VL3 light really bad choice for XL2

[Marty Hudzik]

I am not dissing the fact that Chris has this listed as a must have necessity for the XL2. IN fact that is why I bought it. It's a cool little light that might add a little fill for faces when you are shooting in an uncontrolled environment. And it's cheap. So here is the problem.

When it is mounted on the XL2 it is primarily blocked by the Microphone. It casts a really bad and obvious shadow on whatever you are shooting. And in my case I was testing on some books on the bookshelf. If I remove the MIcrophone it does an admirable job of fill lighting. IF you are paying close attention you can tell that there is an on-camera light....but it is not obvious.

However putting the microphone on and shooting the same thing and you can see an obvious shadow which gives away that there is a fill light. So while this is a cool, cheapo little gadget that you can use....it just isn't suitable for the XL2. My guess is Chris was informed of how cheap it was and that it worked with the XL2 so he posted it as a cool add-on. But in the real world I think it should stay with the GL2's and opturas (whatever it works with) that doesn't have a big honking microphone.

And I know it would work if I was using a boom mic or had wireless. But thats just stupid because if I am using those I am shooting something important that I can afford to take the time to light it professionally.

FWIW.

[Chris Hurd]

Thanks for the mini-review; I'll consider revising that recommendation.

[Evan Fisher]

I had the same experience.
The VL3 was recommended as a good little fill light, but the mic shadow is just too much. I'm sending mine back.

Does anyone have any experience with the VL-10Li?

[Yi Fong Yu]

are there any workarounds?