Wedding Wattage at DVinfo.net

Travis Cossel · February 20th, 2006, 03:50 PM

What wattage do you guys typically use for your on-camera lights for things like receptions? Is 20w too dim to do any good? Is 50w generally overkill?

Richard Zlamany · February 20th, 2006, 04:01 PM

The question is harder to answer without knowing the camera.

I use the pd170 with a 10/20 watt and it is reasonable in that it is good for the image and doesn't make me receive nasty looks from the guests from the light being too bright. I use a diffuser.

Generally, I use 10 watts for everything at the reception and 20 watts when on the ladder.

Tony Goodman · February 20th, 2006, 04:16 PM

Travis

Have you read this thread? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=59456

Tony

Travis Cossel · February 20th, 2006, 04:18 PM

My apologies. The cameras I use are all GL2's. I've never used a light at receptions in the past, because I hate drawing attention to the camera. However, I've decided to purchase a light and offer it as an option for the bride and groom.

Currently I'm looking at a Bescor KLK-624D which has 2 20w bulbs (so you can either go with 20w or 40w of light). It comes with a diffuser and has bottom and top barn doors (not sure how useful those are). It runs 75 minutes at 20w and 35 minutes at 40w.

Tony,
Thanks for the link. I'll read through that thread.

Don Bloom · February 20th, 2006, 05:44 PM

Even though this has been talked about many times before I use a 20W with a softbox with my JVC5000 and had been using a 20W bulb with a diffusion in my Bescor and have found it to be a happy medium. 20W will light up an area for about 8-10 feet and with the softbox it is not a harsh light so it doesn't bother most people-past 10 feet, well get in closer!
The light you are using should work just fine with the GL2
Don

Patrick Moreau · February 20th, 2006, 06:48 PM

I go with 250W and a dual stage softbox placed at the side of the floor and static. Fewer reactions as it doesn't follwo the camera and it does a lot for dances, speeches and footage of the guests. Doesn't work for all couples, but most opt for that after seeing the footage with the light and I have never had any compaints in follow up interviews.

Oops, just noticed you mentioned on camera lights so this may not be as useful of a comment.

Travis Cossel · February 20th, 2006, 06:49 PM

Don,

Thanks for the input. Sounds like the Bescor will be a good option. The 40w option would allow me to use it in other projects where stronger lighter is not a concern.

Travis Cossel · February 20th, 2006, 10:34 PM

Patrick,

I guess your post appeared while I was typing mine. Thanks for sharing your approach.

Kevin Shaw · February 21st, 2006, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis Cossel

Currently I'm looking at a Bescor KLK-624D which has 2 20w bulbs (so you can either go with 20w or 40w of light). It comes with a diffuser and has bottom and top barn doors (not sure how useful those are). It runs 75 minutes at 20w and 35 minutes at 40w.

I recently switched to that model Bescor from more powerful 12V units, and I'm finding 20-40W to be adequate for most purposes with either my Canon GL1/GL2 or the Sony FX1. Even 20W can be distracting for some purposes, so I also ordered some 10W bulbs and use those on one side of one of my two-bulb kits.

Travis Cossel · February 21st, 2006, 02:59 AM

So you're using the 10w bulbs with the Bescor unit? Am I understanding that right? Just replacing one of the 20w bulbs with a 10w?

Also, how would you rate the diffuser that comes with this unit?

Kevin Shaw · February 21st, 2006, 09:15 AM

Yes: I have two of the Bescor two-bulb units and have been experimenting with various combinations of 10W, 15W and 20W bulbs. It's a bit of a hassle to change the bulbs though, so don't plan on doing that during an event. I also still have my 12V units which have 35-50W bulbs, but I haven't used those much since I got the 6V lights.

As far as the diffusers are concerned, they work okay but don't quite distribute the light far enough left to right for working with widescreen footage. I'm just working witht that as is for now but may eventually try to add a soft box.

February 20th, 2006, 03:50 PM	#1
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	Wedding Wattage What wattage do you guys typically use for your on-camera lights for things like receptions? Is 20w too dim to do any good? Is 50w generally overkill? __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 20th, 2006, 04:18 PM	#4
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	My apologies. The cameras I use are all GL2's. I've never used a light at receptions in the past, because I hate drawing attention to the camera. However, I've decided to purchase a light and offer it as an option for the bride and groom. Currently I'm looking at a Bescor KLK-624D which has 2 20w bulbs (so you can either go with 20w or 40w of light). It comes with a diffuser and has bottom and top barn doors (not sure how useful those are). It runs 75 minutes at 20w and 35 minutes at 40w. Tony, Thanks for the link. I'll read through that thread. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 20th, 2006, 06:49 PM	#7
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	Don, Thanks for the input. Sounds like the Bescor will be a good option. The 40w option would allow me to use it in other projects where stronger lighter is not a concern. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 20th, 2006, 10:34 PM	#8
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	Patrick, I guess your post appeared while I was typing mine. Thanks for sharing your approach. __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 21st, 2006, 02:59 AM	#10
Travis Cossel Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,933	So you're using the 10w bulbs with the Bescor unit? Am I understanding that right? Just replacing one of the 20w bulbs with a 10w? Also, how would you rate the diffuser that comes with this unit? __________________ Black Label Films www.blacklabelweddingfilms.com

February 20th, 2006, 04:01 PM	#2
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	The question is harder to answer without knowing the camera. I use the pd170 with a 10/20 watt and it is reasonable in that it is good for the image and doesn't make me receive nasty looks from the guests from the light being too bright. I use a diffuser. Generally, I use 10 watts for everything at the reception and 20 watts when on the ladder.

February 20th, 2006, 04:16 PM	#3
Tony Goodman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 70	Travis Have you read this thread? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=59456 Tony

February 20th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#5
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Even though this has been talked about many times before I use a 20W with a softbox with my JVC5000 and had been using a 20W bulb with a diffusion in my Bescor and have found it to be a happy medium. 20W will light up an area for about 8-10 feet and with the softbox it is not a harsh light so it doesn't bother most people-past 10 feet, well get in closer! The light you are using should work just fine with the GL2 Don

February 20th, 2006, 06:48 PM	#6
Patrick Moreau Still Motion Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,186	I go with 250W and a dual stage softbox placed at the side of the floor and static. Fewer reactions as it doesn't follwo the camera and it does a lot for dances, speeches and footage of the guests. Doesn't work for all couples, but most opt for that after seeing the footage with the light and I have never had any compaints in follow up interviews. Oops, just noticed you mentioned on camera lights so this may not be as useful of a comment.

February 21st, 2006, 09:15 AM	#11
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	Yes: I have two of the Bescor two-bulb units and have been experimenting with various combinations of 10W, 15W and 20W bulbs. It's a bit of a hassle to change the bulbs though, so don't plan on doing that during an event. I also still have my 12V units which have 35-50W bulbs, but I haven't used those much since I got the 6V lights. As far as the diffusers are concerned, they work okay but don't quite distribute the light far enough left to right for working with widescreen footage. I'm just working witht that as is for now but may eventually try to add a soft box.