Best lighting choice
 

Hi everyone. I'm looking for an on camera light for filming in very low light. We're talking about a reception inside at night. Does anyone have any recommendation on a light that compliments the room nicely but not too much like a spot light? And can anyone explain what's the different from a flood light and a fill in light? Thanks

Unless you've got a giant battery belt, you won't be using an on-camera flood light.

Since you're looking for something on-camera, it'll probably get its power from the hot shoe adapter, which is somewhat limited in how much power it can send through a light (I don't know how many watts but not very many). Check that your camera has a powered hot shoe and if it does, look around for video lights. Perhaps B&H (http://bhphotovideo.com/).

I got a Smith Victor SV-950 with a built in diffuser and Dichroic Blue filter for daylight. I got a Bescor 12V 144 Amp hour battery which will power a 35W light for a little over four hours*. Eventualy I'll get the Paglight which can accept several wattage tungsten lights as well as a 20w HMI (daylight) globe, but I've got to save a few bucks to get that and a few Anton Bauer batteries to power my camera as well as a couple of monitors and lights.

Bescor make pretty good Lead Acid batteries. You can get a battery belt, or an over the shoulder style. I put the over the shoulder style in a large Mountain Smith fanny pack that holds a bunch of things like extra tapes, lavs, etc.

I got the option on the battery where you have the cigarette lighter and a four pin XLR connector. That way I have a couple of options. I can also use the battery to power my Sony Monitor.

The Bescor batteries are a good inexpensive alternative, but they are heavy. You can get several good lights by various manufacturers that can plug into a four pin XLR, or cig lighter. Both are fairly universal.

Do some research and look at different lights and batteries. Some Light manufacturers are Pag, Frezzolini, Smith Victor, Bescor, Anton Bauer, Sachtler, Dedolight. Some Battery manufacturers are: Anton Bauer, Pag, Frezzolini, Bescor.

* Divide Amp Hours by wattage and you have your run time. 144 divided by 35W equals 4.2 hours

Mike,
Anton Bauer has an Ultralight kit. I got to play with a camera that had the Ultralight with softbox and dimmer. Really good for receptions, I would think.

Hey bud,

I have used an Anton-Bauer camera light for years and years on network cams. But the freelance budget now preculdes that equipment. So.....

I was on a 3 camera shoot tonight and one of the other photogs loaned me his Canon camera light, (sorry don't know the model #) with a hot shoe mount AND it's own "on board" battery supply. You would need to purchase the charger as opposed to plugging a belt into the wall, but I'm thinking that's an okay compromise.

It was only 10 watts but that's all I needed in a dark nightclub.

Can't wait to do some internet searching and shopping tomorrow....on the almost maxed out credit card, of course.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Hey everyone and thanks for the reply. I appreciate all your inputs. I will research them some more. I knew of the brands but dont' know what wattage to use in a dark room and not overload the shot with too much lighting. Thank you all again.

Here's an article I wrote on building your own dimmer for the Anton Bauer Ultralight for $25 in parts. Works like a charm and you can't beat the price!

Check it out: http://www.ctshooter.com/dimmer.html

George

George, great info. I don't have an Ultralight, but some of your MR16 bulb recommendations give me ideas.

Thanks for taking the time to do the measurments- lengthwise and light-wise.

Best,

-M