Best lighting choice at DVinfo.net

Mike Phan · October 16th, 2005, 01:59 AM

Hi everyone. I'm looking for an on camera light for filming in very low light. We're talking about a reception inside at night. Does anyone have any recommendation on a light that compliments the room nicely but not too much like a spot light? And can anyone explain what's the different from a flood light and a fill in light? Thanks

Mark Utley · October 18th, 2005, 01:17 AM

Unless you've got a giant battery belt, you won't be using an on-camera flood light.

Since you're looking for something on-camera, it'll probably get its power from the hot shoe adapter, which is somewhat limited in how much power it can send through a light (I don't know how many watts but not very many). Check that your camera has a powered hot shoe and if it does, look around for video lights. Perhaps B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/).

Mark Sasahara · October 19th, 2005, 10:31 PM

I got a Smith Victor SV-950 with a built in diffuser and Dichroic Blue filter for daylight. I got a Bescor 12V 144 Amp hour battery which will power a 35W light for a little over four hours*. Eventualy I'll get the Paglight which can accept several wattage tungsten lights as well as a 20w HMI (daylight) globe, but I've got to save a few bucks to get that and a few Anton Bauer batteries to power my camera as well as a couple of monitors and lights.

Bescor make pretty good Lead Acid batteries. You can get a battery belt, or an over the shoulder style. I put the over the shoulder style in a large Mountain Smith fanny pack that holds a bunch of things like extra tapes, lavs, etc.

I got the option on the battery where you have the cigarette lighter and a four pin XLR connector. That way I have a couple of options. I can also use the battery to power my Sony Monitor.

The Bescor batteries are a good inexpensive alternative, but they are heavy. You can get several good lights by various manufacturers that can plug into a four pin XLR, or cig lighter. Both are fairly universal.

Do some research and look at different lights and batteries. Some Light manufacturers are Pag, Frezzolini, Smith Victor, Bescor, Anton Bauer, Sachtler, Dedolight. Some Battery manufacturers are: Anton Bauer, Pag, Frezzolini, Bescor.

* Divide Amp Hours by wattage and you have your run time. 144 divided by 35W equals 4.2 hours

Lorinda Norton · October 19th, 2005, 10:44 PM

Mike,
Anton Bauer has an Ultralight kit. I got to play with a camera that had the Ultralight with softbox and dimmer. Really good for receptions, I would think.

Stephanie Wilson · October 20th, 2005, 01:43 AM

Hey bud,

I have used an Anton-Bauer camera light for years and years on network cams. But the freelance budget now preculdes that equipment. So.....

I was on a 3 camera shoot tonight and one of the other photogs loaned me his Canon camera light, (sorry don't know the model #) with a hot shoe mount AND it's own "on board" battery supply. You would need to purchase the charger as opposed to plugging a belt into the wall, but I'm thinking that's an okay compromise.

It was only 10 watts but that's all I needed in a dark nightclub.

Can't wait to do some internet searching and shopping tomorrow....on the almost maxed out credit card, of course.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Mike Phan · October 21st, 2005, 12:08 AM

Hey everyone and thanks for the reply. I appreciate all your inputs. I will research them some more. I knew of the brands but dont' know what wattage to use in a dark room and not overload the shot with too much lighting. Thank you all again.

George Odell · November 8th, 2005, 02:25 PM

Here's an article I wrote on building your own dimmer for the Anton Bauer Ultralight for $25 in parts. Works like a charm and you can't beat the price!

Check it out: http://www.ctshooter.com/dimmer.html

George

Mark Sasahara · November 10th, 2005, 09:15 PM

George, great info. I don't have an Ultralight, but some of your MR16 bulb recommendations give me ideas.

Thanks for taking the time to do the measurments- lengthwise and light-wise.

Best,

-M

October 16th, 2005, 01:59 AM	#1
Mike Phan Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 93	Best lighting choice Hi everyone. I'm looking for an on camera light for filming in very low light. We're talking about a reception inside at night. Does anyone have any recommendation on a light that compliments the room nicely but not too much like a spot light? And can anyone explain what's the different from a flood light and a fill in light? Thanks

October 18th, 2005, 01:17 AM	#2
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	Unless you've got a giant battery belt, you won't be using an on-camera flood light. Since you're looking for something on-camera, it'll probably get its power from the hot shoe adapter, which is somewhat limited in how much power it can send through a light (I don't know how many watts but not very many). Check that your camera has a powered hot shoe and if it does, look around for video lights. Perhaps B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/). __________________ Mark Utley

October 19th, 2005, 10:31 PM	#3
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	I got a Smith Victor SV-950 with a built in diffuser and Dichroic Blue filter for daylight. I got a Bescor 12V 144 Amp hour battery which will power a 35W light for a little over four hours. Eventualy I'll get the Paglight which can accept several wattage tungsten lights as well as a 20w HMI (daylight) globe, but I've got to save a few bucks to get that and a few Anton Bauer batteries to power my camera as well as a couple of monitors and lights. Bescor make pretty good Lead Acid batteries. You can get a battery belt, or an over the shoulder style. I put the over the shoulder style in a large Mountain Smith fanny pack that holds a bunch of things like extra tapes, lavs, etc. I got the option on the battery where you have the cigarette lighter and a four pin XLR connector. That way I have a couple of options. I can also use the battery to power my Sony Monitor. The Bescor batteries are a good inexpensive alternative, but they are heavy. You can get several good lights by various manufacturers that can plug into a four pin XLR, or cig lighter. Both are fairly universal. Do some research and look at different lights and batteries. Some Light manufacturers are Pag, Frezzolini, Smith Victor, Bescor, Anton Bauer, Sachtler, Dedolight. Some Battery manufacturers are: Anton Bauer, Pag, Frezzolini, Bescor. Divide Amp Hours by wattage and you have your run time. 144 divided by 35W equals 4.2 hours __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

October 19th, 2005, 10:44 PM	#4
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Mike, Anton Bauer has an Ultralight kit. I got to play with a camera that had the Ultralight with softbox and dimmer. Really good for receptions, I would think. __________________ Lorinda

November 8th, 2005, 02:25 PM	#7
George Odell Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 270	Here's an article I wrote on building your own dimmer for the Anton Bauer Ultralight for $25 in parts. Works like a charm and you can't beat the price! Check it out: http://www.ctshooter.com/dimmer.html George __________________ "the difference between an amateur photographer and a professional is the amateur shows you all his pictures"

October 20th, 2005, 01:43 AM	#5
Stephanie Wilson Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks CA Posts: 255	Hey bud, I have used an Anton-Bauer camera light for years and years on network cams. But the freelance budget now preculdes that equipment. So..... I was on a 3 camera shoot tonight and one of the other photogs loaned me his Canon camera light, (sorry don't know the model #) with a hot shoe mount AND it's own "on board" battery supply. You would need to purchase the charger as opposed to plugging a belt into the wall, but I'm thinking that's an okay compromise. It was only 10 watts but that's all I needed in a dark nightclub. Can't wait to do some internet searching and shopping tomorrow....on the almost maxed out credit card, of course. Sincerely, Stephanie

October 21st, 2005, 12:08 AM	#6
Mike Phan Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 93	Hey everyone and thanks for the reply. I appreciate all your inputs. I will research them some more. I knew of the brands but dont' know what wattage to use in a dark room and not overload the shot with too much lighting. Thank you all again.

November 10th, 2005, 09:15 PM	#8
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	George, great info. I don't have an Ultralight, but some of your MR16 bulb recommendations give me ideas. Thanks for taking the time to do the measurments- lengthwise and light-wise. Best, -M __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography