ENG-style lighting options?

J

jeffyjones

Well-known member
There's a very good chance that I could be using my HVX for a lot of ENG-style shooting in the very near future. Of course, lighting is the difference between good ENG and bad ENG. Does anyone have any suggestions?

This is probably the only area where I might wish I had the HD100 instead, because you can do an Anton Bauer Gold Mount and it's not awkward. I used to love the Ultralights that powered off the thing. They do have a contraption that will put the battery over your shoulder, but it's awkward.
 
What about an LED light? There's a few cheap solutions out there now and they are bright and will run pretty much for hours as they don't take up a lot of juice. I'm probably going this way
 
Learn to light. The last resort is to put a light on top of the camera. That's not lighting. Start by watching good docs and learn to use available light to your advantage. Then you can determine what lights you need to add and where.

ENG can mean a lot of things. It all depends on what kind of shooting you are doing.
 
I'm liking the looks of the litepanels lights. They've got a $150 rebate on their site right now which makes the price a little easier to swallow. Anyone tried them with the HVX??
 
Been using a litepanel with my DVX for half a year now and it really is a very handy piece of equipment, small enough to put almost anywhere, produces a nice soft light. Especially good for fill and catchlights.

The only problem for ENG work is that it adds quite a bit of weight to the camera, making it harder to hand-hold and also making it front heavy, both of which are problematic if you're using continuously for a long time.
 
With the HVX and the articulating arm they sell you should be able to connect the light to the back of the handle though right?
 
There are a few cheaper options than the lite panels. I got an email about one that costs around 300 with the battery and charger.


Also, why do people instantly chime into about learning how to light.. and on the top of the camera bizness. That's not what was being sought here. I also like that the LEDs or sunguns or whatever can be handheld and or put on a nice c-stand. I often bring my 2' kino and run that as well. Quite a nice portable set-up.
 
greenheron said:
Learn to light. The last resort is to put a light on top of the camera. That's not lighting. Start by watching good docs and learn to use available light to your advantage. Then you can determine what lights you need to add and where.
Click to expand...
What are you trying to say? Because it sounds like you're trying to insult me.

You've obviously never done ENG for cheap affiliates. Pretty hard to not have the light on the camera when you're chasing lawyers out of a courthouse or city employees sleeping on the job.

I really love the Litepanel units. I saw one used at an amusement park media event on-ride before dawn and was really impressed. They're a bit on the expensive side. Powering the lights is almost always the issue.
 
It's cool bro. Just some people come off all negative for some unwholesome reason. I think with statements like that.. there should be a link to a demo reel for instant credibility assurances...
 
http://vidled.com There ya go.


The rep was very very cool. They have options in the 200-300 range. I personally own a little keychain LED and just one is really bright.. I can imagine how great these will work. There's also quite a lenghty thread on this forum about buidling your own set of LEDs.... I'm all thumbs though so I'd just as soon buy something with atleast a warranty.

Anyone also going to be getting any other kits? I'm looking for a beater lightweight kit... and something with a small case size.
 
Owen.. Good call on that. I hadn't seen that, but I love those Bebob products. I think they make some sweet stuff. Problem is figuring out the price. Do you know a ballpark on this?


Man, this might be awesome to get 3 of these things to go along with what I've got.. I could truly have this in a little backpack.
 
Hi...You can use panasonic's VZ-LDDS9 camera light for the AG series camcorders ;)
It is very useful and running on same type battery. no need any charger
 
Justyn said:
http://vidled.com There ya go.
Click to expand...
Well done! Well priced too. Good to see someone identify a market and run with it. Hopefully they'll stock them soon. And I have to wonder if that battery pack, the one that does various voltages, might also be able to power a hard drive in a pinch. Let the mind wander...
 
> What are you trying to say? Because it sounds like you're trying to insult me. <<


Hey everyone,
There are tons of different gigs with different goals / budgets. We should not ever take offence to someone else’s words when they try to help. They don't know your story and we don't know there's. But in a real run and gun case the on camera lights are great. But if you have time to light, then to suggest to someone to learn his/her craft a little more is a great suggestion too. Cus really, on-camera lights look pretty bad.

So use the info if you can and don't take anything personal.

See yea,
Steve
 
Last edited:
I don't take anything personal, I just have no desire to experience dicketry. If you don't have advice, it's best not to respond.

But anyway, I see the VIDLEDS have several threads on them, so there's great potential there to use them for different mounting applications. God knows you can do anything then with a clamp and some gaffer's tape!
 
magirus said:
Hi...You can use panasonic's VZ-LDDS9 camera light for the AG series camcorders ;)
It is very useful and running on same type battery. no need any charger
Click to expand...


That sounds like a pretty nice option as well. I like the simplicity of just buying the same battery as the 200 uses.

Love the use of dicketry... I also love in pink flamingos when those people are found guilty of Assholeism. That's some comedy there.


I do think LEDs are coming bigtime. Good thing to invest in... They are low-power and bright as hell. I also think that they will have some stock soon. When I talked to the rep before, even though the site said they were out of stock.. he said they had a few set aside for people to buy...
 
Well I don't know how it is where you live (I'll be in Orlando next weekend ;)), but nearly every traffic light up here in Northeast Ohio now uses LED's.
 
I personaly swear by lightpanels! I have a kit, and i love them. I don't shoot without them now. Yes the are pretty expensive. But, you get what you pay for. The lightpanels held up fantastic in New Orleans while shooting Katrina Damage. I was there from Day 6 to 7 weeks out, so talk about punishment! The light panels saved our lives a couple of times too. Well worth the money!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top