When should you change on-camera light?
 

OK, I'm thinking worse case scenario here... your're in the middle of shooting the first dance when "POP," the light blows on your camera.

How often should you change the bulb for your on-camera light? Is it worth it to change it before each event, or is that overkill?

Thanks for any advice.

Kevin

I don't do any preemptive changing of bulbs, as that can be very expensive. Not to mention most bulbs are rated for many many hours. I simply bring a back up light. If one goes- I'll pop the other one on. Then before the next wedding I'll have the bulb in the original fixed.

Thats just about summed that all up, depending on make/model and size of bulb it could run into a small fortune if you changed it for every event.
Paul

That makes perfect sense. Thanks, Glen and Paul, for your responses.

Kevin

I also carry a spare bulb in addition to a spare light system.

Ben

i carry two light systems.. with 3 heads
Very basic stuff, On off only, no focus no dimmers.... but i use diffusion paper...
I use to use a sachler reporter 75.. but its too clunky and chunky... nice light.. bit big for the handheld form factor though..
ANYWAYS.. with the 3 lights, the trick is to run varying wattage outputs..
I also use a Lowel Tota, but thats rare.. (ive used it 3 times in as many years..)

one is 35w, another is 50w, and the third is 100w
If one does go (hasnt happened yet in 3 yrs...lol), ill just swap the head and worry bout the globe later..but the reason fo r3, is that sometims some receptions venues dont require much light, while others require a lil bit more..

Oh and before anyone freaks, the 100w is only for the wide dancfloors... lol i never run an oncam light on the actual cam.. i usualy have it on the side of the dancfloor mounted to a manfrotto light stand