Which “on camera lights” are you using for Sony HVR V1U? We recently bought HVL-LBP LED Light System , but have to send it back. It is too big for this camera, though it is marketed for it.
Are there are any alternatives?

I heard the new LitePanels Micro is good. It's not built anywhere near as solid as the Sony light, the LPM is mostly plastic. It takes 4xAA batteries, so it's not as long-lasting as an L-series battery on the Sony light.

But I hear it's good, and cheap too.

Review: Litepanels Micro
By Jay Holben

http://www.dv.com/reviews/reviews_item.php?articleId=196603807

Thanks, I looked through few web sites and it seems that this can be a solution. They also mentioning Litepanels Micro LED Camera Obie Light. (The Obie Light is named after the actress Merle Oberon (known to friends as "Obie"). It was first used by her husband, cinematographer Lucien Ballard, in the 1940s to make lines and shadows disappear from her face which were due to scarring following a car accident. The Obie Light is normally heavily diffused.) I will order it tomorrow. It will be interesting to hear the feedback from somebody who already used it.

I would recommend a light other than the Lite Panels Micro.
I think that you will find the light distribution disappointing and won't provide you with enouh spread for 16:9 widescreen filming.

If the Sony LED light is too heavy for you, and it is a great light, then I might recommend looking into the Videled lights (http://www.vidled.com/), litepanels miniplus system (http://litepanels.com/), or even the Zylight Z50/90 (http://www.zylight.com/servlet/StoreFront). The Zylight is a fantastic light but expensive, but it can do anything that you want.

If you went with the Litepanels micro then I might recommend getting two and mounting them on your camera like they show on the Litepanels website.

Has anyone tried this LED lights on Sony HVR-V1U. I am looking into buy these for my V1U.

Here is the link: LED VIDEO LIGHT 4 Sony HVR-V1U Z1U Panasonic AG-HVX200 - eBay (item 220429277660 end time Aug-05-09 01:51:05 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-VIDEO-LIGHT-4-Sony-HVR-V1U-Z1U-Panasonic-AG-HVX200-_W0QQitemZ220429277660QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20090607?IMSfp=TL090607215003r1311)

Any suggestions appreciated

Has anyone tried this LED lights on Sony HVR-V1U. I am looking into buy these for my V1U.

Here is the link: LED VIDEO LIGHT 4 Sony HVR-V1U Z1U Panasonic AG-HVX200 - eBay (item 220429277660 end time Aug-05-09 01:51:05 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-VIDEO-LIGHT-4-Sony-HVR-V1U-Z1U-Panasonic-AG-HVX200-_W0QQitemZ220429277660QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20090607?IMSfp=TL090607215003r1311)

Any suggestions appreciated

I have a Litepanels Micro I use with one of my V1's but I have been tempted to buy the light you linked to to try it out. The price is pretty amazing and they claim the bulbsare 5600K, have gels, diffusion, and while no dimmer have three settings for different amounts of light (# of LED's on at a given time). The price is amazing but usually you get what you pay for.

I have the Sony 10/20 watt light and it works good for me, because its portable[fits in a pocket] ,light and it uses the same 970 battery as the camera. I don't always need light, but I have it if I need it. There are several more serious adjustable lights depending upon what you need.

Heres a ongoing discussion on the Z5 forum....
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-hvr-z5-hdr-fx1000/238250-fx1000-additional-lighting.html

I wouldn't use a LED based light as they do not generate a full bandwidth of "white" light. This was something advised to me by the guy who I purchased my camera from and whom had a professional photography background. (Note: I could have bought either type of product from him)

Instead I purchased ... and am extremely happy with ... a Paglight C6 system. It's light and it's very professionally designed and constructed. Haven't ever regretted purchasing it.

In the end, you can always cool down the colour temp on skin tones from using an incandescent light source, but it's very difficult to convincingly warm up shin tones exposed from a LED based lighting system.

Others are welcome to prove me wrong.

Andrew

Andrew

Do you know whats the illumination (in lux) at 1m of this Paglight C6 light is? I want to compare it to the Sony 10/20 that is also 20W as the Paglight C6.

Stelios

Don't know that the lux on it is, but I've got the standard 20 watt bulb in and it's practical for 2 or 3 metres, depending on existing ambient lighting. You can also easily interchange with 10W and 30W bulbs.

This page has a heap of info on the product: http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/C6information1.htm

There are also reviews at Camcorder User (http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/downloads/camcorderuser.pdf) and VideoMaker (http://www.videomaker.com/article/9476/)

Andrew

There is the Comer 900 light which is smaller yet still very powerful compared to LP Micro or the SWIT light.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-management/238042-sample-video-comer-900-camera-led-lights.html

That's something to consider. The light is temp balanced at 4500K and can be gel to 3200K. There is the condenser and diffuser makes the light very flexible to use.

Interesting. Nice wide spread of light.

It's got me curious, though, as to whether there is a difference between an LED light source and incandescent when it comes to reflectivity from makeup. Just my curious nature.

Andrew

From my personal experience (as a wedding videographer), I have tried LP Micro, SWIT light and then Comer lights. LP Micro and SWIT is color temp default at 5600K which makes it very blue to be used indoor. It's too "cool" to be used on brides that people looks like dead body. 3200K tungsten light is too orange.

Comer is 4500K which gives a good balance in between. I found out this 4500K color temp makes skin tone pops out nicely. Other 5600K lights has to put gel to lower the color temp, and at the same time, decreae the light output.

I have these posts with some videos you can see it yourself.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-management/238157-comer-1800-led-light-backlight-test-more.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-management/237664-testing-comer-cm-lbps1800-led-lights.html

Thanks Takey. The Comer 1800 does make a big difference on the skin tone. Some thing to consider.

From my personal experience (as a wedding videographer), I have tried LP Micro, SWIT light and then Comer lights. LP Micro and SWIT is color temp default at 5600K which makes it very blue to be used indoor. It's too "cool" to be used on brides that people looks like dead body. 3200K tungsten light is too orange.

Comer is 4500K which gives a good balance in between. I found out this 4500K color temp makes skin tone pops out nicely. Other 5600K lights has to put gel to lower the color temp, and at the same time, decreae the light output.

I have these posts with some videos you can see it yourself.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-management/238157-comer-1800-led-light-backlight-test-more.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-management/237664-testing-comer-cm-lbps1800-led-lights.html

Why would you use the Litepanel Micro indoors without the supplied filter to convert it to 3200K?

I did. I use the 1/4 CTO filter to shoot. otherwise the light is too "blue" to be used indoor. I can't use the diffuse filter or the full orange gel for obvious reason: the light output decreases dramatically if I use those 2 filters.

Has anyone had any experience with using the Comer 1800 where you've got sun light spilling in? Say in a daylight situation where you're next to a window? The 4500K seem like it might make it difficult in these situations.

Thanks,
Garrett

Has anyone had any experience with using the Comer 1800 where you've got sun light spilling in? Say in a daylight situation where you're next to a window? The 4500K seem like it might make it difficult in these situations.

Thanks,
Garrett
Garret, I find that the 4500k of the light is rather flattering when mixed with outdoor lighting. As it's a bit warmer in color temp, especially on skin tones. It's not really a huge difference that I can see, but does give a nice separation to the image.

I find that the 4500k is a nice middle ground when mixing outdoor and indoor lighting, and I even like the look of it indoors under tungsten lighting without the color correcting filter applied. Personal preference I guess.

Thanks Michael,

Do you have any screen grabs showing this? I'm considering the Comer 1800 for roving interview shots. For the sit down have a full light kit but that doesn't do me much good when we're on the go. I'm going to be doing a series of interviews soon that will require me to be walking with the subjects inside a warehouse that has several windows.

Thanks,
Garrett