Battery powerd short interview at DVinfo.net

Eric Stemen · April 26th, 2007, 01:07 AM

Hi everyone. I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a decent light/set of lights for around $350 that would work for interviews. Battery powered.
I realize I am probably dreaming.

Jonathan Mark · April 26th, 2007, 02:57 AM

Its not the best solution but I use a Vidled (http://vidled.com/products.html) together with a reflector when there is no electricity.

Marcus Marchesseault · April 26th, 2007, 04:02 AM

If you get a big enough battery, you can use anything for lights. I sometimes us an Optima deep cycle marine battery (55AH) and an inverter with fluorescent lights. It is non-spillable and can run a couple hundred watts of light for over two hours. Of course, it weighs 50 pounds. I've done a two-person setup in complete darkness (lit only by my flourescents) with less than 200Watts of fluorescent light.

Heiko Saele · April 26th, 2007, 05:21 AM

The most expensive thing for the setup will be the batteries - a 13-15Ah battery belt alone will exceed your budget...

However if you don't mind a little soldering you can try to make something yourself. I once got a nice Bauer Bosch camera light (6V, 35W, halogen) on ebay for 11 Euro (like 15 USD I guess) because the batteries were dead. I bought two model-race-car battery packs (7,2V, 3300mAh) for 20 Euro each plus a charger for 20 Euro. I can use the battery packs like a battery "belt" (I put it in my pocket) I reduce the voltage to about 6.5V with a diode.
It works fine, one battery pack supplies enough power for more than half an hour of light. However I was lucky having found such a nice and cheap 6V light on ebay. It has a good reflector which is not too small, and you can even screw it on a photo tripod or a similar stand.

I really like Marcus' idea to use a marine battery. I'd go for that if the equipment won't become too heavy (I mean you could take two or three 6V lamps with a few battery packs on a hiking trip, but not a 50 pound marine battery and a bunch of fluorescents)

Christopher Witz · April 26th, 2007, 06:00 AM

a company called "Power on board" http://www.amazon.com/Power-on-Board.../dp/B000IYP0A8 make inverter/batt combos that handle 400 watts..... I have one and it runs a few flos like a charm....

another option.... from the same company is an HID 22 million candle power rechargable spot light.... bounced off white foam core or defussed... I have 3 of these and the are daylight balanced with a faily high CRI.... I have even taped fresnel lens' to them to broaden the light. You'll need to do some rigging to get them on a stand.... but they work great! I've also stuck a china ball on the end... and it works great as well!
http://auctions.samsclub.com/Scripts...LotNo=78753990

I used one here as a spot from the back..... very bright!
http://www.witzke-studio.com/hd/dyingindiana.html

I'm planning on buying one a month.... would like to have about 10 of them..... there only $65 each at sams right now.

( I'm in no way affiliated with sams.... )

Eric Stemen · April 26th, 2007, 12:25 PM

I should have been a little more clear when i posted this. Thank you all for the advice so far. I was looking more along the lines of something portable. Such as the bescor units. MPL635 Light, PRB12XLR Battery
Or maybe a lowell pro light since i think they can also take a 30 volt battery.

Christopher Witzke the video you linked to looks completely stunning. What did you shoot that with? Also if you ever want some volunteer help in the Louisville area with some work please let me know. my e-mail is performer_pro@yahoo.com If you are interested I can show you some of my work.

Christopher Witz · April 27th, 2007, 05:58 AM

eric....
thanks for the kind works.....

shot with sony z1 on a merlin at petras club on main st. louisville.

We're ( band and I ) shooting another video on a rooftop downtown next friday.... don't know where yet.

as for help..... thanks for the offer! I'm just a one man shop and kind a like it that way. But.... If I ever get into something with a big budget I'll give you a yell!

Also.... give me a yell if your heading to the xtreme park soon... would love to watch and maybe shoot b-roll for you!

Eric Stemen · April 27th, 2007, 11:43 AM

No problem about the words. I'll give you a call next time I go up there. How did you know I ride up at the xtreme park?

Christopher Witz · April 28th, 2007, 06:03 AM

I think I read some stuff you wrote over on the stabalizer forum a while back.

April 26th, 2007, 01:07 AM	#1
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	Battery powerd short interview Hi everyone. I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a decent light/set of lights for around $350 that would work for interviews. Battery powered. I realize I am probably dreaming.

April 26th, 2007, 02:57 AM	#2
Jonathan Mark Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 54	Its not the best solution but I use a Vidled (http://vidled.com/products.html) together with a reflector when there is no electricity.

April 26th, 2007, 04:02 AM	#3
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	If you get a big enough battery, you can use anything for lights. I sometimes us an Optima deep cycle marine battery (55AH) and an inverter with fluorescent lights. It is non-spillable and can run a couple hundred watts of light for over two hours. Of course, it weighs 50 pounds. I've done a two-person setup in complete darkness (lit only by my flourescents) with less than 200Watts of fluorescent light.

April 26th, 2007, 05:21 AM	#4
Heiko Saele Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wurzburg, Germany Posts: 316	The most expensive thing for the setup will be the batteries - a 13-15Ah battery belt alone will exceed your budget... However if you don't mind a little soldering you can try to make something yourself. I once got a nice Bauer Bosch camera light (6V, 35W, halogen) on ebay for 11 Euro (like 15 USD I guess) because the batteries were dead. I bought two model-race-car battery packs (7,2V, 3300mAh) for 20 Euro each plus a charger for 20 Euro. I can use the battery packs like a battery "belt" (I put it in my pocket) I reduce the voltage to about 6.5V with a diode. It works fine, one battery pack supplies enough power for more than half an hour of light. However I was lucky having found such a nice and cheap 6V light on ebay. It has a good reflector which is not too small, and you can even screw it on a photo tripod or a similar stand. I really like Marcus' idea to use a marine battery. I'd go for that if the equipment won't become too heavy (I mean you could take two or three 6V lamps with a few battery packs on a hiking trip, but not a 50 pound marine battery and a bunch of fluorescents)

April 26th, 2007, 06:00 AM	#5
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	a company called "Power on board" http://www.amazon.com/Power-on-Board.../dp/B000IYP0A8 make inverter/batt combos that handle 400 watts..... I have one and it runs a few flos like a charm.... another option.... from the same company is an HID 22 million candle power rechargable spot light.... bounced off white foam core or defussed... I have 3 of these and the are daylight balanced with a faily high CRI.... I have even taped fresnel lens' to them to broaden the light. You'll need to do some rigging to get them on a stand.... but they work great! I've also stuck a china ball on the end... and it works great as well! http://auctions.samsclub.com/Scripts...LotNo=78753990 I used one here as a spot from the back..... very bright! http://www.witzke-studio.com/hd/dyingindiana.html I'm planning on buying one a month.... would like to have about 10 of them..... there only $65 each at sams right now. ( I'm in no way affiliated with sams.... )

April 26th, 2007, 12:25 PM	#6
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	I should have been a little more clear when i posted this. Thank you all for the advice so far. I was looking more along the lines of something portable. Such as the bescor units. MPL635 Light, PRB12XLR Battery Or maybe a lowell pro light since i think they can also take a 30 volt battery. Christopher Witzke the video you linked to looks completely stunning. What did you shoot that with? Also if you ever want some volunteer help in the Louisville area with some work please let me know. my e-mail is performer_pro@yahoo.com If you are interested I can show you some of my work.

April 27th, 2007, 05:58 AM	#7
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	eric.... thanks for the kind works..... shot with sony z1 on a merlin at petras club on main st. louisville. We're ( band and I ) shooting another video on a rooftop downtown next friday.... don't know where yet. as for help..... thanks for the offer! I'm just a one man shop and kind a like it that way. But.... If I ever get into something with a big budget I'll give you a yell! Also.... give me a yell if your heading to the xtreme park soon... would love to watch and maybe shoot b-roll for you!

April 27th, 2007, 11:43 AM	#8
Eric Stemen Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 378	No problem about the words. I'll give you a call next time I go up there. How did you know I ride up at the xtreme park?

April 28th, 2007, 06:03 AM	#9
Christopher Witz Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 591	I think I read some stuff you wrote over on the stabalizer forum a while back.