XH-A1 On camera light! question.

Daniel Fessak · January 26th, 2009, 05:46 PM

That's what I thought. What about just using it in a situation where you are in a small room and need a small amount of light, just as a tiny pick me up?

Marcel D. Van Someren · January 26th, 2009, 10:38 PM

not sure how much 10 watts would help, but it's always worth a try if you have the light with you.

Richard Hunter · January 27th, 2009, 12:48 AM

I find it is useful where there is very little lighting, like a dark pub. But even there it is limited because it can be quite glaring for the subjects when you get too close. Still, better than no light at all.

Richard

Don Palomaki · January 28th, 2009, 07:58 PM

!0 watts can be worth over 12 dB of gain, or more than two stops, at 10 feet in a modest light situation.

In a quick test with my XHA1 and a Sony HVL-20DW2 video light at the 10 Watt setting:
Camcorder was set to 60i HDV mode, 1/30 shutter
The metered exposure of a general subject object 10 feet form the light was
with the 10 watt light OFF: +12 dB gain, f/1.8,
with the 10 watt light ON: 0 dB gain, f/2.2

The above was not a rigorous test, and your results will vary depending on the subject shot, distances, and the ambient light. However, it does give an idea as to how much improvement a bit of light can give at typical wedding reception shooting distances.

Run some tests yourself to get a feel for how much you might benefit from a bit of light. Just be sure to coordinate this with the client in advance as may be appropriate to your shoots.

Benjamin Steeples · January 29th, 2009, 12:47 AM

I assume you are talking about the 10 watt Canon light, or are you talking about a different one?

I have the 10 watt Canon, my 2nd shooter uses it sometimes with me on weddings. Typically we use it as kind of a fill light with my higher power light on my camera. the 10 watt can be good for close up stuff or if you need to add just a little touch of light on some faces so lose some nasty facial shadows. To use it as a primary, esp for weddings probably wont work in a great deal of situations unless you want to use 12db gain which starts to suck pretty quickly.

I find occasional uses for the 10 watt, but not really any primary uses.

Not sure if that helps much, just my experience.

Don Palomaki · January 29th, 2009, 06:01 AM

My test was using a Sony 10 watt light, but 10 watts of light is, well, 10 watts of light, and the variances are mainly the result of beam width and color temperature of the bulb used. For shooting guests at a table it can make the difference between using 0 dB gain and 12 dB gain.

Direct lighting much brighter than 10 to 20 watts can really irritate people, especially in otherwise subdued lighting situations.

Janson Williams · February 17th, 2009, 11:01 PM

anyone have any suggestions of an on camera light under $100,

this is the one im looking at, i have only searched bhphotovideo b/c i dont know of other sites to buy from,

Bescor | KLK-624D On Camera Light Kit | KLK624D | B&H Photo Video

what sucks about this one is the battery that comes with doesnt hold a long charge, and buying another battery is almost as buying the light.

please input your suggestions

thanks

~pieces

Matthew Nayman · February 20th, 2009, 08:19 AM

My psychic powers tell me Derek will recommend a Maglight,

Derek Shantz · February 20th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Maglite 3W LED flashlight! $30 from Crappy tire and better than litepanels microlite. Remove focus reflector for "candle mode" and you will get the softest brightest light that you can gel with a demo pack of filters for tungsten. This piece will fit in the shotgun holder of the A1 or if that is in use you can shoe mount it with a shoe mount shock mount.
Your welcome.

Hubert Duijzer · February 20th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Have a look at the Sima SL-20LX http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-ma...deo-light.html
You can have 3 lights for 100 usd.

Daniel Caruso · February 21st, 2009, 08:15 AM

sigmas are decent, however no battery packs and do not last long.

derek, its dan! this flashlight sounds great, i was gonna go look for one around the house but led for sure should look good. what filters did you put in front of it.

dan

Janson Williams · February 21st, 2009, 05:07 PM

wrd.
thanks gents

Roger Shealy · February 22nd, 2009, 03:08 PM

Amazon.com: Canon VL-10Li II Video Light for Canon Camcorders: Electronics

works great and uses same battery as XHA1.

Daniel Caruso · February 24th, 2009, 11:19 PM

this was a secret find but ill share it here.

How to build a 1,024,000 mcd portable light

honestly speaking, litepanels seem to be a great piece for ones kit, but lets be real...400(cdn that is) for a panel of leds encased in a plastic square. not a chance for my budget. plus mine will have more lights. my leds should be arriving this week then ill start the build. i will post pictures once it is complete here. hope you find this handy.

dan

Mark Andrew · June 30th, 2009, 05:45 PM

looking for a light for my XHA1.....I'm pretty new at this.

something less than $200.....I know that might not get me much...but thats my budget for now. something rechargeable......

Thanks

Mark

January 28th, 2009, 07:58 PM	#94
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	!0 watts can be worth over 12 dB of gain, or more than two stops, at 10 feet in a modest light situation. In a quick test with my XHA1 and a Sony HVL-20DW2 video light at the 10 Watt setting: Camcorder was set to 60i HDV mode, 1/30 shutter The metered exposure of a general subject object 10 feet form the light was with the 10 watt light OFF: +12 dB gain, f/1.8, with the 10 watt light ON: 0 dB gain, f/2.2 The above was not a rigorous test, and your results will vary depending on the subject shot, distances, and the ambient light. However, it does give an idea as to how much improvement a bit of light can give at typical wedding reception shooting distances. Run some tests yourself to get a feel for how much you might benefit from a bit of light. Just be sure to coordinate this with the client in advance as may be appropriate to your shoots. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 29th, 2009, 12:47 AM	#95
Benjamin Steeples New Boot Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 9	10 Watt Canon Light? I assume you are talking about the 10 watt Canon light, or are you talking about a different one? I have the 10 watt Canon, my 2nd shooter uses it sometimes with me on weddings. Typically we use it as kind of a fill light with my higher power light on my camera. the 10 watt can be good for close up stuff or if you need to add just a little touch of light on some faces so lose some nasty facial shadows. To use it as a primary, esp for weddings probably wont work in a great deal of situations unless you want to use 12db gain which starts to suck pretty quickly. I find occasional uses for the 10 watt, but not really any primary uses. Not sure if that helps much, just my experience.

January 29th, 2009, 06:01 AM	#96
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	My test was using a Sony 10 watt light, but 10 watts of light is, well, 10 watts of light, and the variances are mainly the result of beam width and color temperature of the bulb used. For shooting guests at a table it can make the difference between using 0 dB gain and 12 dB gain. Direct lighting much brighter than 10 to 20 watts can really irritate people, especially in otherwise subdued lighting situations. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

February 17th, 2009, 11:01 PM	#97
Janson Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 101	best on camera light under $100? anyone have any suggestions of an on camera light under $100, this is the one im looking at, i have only searched bhphotovideo b/c i dont know of other sites to buy from, Bescor \| KLK-624D On Camera Light Kit \| KLK624D \| B&H Photo Video what sucks about this one is the battery that comes with doesnt hold a long charge, and buying another battery is almost as buying the light. please input your suggestions thanks ~pieces

February 21st, 2009, 08:15 AM	#101
Daniel Caruso Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Newmarket, Ontario Posts: 90	sigmas are decent, however no battery packs and do not last long. derek, its dan! this flashlight sounds great, i was gonna go look for one around the house but led for sure should look good. what filters did you put in front of it. dan Last edited by Daniel Caruso; February 21st, 2009 at 08:17 AM. Reason: enter too soon

January 26th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#91
Daniel Fessak Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 123	That's what I thought. What about just using it in a situation where you are in a small room and need a small amount of light, just as a tiny pick me up?

January 26th, 2009, 10:38 PM	#92
Marcel D. Van Someren Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 325	not sure how much 10 watts would help, but it's always worth a try if you have the light with you.

January 27th, 2009, 12:48 AM	#93
Richard Hunter Trustee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lipa City Batangas, Philippines Posts: 1,110	I find it is useful where there is very little lighting, like a dark pub. But even there it is limited because it can be quite glaring for the subjects when you get too close. Still, better than no light at all. Richard

February 20th, 2009, 08:19 AM	#98
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	My psychic powers tell me Derek will recommend a Maglight,

February 20th, 2009, 08:20 AM	#99
Derek Shantz New Boot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 20	Maglite 3W LED flashlight! $30 from Crappy tire and better than litepanels microlite. Remove focus reflector for "candle mode" and you will get the softest brightest light that you can gel with a demo pack of filters for tungsten. This piece will fit in the shotgun holder of the A1 or if that is in use you can shoe mount it with a shoe mount shock mount. Your welcome.

February 20th, 2009, 12:24 PM	#100
Hubert Duijzer Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 177	Have a look at the Sima SL-20LX http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/photon-ma...deo-light.html You can have 3 lights for 100 usd.

February 21st, 2009, 05:07 PM	#102
Janson Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 101	wrd. thanks gents

February 22nd, 2009, 03:08 PM	#103
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Amazon.com: Canon VL-10Li II Video Light for Canon Camcorders: Electronics works great and uses same battery as XHA1.

February 24th, 2009, 11:19 PM	#104
Daniel Caruso Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Newmarket, Ontario Posts: 90	this was a secret find but ill share it here. How to build a 1,024,000 mcd portable light honestly speaking, litepanels seem to be a great piece for ones kit, but lets be real...400(cdn that is) for a panel of leds encased in a plastic square. not a chance for my budget. plus mine will have more lights. my leds should be arriving this week then ill start the build. i will post pictures once it is complete here. hope you find this handy. dan

June 30th, 2009, 05:45 PM	#105
Mark Andrew New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus, Indiana Posts: 13	Best light for XHA1?? looking for a light for my XHA1.....I'm pretty new at this. something less than $200.....I know that might not get me much...but thats my budget for now. something rechargeable...... Thanks Mark