Help choosing on camera light. at DVinfo.net

Paul Kellett · October 18th, 2008, 04:44 AM

I'm in need of an on camera light for my EX1, i'm getting the swit battery soon which has a d-tap outlet on it so i'm after a light which can be powered by that.

At the moment i'm leaning towards the litepanels micro or the swit s-2000.
Does anyone have any experience of these lights ?
Any other suggestions would be considered.
I'm needing the light for wedding receptions, first dances, that sort of thing.

Thanks.
Paul.

Don Bloom · October 18th, 2008, 07:03 AM

I don't know that the Micro will cover 16:9 aspect fully to the edges. I love mine but am shooting 4:3.
However the Litepanel MINI would cover it and can be powered from the D tap. Of course you could buy 2 and 1/4 Micros for the cost of 1 Mini but I think you'd be better of with the Mini.

Don

Dan Brockett · October 18th, 2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

I don't know that the Micro will cover 16:9 aspect fully to the edges. I love mine but am shooting 4:3.
However the Litepanel MINI would cover it and can be powered from the D tap. Of course you could buy 2 and 1/4 Micros for the cost of 1 Mini but I think you'd be better of with the Mini.

Don

I rented a Mini to shoot interviews at a cocktail party with the HVX200. The Mini is sweet, it worked very nicely as an eyelight/fill light.

I wish they weren't so expensive but they do work really well.

The Micro, on the other hand, to me is disposable. One good whack while it is mounted and it will be in pieces. I wish that the VIDLed guys had their act together, their product is practically indestructible and about half of the cost of the LitePanels Mini. But you haven't been able to buy one for close to a year it seems.

Ikan has a new basic copy of the Micro that looks interesting. Don't know if it is any more heavy duty though.

Dan

Christopher Witz · October 18th, 2008, 12:01 PM

I actually like the micro for how light it is... on the ex1 flying on a pilot it adds just enough to put that obie catchlight in the eyes. It's obviously no replacement for a key... but as sensitive as these cameras are in low light I think one could put a micro to use as a handheld to the side.... in fact... I use it to fill still shots all the time.... just enough to fill those eye sockets during interior shots.

The zylight z90 has also been a great lighting tool for me.... I have discovered that a $40 energiser li-ion battery for lcd picture frames will power the z90 for about an hour... and the plug works in the zylight socket without alteration. ( hmm... just realized this batt might work for the pilot as well! )

Energizer | ER-PHOTO Universal Battery for Digital | ER-PHOTO

October 18th, 2008, 04:44 AM	#1
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	Help choosing on camera light. I'm in need of an on camera light for my EX1, i'm getting the swit battery soon which has a d-tap outlet on it so i'm after a light which can be powered by that. At the moment i'm leaning towards the litepanels micro or the swit s-2000. Does anyone have any experience of these lights ? Any other suggestions would be considered. I'm needing the light for wedding receptions, first dances, that sort of thing. Thanks. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

October 18th, 2008, 07:03 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I don't know that the Micro will cover 16:9 aspect fully to the edges. I love mine but am shooting 4:3. However the Litepanel MINI would cover it and can be powered from the D tap. Of course you could buy 2 and 1/4 Micros for the cost of 1 Mini but I think you'd be better of with the Mini. Don

October 18th, 2008, 12:01 PM	#4
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	I actually like the micro for how light it is... on the ex1 flying on a pilot it adds just enough to put that obie catchlight in the eyes. It's obviously no replacement for a key... but as sensitive as these cameras are in low light I think one could put a micro to use as a handheld to the side.... in fact... I use it to fill still shots all the time.... just enough to fill those eye sockets during interior shots. The zylight z90 has also been a great lighting tool for me.... I have discovered that a $40 energiser li-ion battery for lcd picture frames will power the z90 for about an hour... and the plug works in the zylight socket without alteration. ( hmm... just realized this batt might work for the pilot as well! ) Energizer \| ER-PHOTO Universal Battery for Digital \| ER-PHOTO