Lighting/Stabilizer questions
 

I recently shot a wedding, and found the reception to be pretty dark, what tips could anyone give me to get some good light out of the camera. I don't know if I am a fan of on camera lights, I am using a Frezzolini light, the 100 watt one, its a great light but I found it just lights subjects right in front of you, and not rooms..
the other thing I cant understand for the life of me is that sometimes when I am shooting say the wedding dress, as i pan up the dress I'll get this little circle on the dress from the light, no barn doors on it or diffuser, I did shoot a little with a soft box and that was ok..but I still got that circle thing..

Also looking for a decent affordable stabilizer to help with some shakyness..any recommendations?

Using the panasonic dvx100b..

an on camera light is really on good for about 10 feet max even a 100w which I think would be way way too much. I have been using a 35w bulb with a softbox for a number of years and have found it works just fine. I use Sony cams (150,170,250) which work quite well in low light but regardless even when I've used Z1s I never use more than a 50w bulb. YOu have to remember the throw of the light and again about 10 feet is it. If you want to light th eroom then you'll need some off camera lighting which in 25 years I have never used, even with the old terrible VHS and Beta cameras. They can be dangerous to the guests and if course change completely the look of the reception the B&G want and demand. While I don't agree with having a completely dark room for obvious reasons it's their wedding and they get want they want and I work around it. I've only used a 100w light with the VHS and Betas but since the VX1000 it's been a 50w and with the newer cameras 35w.
Forget lighting the room light the subject.
Don