Dim Weddings at DVinfo.net

Tyson Yoder · April 19th, 2011, 07:21 PM

I run into a lot of dim weddings and receptions. Just wondering.what u guys do in these situations? I use a Sony fx7 and Sony fx1 so I don't have real good low light cameras.

Chris Harding · April 19th, 2011, 08:03 PM

Hey Tyson

The answer is in the post below you...I struggled with low light...especially the first dance where they dim the lights right down so for me an on-cam light is an essential!!! It makes a huge difference to your footage ..yeah, people will comment on a bright light a bit but for me it's a lot more convenient than trying to set up reception lights that might spoil the mood if they are constantly on!!

For speeches I do set up a 3' x 2' single softbox with 4 x 50w CFL lights inside and it gives a good result too.

Chris

Jeff Harper · April 19th, 2011, 09:05 PM

At my wedding ceremonies lights are rarely, if ever permitted. The best solution is a good low light camera. For you a move up to the FX1000 would be decent.

For a second camera, the Panny GH1 with a 20mm f/1.7 lens would be an outstanding addition as a rear camera, total cost under $1K with batteries and card.

For reception lighting go to www.lacoloronline.com and check out his products for some ideas.

Chris Harding · April 19th, 2011, 09:24 PM

Hi Jeff

I think I was referring mainly to receptions on my side. We also have a "no lights" policy in all Churches and also no camera flash either!!! For receptions, if you want to shoot without lights then you need a very nice wedding co-ordinator who is prepared to turn up the house lights for speeches and the bouquet toss but virtually none are prepared to let the B&G do their first dance in full lighting!!

My on cam lights certainly save me at receptions where even a GH1 would struggle!!!

Chris

Jeff Harper · April 19th, 2011, 09:47 PM

Right Chris, I clarified my post, I was thinking of ceremonies only, but OP did mention receptions also.

At reception his FX7 and FX1 will work fine with a one or two LEDs for sure. I now run pne LED on a light stand as well and it makes a huge difference. I put it up about 8 feet high and it is so much better than on-camera lighting, though I use those also of course.

Spiros Zaharakis · April 20th, 2011, 04:48 PM

If you want to stick to videocameras,the new Canons, XF100, XA10, G10, HF-M4X and 4XX series will give you at least 2 stops more light.
However if you want realy good low light performance,get a couple Canon DSLRs or Panasonic GH2s and pair them with fast lenses (2.8 and lower). Do not get the older GH1, it is a joke in low light, hardly any better than the FX1

Jeff Harper · April 20th, 2011, 05:03 PM

I own and have used three GH1s and one GH2. If you put a 20mm f/1.7 lens on the GH1, it is excellent in low light. I've used this combination at three weddings. The lens is more important than the camera. Everything starts with the lens.

Tyson Yoder · April 20th, 2011, 06:21 PM

Thanks guys! I have been thinking about an on camera light but I wasn't sure where to start. Any suggestions? I seen some on ebay that are LED and they run off Sony batteries. Are these any good?

Jeff Harper · April 20th, 2011, 06:44 PM

Tyson, why don't you try the link I put above for you for lights?

Dave Blackhurst · April 20th, 2011, 07:40 PM

Hi Tyson -
I've tried some of the cheap eBay lights, and some of them aren't too bad for the $$, if you're on a budget!

I've tried the fixed output smaller LED count lights, and they work, but can tend to blind your subjects without dimming or diffusion, but you get what you pay for at around $30-40... enough light to work with!

I recently picked up the CN-126, lots of sources for this model, and can be had at just under $40 shipped, really good bang/$ ratio. It comes with 3 diffusers in a sleeve case (clear/orange/purple-ish), and a switch/potentiometer allowing you to continuously vary the output from near zero to really bright. Decent throw and coverage for an LED. I'm using Sony FH/FV series batteries, same as my CX550/500, seem to last well, the pins are there for the bigger F and FM series batteries from what I can tell, and you can use AA batteries too. Downsides, the thing is sorta big and clunky, hotshoe foot looks sorta fragile, and I wouldn't want to drop the thing! There's a very slight buzz/whine at some light levels, but it's not going to be noticeable in normal background noise.

There's a CN-160 (MORE LED's!) for about $10 more, and a YN-160 that has barn doors and a handle for handheld use - that one is about $65, will have a sample soon.

Some of the lights use a push button "step" bright/dim system, others use continuous, not sure if one is better than the other.

So far I haven't found a "perfect" light, but for the $$, the CN126 seems pretty good....

I wish for a smaller light that would run off the Sony batteries, there's one that I just noticed the other night using the F series batteries, and includes a copy battery and charger (try searching 5009 LED, or there's a couple mis-listed right now as "5006").

Jeff Harper · April 20th, 2011, 08:39 PM

Dave, I just checked out the ebay lights, I must admit they look good for the $$$.

Chris Harding · April 20th, 2011, 10:17 PM

Hi Dave and Jeff

I use the CN 160 and it makes a big difference...it's great to even see the camera throw out zebras on the bride's dress now and again and the camera is running with an aperture of at least F2.8 so I'm not using any gain either!!!

The 160 only has one issue!!! The cold shoe mount is pathetic!! It wobbles all over the place so I bought a simple mini-ball head with a cold shoe on it and opened up the light and bolted the 1/4" screw into the light housing with a 1/4" nut. Huge difference!!! It's as stable as anything!!!

You can also vary intensity with the "+" and "-" buttons...nice to know also if you want LOT'S of light just hold the "+" in and it will zoom right up to max in a few seconds.

Definately worth the price!!!

Chris

Ray Pegram · April 21st, 2011, 07:45 AM

I have three 'redhead' lights on stands that I bought off ebay and as most churches here have white ceilings I bounce the light off the ceiling...makes a huge difference... There are some priests and ministers that object to a strong light so I try and have the on board camera light turned on but wound back so as its not to strong. I usually bring it up with the B/G if I know the church is dimly lit when I meet with them so they can raise it with the minister.

Michael Simons · April 21st, 2011, 07:54 AM

I've been in the wedding business for 19 years and I haven't used lights at the church in the past 18 of them.

Chris Harding · April 21st, 2011, 08:15 AM

Hi Ray

You are lucky!! I have never used lighting in Churches as most here forbid them...Like Michael I don't use lighting purely out of respect.

We are mainly talking about reception lighting here rather than ceremony lighting where dimmed lights in the venue do become an issue and offer a lot less light than any Church.

Most of the older Churches in the West have lighting if the Church is dim so it just takes a kind word for the priest to turn on the lights and that's more than enough for most cameras

Chris

April 19th, 2011, 07:21 PM	#1
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Dim Weddings I run into a lot of dim weddings and receptions. Just wondering.what u guys do in these situations? I use a Sony fx7 and Sony fx1 so I don't have real good low light cameras.

April 19th, 2011, 08:03 PM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Dim Weddings Hey Tyson The answer is in the post below you...I struggled with low light...especially the first dance where they dim the lights right down so for me an on-cam light is an essential!!! It makes a huge difference to your footage ..yeah, people will comment on a bright light a bit but for me it's a lot more convenient than trying to set up reception lights that might spoil the mood if they are constantly on!! For speeches I do set up a 3' x 2' single softbox with 4 x 50w CFL lights inside and it gives a good result too. Chris

April 19th, 2011, 09:05 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Dim Weddings At my wedding ceremonies lights are rarely, if ever permitted. The best solution is a good low light camera. For you a move up to the FX1000 would be decent. For a second camera, the Panny GH1 with a 20mm f/1.7 lens would be an outstanding addition as a rear camera, total cost under $1K with batteries and card. For reception lighting go to www.lacoloronline.com and check out his products for some ideas. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; April 19th, 2011 at 09:43 PM.

April 19th, 2011, 09:24 PM	#4
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Dim Weddings Hi Jeff I think I was referring mainly to receptions on my side. We also have a "no lights" policy in all Churches and also no camera flash either!!! For receptions, if you want to shoot without lights then you need a very nice wedding co-ordinator who is prepared to turn up the house lights for speeches and the bouquet toss but virtually none are prepared to let the B&G do their first dance in full lighting!! My on cam lights certainly save me at receptions where even a GH1 would struggle!!! Chris

April 19th, 2011, 09:47 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Dim Weddings Right Chris, I clarified my post, I was thinking of ceremonies only, but OP did mention receptions also. At reception his FX7 and FX1 will work fine with a one or two LEDs for sure. I now run pne LED on a light stand as well and it makes a huge difference. I put it up about 8 feet high and it is so much better than on-camera lighting, though I use those also of course. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 20th, 2011, 04:48 PM	#6
Spiros Zaharakis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 171	Re: Dim Weddings If you want to stick to videocameras,the new Canons, XF100, XA10, G10, HF-M4X and 4XX series will give you at least 2 stops more light. However if you want realy good low light performance,get a couple Canon DSLRs or Panasonic GH2s and pair them with fast lenses (2.8 and lower). Do not get the older GH1, it is a joke in low light, hardly any better than the FX1

April 20th, 2011, 05:03 PM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Dim Weddings I own and have used three GH1s and one GH2. If you put a 20mm f/1.7 lens on the GH1, it is excellent in low light. I've used this combination at three weddings. The lens is more important than the camera. Everything starts with the lens. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 20th, 2011, 06:21 PM	#8
Tyson Yoder Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Montgomery IN Posts: 124	Re: Dim Weddings Thanks guys! I have been thinking about an on camera light but I wasn't sure where to start. Any suggestions? I seen some on ebay that are LED and they run off Sony batteries. Are these any good?

April 20th, 2011, 06:44 PM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Dim Weddings Tyson, why don't you try the link I put above for you for lights? __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described." Last edited by Jeff Harper; April 20th, 2011 at 08:38 PM.

April 20th, 2011, 07:40 PM	#10
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Re: Dim Weddings Hi Tyson - I've tried some of the cheap eBay lights, and some of them aren't too bad for the $$, if you're on a budget! I've tried the fixed output smaller LED count lights, and they work, but can tend to blind your subjects without dimming or diffusion, but you get what you pay for at around $30-40... enough light to work with! I recently picked up the CN-126, lots of sources for this model, and can be had at just under $40 shipped, really good bang/$ ratio. It comes with 3 diffusers in a sleeve case (clear/orange/purple-ish), and a switch/potentiometer allowing you to continuously vary the output from near zero to really bright. Decent throw and coverage for an LED. I'm using Sony FH/FV series batteries, same as my CX550/500, seem to last well, the pins are there for the bigger F and FM series batteries from what I can tell, and you can use AA batteries too. Downsides, the thing is sorta big and clunky, hotshoe foot looks sorta fragile, and I wouldn't want to drop the thing! There's a very slight buzz/whine at some light levels, but it's not going to be noticeable in normal background noise. There's a CN-160 (MORE LED's!) for about $10 more, and a YN-160 that has barn doors and a handle for handheld use - that one is about $65, will have a sample soon. Some of the lights use a push button "step" bright/dim system, others use continuous, not sure if one is better than the other. So far I haven't found a "perfect" light, but for the $$, the CN126 seems pretty good.... I wish for a smaller light that would run off the Sony batteries, there's one that I just noticed the other night using the F series batteries, and includes a copy battery and charger (try searching 5009 LED, or there's a couple mis-listed right now as "5006").

April 20th, 2011, 08:39 PM	#11
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Dim Weddings Dave, I just checked out the ebay lights, I must admit they look good for the $$$. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

April 20th, 2011, 10:17 PM	#12
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Dim Weddings Hi Dave and Jeff I use the CN 160 and it makes a big difference...it's great to even see the camera throw out zebras on the bride's dress now and again and the camera is running with an aperture of at least F2.8 so I'm not using any gain either!!! The 160 only has one issue!!! The cold shoe mount is pathetic!! It wobbles all over the place so I bought a simple mini-ball head with a cold shoe on it and opened up the light and bolted the 1/4" screw into the light housing with a 1/4" nut. Huge difference!!! It's as stable as anything!!! You can also vary intensity with the "+" and "-" buttons...nice to know also if you want LOT'S of light just hold the "+" in and it will zoom right up to max in a few seconds. Definately worth the price!!! Chris

April 21st, 2011, 07:45 AM	#13
Ray Pegram Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ulladulla - Australia Posts: 56	Re: Dim Weddings I have three 'redhead' lights on stands that I bought off ebay and as most churches here have white ceilings I bounce the light off the ceiling...makes a huge difference... There are some priests and ministers that object to a strong light so I try and have the on board camera light turned on but wound back so as its not to strong. I usually bring it up with the B/G if I know the church is dimly lit when I meet with them so they can raise it with the minister. __________________ Ray www.coastalweddingvideos.com.au

April 21st, 2011, 07:54 AM	#14
Michael Simons Major Player Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Red Bank, NJ Posts: 553	Re: Dim Weddings I've been in the wedding business for 19 years and I haven't used lights at the church in the past 18 of them.

April 21st, 2011, 08:15 AM	#15
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Dim Weddings Hi Ray You are lucky!! I have never used lighting in Churches as most here forbid them...Like Michael I don't use lighting purely out of respect. We are mainly talking about reception lighting here rather than ceremony lighting where dimmed lights in the venue do become an issue and offer a lot less light than any Church. Most of the older Churches in the West have lighting if the Church is dim so it just takes a kind word for the priest to turn on the lights and that's more than enough for most cameras Chris