I want to start using video lights. For those that are using this method already, do you have any recommendations? Obviously, I don't want it too bright or too big that it will distract the event. I am using wireless flash almost for all of my reception but I like to give video light a try now. Thanks in advance.
I've been using the Lowel I-light with the Smith-Victor battery pack. It saved me at a late wedding the other day. The light is so soft (although it could use some diffusion or grid at times).
Thanks Scott. You recommend anything a bit less powerful?
I am moving away from flash work. I think I have really mastered flash but I really dig natural light now. I think it gives a sense of realism to each shot.
scott shoemake wrote:
I've been using the Lowel I-light with the Smith-Victor battery pack. It saved me at a late wedding the other day. The light is so soft (although it could use some diffusion or grid at times).
+1
the id version has a dimmer if you're worried about having too much light
bump, I'm also looking. Scott, what is the battery usage light? How much time do you get, and also, what kind of exposure values are you getting? Any sample setup shots?
This shot I had my assistant feather the light (which works really well when you're not using a diffuser) to soften it up a bit. It was literally like zero ambient light here. So here are some stats to look at.
5D & 50 1.2 @ ISO 500, f1.6, 1/30th ?v=0Oct 07, 2008 at 05:35 PM
tuannie wrote:
Thanks guys. Looking for something that won't hassle me too much with battery and duration of usage. Cheap too.
I know I can't have everything I want but somewhere in between is good.
Is the ID version $229? Is that the right price? Geez!
Plus you're going to have to spend for a battery - anywhere between $80-150 depending on brand and life.
We've used the ID this year and while it has been great, I think there is a better option out there: the Litepanel Micro. Same price, but runs off AAs. It's also LED, so it runs cool, and weighs much less. It is also dimmable, comes with gels for daylight and tungsten, and the output is same as ID (100w).
^I tried out some of the Litepanel products and to me they are a joke. The light is nice, but they wouldn't last in my bag. Very poor construction, plastic threading, etc. Not nearly the power of a real video light either. For shooting in the dark, yeah it would would, to work in sunlight or open shade, nah.
At a recent wedding I talked to a photographer who was using a Frezzi light during the church ceremony where flash was not allowed. He had it on a stand with a battery pack as additional light/fill light. Haven't seen the couple's pics, so I can't comment on the outcome.
as a videographer by trade, I have to suggest the Sony HVL-LBP. Yes, it is expensive,
but it can run all day with one NP-F970 L series battery. It has a dimmer, barndoors, diffusion screen, and can throw quite a spread. sadly, i NEVER get to use it during my photo weddings, because my brides don't pay for a second person. The greatest thing about the whole setup, is it doesn't require an external battery belt.
When I shoot video with it, the photogs always comment on how much they love the light. Bastages with their 5Ds, and 50f1.2s using the nice ambient light I provide
We (TriCoast) use many video lights for quite a few years now, we also show and talk about these in our workshops across the country. We have bigger versions but since you want to scale down these are the two I suggest which have worked out well for us in our weddings.
However with a change out of batteries and a charger which costs about $1 per battery (2300mAh) and then the charger is about $50 you get an f/stop of more light out of the little guys and an HOUR of usage time out of them.
We converted 3 of ours (well a very good friend did) and I truly love them, amazing little guys. While they get HOT and you need to not leave them on when not in use, its the best little light for what I have found when it comes to traveling and shooting weddings (which is 80% of our weddings)
I believe everyone should have one, truly the best flashlight which I use as a video light in my work I have ever come across. Lasts FOREVER on the CR-123 batteries and is BRIGHT and have 3 levels of power as well as a plastic diffuser which works great for detailed shots such as rings. Truly it is a workhorse for TriCoast and until I posted it over on another forum I think our little secret
Oh and we do not get ANY MONEY from Lighthound but if you use the name TRICOAST as a discount coupon code I think you get something like 5% off. Not much but hey it is something!
I shoot with a Bescor light and Pak. About $240.00 with battery, light, barndoors, daylight filter. The lowel 1ds seems to be the standard, but is a bit more expensive and larger than my light.
