OK, I am a procrastinator, and need to buy a video light for my GS100 ASAP for a wedding on June 12th.

I'd like to keep the budget to roughly $100 or so.

I want something that will mount to the shoe of my cam, and that takes it's own battery, and will give me like an hour of operation (if such a thing exists).

Anyways, I've gotta start searching now, since I need to order it by tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I use a $50 Sunpak (self contained) on my GS100 but I always find myself needing a little more light.

Here is a link to all the on-camera lights at B&H that include batteries and some go well over one hour (albeit at a lower wattage).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=on-camera+light+battery

Here is the Sunpak RL-20 that I'm using.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=52959&is=REG

Thanks Tommy.

What kind of microphone are you using right now, by the way?

Most probably 10W will not suffice for your application, but anyway, Pany Japan makes the new VW-LDC10 video light (with wide and spot modes) that uses the same batt as your GS100.

Using VBD140: 55 mins
Using VBD210: 1 hour 25 mins (usage time).

If 3W will suffice, you can also consider the VW-LDH3 (hot shoe powered)

Allan, thread hijack here. Have you seen that thingamajig on the Panasonic web site that is supposed to fit into the gs100k hot shoe and give you more flexibility re accessories? I can't figure out how it works - does it mean you can add both the mike and a light off the hot shoe? (Of course, it seems to be a pain because I gather you can't get at the tape or battery while it's installed, but I'm still curious.)

What kind of microphone are you using right now, by the way?

Stock mic for now, how about you?

Allan, does the VW-LDC10 video light come in black?

Silver gray only Jason. Note that this video light is meant to be used with all mini DVcams using the VBD140/210 series batts (GS50/55/70/100/120/200), including the DVD cams (M70/30). It uses the same lamp as the previous LDDS9 (the appropriate videolight for the MX5K,3K,2.5K,2K,1K). In any case, it should look nice with your black mamba.

Pat I think you're referring to the VW-SK11 shoe adapter. Somebody has asked me to buy that accessory before. It screws to the hole under the cam (normally used for tripod connection), giving the shooter 2 shoes for simultaneous attachment of 2 accessories; one on-cam hot shoe + one passive shoe.

Thanks for the info Allan. I'll be emailing you soon.

Thanks, Allan. Something to keep in mind for the future.

Hi Tom,
Just finished 6th event with black mamba.

I'm using Cool Lux 20 W and with this camera in very dark reception hall you can get 2 people in MS if you are very close.

If this is one time deal go for cheap solution.

If this is pro decision (long term use) get the lamp with lead acid battery combo - B&H link

Heavy and pain in the neck to drag around but I don't think 10W will help you in dark places where people are wearing black clothes.

Mike
==========================
"How to shoot, edit and screen your first DV movie in 60 days" coming soon

Mike, weren't you the one who had decided to sell your gs100 at one point? Now you're on your sixth event? Wha' hoppened?

Yes that's me

After 3 events which supposed to be basic package no editing I had to take footage to computer and make it brighter (average rendering time 5-7 hours)

This is when I got mad :)
Customers were happy even with brightness filter on the footage.

What makes this cam great is size and battery power for park and bright reception halls.

I still believe it's not for pro work for somebody who starts in business (lying monitor and lots of fixes in editing with low light condition)

But once you shoot with this little baby it's hard to go back to bigger cams and break your back :)

Mike
===========================
"How to shoot, edit and screen your first DV movie in 60 days" coming soon

So which NLE do you use for fixing the brightness level? And are you shooting in pro-cinema mode?

Regular shooting 4:3
I don't understand Pro Cinema on this cam enough to use it from the point of end user TV. I'm playing safe for now

Adobe Premiere for editing

Yeah, nice to hear from Mike again!
No probs with the cam itself till now?
I had some strange sound glitches on capture appart from the few times 'morning due' warning. I haven't researched more though to see if it is not PC problem.

I also saw the new 10W light - it's really needed accessory especially if you have spare batteries.

And Mike - how do you deal with the mic/remote shared port - do you use external mic in your work? Cam mounted?

Sorry for shifting the topic again ;) just want to hear from somebody who uses our cam for pro work!

I use wireless mike during ceremony for exchange rings only.

Everything else cam's mike (whole day)

I don't use remote since it gives only one speed zoom against slow/fast zooms on camera.

Last Saturday (in the church) I didn't even bother with black mamba, it was too dark.
Just grabbed my trusted Sony VX 1000.

I'm doing this for 8 years and become lazy:)
No lights for church - which I can do with Sony VX 1000

No mikes (before I used shotgun mic)

Black mamba dosen't give me back pain :)

I'll write more in depth reviews about 6 events I did and what happened later
now this course is taking all my time
"How to shoot, edit and screen your first DV movie in 60 days"