Hey guys,

I've been searching for a good on camera light for my XL2. I'm going to start shooting weddings and other live events where lighting may be limited so I was wondering what is a good on camcorder light for my XL2.

I've looked at B&H and I've noticed that most lights have an SDX power or an XLR connection. Would connecting the XLR connection to my audio inputs, would it power it just the same? I've never tried it before so I'm not sure if it will work just fine.

That's basicly my biggest concern. I've already seen a few that I'm eyeballing, but again, I'm not sure if the XLR connections will work with my XL2.

Any input or light suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'm going to answer based on what I read in your question. If I misunderstood, please correct me.

The XLR connections for your camera's mic inputs are 3-pin XLR, and will not power a light.

The XLR connectors that you likely saw listed in B&H are 4 pin XLR. Look for a battery pack/belt that has XLR connectors to power your light.

Mark

Mark,

That answers most of my questions, thanks.

Do you, or does anyone else know a direct light for the XL2 that doesn't need a pin XLR adapter from a battery kit?

Are you asking about Canon's on camera light? I forget the model number, but it runs on Canon Batteries. Only about twenty watts, I've got one. Not real effective, but handy sometimes. No barndoors, no 'shade'... very basic. Loook in the XL camera accessories.

Aside from that, there are 'on camera' lights that are powered by AC power, which ties you to an ac outlet, not a battery pack.

Richard,

The one you're talking about I believe is the VL3, which isn't the light I'm asking about. It's a 3 Watt light if I can remember correctly.

I've seen the AC powered lights and those are definately useless in my case as I need the light for live event purposes. It seems like I have no choice but to bite the bullet and buy a battery pack.

Thanks for the info guys!

Richard,

The one you're talking about I believe is the VL3, which isn't the light I'm asking about. It's a 3 Watt light if I can remember correctly.


No, I think Richard is referring to the VL10 which is much larger and brighter than the VL3. You can attach it to the shoe, but you actually attach one of the camera batteries directly to the light itself.

I have one also, but don't use it for events or anything in which people will have to look directly into the camera's direction because the light is BLINDING!

I call it my 'COPS' light because everyone in front of it looks guilty.

Works really well for bright light on a near field subject, but pretty harsh and not a great throw for a lot of cases. As Richard noted, its pretty basic.

There are several different options to look at for much better on-cam light kits including options like barn doors, diffusers, dimmers, LEDs and battery types, but your specific needs and budget will steer much of your direction.

-Jon

This light from Sony is nice. It uses standard Sony batteries right on the light so a battery pack and cable are not necessary:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475084-REG/Sony_HVLLBP_HVL_LBP_LED_Light_System.html

This light from Sony is nice. It uses standard Sony batteries right on the light so a battery pack and cable are not necessary:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475084-REG/Sony_HVLLBP_HVL_LBP_LED_Light_System.html

Interesting. I checked out the link and hadn't seen this light before. Something I might check out when I have upgrades in my budget. I currently use a Bescor kit with a nice little hinged filter, barn doors, on-board dimmer and a velcro-mounted diffuser. Really good kit for a modest budget. For what I need it to do, it works really well, but it is also one of the type that uses the 4 pin connector to a lead-acid battery...which gets really really heavy after a while.

-Jon

Jonathan is correct, I was referring to the VL10. Definately a 'cops' light. You get a real deer-in-the-headlights effect. Nothing soft about it, I just keep it in my kit as an emergency lite source.

The sony light looks interesting, but the reviews are not encouraging. Basically, if you want a quality dimmable light with filter/doors features - you're looking at some sort of ENG product that is going to need a battery pack.

I use the VL10. Yes it is blinding, but good to have in your kit. All you have to do is tape a small piece of scrim in front of the light and it wont blind everyone. It takes xl-2 batteries and it uses the shoe on top of the camera.

I actually have a piece of frost gel I cut and formed into a 'box' like lens that I tape over it. Crude, but usefull.

If you are using Anton Bauer's batteries, the best light I have is UL2 (Ultralight 2). With a diffuser and daylight filter, it gives the best frontal lighting for XL2. However, as with any front mounted lights, there is hardly any modelling - shadows are harsh.

Hhhmmm, seems like my best option at this point is to just buy a battery pack and get myself a good, dimmable light. Barn doors are a bit of a hassle. I've used a on cam light before on a cheapo camcorder, and the barndoors on that thing got HOOOT.

Anyway, I'm thinking about the Sony light, however, the size does concern me. LED is good in the sense that it wont burn my hands with the barn doors, but at that price, it looks like it would be wiser to buy the dvcreators LED lightpanel kit. (http://www.dvcreators.net/litepanels/)

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it!

Check this one out:

http://www.s131567196.onlinehome.us/products/micro.asp

The Litepanels LP Micro is going to surprise a lot of people. Here's a little video showing it in action. http://vimeo.com/463187
We should have them by the end of January.

Guy,

that Senheisser mic looks and sounds awesome. What's that retail for?

The LP micro looks good as well. I noticed you said "very little color shift", whereas the others I mentioned, you say it produces no color shift whatsoever. A bit of a concern for me, but how much will the new LP micro lights go for? If it'll cost a fraction of what the others cost, then it'd be worth it, but if it'll cost me about the same, I'd rather get myself the bigger ones.

Thanks for the info, Guy.

It costs about US$350 ... retail price will be less from dealers. Run from 4 AA batteries (either Alkalines or NiMH).

Wow, that's not a bad price at all! Right now I'm seriously considering the Litepanels from DVcreators.net. This one seems to be a great choice as well.

Unfortunately, Guy didn't really show their effectiveness in the video he posted, but if they're anything like the current litepanels, they're worth the investment.

I'd like to know where I can buy that Sennheiser mic though, I can't find it on dvcreators.net

Go to www.litepanels.com and they have a nice video and writeup there. Won't be available yet until end Jan / early Feb. I have asked ZGC.COM to check for me the price they are selling. I suspect it will be something like $300.

As for the mic, I have no idea where you can get it in US - I am from Singapore. Maybe you try B&H, or any of the big pro audio houses in US?

Very little color shift meaning it is close to 0. However, until the technology for white LED is perfected, there is a very, very minor shift towards magenta.

We will have the new Litepanels LP Micro by the end of the month. They are available for pre-order now. http://www.dvcreators.net/litepanels-lp-micro/ We should be among the first to receive shipment. Use coupon code "dvinfo" to shave another 5% off.

The Sennheiser micro supercardioid MKE400 mic can be found here http://www.dvcreators.net/the-sennheiser-mke-400-shotgun-mic/

Thanks for the info and links Guy!

Hey Guy,

Got these in stock yet?

We'll have them at the end of January. Our first shipment is almost all spoken for! These are going to be a big hit.

Evening guys. I was glad I found this thread as I didn't really want to start another on the same subject and look like a fool when someone posted a link to another thread :D

Anyway I am also on the lookout for an onboard mic for an XL2. I wont be using it for weddings, but to film a mocumentary at night following around police officers. Due to cash flow I shall be hiring the light, but does anyone know if any of these three are any good for the sort of thing I am looking to do?

http://www.hireacamera.com/camcorders/hire_menulight.asp

However, as with any front mounted lights, there is hardly any modelling - shadows are harsh.

You can always use something like the paglight extender arm http://www.paglight.com/mountingoptions.htm to mount the light off of the lens angle. It will still be pretty front mounted and harsh, but not as much.

James,

That depends on far or near you are from the police officers ... and whether the lights are TOO bright ... you don't want to irritate the police officers when they are doing an official job, right? Any light of whatever power can be too bright or too dim - so, it is hard to tell - because it depends on the distance you are from the subject.

I used my Anton Bauer Ultralight 2 - and at night, subjects within about 5m are adequately lit. But, the angle of coverage is a bit narrow - something you should check out - depending on the lens you are using.

Guy, Any delivery news on the Micro? I have had my order in for a couple weeks and I'm chomping at the bit to try out the new light.



We'll have them at the end of January. Our first shipment is almost all spoken for! These are going to be a big hit.

Confirmed. We will begin shipping on Friday. Yea!

Steve,

Read this ...
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=113390

It is very good - especially if you use the e2 Lithium AA batteries - 7 hours per pop of 4 batteries. And weighs next to nothing :-).

Interesting. I checked out the link and hadn't seen this light before. Something I might check out when I have upgrades in my budget. I currently use a Bescor kit with a nice little hinged filter, barn doors, on-board dimmer and a velcro-mounted diffuser. Really good kit for a modest budget. For what I need it to do, it works really well, but it is also one of the type that uses the 4 pin connector to a lead-acid battery...which gets really really heavy after a while.

-Jon
The Sony HVL light is a great one. Probably the best LED light in regards to light distrubution (spread/distance/intensity).

Great dimmer, battery run time, stays cool always (as do most LEDs).
the ony real downside to it, is that it's one big, heavy, honkin light. You might have trouble with it is you are front mounting the light.

I have mine mounted on the handle using a Delcam mount. Keeps my camera balanced better.

DV Magazine just gave the LitePanels LP-Micro a mixed review - good functionality, cheap construction.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/dv0308/index.php?startpage=16

Michael, what is a Delcam mount?

I would say so as well. Cheap construction - sure. But, it is very light. If it is metal ... it won't be that light ... it works for its functionality.

DV Magazine just gave the LitePanels LP-Micro a mixed review - good functionality, cheap construction.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/dv0308/index.php?startpage=16
Sorry should have posted the link.

It's the Delvcam DELVG10801 Handle Bracket:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/398635-REG/Delvcam_DELV_G1080_1_DELVG10801_Handle_Bracket_for.html

Works great for mounting various accessories, like lighting, hard drives, wireless etc.

It also has nice cable management, and some have mounted velcro on the side to mount a wireless. I have no need for that as I use the J-Rod Twiin Mount, to mount my shotgun mic and wireless receiver to my mic holder. Works great.

http://thej-rod.com/

I do still have my FX1's cold shoe, but don't like mounting accessories out in front of my camera lens. Personal preference. BTW I modded my FX1 with the same mic mount that is on the Z1. Another user (John Woo) on these boards sells the mic mount with the spacer (which Sony doesn't sell. Probably to keep FX1 users from modding their units, thus having to buy Z1's.).