typical camera settings.

**Rule of thumb for video:** In a small space, 100W with a softbox gives you comfortable exposure at ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/50s. If you need ISO 100 or f/5.6, double the wattage.

**Rule of thumb for photo:** Photography is more forgiving because you can use flash/strobe (which delivers much more instantaneous power than continuous LED) or slower shutter speeds on a tripod.

**Always buy slightly more than you think you need.** You can always dim a powerful light, but you cannot make a weak light brighter.

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For a home YouTube/podcast studio, a single 100W COB light with a softbox is more than enough. Do not overbuy — 300W in a small room is like bringing a firehose to water a plant.

## Gear that does this

Available in Egypt and suited to what this guide covers.

- [Tolifo SK-D7000SL LED COB Video Light Daylight](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/tolifo-sk-d7000sl-led-cob-video-light-daylight/) - 24426.88 EGP, in stock, SKU 15542
- [Jmary FM-128 RGB Led Light Waterproof Lighting](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/jmary-fm-128-rgb-led-light-waterproof-lighting/) - 1828.75 EGP, in stock, SKU 15522
- [COLBOR CL 220 COB LED Video Light](https://camerashop.com.eg/product/28192/) - 14212 EGP, in stock, SKU 15474