"Grainy" video?

Prech Marton · February 6th, 2007, 03:59 PM

* Add lighting

Graham, what lighting should i buy for my xm2 to wedding evening situation?
My friend have a canon vl3, this is a 3W lamp, but i think it doesnt help as much as i like. The next Canon lamp is too 'big' for me.
Isn't a cheap 5-10W lamp that use the camera battery?

thx,
Marton

Graham Bernard · February 6th, 2007, 06:37 PM

Good question Prech.

I have the PAG C6 Kit. this is 20 watts which is fine up to 2 meters. I haven't used the VL10 = 10watts which uses a Canon battery - NOT the camera battery! But a separate Canon camera battery. Check this out though.

However, last year I successfully bidded for a 50watt PAG Light off of ebay. Got it for a 1/3 the actual price! I'm very happy with this. More light than I need for my demands. It has day light and frosted filters PLUS the barndoors:

Yes, oh dear, I too bought the VL3. Unless I'm actually about 2' > 3' away, waste of time and money. BUT if you can put up with a bit of grain?

Mike Donley · February 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM

Prech,
I had the Canon VL10 video light and did not like it at all. It was bulky, for the wattage, stood upright more than horizontal, making it look like a dorky apendage. Also, it simply pointed straight ahead. There was no way to bounce light off a ceiling, or to point it up and over a little people's heads rather than directly into their eyes.

I do like the Sunpack CZ200 video light. Directional from slightly downward to about 45 degrees up. Has auto (7 to 20 watts) and manual (20 Watts), tight throw or wide throw. It is inexpensive compared to professonal lights. With two 4000 mah batteries I can do a four-hour wedding reception easily (turning it on only when shooting). The light will turn itself off just before the battery dies, which protects the light from damage. The CZ200 may no longer be in production. Sometimes you can find them on eBay or a photo store. I found a my second one at a Photo store after B&H stopped carrying them.

A professional light you might investigate is Ferenzi (spelling??). A think one is called a mini fill. From everything I've seen and heard, they are worth the money. Just too pricey for the wedding market I work in.

Mark Holland · February 7th, 2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prech Marton

* Add lighting

...what lighting should i buy for my xm2 to wedding evening situation?...

thx,
Marton

You might look at the NRG line of video lights. I have 2 of the MiteLites, and a Varilux. All 3 require an external battery, but they work well for me!

Mark

Bryan Ortiz · July 10th, 2007, 02:00 AM

I was reading through this thread and have been experiencing the same problems with grain due to low light...tricky tricky that low light...several people mentioned some post work that can reduce the grain and I also explored Netvideo, which looks great but I don't have windows. My question is does anyone know any post tricks in Final Cut to reduce grain or perhaps a third party software for mac that can reduce grain...thank you for your time...

February 6th, 2007, 03:59 PM	#16
Prech Marton Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: hungary Posts: 462	* Add lighting Graham, what lighting should i buy for my xm2 to wedding evening situation? My friend have a canon vl3, this is a 3W lamp, but i think it doesnt help as much as i like. The next Canon lamp is too 'big' for me. Isn't a cheap 5-10W lamp that use the camera battery? thx, Marton __________________ Relaxing clips with waterfalls and music, 3D photos, 3D videos: www.3d-video.hu

February 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM	#18
Mike Donley Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 96	Not the VL10 Prech, I had the Canon VL10 video light and did not like it at all. It was bulky, for the wattage, stood upright more than horizontal, making it look like a dorky apendage. Also, it simply pointed straight ahead. There was no way to bounce light off a ceiling, or to point it up and over a little people's heads rather than directly into their eyes. I do like the Sunpack CZ200 video light. Directional from slightly downward to about 45 degrees up. Has auto (7 to 20 watts) and manual (20 Watts), tight throw or wide throw. It is inexpensive compared to professonal lights. With two 4000 mah batteries I can do a four-hour wedding reception easily (turning it on only when shooting). The light will turn itself off just before the battery dies, which protects the light from damage. The CZ200 may no longer be in production. Sometimes you can find them on eBay or a photo store. I found a my second one at a Photo store after B&H stopped carrying them. A professional light you might investigate is Ferenzi (spelling??). A think one is called a mini fill. From everything I've seen and heard, they are worth the money. Just too pricey for the wedding market I work in. __________________ Mike Donley

July 10th, 2007, 02:00 AM	#20
Bryan Ortiz New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 13	Grain is the Problem I was reading through this thread and have been experiencing the same problems with grain due to low light...tricky tricky that low light...several people mentioned some post work that can reduce the grain and I also explored Netvideo, which looks great but I don't have windows. My question is does anyone know any post tricks in Final Cut to reduce grain or perhaps a third party software for mac that can reduce grain...thank you for your time...

February 6th, 2007, 06:37 PM	#17
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Good question Prech. I have the PAG C6 Kit. this is 20 watts which is fine up to 2 meters. I haven't used the VL10 = 10watts which uses a Canon battery - NOT the camera battery! But a separate Canon camera battery. Check this out though. However, last year I successfully bidded for a 50watt PAG Light off of ebay. Got it for a 1/3 the actual price! I'm very happy with this. More light than I need for my demands. It has day light and frosted filters PLUS the barndoors: Yes, oh dear, I too bought the VL3. Unless I'm actually about 2' > 3' away, waste of time and money. BUT if you can put up with a bit of grain?