Using the hvx at night with a mounted light

O

Openeye

Member
Can anyone tell me how using the hvx at night with a mounted light is? Some of my work are parties/dance events/promos and I usually use the sony pd 170 which is decent in low light. Does a mounted light make much difference in the grain factor? Also is there a difference in light sensitivity between shotting DV and HD? I'm getting the HVX regardless and can probably pick up a second cam for low light if the hvx isn't practical.
cheers
Rob
 
HVX is fantastic with a light source like the Lightpanel. For my how-to video, we used my DP's kit on many scenes, and the HVX did a great job. The key is not to use more than 3db gain. Just let the background be whatever it is, and worry about the foreground. In one situation, I was in the UK doing a doc, and I attached to my DVX a bright LED flashlight with diffusion balled up in front to fill in the faces of the performers. I put it in a mic holder in the shoe mount. True you can't dim it, but it saved me and I got great footage. :) Nothing beats Litepanels tho, boy do they rock.
 
No unfortunately I don't. I went to the site, they seem like really cool affordable lights. I know the vidled guy is around a lot, which is cool, it is important for manufacturers to support their products on the forums. :)
 
Hey Anomolee,
I think there isnt a better option than VIDLEDS for those who cant effort LITEPANELS... I use cheap BESCOR($60, 40watts) lights and saved my life so many times. Just last night i used 2 of them in a night shot at an alley, which allowed me a clean exposure (in 24fps I cant even use my gains with my DVX100) with a dramatic lighting. I'd appreciate it even more if i had some dimmer control...
I know my next purchase ;)
 
I purchased the cool VidLED for my DVX and it's an impressive little light. For me there was no justification spending roughly an extra $400 or more for the litepanel.
 
dewman said:
I purchased the cool VidLED for my DVX and it's an impressive little light. For me there was no justification spending roughly an extra $400 or more for the litepanel.
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That mounts on the cam, as I understand it, and is powered by an independent battery pack that is connected via a cord?
 
David S.,
Yeah there are several methods for powering VIDLED all of which is are much better than powering conventional lighting. Check videled.com (the pricier one even has a battery pack built in the case With an digital battery life indicator Very cool)

Volcano, - do you have any actual experience with VIDLED's? i know that your solution is cheaper BUT 1. not dimmable, 2. bulb replacement 3. they suck up battery power 4. less durable. 5. they get very hot and LED's dont!
I definetly want a VIDLED, just need to decide on which one...
Probably going for the middle of the line (DAY LED)

Oh and did anyone notice that VIDLED has partnered with Spec com (cineporter makers) - they have a package deal with their batteries.... VERY tempting!
 
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Anomolee,
No I dont have any experience with VIDLEDS at all. I totally agree on what you are saying about Bescor...That is why I 'll get the Vidled soon... I dont do impulse purchases btw, what i read and see is good enough for me...No need to experience, as long as specs are correct. Fair price, for a solid product. Yup, day led seems to be most versatile.
My only complaint would be the lack of a cheap frame in the front allowing to insert a gel, instead of taping.
LitePanel seems the ultimate one, but I think I'd spend that kind of money for my other needs.
 
:)
Hey have you actually shot a volcano erupting with your HVX?
i want that footage!

Does anyone know of any about to blow???? I would LOVE to shoot that
Seismologists feel free to chime in here! :dankk2:
 
Hey have you actually shot a volcano erupting with your HVX?
i want that footage
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Nope(twice)... I got the original DVX100, and this time waiting for the updated HVX200 version... That would be cool to shoot actul eruption, from a helicopter of course ;)
 
Thanks for all the input here, Really helps. I have been looking into building my own LED panel. The manufactured ones I have seen in ads say they are "White Light" Has anyone actually toyed with one, perhaps next to a "White" flashlight to see if the color is different? Most seem rather blue. I know I can balance to it but Im curious to know if the Light panels are using the very same LED's or are these custom jobs. My company and home is in a Rural Area, The broadcast Camera store is not just down the street. Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to see current technology unless there is a shooting, snow storm or an Amish buggy accident. then the news guys come out in droves. Thats when I see this stuff mostly. I just swapped one of our Sony D30's for an HVX. I am really, really pleased. Panasonic must be going for the Jugular.

David
 
MagicCat said:
difficult for me to see current technology unless there is a shooting, snow storm or an Amish buggy accident
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Oy! That sucks, man...

Well I can tell you that having tried building the LED panels, it is rather frustrating, and they don't dim (unless you make a PCM dim board), and they are not in a nice protected enclosure that looks pro (it always ends up looking like radio shack). I mean, you can do it, but you may want to look up this Vidled company. Theirs are very cheap. Unless you have a lot of free time and electronics experience, you may want to give them a try. I have used the Litepanels, and yes they are very much daylight balanced. I am sure they use top components, and they buy them in such bulk that if you tried to do it piecemeal, it would cost more than the device. It's still worth a try just for the fun of it, I guess. But I generally go back to manufactured components. My DP makes his own preemo baseplates, but he has metal manufacturing gear and all that. Good luck either way. :)
 
Thank you. Yes, I looked at the Vidled Site. Wow! Those ARE cheap (in price I mean) A long Time ago, I called a panel manufacturer that had just come out, one of the first I ever saw. Drooling over the magazine ad I called them on the spot. The person on the phone had Ego issues and proceeded to tell me they ran upwards of 1,200 to 2,500 hundred dollars. I instantly gave up until this thread. Im recharged. It would be nice to see someone crank out portable softlights using a serious array of LED banks. Its cheaper in the long run and it sure beats paying for xtra Makeup, Electricity and Freon recharges in the halogen infernos of small studios LIke mine. iM now using Daylight Flouro's from Lowes. If works, but they can flicker.
 
MagicCat said:
It would be nice to see someone crank out portable softlights using a serious array of LED banks.
Click to expand...

In all honesty, I think that once you get into something beyond on-cam use & size; you'd probably be BETTER off going to FLUORESCENT. Much cheaper, decent dimming, VERY even beam pattern (with no, or only limited diffusion) and actually more efficient than LEDs.
 
I have the VIDLED which I use on my full sied cameras as well as the hvx, I love it - I have recomended it to quite a few people and everywhere I go people make me give them the info on where to buy it.
I have an assortment of gels that I use that do a great job (would be nicer if there were a quicker mount for them maybe velcro like the lightpanel I used to use).
 
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