On cam Lights Recommendations?

M

mojomeat

New member
Any Recommendations with on-camera lights for the DVX100b. I shoot lots of skateboarding at night and need something good.

Thanks all!
 
From what I understand the light output is subpar on the micro. At least thats the reviews I've read - havent seen one myself. If you need a good strong light I think you are stuck with an external battery no matter what. The deluxe vidleds are the only built in battery with some decent output I know of and they arent the brightest by any means either.

What kind of distance are you going to need? Anything over 6-8 ft and I'd say your stuck with a tungsten light and battery belt. Led's just dont have the throw that tungsten does. You also mentioned you are filming skateboarding - outside? Unless its at night you may have some trouble even noticing the light is on. Takes alot of light to compete with the sun.

Give us some more details as to what conditions you are shooting in and we can give you some better reccomendations.
 
Not sure what light to get for skate films. All I know is, don't get the $700 litepanel light. That thing really ways down your camera. Making it hard to hold for long periods of time. I did a wedding with one on my DVX and my back and arms didn't feel so good by the night.

good luck

Jason
 
See for yourself

20080521-pr4s4knt2yge8dit8ks8ex1jnc.jpg


That's in pitch darkness. I'd say maybe 3 to 5 feet for a good eye/hair light.

It'd be good for ECUs and Cus of maybe shoulder up... especially if you want to dim it down and use it as a softlight.
 
Unless you spend all your time with a death lens - get a tungsten light.

You'll need to invest in a battery belt, but they have some great throw on them
Most of the guys I see in the vids use lights like the Frezzi micro ones.

If I was going to go for an LED solution, the Zylight would be my #1 pick - but they're pricy, and if 90% of what you are shooting is skating, I doubt that you'd need what the light is capable of anyway :)
 
do the zylites blow away the vidleds? i have a vidled and shoot weddings and of course the recptions are always dark, the need for a light is always needed. my vidled dont always cut it, would the zylite do the trick?
 
Well if you consider the fact that Zylights chance white temperature and are also capable of a wide range of colors! Then HECK YEAH.
 
I own a zylight z90. My partner and I each bought one. They are excellent lights. when you have two running you can control them both via blue tooth.
The only thing I am not happy about is the cable for the battery pack. We each bought two of the LiPoly batteries and the extension cables they sell don't have the screw on connector at the light end. as a result it is easy to loose a cable in a run and gun situation.
But the quality of the light, the output the ability to regulate it and colour it and preset it....Fantastic. Not cheap but it will last forever.
 
The Z90's easily blow away the vidleds. Much more light. Not alot more throw but definitely more light. Add to that the fact that you can adjust color temp and even color as Joseph mentioned and you've got a heck of a light. Downside is that its bigger and heavier than a vidled, costs more, draws a whole lot more power. And it does get hot. Those fins are not pleasant to touch after its been on for a while. But the light output itself is still comfortable to sit under, unlike a conventional tungsten. Need alot of light and some decent throw though - tungsten. I'm contemplating rigging a lowell pro light for 12v at 100w. Gonna take a heck of a battery but there are those times when you just need a crap load of light.

The micro does a better job than I thought - looks like a little less light than a vidled. Not bad for AA's though. What are your camera settings on that Joseph and I'll run my z90 and vidled through the same test. Assuming our arms are about the same length it should work no? Nice Guitar Hero shirt btw. :)
 
Why thanks Jeff. Let me look at the original picture again and get you the meta data. Erg... it was lost when I scaled it down. How bout you take pictures and I will replicate using my own camera. Lets do a 2 foot distance from about a 20° angle?
 
Cool, are you just shooting with an SLR then? I'll shoot something tonight or tomorrow (have to mow the stupid yard at some point) and post it back up here. I'm interested in this from a practical viewpoint as photometrics are great and all but they dont do much for me in my little head. I'll even do one with the softbox for you and see what that does.
 
I was going for about 3-6 feet away most of the time. I only need the light for shooting with a Fisheye.

What about Bescor lights? Any good?

Thanks!
 
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