On Camera lights at DVinfo.net

Josh Swan · January 16th, 2009, 09:16 AM

So I'm wondering which lights you guys are using and how you like them. I just switched to HD for this upcoming wedding season and am going to purchase an on camera light just in case. I have never really researched them before now, so I'm wondering what works and what doesn't. I'm looking for something with a dimmer I think, that feature sounds really good.

thanks for the advice.

Peter Manojlovic · January 16th, 2009, 10:00 AM

I'm in the process of looking at getting an LED light..
Seems like the Swit S-2010 is the answer for me..It's powered by a regular camcorder battery..

There's a clamping mechanism that holds the battery. They in turn, are mounted on the top handle of the camera..A proprietery cord hooks to the light..
Dimmer and diffuser are part of the light construction.

Not cheap, but will be great for run and gun...

Josh Swan · January 16th, 2009, 10:17 AM

Yeah I did see those last night on a review. They are a bit pricey for me though. After upgrading to HD, Merlin, and new lav system I'm on a tighter budget for the lights.

Steve Shovlar · January 16th, 2009, 05:30 PM

VIDLED On Camera LED Video Lights

Absolutely fantastic. Get the one with the built in battery. Really great and one charge lasts hours. $435. Has a built in metre and is dimable. I have used it on the dancefloor and it gives more than enough light. No worrying about leads from external batteries or heat.

Ken Diewert · January 16th, 2009, 08:54 PM

There's more on this at Photon Management

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-ma...ill-lites.html

The only cheap (relatively) solution seems to be the Sima

Sima | SL-20LX Universal LED On Camera Light | SL-20LX | B&H

Or for 250.00 more - the litepanel 25w micro (dimmable) though it seems nobody dims it as it tends to be not bright enough more most taste.

Litepanels | LPMICRO Micro LED on Camera Light | LP-MICRO | B&H

Dave Blackhurst · January 16th, 2009, 10:20 PM

Considering the Sima can be had for under $50, it's a good bargain. Plan on getting several, they can be stacked together, two seems to be about optimal, and they run for around 45-55 minutes on a charge. I like the fact that they are very light and easy to toss in the kit...

The old standby is the Sony HVL-20Dxx (20DM, 20DMA, and 20DX2) with a Sto-fen diffuser - and it's still a pretty decent fill rig, with a warmer color than the LEDs. If you use a Sony camera, the battery compatibility with the NP-F or NP-FM series can be an advantage. Can't complain about the Sonys, always worked well for me.

No dimmers on either light, although the Sony has 10 and 20 watt options. I've got to put a template together for the Sima to mount a diffuser, but it's pretty simple with the auxilliary cold shoes molded into the shell (that's how you can stack them together).

January 16th, 2009, 09:16 AM	#1
Josh Swan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scarborough Me Posts: 186	On Camera lights So I'm wondering which lights you guys are using and how you like them. I just switched to HD for this upcoming wedding season and am going to purchase an on camera light just in case. I have never really researched them before now, so I'm wondering what works and what doesn't. I'm looking for something with a dimmer I think, that feature sounds really good. thanks for the advice.

January 16th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#5
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	There's more on this at Photon Management http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-ma...ill-lites.html The only cheap (relatively) solution seems to be the Sima Sima \| SL-20LX Universal LED On Camera Light \| SL-20LX \| B&H Or for 250.00 more - the litepanel 25w micro (dimmable) though it seems nobody dims it as it tends to be not bright enough more most taste. Litepanels \| LPMICRO Micro LED on Camera Light \| LP-MICRO \| B&H __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

January 16th, 2009, 10:00 AM	#2
Peter Manojlovic Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hamilton Ontario Posts: 769	I'm in the process of looking at getting an LED light.. Seems like the Swit S-2010 is the answer for me..It's powered by a regular camcorder battery.. There's a clamping mechanism that holds the battery. They in turn, are mounted on the top handle of the camera..A proprietery cord hooks to the light.. Dimmer and diffuser are part of the light construction. Not cheap, but will be great for run and gun...

January 16th, 2009, 10:17 AM	#3
Josh Swan Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scarborough Me Posts: 186	Yeah I did see those last night on a review. They are a bit pricey for me though. After upgrading to HD, Merlin, and new lav system I'm on a tighter budget for the lights.

January 16th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#4
Steve Shovlar Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dorset UK Posts: 697	VIDLED On Camera LED Video Lights Absolutely fantastic. Get the one with the built in battery. Really great and one charge lasts hours. $435. Has a built in metre and is dimable. I have used it on the dancefloor and it gives more than enough light. No worrying about leads from external batteries or heat.

January 16th, 2009, 10:20 PM	#6
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Considering the Sima can be had for under $50, it's a good bargain. Plan on getting several, they can be stacked together, two seems to be about optimal, and they run for around 45-55 minutes on a charge. I like the fact that they are very light and easy to toss in the kit... The old standby is the Sony HVL-20Dxx (20DM, 20DMA, and 20DX2) with a Sto-fen diffuser - and it's still a pretty decent fill rig, with a warmer color than the LEDs. If you use a Sony camera, the battery compatibility with the NP-F or NP-FM series can be an advantage. Can't complain about the Sonys, always worked well for me. No dimmers on either light, although the Sony has 10 and 20 watt options. I've got to put a template together for the Sima to mount a diffuser, but it's pretty simple with the auxilliary cold shoes molded into the shell (that's how you can stack them together).