Video Light Question at DVinfo.net

Sunny Dhinsey · March 23rd, 2004, 11:27 AM

I just wanted to know, can I use my AC Adaptor to power a Canon VL-10 (or 20) video light. I'm assuming it will just fit onto the light like it does onto the camera in place of the battery?

Jean-Philippe Archibald · March 23rd, 2004, 12:37 PM

I could be wrong, but I think that there is a warning about the use of the AC adaptor in the VL-10li user's manual. I will check tonight.

Ed Baatz · March 23rd, 2004, 01:15 PM

Jean-Philippe is right, in the Canon VL-10Li manual - under the heading of "To ensure safe use" it specifically states:

"A DC coupler cannot be used in place of a battery pack."

It doesn't make total sense to me, it would seem like a DC adapter "would" work --- except that the light is actually described as being a "Canon Battery Video Light".

Where safety is concerned --- I try to err on the side of caution.

Maybe just buy an extra battery? A BP-945 battery will cost about twice as much as the light did though?

OT: I wonder why the replacement bulb for the $65 Canon light costs $25. Seems like an expensive bulb? I wonder if there is a generic bulb equivalent?

Ed Baatz
Sarasota, Florida

Don Palomaki · March 24th, 2004, 05:15 AM

All things cost more if you just buy the individual parts. Individual parts for a $10K car would cost on the order of $40K. Here is a crazy example fromHome Depot. A replacement battery for a 18-volt cordless drill cost ~$55, but one can buy the same drill with two batteries for $95. Economies of scale, packaging, handling, overhead costs, and middle-man cuts all make the difference.

Ed Baatz · March 24th, 2004, 01:30 PM

Paying $25 for a bulb worth at most, $2 or $3 is simply not very sensible... Replacement bulbs for my Smith Victor SV-950 are not over-priced... but then the bulbs don't say Canon or Sony on them either.

A "generic" bulb, if it fits --- would be fine. A halogen 12-volt 10-watt bulb is not magical. Charging $25 for it is... priceless! ;o)

Sunny Dhinsey · March 25th, 2004, 05:36 AM

Thanks for the information guys.

Ideally I need a camera light that I can plug in as I don't want to be relying on batteries.

Just the hassle of charging etc

Thanks

Ed Baatz · March 25th, 2004, 11:46 AM

Sorry I got off-topic Sunny...

Smith Victor offers a 120-volt AC camera-mounted light that sells for about $55, I think, and it does either 100-watts or 150-watts (depending upon which bulb you use). Model numbers SM410 and SM415. Even has barn-doors which the VL10 doesn't have. B&H sells them too.

Or you might look at the Smith Victor 120v/12v light (model number SV840) that is similar but can be used with 35, 50, 75 or 100-watt bulbs. It costs more (about $100).

I'm sure there are _many_ other video lights available that will operate on 120-volts too???

Ed Baatz
Sarasota, Florida

Andrew Kiu · January 4th, 2005, 04:40 AM

I plan to get Smith victor, How abour Smith victor SV950 Lighting Kit? Can it be used with 50 watt light bulb?
Will it fit the canon mount shoe?

thx
andrew

Ed Baatz · January 4th, 2005, 09:35 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Andrew Kiu : I plan to get Smith victor, How abour Smith victor SV950 Lighting Kit? Can it be used with 50 watt light bulb?
Will it fit the canon mount shoe?
thx andrew -->>>

I have this S/V-950 light and it fits in my Canon's shoe mount just like you would guess it would. Standard shoe mount... My unit also came with a separate, detachable, padded-handle for using the light hand-held. I can also store extra bulbs inside this handle.

This unit can use any of four different wattage bulbs which allows me to vary its power as I might need by just switching the bulbs.

Wattages which can be used are: 35-watt; 50-watt; 75-watt; and 100-watt.

I usually keep a couple of each wattage bulb on hand. The bulbs are inexpensive and it's relatively easy to swap the bulb in order to change the light's output when needed.

Ed

Andrew Kiu · January 5th, 2005, 06:22 AM

Ed Baatz,
Thanks for your input...

Which battery pack so far you think is more conveniences or less hassle to carry?

BP1-C SHOULDER POWER PACK or FANNY PACK?

Thx again

Ed Baatz · January 5th, 2005, 08:53 AM

Andrew,

Shoulder or fanny pack? I'd say that would primarily depend upon your personal preference? I have only used the shoulder pack but the fanny pack would probably be just as good... Probably not much difference in convenience or hassle would be my guess.

Ed

Andrew Kiu · January 5th, 2005, 11:02 AM

Thank you so much for your help,

i just ordered Smith Victor SV950K Lighting Kit for my Canon XL1s...from B&H

Thanks

Norman Woo · July 20th, 2008, 01:17 AM

Hi Folks

What's the product code for the 35W Bulb for the SV950? For example, the 100 Watt bulb is FCR. The 50 Watt bulb is JC12V50. It's not mentionned on their website.

Thanks

Taky Cheung · July 20th, 2008, 01:21 AM

There is a tab in the DC coupler that won't fit to the VL-10. It would be ideal if you can use it for a AC source for the light.

I'm using some generic brand BP-970G batteries for the VL-10. I can about 3 to 3.5 hours per charge to be used with VL-10. Not bad.

March 23rd, 2004, 11:27 AM	#1
Sunny Dhinsey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 127	Video Light Question I just wanted to know, can I use my AC Adaptor to power a Canon VL-10 (or 20) video light. I'm assuming it will just fit onto the light like it does onto the camera in place of the battery? __________________ Sunny Dhinsey Director - www.filmlore.tv

March 23rd, 2004, 12:37 PM	#2
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	I could be wrong, but I think that there is a warning about the use of the AC adaptor in the VL-10li user's manual. I will check tonight. __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

March 24th, 2004, 05:15 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	All things cost more if you just buy the individual parts. Individual parts for a $10K car would cost on the order of $40K. Here is a crazy example fromHome Depot. A replacement battery for a 18-volt cordless drill cost ~$55, but one can buy the same drill with two batteries for $95. Economies of scale, packaging, handling, overhead costs, and middle-man cuts all make the difference. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 25th, 2004, 05:36 AM	#6
Sunny Dhinsey Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 127	Thanks for the information guys. Ideally I need a camera light that I can plug in as I don't want to be relying on batteries. Just the hassle of charging etc Thanks __________________ Sunny Dhinsey Director - www.filmlore.tv

January 4th, 2005, 04:40 AM	#8
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	I plan to get Smith victor, How abour Smith victor SV950 Lighting Kit? Can it be used with 50 watt light bulb? Will it fit the canon mount shoe? thx andrew __________________ Andrew

March 23rd, 2004, 01:15 PM	#3
Ed Baatz Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 120	Jean-Philippe is right, in the Canon VL-10Li manual - under the heading of "To ensure safe use" it specifically states: "A DC coupler cannot be used in place of a battery pack." It doesn't make total sense to me, it would seem like a DC adapter "would" work --- except that the light is actually described as being a "Canon Battery Video Light". Where safety is concerned --- I try to err on the side of caution. Maybe just buy an extra battery? A BP-945 battery will cost about twice as much as the light did though? OT: I wonder why the replacement bulb for the $65 Canon light costs $25. Seems like an expensive bulb? I wonder if there is a generic bulb equivalent? Ed Baatz Sarasota, Florida

March 24th, 2004, 01:30 PM	#5
Ed Baatz Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 120	Paying $25 for a bulb worth at most, $2 or $3 is simply not very sensible... Replacement bulbs for my Smith Victor SV-950 are not over-priced... but then the bulbs don't say Canon or Sony on them either. A "generic" bulb, if it fits --- would be fine. A halogen 12-volt 10-watt bulb is not magical. Charging $25 for it is... priceless! ;o)

March 25th, 2004, 11:46 AM	#7
Ed Baatz Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 120	Sorry I got off-topic Sunny... Smith Victor offers a 120-volt AC camera-mounted light that sells for about $55, I think, and it does either 100-watts or 150-watts (depending upon which bulb you use). Model numbers SM410 and SM415. Even has barn-doors which the VL10 doesn't have. B&H sells them too. Or you might look at the Smith Victor 120v/12v light (model number SV840) that is similar but can be used with 35, 50, 75 or 100-watt bulbs. It costs more (about $100). I'm sure there are _many_ other video lights available that will operate on 120-volts too??? Ed Baatz Sarasota, Florida

January 4th, 2005, 09:35 AM	#9
Ed Baatz Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 120	<<<-- Originally posted by Andrew Kiu : I plan to get Smith victor, How abour Smith victor SV950 Lighting Kit? Can it be used with 50 watt light bulb? Will it fit the canon mount shoe? thx andrew -->>> I have this S/V-950 light and it fits in my Canon's shoe mount just like you would guess it would. Standard shoe mount... My unit also came with a separate, detachable, padded-handle for using the light hand-held. I can also store extra bulbs inside this handle. This unit can use any of four different wattage bulbs which allows me to vary its power as I might need by just switching the bulbs. Wattages which can be used are: 35-watt; 50-watt; 75-watt; and 100-watt. I usually keep a couple of each wattage bulb on hand. The bulbs are inexpensive and it's relatively easy to swap the bulb in order to change the light's output when needed. Ed

January 5th, 2005, 06:22 AM	#10
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	BP1-C SHOULDER POWER PACK or FANNY PACK? Ed Baatz, Thanks for your input... Which battery pack so far you think is more conveniences or less hassle to carry? BP1-C SHOULDER POWER PACK or FANNY PACK? Thx again __________________ Andrew

January 5th, 2005, 08:53 AM	#11
Ed Baatz Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 120	Andrew, Shoulder or fanny pack? I'd say that would primarily depend upon your personal preference? I have only used the shoulder pack but the fanny pack would probably be just as good... Probably not much difference in convenience or hassle would be my guess. Ed

January 5th, 2005, 11:02 AM	#12
Andrew Kiu Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: BRUNEI Posts: 108	Thanks ED Thank you so much for your help, i just ordered Smith Victor SV950K Lighting Kit for my Canon XL1s...from B&H Thanks __________________ Andrew

July 20th, 2008, 01:17 AM	#13
Norman Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brossard, Quebec, Canada Posts: 147	Hi Folks What's the product code for the 35W Bulb for the SV950? For example, the 100 Watt bulb is FCR. The 50 Watt bulb is JC12V50. It's not mentionned on their website. Thanks

July 20th, 2008, 01:21 AM	#14
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	There is a tab in the DC coupler that won't fit to the VL-10. It would be ideal if you can use it for a AC source for the light. I'm using some generic brand BP-970G batteries for the VL-10. I can about 3 to 3.5 hours per charge to be used with VL-10. Not bad. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator