FX1000 and additional lighting...

Alex Goldshteyn · July 4th, 2009, 09:35 AM

[QUOTE=Stelios Christofides;1166966]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Goldshteyn

Stelios, below is a link to a demo of the Comer 1800 w/the Condenser trick (around 1:20 into the video):

What is a "condenser lens trick" ?

Stelios

The condensor lens trick is when you apply the condensor lens but leave approximately a 15 degree angle between the lens and the light, which intensifies the spotlight effect and generates more power into a smaller space. If you look at Taky's video, he provides a good example of how it works.

Barry J. Weckesser · July 4th, 2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

I don't have a Z5, I have an FX1000. The light will not balance on my camera.

It is not coming out of the box. He has shipped it but I will be returning it unopened. I appreciate that he has a full refund policy if the box if unopened.

Jeff - I used the Sony HVL-LBP (exactly same size and weight) on both my FX1 and V1U and didn't find it a problem - you can use the 770 battery and get about an hour to an hour and a half out of it. I now use the Comer 1800 on my Sony PMW-EX1 and have no problem although I am using the Hoodman Wrist Shot -
WristShot® Camcorder Support System-Hoodman Corporation
and found that it works quite well in freeing up your left hand for manual adjustments to the camera.

I did try the Litepanels MicroPro and ended up sending it back - the beam is much narrower than the Comer 1800 and the light output is much less than the Comer.

Jeff Harper · July 4th, 2009, 11:48 AM

Thanks for the info Barry.

I might try the light out, it really seems to be the best bang for the buck.

Alex Goldshteyn · July 4th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry J. Weckesser

Jeff - I used the Sony HVL-LBP (exactly same size and weight) on both my FX1 and V1U and didn't find it a problem - you can use the 770 battery and get about an hour to an hour and a half out of it. I now use the Comer 1800 on my Sony PMW-EX1 and have no problem although I am using the Hoodman Wrist Shot -
WristShot® Camcorder Support System-Hoodman Corporation
and found that it works quite well in freeing up your left hand for manual adjustments to the camera.

I did try the Litepanels MicroPro and ended up sending it back - the beam is much narrower than the Comer 1800 and the light output is much less than the Comer.

Barry, do you have any video comparing the Comer 1800 and the Litepanels MicroPro? I'd be curious to see the difference, especially since the MicroPro is about $70 more expensive.

Jeff Harper · July 4th, 2009, 12:40 PM

If you go to youtube you can find videos if you do a search. What I saw yesterday evening was not impressive at all.

Rob Morse · July 4th, 2009, 12:59 PM

It seems it doesn’t matter what product you buy, there are concessions to be made somewhere. We continually strive to put out better video and sometimes that means having to be inconvenienced at times. I was carrying around S-VHS tapes at one point. That was a hassle. I’ll give you my report once my light comes in.

Stelios Christofides · July 4th, 2009, 01:16 PM

[QUOTE=Alex Goldshteyn;1167034]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stelios Christofides

The condensor lens trick is when you apply the condensor lens but leave approximately a 15 degree angle between the lens and the light, which intensifies the spotlight effect and generates more power into a smaller space. If you look at Taky's video, he provides a good example of how it works.

So, I presume, that this condensor lens is part of the Comer 1800 light then.

Stelios

Barry J. Weckesser · July 4th, 2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Goldshteyn

Barry, do you have any video comparing the Comer 1800 and the Litepanels MicroPro? I'd be curious to see the difference, especially since the MicroPro is about $70 more expensive.

I don't have a video comparing them directly - at the time I shot my first comparison I compared the Sony HVL-LBP and the MicroPro - it (the MicroPro) really didn't put out much more light and, using the condenser lens on the Sony, it was much less bright + the beam field with the MicroPro was much narrower than the Sony. I then sent the MicroPro back and bought the Comer 1800 and compared it to the Sony light under the exact same conditions as the previous test and there was no comparison - at least 2-3 times the light output of the Sony. I then sent the Sony back for resale with BHphotovideo and bought a second Comer!

Jeff Harper · July 4th, 2009, 03:28 PM

That is a pretty good breakdown, thanks for sharing Barry.

Alex Goldshteyn · July 5th, 2009, 08:29 AM

[QUOTE=Stelios Christofides;1167180]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Goldshteyn

So, I presume, that this condensor lens is part of the Comer 1800 light then.

Stelios

Yes, the condensor lens is attached to the bottom of the light and flips up when you want to apply it (see images on page 2). It has small magnifiers for each of the 10 LEDs that turn them into a strong spotlight.

On a side note, my recent battery test has this light running 188 minutes at full power on a Sony NPF-970! Thats 48 minutes longer than the Comer brochure states that the light would run.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-ma...tery-test.html

Rob Morse · July 6th, 2009, 09:48 PM

I’m not used to posting any pictures so hopefully this helps. I haven’t had time to really mess with the Comer 1800 Light but on initial try out, it clearly is superior to the other 2 lights. I shot at aperture 3.4, shutter 60, manual WB. I shot at 5 feet and 10 feet. Giving the Sony 10/20 the benefit of the doubt, it was turned sideways. I’m so busy right now but hopefully this is enough to help anyone interested. I’ll shoot with it this weekend and will give more feedback.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...0-20-light.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...wit-5-feet.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...omer-5feet.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...it-10-feet.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...er-10-feet.jpg

The order of quality was Comer 1800, Swit 2010 and Sony 10/20 clearly last.

Jeff Harper · July 7th, 2009, 12:16 AM

The Comer is the clear champ, quite a light.

Thank you Rob, nice work.

Rob Morse · July 7th, 2009, 08:05 AM

Thanks Jeff, I hope it helps. One of the things I didn't mention was that the room was completely dark. Also, all the lights were at full intensity. The Comer 1800 was actually too bright at 5', even with the filter, but I didn't want to change the aperture on the camera or dim the light in order the keep everything the same. From what I've seen so far, this is going to be an awesome light.

Garry Moore · July 7th, 2009, 09:37 AM

I dont feel bad about the Sony 10/20w for the money....

Jeff Harper · July 7th, 2009, 09:49 AM

For $90 its certainly OK. The Sima SL 20 is somewhat close and costs only $35 and weighs almost nothing, and is self charging. It does have a slight cast to it though. The Comer from what we're seeing in photos and video samples kills the others.

July 4th, 2009, 12:59 PM	#36
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	It seems it doesn’t matter what product you buy, there are concessions to be made somewhere. We continually strive to put out better video and sometimes that means having to be inconvenienced at times. I was carrying around S-VHS tapes at one point. That was a hassle. I’ll give you my report once my light comes in. Last edited by Rob Morse; July 5th, 2009 at 06:59 AM. Reason: Spell like a moron

July 4th, 2009, 11:48 AM	#33
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Thanks for the info Barry. I might try the light out, it really seems to be the best bang for the buck.

July 4th, 2009, 12:40 PM	#35
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	If you go to youtube you can find videos if you do a search. What I saw yesterday evening was not impressive at all.

July 4th, 2009, 03:28 PM	#39
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	That is a pretty good breakdown, thanks for sharing Barry.

July 6th, 2009, 09:48 PM	#41
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	I’m not used to posting any pictures so hopefully this helps. I haven’t had time to really mess with the Comer 1800 Light but on initial try out, it clearly is superior to the other 2 lights. I shot at aperture 3.4, shutter 60, manual WB. I shot at 5 feet and 10 feet. Giving the Sony 10/20 the benefit of the doubt, it was turned sideways. I’m so busy right now but hopefully this is enough to help anyone interested. I’ll shoot with it this weekend and will give more feedback. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...0-20-light.jpg http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...wit-5-feet.jpg http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...omer-5feet.jpg http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...it-10-feet.jpg http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/r...er-10-feet.jpg The order of quality was Comer 1800, Swit 2010 and Sony 10/20 clearly last.

July 7th, 2009, 12:16 AM	#42
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	The Comer is the clear champ, quite a light. Thank you Rob, nice work.

July 7th, 2009, 08:05 AM	#43
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Thanks Jeff, I hope it helps. One of the things I didn't mention was that the room was completely dark. Also, all the lights were at full intensity. The Comer 1800 was actually too bright at 5', even with the filter, but I didn't want to change the aperture on the camera or dim the light in order the keep everything the same. From what I've seen so far, this is going to be an awesome light.

July 7th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#44
Garry Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aurora, IN Posts: 45	I dont feel bad about the Sony 10/20w for the money....

July 7th, 2009, 09:49 AM	#45
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	For $90 its certainly OK. The Sima SL 20 is somewhat close and costs only $35 and weighs almost nothing, and is self charging. It does have a slight cast to it though. The Comer from what we're seeing in photos and video samples kills the others.