Does anyone here use a on camera video light? If so what kind of light do you use. I had one years ago for a VHS RCA camcorder. It was pretty bright!! My dad used to have one for a home super 8 that would blind you. I guess today the lights don't have to be as bright. What is a good brand that goes good with the XL1?

I've got the Canon light and it's OK for a fill effect but you've gotta be pretty close as it dosen't have much throw.

Ya, me too! The Canon light is ok up close but some of the faces of people look too over contrast even after adjusting the AE Shift dial. I put a piece of tissue over the light and that really help soften the subject! I really need to find a perfect light for the camera as well.

Tissue paper? It dosen't burn?

I use oven proof baking paper. I compared it to some expensive diffusion paper at a camera shop and I couldn't tell the difference (except for the price). It's the same density and thickness and the light looked the same through both pieces of paper.

There are some good threads about lights on the boards.

Baking paper? Great idea! I'm gonna try that.
Once my paper started on fire and then I caught the vale of the bride on fire! Boy did she dance faster....! :)
(just kidding!)
No, my paper didn't burn. It was 'looped' out from the bulb. But it's a hassel.

In another thread I've posted my ordeal in ordering a Frezzi mini-fill light with dimmer. The order has finally been placed and it will arrive any day now. Though it took some effort to get it shipped overseas to me, I think it's worth it.

I also have the Canon light...which for a lot of needs just doesn't cut it. It's obviously set at 3200K which makes the light a bit too warm for some situations. It isn't diffused very well which gives it flashlight-type hotspot. Plus, it's not very strong.

The Frezzi features a dimmer which will make it a great fill, and with the optional diochroic filter attachment, it can be set for 3200K and 5600K temps. There's also a softbox you can attach to diffuse.

Go to http://www.frezzi.com/newpage6.htm and check out kit model Model# MFKIC-6 which is set up exclusively for the XL-1.

An Emmy Award for technical innovation is a pretty good endorsement.

Cool-lux also makes an interesting soft light called the SL3000 you might want to check out at http://www.cool-lux.com/non-interactive_docs/new_products_alt.html.

Hope this helps.

What did the kit end up costing you John? I hope that isn't the battery required to power the sucker in the XL1 photo

'Fraid so. Monster battery, isn't it? Same as the one that comes along with the Varizoom TFT monitor. Put those two together and you need a sherpa just to carry the batteries.

I bought the kit just for convenience sake. I know a guy here who will probably let me trade in the battery...I already have plans for replacing that with another, but looks like I'll have to adapt it myself. I'm working on a quick-release "holster" that I can quickly attach to both my Varizoom shoulder bracket and my tripod.

Cost? It wound up being the same as the U.S. online cost (around USD860), plus shipping and 10% VAT and customs tax...something I've learned to accept. So, the total is about 1.3 Million Won, or 103,000 Yen.