Reception Lighting Alternative at DVinfo.net

Troy Davis · August 22nd, 2012, 07:25 AM

Hi There,

Since reception lights ( The Wireless Wedding Reception Video Light - HOME ) are no longer available has anyone come up with a good alternative? Also, has anyone used a similar method at a ceremony that's dimly/candle lit?
It would be nice to have a spotlight on the wedding party as they're coming down the aisle.

Thanks,
Troy

Chris Medico · August 22nd, 2012, 07:30 AM

There are a number of LED lights on the market that put out plenty of light and free you from shore power.

I used a couple LED panels recently to do an impromptu video of a blues performer.

Arthur Gannis · August 22nd, 2012, 08:58 AM

If you are plugging the lights into a wall AC, then perhaps these remotes cam offer a good and affordable alternative, Remote Starter Kit (RC6500-DEAL-HA)

Led lights, unless they are very spotty and very bright, don't do much for distances over 40 feet. I have seen bridal party introductions at dark receptions well over 60 feet. What I use is an on camera led that has 2 beam angles. one of 70 degrees wide and one of 15 degrees spot. The spot reaches out to 50 ft. and is great for first dance highlighted. After that I switch the led to wide mode for the rest of the evening. The light is a 2400 lux at wide and 10,000 lux on spot, 3200K of course.

Troy Davis · August 22nd, 2012, 09:06 AM

That LED with remotes is great! It would be nice not to have to rely on outlets, so an affordable battery setup would be perfect?!

Troy Davis · August 22nd, 2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Gannis

If you are plugging the lights into a wall AC, then perhaps these remotes cam offer a good and affordable alternative, Remote Starter Kit (RC6500-DEAL-HA)

Led lights, unless they are very spotty and very bright, don't do much for distances over 40 feet. I have seen bridal party introductions at dark receptions well over 60 feet. What I use is an on camera led that has 2 beam angles. one of 70 degrees wide and one of 15 degrees spot. The spot reaches out to 50 ft. and is great for first dance highlighted. After that I switch the led to wide mode for the rest of the evening. The light is a 2400 lux at wide and 10,000 lux on spot, 3200K of course.

Arthur,

Do you have a link to the angled lights you use? I saw some 3rd party 650W Tungsten Fresnel at this link, but didn't know if you get the same quality:

650W Tungsten Fresnel Video Spot Movie Light Continuous Lighting as Arri | eBay

Arthur Gannis · August 22nd, 2012, 09:55 AM

Troy, the battery powered lights ( 6 volts or 12 voltd DC ) can be used with this type of DC remote switch:

6V DC REMOTE CONTROL RELAY SWITCH 6VDC OUTPUT with 2 remote control RS60 | eBay

That is, if you do not want to plug anything into the wall. There are many manufacturers that make these. This particular one works with 6 volt battery and at distances of up to 50 ft. as specified. if you look around, you may come across same types that offer 12 volts DC ( preferable) and ranges of 100 ft. or better. All you need to do is connect your 12 V DC light's battery to the remote receiver box. No AC necessary.
Now if you are talking about the 650 watt Fresnel, that is AC with the wire to the wall.

The 2 angle lights I use are custom made, Sorry, I cannot advertise here.

Troy Davis · August 22nd, 2012, 08:14 PM

Thanks Arthur! I would definitely prefer the 12 volt, but this gives me a start.

Don Bloom · August 22nd, 2012, 09:08 PM

I have 2 of the inexpensive 160LED lights I picked up on Amazon. I wired each with a Logisys Remote I got on Ebay (total cost of lights and remotes=less than $60.00 each) I already had stands and batteries, and BAM! I can turn them on and off from a pretty good distance (relative of course-inside at reception probably 50 feet and less) and they work great for me. Small, easy to carry and setup, no cables anywhere and 1 off brand 550 Sony type battery will get me thru an entire evening. If they break, I'm not really worried about it. For the money I'll buy 6 new ones a year.

Troy Davis · August 23rd, 2012, 08:34 AM

Ordered 2 lights (great price on Amazon) and the remotes off Ebay. I actually already have a LED that ordered a few years ago. I just haven't used it much because the mount bracket was too flimsy. Maybe i can put it to use now and it appears that the mounting bracket has been corrected with the new LEDs.
I'm no electrician, but my guess is that connecting the lights to the remote relay is not that difficult?

Thanks for all the help!

Troy

Don Bloom · August 23rd, 2012, 09:06 AM

Hey Troy, my buddy Chris H helped me with a wiring diagram. I'll e-mail the diagram to you. Just be careful when cutting the wires and soldering the connections. The first one took me about 10 minutes since I wasn't 100% sure of what I was doing but the 2nd tool about 5 minutes including taking it apart and putting it back together.
BTW, the remotes have very long wires so I cut them and ran them thru one of the vent holes of the light.
Look for an email from me.

Troy Davis · August 23rd, 2012, 11:33 AM

Thanks Don! Just what I needed.

Buba Kastorski · August 24th, 2012, 07:50 AM

i have three of

these on remote switch and they are great, same as Arri, give me enough light even for the most dark receptions, and they are not floods so ambience is not ruined, but i'd say enhanced.

Troy Davis · August 24th, 2012, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buba Kastorski

i have three of

these on remote switch and they are great, same as Arri, give me enough light even for the most dark receptions, and they are not floods so ambience is not ruined, but i'd say enhanced.

Thanks Bubba! I like this setup as well. I was just a little unsure of the lights because they weren't Arri's.

Thanks,
Troy

Troy Davis · August 29th, 2012, 09:37 AM

Received my LED lights and remotes. I order both the remotes that work from a power outlet and the kind that work with the battery powered lights. The power outlet devices tested great! Now I have to connect the lights electronically. Should be pretty simple with the instructions I received. I have some pretty tall light stands, so I should be okay there. However, I did see some here for $50 for anyone who needs some:

Amazon.com: Giottos LC325 10.7' 4-Section Air-cushioned Light Stand: Camera & Photo

Thanks,
Troy

Troy Davis · August 31st, 2012, 07:44 PM

I was able to finish wiring the light and it worked great! I was even able to wire my CN-126 light. The wires are a little different, but I was able to figure it out. Now I have to order another remote and one of the 650w lights. Thanks for all the help!

Troy

August 22nd, 2012, 07:25 AM	#1
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Reception Lighting Alternative Hi There, Since reception lights ( The Wireless Wedding Reception Video Light - HOME ) are no longer available has anyone come up with a good alternative? Also, has anyone used a similar method at a ceremony that's dimly/candle lit? It would be nice to have a spotlight on the wedding party as they're coming down the aisle. Thanks, Troy

August 22nd, 2012, 07:30 AM	#2
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative There are a number of LED lights on the market that put out plenty of light and free you from shore power. I used a couple LED panels recently to do an impromptu video of a blues performer. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

August 22nd, 2012, 08:58 AM	#3
Arthur Gannis Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey USA Posts: 504	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative If you are plugging the lights into a wall AC, then perhaps these remotes cam offer a good and affordable alternative, Remote Starter Kit (RC6500-DEAL-HA) Led lights, unless they are very spotty and very bright, don't do much for distances over 40 feet. I have seen bridal party introductions at dark receptions well over 60 feet. What I use is an on camera led that has 2 beam angles. one of 70 degrees wide and one of 15 degrees spot. The spot reaches out to 50 ft. and is great for first dance highlighted. After that I switch the led to wide mode for the rest of the evening. The light is a 2400 lux at wide and 10,000 lux on spot, 3200K of course.

August 22nd, 2012, 09:06 AM	#4
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative That LED with remotes is great! It would be nice not to have to rely on outlets, so an affordable battery setup would be perfect?!

August 22nd, 2012, 09:55 AM	#6
Arthur Gannis Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey USA Posts: 504	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Troy, the battery powered lights ( 6 volts or 12 voltd DC ) can be used with this type of DC remote switch: 6V DC REMOTE CONTROL RELAY SWITCH 6VDC OUTPUT with 2 remote control RS60 \| eBay That is, if you do not want to plug anything into the wall. There are many manufacturers that make these. This particular one works with 6 volt battery and at distances of up to 50 ft. as specified. if you look around, you may come across same types that offer 12 volts DC ( preferable) and ranges of 100 ft. or better. All you need to do is connect your 12 V DC light's battery to the remote receiver box. No AC necessary. Now if you are talking about the 650 watt Fresnel, that is AC with the wire to the wall. The 2 angle lights I use are custom made, Sorry, I cannot advertise here.

August 22nd, 2012, 08:14 PM	#7
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Thanks Arthur! I would definitely prefer the 12 volt, but this gives me a start.

August 22nd, 2012, 09:08 PM	#8
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative I have 2 of the inexpensive 160LED lights I picked up on Amazon. I wired each with a Logisys Remote I got on Ebay (total cost of lights and remotes=less than $60.00 each) I already had stands and batteries, and BAM! I can turn them on and off from a pretty good distance (relative of course-inside at reception probably 50 feet and less) and they work great for me. Small, easy to carry and setup, no cables anywhere and 1 off brand 550 Sony type battery will get me thru an entire evening. If they break, I'm not really worried about it. For the money I'll buy 6 new ones a year. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

August 23rd, 2012, 08:34 AM	#9
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Ordered 2 lights (great price on Amazon) and the remotes off Ebay. I actually already have a LED that ordered a few years ago. I just haven't used it much because the mount bracket was too flimsy. Maybe i can put it to use now and it appears that the mounting bracket has been corrected with the new LEDs. I'm no electrician, but my guess is that connecting the lights to the remote relay is not that difficult? Thanks for all the help! Troy

August 23rd, 2012, 09:06 AM	#10
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Hey Troy, my buddy Chris H helped me with a wiring diagram. I'll e-mail the diagram to you. Just be careful when cutting the wires and soldering the connections. The first one took me about 10 minutes since I wasn't 100% sure of what I was doing but the 2nd tool about 5 minutes including taking it apart and putting it back together. BTW, the remotes have very long wires so I cut them and ran them thru one of the vent holes of the light. Look for an email from me. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

August 23rd, 2012, 11:33 AM	#11
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Thanks Don! Just what I needed.

August 24th, 2012, 07:50 AM	#12
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative i have three of these on remote switch and they are great, same as Arri, give me enough light even for the most dark receptions, and they are not floods so ambience is not ruined, but i'd say enhanced. __________________ I love this place!

August 29th, 2012, 09:37 AM	#14
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative Received my LED lights and remotes. I order both the remotes that work from a power outlet and the kind that work with the battery powered lights. The power outlet devices tested great! Now I have to connect the lights electronically. Should be pretty simple with the instructions I received. I have some pretty tall light stands, so I should be okay there. However, I did see some here for $50 for anyone who needs some: Amazon.com: Giottos LC325 10.7' 4-Section Air-cushioned Light Stand: Camera & Photo Amazon.com: Giottos LC325 10.7' 4-Section Air-cushioned Light Stand: Camera & Photo Thanks, Troy

August 31st, 2012, 07:44 PM	#15
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Re: Reception Lighting Alternative I was able to finish wiring the light and it worked great! I was even able to wire my CN-126 light. The wires are a little different, but I was able to figure it out. Now I have to order another remote and one of the 650w lights. Thanks for all the help! Troy