How hard to break a hot shoe? at DVinfo.net

Chris Rackauckas · April 3rd, 2009, 06:22 PM

Hey, this is the first time I have ever used the hot shoe on my HV20, and I just want to make sure it can carry this. I got an adapter to put a stereo mic holder on it. Then I put two of these flashlights in rubber shockmounts:

Amazon.com: streamlight 4aa

Do you think that would weigh too much to put on a camera?

Bill Davis · April 3rd, 2009, 07:45 PM

Not sure the "weight" of the lights will be the big deal.

I'd be more concerned by the horribly uneven pattern of light produced by a typical flashlight reflector.

Anyone who's ever used a Maglight knows that no matter where in the range you position a light source in a center drilled hole of a parabolic reflector, you get an alternately hot/dark ring shaped low/highlight as the bulb position moves.

That's no big deal for finding your keys in a darkened driveway - you just focus your eyes where the light is even and ignore the places where it's not.

But I think it's going to be a pretty ugly light/shadow pattern for illuminating a video recording.

This is precisely why theatrical lights that also use parabolic reflectors NEVER mount the lamp in a hole. They affix the lamp on a sled IN FRONT of the reflector so there's no NULL or hole space in the reflective geometry.

I think you're going to be disappointed with the illumination you get from the flashlight trick. But since you're clearly already going down this path, let us know how it works out.

Good luck.

Ken Hull · April 3rd, 2009, 09:16 PM

I agree with Bill that the typical flashlight produces very uneven illumination. You can get diffusion material to place over the lights. That would help some. The ultimate super-cheap diffuser would be a few layers of wax paper (or even one layer of regular white paper) taped over the flashlight. Of course, this would reduce the light intensity, but should produce much smoother illumination.

James Miller · April 4th, 2009, 01:35 AM

If you go for the Luxeon LED Flashlight it would have less of the reflection issue as the LED's are not set back by much, and most times the reflector can be removed around the LEDs.

If you get the yellow light version you could always put a couple of daylight filter gels on the front.

The white version is a bit cold for internal unless you warm it up with a orange gel.

April 3rd, 2009, 06:22 PM	#1
Chris Rackauckas Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 113	How hard to break a hot shoe? Hey, this is the first time I have ever used the hot shoe on my HV20, and I just want to make sure it can carry this. I got an adapter to put a stereo mic holder on it. Then I put two of these flashlights in rubber shockmounts: Amazon.com: streamlight 4aa Do you think that would weigh too much to put on a camera?

April 3rd, 2009, 09:16 PM	#3
Ken Hull Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 240	Use a diffuser over the flashlight I agree with Bill that the typical flashlight produces very uneven illumination. You can get diffusion material to place over the lights. That would help some. The ultimate super-cheap diffuser would be a few layers of wax paper (or even one layer of regular white paper) taped over the flashlight. Of course, this would reduce the light intensity, but should produce much smoother illumination.

April 3rd, 2009, 07:45 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Not sure the "weight" of the lights will be the big deal. I'd be more concerned by the horribly uneven pattern of light produced by a typical flashlight reflector. Anyone who's ever used a Maglight knows that no matter where in the range you position a light source in a center drilled hole of a parabolic reflector, you get an alternately hot/dark ring shaped low/highlight as the bulb position moves. That's no big deal for finding your keys in a darkened driveway - you just focus your eyes where the light is even and ignore the places where it's not. But I think it's going to be a pretty ugly light/shadow pattern for illuminating a video recording. This is precisely why theatrical lights that also use parabolic reflectors NEVER mount the lamp in a hole. They affix the lamp on a sled IN FRONT of the reflector so there's no NULL or hole space in the reflective geometry. I think you're going to be disappointed with the illumination you get from the flashlight trick. But since you're clearly already going down this path, let us know how it works out. Good luck.

April 4th, 2009, 01:35 AM	#4
James Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 317	If you go for the Luxeon LED Flashlight it would have less of the reflection issue as the LED's are not set back by much, and most times the reflector can be removed around the LEDs. If you get the yellow light version you could always put a couple of daylight filter gels on the front. The white version is a bit cold for internal unless you warm it up with a orange gel.