Advice on buying a Camera light?

Rob Morse · June 26th, 2009, 09:12 AM

On the Comer 1800, how exactly does the battery get connected to the light? Does it come with something like the Switronix does where it can mount to the handle? Also, on the picture it looks like there is a dimmer, yes or no?

Michael Liebergot · June 26th, 2009, 09:22 AM

The Comer 1800 has a recessed battery compartmant on the back of the light.

So the battery simply attaches to the back of the light. Keep in mind that this does increase the weight of the light. So if you use the largest Soy style battery NP970 it will be hefty. I attach the light to the cameras handle via handle bracket, so the light is centered over the middle of the camera, and balances nicely.

If you mount the light on the front of the camera, it tends to make the camera front heavy.
Not a big deal if you shoot on a tripod or shoulder type support like my DV MultiRig

Rob Morse · June 26th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Thanks Michael. Do you need to use the large battery? That's another thing I like about the Switronix, you can use the small battery for the entire night. I also like that the battery mounts on the camera handle for weight distribution. Does the Comer have a dimmer? There are definitely times I can use a little more light.

Sean Seah · June 27th, 2009, 02:57 AM

The sony LBP come with a battery adapter. I hook that onto the LBP and mount it in front of the EX1. The cable goes to my belt whereby the F970 is connected.

Michael Liebergot · June 27th, 2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Morse

Thanks Michael. Do you need to use the large battery? That's another thing I like about the Switronix, you can use the small battery for the entire night. I also like that the battery mounts on the camera handle for weight distribution. Does the Comer have a dimmer? There are definitely times I can use a little more light.

For the Sony LBP or the Comer 1800 light I don't use the largest battery but rather the middle of the road size, which is the Sony NP-F770. It's smaller, lighter, and as far as I can tell should last you almost an entire days shoot.

I used this batter and a Comer1800 light at a 13 hour shoot yesterday. I used the light about 6-8 hours, and only changed the battery once. The only reason that I changed the battery though was because I didn't know how much time I had left on it, as I didn't want to risk having the light die when I needed it most. I had already used the light for 5 hours at this point.

The only thing that I like about the Sony HVL light over the Comer1800 is that the Sony HVL light has a battery indicator that lets you know how long you have on your battery run time.

And yes the Comer does have a dimer knob on it. This also serves as the power switch.

When dimmed as low as it will go, the light output is reduced to about 5%.

In case you lissed it, I posted a quick comparison of the Comer1800 light vs. the Sony LVP light on my blog. Comer 1800 LED Light vs. Sony HVL-LBP LED Light

Rob Morse · June 28th, 2009, 07:17 AM

I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably give one a try

Alex Goldshteyn · July 2nd, 2009, 11:16 AM

I recently purchased the Comer 1800 from lacolorshop (Taky Cheung) as well and am very pleased. Having owned and used the Sony 10/20w and the Sony HVL-LBP, the Comer is definitely a superior light, in both power, color temperature and spread. I think most of the people who have ordered it are surprised by how much light it puts out with only 20w of power consumption. It seems like the best value out there for an on-camera LED light.

David Gelb · October 1st, 2009, 04:12 PM

How is the Comer 1800 on a very small camcorder? I am looking for a good general purpose light to use with a Panasonic HDC-TM300 but am concerned about the size and weight of this light for a camera that is only 2.8" (l) x 5.6" (w) x 2.8" (h) and weighs only 13.6 oz.

Is there a better sized light for a small camcorder like this that will give decent lighting output? Granted the low light capability is decent, but if I am somewhere that a light is needed, it would be nice to have a good quality light.

Thank you!

-David

Taky Cheung · October 1st, 2009, 04:17 PM

David, Comer 1800 light might be a bit too big for small cameras. Or you can mount the camera on flash bracket.

Otherwise, Comer 900 is a good small light. It is very bright with all the advantages of 1800 light with barn door, diffuser, condenser, 4500K color temp. The only limitation is it doesn't have a dimmer switch. It only has 2 level of brightness control.

Colin Rowe · October 7th, 2009, 06:33 AM

Is the Comer 900 battery fitment the same as the 1800, ie battery fits in recess on the back of the light ?

Taky Cheung · October 7th, 2009, 09:50 AM

Colin, yes the battery is slided in at the back of the Comer lights, both Comer 900 and Comer 1800.

Colin Rowe · October 7th, 2009, 01:55 PM

Thanks Taky, will be in ordering in the near future

June 26th, 2009, 09:22 AM	#32
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	The Comer 1800 has a recessed battery compartmant on the back of the light. So the battery simply attaches to the back of the light. Keep in mind that this does increase the weight of the light. So if you use the largest Soy style battery NP970 it will be hefty. I attach the light to the cameras handle via handle bracket, so the light is centered over the middle of the camera, and balances nicely. If you mount the light on the front of the camera, it tends to make the camera front heavy. Not a big deal if you shoot on a tripod or shoulder type support like my DV MultiRig __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

October 7th, 2009, 06:33 AM	#40
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Is the Comer 900 battery fitment the same as the 1800, ie battery fits in recess on the back of the light ? __________________ Colin

October 7th, 2009, 09:50 AM	#41
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Colin, yes the battery is slided in at the back of the Comer lights, both Comer 900 and Comer 1800. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

October 7th, 2009, 01:55 PM	#42
Colin Rowe Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall UK Posts: 793	Thanks Taky, will be in ordering in the near future __________________ Colin

June 26th, 2009, 09:12 AM	#31
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	On the Comer 1800, how exactly does the battery get connected to the light? Does it come with something like the Switronix does where it can mount to the handle? Also, on the picture it looks like there is a dimmer, yes or no?

June 26th, 2009, 09:35 AM	#33
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	Thanks Michael. Do you need to use the large battery? That's another thing I like about the Switronix, you can use the small battery for the entire night. I also like that the battery mounts on the camera handle for weight distribution. Does the Comer have a dimmer? There are definitely times I can use a little more light.

June 27th, 2009, 02:57 AM	#34
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	The sony LBP come with a battery adapter. I hook that onto the LBP and mount it in front of the EX1. The cable goes to my belt whereby the F970 is connected.

June 28th, 2009, 07:17 AM	#36
Rob Morse Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 427	I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably give one a try

July 2nd, 2009, 11:16 AM	#37
Alex Goldshteyn New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 17	I recently purchased the Comer 1800 from lacolorshop (Taky Cheung) as well and am very pleased. Having owned and used the Sony 10/20w and the Sony HVL-LBP, the Comer is definitely a superior light, in both power, color temperature and spread. I think most of the people who have ordered it are surprised by how much light it puts out with only 20w of power consumption. It seems like the best value out there for an on-camera LED light.

October 1st, 2009, 04:12 PM	#38
David Gelb Tourist Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Culver City, CA Posts: 1	How is the Comer 1800 on a very small camcorder? I am looking for a good general purpose light to use with a Panasonic HDC-TM300 but am concerned about the size and weight of this light for a camera that is only 2.8" (l) x 5.6" (w) x 2.8" (h) and weighs only 13.6 oz. Is there a better sized light for a small camcorder like this that will give decent lighting output? Granted the low light capability is decent, but if I am somewhere that a light is needed, it would be nice to have a good quality light. Thank you! -David

October 1st, 2009, 04:17 PM	#39
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	David, Comer 1800 light might be a bit too big for small cameras. Or you can mount the camera on flash bracket. Otherwise, Comer 900 is a good small light. It is very bright with all the advantages of 1800 light with barn door, diffuser, condenser, 4500K color temp. The only limitation is it doesn't have a dimmer switch. It only has 2 level of brightness control.