Power Tap on Z5U? at DVinfo.net

Stephen Cavaseno · October 12th, 2009, 10:34 AM

I'm trying to power my on-camera light from the Z5U battery. Is there any power tap out of the camera or an adapter for the battery that will allow a power tap? If not, what light/battery combo should I use for this light hungry camera?

Will Tucker · October 12th, 2009, 03:51 PM

I like the dimmer on this and the fact that it uses the same batteries as the Z5.

Sony | HVL-LBPA LED Light System | HVL-LBPA | B&H Photo Video

Stephen Cavaseno · October 12th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Any idea how bright that SONY LED light is? I checked the Litepanels and Bescor LED lights and they are too dim for my needs. Right now I use a 50W light, and by Watts I don't mean power consumption, I mean my actual light output is comparable to a 50 watt incandescent bulb.

Don Bloom · October 12th, 2009, 06:29 PM

How about the LP Micro Pro? It's 55W dimmable and can be used with a diffusion ffilter and a 1/4 CTO (supplied). I used a JVC HD100 with an Anton Bauer Ultralight using a 35W bulb and a softbox. Shot 1/30th stretched the blacks a bit in a room so dark my light was the only visible light and it worked out fine.

Other than that, there is the AB ULtralight, Frezzi, Bescor...any of those can run up to at least a 75W bulb but must be powered by a seperate battery. OR get the AB Eclipes (sp) which uses an AB battery and has a power tap. The unit attaches under the camera.

Stephen Cavaseno · October 12th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Now that I'm switching to the small Z5U, I do not want to rely on brick batteries ever again.

Jeff Harper · October 12th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Stephen, you should check in the lighting forum...LOTs of alternatives. The Sony light is favored by some, but there are others such as the Comer 900 and 1800 that are superior to the Sony, some say, and less expensive. I would definitely recommend at least investigating the Comer.

Rob Morse · October 15th, 2009, 08:45 AM

The Comer 1800 is a great light. Low power consumption and great lighting.

October 12th, 2009, 10:34 AM	#1
Stephen Cavaseno New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, New York Posts: 6	Power Tap on Z5U? I'm trying to power my on-camera light from the Z5U battery. Is there any power tap out of the camera or an adapter for the battery that will allow a power tap? If not, what light/battery combo should I use for this light hungry camera?

October 12th, 2009, 03:51 PM	#2
Will Tucker Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 51	This works for me I like the dimmer on this and the fact that it uses the same batteries as the Z5. Sony \| HVL-LBPA LED Light System \| HVL-LBPA \| B&H Photo Video __________________ Sony HVR-Z5, Sony PD-150, Canon HV30, Adobe Creative Suite 4

October 12th, 2009, 06:29 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	How about the LP Micro Pro? It's 55W dimmable and can be used with a diffusion ffilter and a 1/4 CTO (supplied). I used a JVC HD100 with an Anton Bauer Ultralight using a 35W bulb and a softbox. Shot 1/30th stretched the blacks a bit in a room so dark my light was the only visible light and it worked out fine. Other than that, there is the AB ULtralight, Frezzi, Bescor...any of those can run up to at least a 75W bulb but must be powered by a seperate battery. OR get the AB Eclipes (sp) which uses an AB battery and has a power tap. The unit attaches under the camera. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

October 12th, 2009, 05:07 PM	#3
Stephen Cavaseno New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, New York Posts: 6	Any idea how bright that SONY LED light is? I checked the Litepanels and Bescor LED lights and they are too dim for my needs. Right now I use a 50W light, and by Watts I don't mean power consumption, I mean my actual light output is comparable to a 50 watt incandescent bulb.

October 12th, 2009, 10:01 PM	#5
Stephen Cavaseno New Boot Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York, New York Posts: 6	Now that I'm switching to the small Z5U, I do not want to rely on brick batteries ever again.

October 12th, 2009, 10:39 PM	#6
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Stephen, you should check in the lighting forum...LOTs of alternatives. The Sony light is favored by some, but there are others such as the Comer 900 and 1800 that are superior to the Sony, some say, and less expensive. I would definitely recommend at least investigating the Comer.

October 15th, 2009, 08:45 AM	#7
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	The Comer 1800 is a great light. Low power consumption and great lighting.