VL-3 modification for XL2, shown here at DVinfo.net

Les Nagy · August 20th, 2006, 03:32 PM

I got a little tired of worrying about shadows from my on camera mic getting in the shot when using my Canon VL-3. I know it is not made for the camera, but for the price and no extra weight or need for external power, it is a great accessory. Well it is even better now.

http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod.jpg

I machined up a bit of black plastic and lengthened the wires, reassembled and volia!

This could be done with wood for those who are handy. If you don't know how to solder, this is an easy one to learn on.

Chris Hurd · August 21st, 2006, 07:26 AM

What a great DIY project, Les, thanks for sharing this! I've never looked inside a VL-3. How many wires are there?

Allen McLaughlin · August 21st, 2006, 07:49 AM

A little unrelated but I use a Pag light kit http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/C6information.htm

And I'm just reminded that they now offer a Pag battery adaptor for the XL-2, allowing power to the light and camera from one battery pack...

http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/C6DVSolutions.htm

Les Nagy · August 22nd, 2006, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

What a great DIY project, Les, thanks for sharing this! I've never looked inside a VL-3. How many wires are there?

There are three wires, so it an easy job. The light comes apart pretty easily and it looks like the lamp is replaceable. I will post some pictures and some more info in a bit.

Les Nagy · August 22nd, 2006, 06:44 AM

I have made a crude drawing up to show the details of the extension.
http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3_ext.jpg

You can see from the following picture how the foot screws onto the extension.
http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod_bottom.jpg

And you can see how the top is attached, sort of...
The top is just crazy glued to the top, but not the front piece that has the diffuser lens in it. It can still be removed to get at the lamp and interior.
http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod_top.jpg

The #54 drill mentioned in the drawing is 0.055" in dia. The screws that attach the foot self thread into this quite nicely in the plastic I used.

You will notice that my extension doesn't quite match the drawing. Prototypes rarely do.

When adding wire length, add at least 3 inches so that you can work at each end with some slack. The wire will bunch up easily into the large cavity of the extension. The height (3") of the entension can be made to anything you like. 3" is the minimum to get the mic shadow out of picture. 6 degrees of tilt down on the lamp is good for about 3" rise, but that angle needs to be adjusted for different extensions.

I hope someone else benefits from this information.

August 20th, 2006, 03:32 PM	#1
Les Nagy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: A Canadian in Canada, and sometimes Chile Posts: 265	VL-3 modification for XL2, shown here I got a little tired of worrying about shadows from my on camera mic getting in the shot when using my Canon VL-3. I know it is not made for the camera, but for the price and no extra weight or need for external power, it is a great accessory. Well it is even better now. http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod.jpg I machined up a bit of black plastic and lengthened the wires, reassembled and volia! This could be done with wood for those who are handy. If you don't know how to solder, this is an easy one to learn on.

August 21st, 2006, 07:26 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,369 Images: 513	What a great DIY project, Les, thanks for sharing this! I've never looked inside a VL-3. How many wires are there? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 21st, 2006, 07:49 AM	#3
Allen McLaughlin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Paisley, Scotland UK Posts: 99	A little unrelated but I use a Pag light kit http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/C6information.htm And I'm just reminded that they now offer a Pag battery adaptor for the XL-2, allowing power to the light and camera from one battery pack... http://www.paguk.com/C6_Orbitor/C6DVSolutions.htm __________________ http://www.myspace.com/theeejit

August 22nd, 2006, 06:44 AM	#5
Les Nagy Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: A Canadian in Canada, and sometimes Chile Posts: 265	I have made a crude drawing up to show the details of the extension. http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3_ext.jpg You can see from the following picture how the foot screws onto the extension. http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod_bottom.jpg And you can see how the top is attached, sort of... The top is just crazy glued to the top, but not the front piece that has the diffuser lens in it. It can still be removed to get at the lamp and interior. http://www.atsi.ca/images/xl2/vl3mod_top.jpg The #54 drill mentioned in the drawing is 0.055" in dia. The screws that attach the foot self thread into this quite nicely in the plastic I used. You will notice that my extension doesn't quite match the drawing. Prototypes rarely do. When adding wire length, add at least 3 inches so that you can work at each end with some slack. The wire will bunch up easily into the large cavity of the extension. The height (3") of the entension can be made to anything you like. 3" is the minimum to get the mic shadow out of picture. 6 degrees of tilt down on the lamp is good for about 3" rise, but that angle needs to be adjusted for different extensions. I hope someone else benefits from this information.