GL-2 audio cuts out with VL-3 Light on at DVinfo.net

Trig Simon · September 20th, 2006, 01:21 PM

I have (3) Canon GL-2 and (2) VL-3 3-watt lights that feed from the hot shoe. In any combination of camera/light, I have a problem with the audio cutting in and out when the light is turned on. I have paid Jamesburg NJ Canon Factory Service twice ($540) to find the problem, and since, realized the cause was the light. I just ordered a new light to see if it does the same thing before I send it back.

Has anyone exprerienced this or heard of this problem. It has messed up 3 weddings, two of them during the toasts (both cameras using VL-3).
It doesn't matter whether it is on auto or manual mode.

Thanx
Trig

Graham Bernard · September 20th, 2006, 03:23 PM

I've got the VL-3 - somewhere - that really sucks. Could be one of the tiny connectors.

What I'd really like to know is , eh, how close were you to the speakers to have the VL-3 become effective? Just trying to imagine you . . did you add GAIN too?

Trig Simon · September 20th, 2006, 09:11 PM

The Canon VL-3 light, only 3 watts is very effective at up to 10 ft. You may not realize the impact, but it does fill in the shadows even slightly.

A brighter light is obtrusive to people on a dark dance floor. Even this light will get squints from unexpected guests.

David L. Holmes · September 21st, 2006, 02:18 AM

Scary thought, I just purchased the VL-3 light for my GL2. I'll have to keep an eye out for this one. Did you monitor the sound with a set of headphones while you were taping? I would be curious if the sound comes through on the phones, but didn't get recorded...

Hank Freeman · September 21st, 2006, 03:12 PM

I have exactly the same issue. In my case, if i'm paying attention, I pull the light out, put it back in and most times it will correct. It's a bummer of a problem.

Trig Simon · September 21st, 2006, 05:22 PM

David,

Yes, monitoring with headphones indicates the dropped audio, along with the audio meter. I will post what happens when I use a brand new VL-3 light.

Thanx for your input.

Trig

David Ennis · September 25th, 2006, 06:00 PM

Since the GL2 hot shoe can also power and directly accept a signal from their optional DM-50 microphone, and since using that microphone cuts out the internal mic, I'm not too surpised that the camera gets its signals crossed (no pun intended) sometimes when using the light.

You should be using an external mic that plugs into the mic jack. Besides gaining immunity from this problem, you'll get MUCH better audio. The internal mic's quality is way too low for weddings.

Trig Simon · September 25th, 2006, 07:23 PM

Thanx Fred,

I just rec'd a new VL-3 light and it works fine. So the two old VL-3 must have a bad switch in it, so I am sending them in for repair.

Thanx
Trig

September 20th, 2006, 01:21 PM	#1
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	GL-2 audio cuts out with VL-3 Light on I have (3) Canon GL-2 and (2) VL-3 3-watt lights that feed from the hot shoe. In any combination of camera/light, I have a problem with the audio cutting in and out when the light is turned on. I have paid Jamesburg NJ Canon Factory Service twice ($540) to find the problem, and since, realized the cause was the light. I just ordered a new light to see if it does the same thing before I send it back. Has anyone exprerienced this or heard of this problem. It has messed up 3 weddings, two of them during the toasts (both cameras using VL-3). It doesn't matter whether it is on auto or manual mode. Thanx Trig __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

September 20th, 2006, 09:11 PM	#3
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	How close with Canon VL-3 3-watt light The Canon VL-3 light, only 3 watts is very effective at up to 10 ft. You may not realize the impact, but it does fill in the shadows even slightly. A brighter light is obtrusive to people on a dark dance floor. Even this light will get squints from unexpected guests. __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

September 21st, 2006, 05:22 PM	#6
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	Monitor sound on Headphones David, Yes, monitoring with headphones indicates the dropped audio, along with the audio meter. I will post what happens when I use a brand new VL-3 light. Thanx for your input. Trig __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

September 25th, 2006, 06:00 PM	#7
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Since the GL2 hot shoe can also power and directly accept a signal from their optional DM-50 microphone, and since using that microphone cuts out the internal mic, I'm not too surpised that the camera gets its signals crossed (no pun intended) sometimes when using the light. You should be using an external mic that plugs into the mic jack. Besides gaining immunity from this problem, you'll get MUCH better audio. The internal mic's quality is way too low for weddings. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

September 25th, 2006, 07:23 PM	#8
Trig Simon Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 47	VL-3 and GL-2 Thanx Fred, I just rec'd a new VL-3 light and it works fine. So the two old VL-3 must have a bad switch in it, so I am sending them in for repair. Thanx Trig __________________ Trig Simon 832 Main Toledo OH 43605 419-696-0872

September 20th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#2
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	I've got the VL-3 - somewhere - that really sucks. Could be one of the tiny connectors. What I'd really like to know is , eh, how close were you to the speakers to have the VL-3 become effective? Just trying to imagine you . . did you add GAIN too?

September 21st, 2006, 02:18 AM	#4
David L. Holmes Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Detroit, MI USA Posts: 96	Scary thought, I just purchased the VL-3 light for my GL2. I'll have to keep an eye out for this one. Did you monitor the sound with a set of headphones while you were taping? I would be curious if the sound comes through on the phones, but didn't get recorded...

September 21st, 2006, 03:12 PM	#5
Hank Freeman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 37	I have exactly the same issue. In my case, if i'm paying attention, I pull the light out, put it back in and most times it will correct. It's a bummer of a problem.