Opinions? On-camera LED lights at DVinfo.net

Shawn Kessler · October 25th, 2006, 04:05 PM

what do you guys think abot this on camera light?

http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Video-Light-...QQcmdZViewItem

Seth Bloombaum · October 25th, 2006, 07:06 PM

ummm, that's just a bulb. You need to put it in "a coolux, Anton Bauer, IDX, Frezzi, and any 12v MR-16 enclosure." plus something to power it up.

I'm not familiar with this particular bulb, but I hear broadcast guys are liking these retrofit LED bulb assemblies for their existing on-camera lights.

Not really fitting with this horror-lighting thread, because the only people using on-camera lights are those who have to run-and-gun. I guess Blair Witch Project used some on-camera light for the exteriors, along with flashlight-like fixtures.

Pete Bauer · October 25th, 2006, 07:38 PM

Moderator note:

This thread split from http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=76139 because this is a new topic. Seth's reference to horror lighting refers back to that thread.

Gary Moses · January 12th, 2007, 12:16 PM

I purchased the flood version and was very impressed with the color. The brightness was a little low though. I bought the focused version and wow what a difference, not only is it bright and throws a beam but you can diffuse it and it's brighter than the flood version. I now have 5 focused and 1 flood. I made a housing to mount 4 bulbs together.
Gary

Charles Papert · January 12th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Not really fitting with this horror-lighting thread, because the only people using on-camera lights are those who have to run-and-gun.

Not by definition--obie lights are regularly used in feature/episodic production. The difference is making the source softer and less intense than the usual blast-'em look one associates with onboard lights. Last series I did Steadicam on I had to fly a Lite Panel on the rig whenever we did interiors, to add a little eyelight.

Seth Bloombaum · January 12th, 2007, 04:34 PM

Whoops, did I really write that? Guess I was young and inexperienced in October... or maybe was down one cup-a-joe. Well, I was partly right in reference to horror work .

Charles is quite right regarding use of on-camera lights other than run and gun, such as for eye highlights and wrinkle-softening.

For those unfamiliar with the techniques, a little gleam in the eye is easily created with relatively low watts, and greatly helps the sense of dimensionality.

The story goes that Merle Oberon (glamorous film star of yesteryear) insisted on an on-camera light to soften the contours of her face, and the resulting light/technique was called the obie light. Or so I've heard.

Gary Moses · January 17th, 2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Moses

I purchased the flood version and was very impressed with the color. The brightness was a little low though. I bought the focused version and wow what a difference, not only is it bright and throws a beam but you can diffuse it and it's brighter than the flood version. I now have 5 focused and 1 flood. I made a housing to mount 4 bulbs together.
Gary

Shawn, I was responding to your original question. It looks as though this thread got confused.
Gary

Bill Busby · January 22nd, 2007, 06:18 AM

Anyone have a good source for these MR16 LED lamps?

Bill

Carlos E. Martinez · January 25th, 2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Moses

I purchased the flood version and was very impressed with the color. The brightness was a little low though. I bought the focused version and wow what a difference, not only is it bright and throws a beam but you can diffuse it and it's brighter than the flood version. I now have 5 focused and 1 flood. I made a housing to mount 4 bulbs together.

Good to know, Gary.

What fixture are you using to hold your LED lamp? What LED lamp brand did you get?

Can you describe a bit more of that housing you made or show some pictures?

How do you power them?

Carlos

Gary Moses · January 25th, 2007, 07:56 AM

Carlos, they are the bulbs that Shawn is refering to. I originally got the flood. It worked fine but didn't have much of a throw. I bought the focused version and was very impressed, it's a 50watt equivalent. If I need soft I put diffusion over it.

As far as fixture, I have a single MR-16 fixture but I wanted more versatility. I built a 2 bulb fixture out of masonite. This weekend I'm putting 4 floods into a housing with a switching scenerio to give me more options. I bought multiple bulbs for $28 a piece.

They powered by any 12 volt source.

Carlos E. Martinez · January 25th, 2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Moses

As far as fixture, I have a single MR-16 fixture but I wanted more versatility. I built a 2 bulb fixture out of masonite. This weekend I'm putting 4 floods into a housing with a switching scenerio to give me more options. I bought multiple bulbs for $28 a piece.

What I mean is what light head are you using. How do you clip it to the camera?

Quote:

They powered by any 12 volt source.

Are you using 12v batteries or some booster?

The good thing on these LED lamps is they allow you using camera batteries, that you boost to 12v.

Carlos

Gary Moses · January 25th, 2007, 12:40 PM

Carlos, I made the light head.
The bulbs work on 12 volt, no booster needed.
They only draw about .3 amps/12 volt so you can run these things all day.

Bill Busby · January 25th, 2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Busby

Anyone have a good source for these MR16 LED lamps?

ahemm... never thought I'd have to quote myself :)

Carlos E. Martinez · January 25th, 2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Busby

ahemm... never thought I'd have to quote myself :)

Ledtronics. Why don't you call them for your nearest dealer?

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/mr16-45/

Carlos E. Martinez · January 25th, 2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Moses

Carlos, I made the light head.
The bulbs work on 12 volt, no booster needed.
They only draw about .3 amps/12 volt so you can run these things all day.

That's why you can use a video battery, boosting the 7.2v voltage to 12v.

If possible I would like to avoid buying 12v batteries. They are too heavy.

October 25th, 2006, 04:05 PM	#1
Shawn Kessler Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ofallon missouri Posts: 123	Mr-16 48 wb what do you guys think abot this on camera light? http://cgi.ebay.com/LED-Video-Light-...QQcmdZViewItem

October 25th, 2006, 07:38 PM	#3
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Moderator note: This thread split from http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=76139 because this is a new topic. Seth's reference to horror lighting refers back to that thread. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

October 25th, 2006, 07:06 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	ummm, that's just a bulb. You need to put it in "a coolux, Anton Bauer, IDX, Frezzi, and any 12v MR-16 enclosure." plus something to power it up. I'm not familiar with this particular bulb, but I hear broadcast guys are liking these retrofit LED bulb assemblies for their existing on-camera lights. Not really fitting with this horror-lighting thread, because the only people using on-camera lights are those who have to run-and-gun. I guess Blair Witch Project used some on-camera light for the exteriors, along with flashlight-like fixtures.

January 12th, 2007, 12:16 PM	#4
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	I purchased the flood version and was very impressed with the color. The brightness was a little low though. I bought the focused version and wow what a difference, not only is it bright and throws a beam but you can diffuse it and it's brighter than the flood version. I now have 5 focused and 1 flood. I made a housing to mount 4 bulbs together. Gary

January 12th, 2007, 04:34 PM	#6
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Whoops, did I really write that? Guess I was young and inexperienced in October... or maybe was down one cup-a-joe. Well, I was partly right in reference to horror work . Charles is quite right regarding use of on-camera lights other than run and gun, such as for eye highlights and wrinkle-softening. For those unfamiliar with the techniques, a little gleam in the eye is easily created with relatively low watts, and greatly helps the sense of dimensionality. The story goes that Merle Oberon (glamorous film star of yesteryear) insisted on an on-camera light to soften the contours of her face, and the resulting light/technique was called the obie light. Or so I've heard.

January 22nd, 2007, 06:18 AM	#8
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	Anyone have a good source for these MR16 LED lamps? Bill

January 25th, 2007, 07:56 AM	#10
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	Carlos, they are the bulbs that Shawn is refering to. I originally got the flood. It worked fine but didn't have much of a throw. I bought the focused version and was very impressed, it's a 50watt equivalent. If I need soft I put diffusion over it. As far as fixture, I have a single MR-16 fixture but I wanted more versatility. I built a 2 bulb fixture out of masonite. This weekend I'm putting 4 floods into a housing with a switching scenerio to give me more options. I bought multiple bulbs for $28 a piece. They powered by any 12 volt source.

January 25th, 2007, 12:40 PM	#12
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	Carlos, I made the light head. The bulbs work on 12 volt, no booster needed. They only draw about .3 amps/12 volt so you can run these things all day.