Compatable compact led light

M

MR Fanny

Veteran
Ok so I had a crack at shooting some footage at a nightclub with a halloween dress up theme last night. Realised 5 mins in that its not going to work and gave up. Then I spotted the media guy running around with his big ass HD cam corder that had a Swit S2010 on it and i thought brilliant, I may have a chance afterall.

so my question here is, has anyone found a unit thats compact/powerfull enough to be thrown onto the gh1? Ive seen the battery pack for the swit and it is quite odd but I think it can be adapted to mount under the body possibly like a battery grip.

What are your thoughts and suggestions.

cheers.
 
just after something that can throw some light to get some decent people/portrait shots at night and possibly help me with getting some snap shots also cause all i see is black in my evf for photos.

The Comer LBPSseries is also another option though I don't know what the battery setup is which is one of the main feature that will decide on what I get. Just has to be small and practical enough.
 
Some good pics at the bottom here showing the Comer 1800 vs 900. Was going to suggest the Comers, but the Swit is more compact and dimmable, plus the 4500K on the Comers is a bit non-standard. That said, a lot of people like them.

http://lacolorshop.com/products/item.asp?id=cm900

BTW- the Swit also comes in 45 and 75w models in addition to the 30w I linked to.
 
Thanks for the link. It does look bigger than the SWIT S-2010 though the location of the battery pack is ideal. Having a dimmer sounds quite handy also. Shame it doesn't have it on the Comer cause I would grab it in a heartbeat.
 
I was using the SWIT light for a long time before switching to Comer. SWIT indeed a great light too. However, compared to the lux rating, SWIT is 550 lux at 1 metter and Comer 900 is 900 lux at 1 meter. So the comer is a lot brigher.

The fact is, the more filter you add in front of the light, the lesser the light it will be. Since SWIT is 5600K color temp, you have to apply the orange filter in order to be used indoor. Comer 900 is 4500K color temp which makes it ready to be used indoor without any filter. Also, SWIT is default shooting as spot light. You have to apply the diffuser to get rid of the circular spot in video. Comer is diffused by default. Flip up the condenser will makes a spotlight with higher brightness.

But I have to agree the lack of a full dimmer is a disadvantage. However, the light is flexible with diffuser and condenser. With the combination of the 2 level brightness, you have 8 levels of brightness control

bare light, brightness 1
bare light, brightness 2
diffuser on, brightness 1
diffuser on, brightness 2
condenser on, brightness 1
condenser on, brightness 2
diffuser + condenser, brightness 1
diffuser + condenser, brightness 2

It's enough to be use in almost all lighting needs.

But still SWIT is also a great light. :)
 
Thanks for the input. Has there been times where you wish you had the SWIT? It's just going to be odd trying to fix the battery to the GH1 whereas the COMER is conveniently built into the housing. And side by side how much bigger is the COMER 900 cause the SWIT is pretty darn small.

cheers.
 
I was glad to have SWIT after using LP Micro for a year. However, SWIT is still not as bright as I hope. It also created a hot spot in the video unless I add the diffuse filter.

I don't have the SWIT light anymore. But I can tell you Comer 900 and SWIT are about the same size. SWIT is very clunky because you have use the clap to tie the battery holder either on the camera handle or tripod. It's very inconvenience. Also the extra wiring is not so good. I like the clean self battery powered with the Comer.

Here's some pictures of two SWIT lights on the 3-Shoe bracket on HV30

newtwin1.jpg


The extra wiring

newtwin9.jpg


The Comer 900 on the same bracket on HV30 (The light on the right is Comer 1800).

cm900-8.jpg
 
Comer 1800 is more useful. It's powerful (you never complain too much light), full dimmer, tilt-able. However, some people find the light a bit too big to mount on camera.

Comer 900 only has 2 level or brightness and not tilt-able. It's half the brightness of Comer 1800. But it's smaller in size and lighter weight. But it's cheaper =)

They are both default at 4500K color temp (ready to shoot indoor without filter), wider spread (you don't see a hot circular spot in video), But with the condenser, spotlight mode actually increase brightness.

If you don't mind 1800 is a bit bigger, that's the light to go with. Since I always have my camera on tripod, the extra weight is not an issue.
 
So for run and gun on a GH1 you suggest the 900 and for static the 1800? The range on the 900 with the stock lens at, say, ISO 800 is?

Taky said:
Comer 1800 is more useful. It's powerful (you never complain too much light), full dimmer, tilt-able. However, some people find the light a bit too big to mount on camera.

Comer 900 only has 2 level or brightness and not tilt-able. It's half the brightness of Comer 1800. But it's smaller in size and lighter weight. But it's cheaper =)

They are both default at 4500K color temp (ready to shoot indoor without filter), wider spread (you don't see a hot circular spot in video), But with the condenser, spotlight mode actually increase brightness.

If you don't mind 1800 is a bit bigger, that's the light to go with. Since I always have my camera on tripod, the extra weight is not an issue.
Click to expand...
 
ah they really suck you in on putting the dimmer on the 1800. I think i may have top heavy issues with weight if i stuck it on a steady cam rig...lol

Now i just have to hunt a supplier down here in Australia to test fit both 1800 and 900 onto the GH1
 
My suggestion is, if you don't mind the extra weight, go with Comer 1800 as it's more powerful and flexible. Otherwise 900 is a great portable light to be used. The best part is, it's by default diffused. You won't see a hot circular spot. The price is cheaper than SWIT S2010 but the output lux is higher.

Another option is to use the F770 battery instead of F970 battery. It reduces the overall size and weight.
 
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