A lighting system, for example a portable light, can have at least two configurations that support outputting illumination in at least two different patterns. The lighting system can incorporate at least two light emitting diodes and at least two optics, for example two diffusing lenses or filters. In a first configuration, the light emitting diodes can emit light that provides illumination without incidence on the optics. In a second configuration, the light emitting diodes can emit light that is incident upon and controlled by the optics. Changing between the first and second configurations can move the optics into the respective light paths of the light emitting diodes.