Sigma SL-20LX Video Light

William James Ryan · February 26th, 2009, 10:47 PM

So what's the verdict here? Are 3 or 4 of these hacked together more appealing than/as effective as the LPMicro? It sounds like you have to correct the light on these, and the Micro has dimming capabilities and comes ready to apply filters...

Just wondering.

Thanks

WjR

Chris Swanberg · February 26th, 2009, 11:48 PM

Now... as big a fan as I am for these little "bite sized" marvels....they are NOT, in my mind anyway... even linked together into a panel of 6, 9 or 12... a competitor to the LED display sized lights. Think of them as a unique niche light.... a fill, a kicker, etc. Can you substitute them for a LED panel in a crunch? Yes, probably, but they won't give you the same kind of results I am sure. Use them singly or in pairs....and appropriately, and you will have a lot of fun and improve your cinemagraphic results. But... an LED panel substitute? ... uh huh. I don't think so.

In other words if you have a situation that might benefit from a LED panel light, and have the time to use it, and it won't be in the way - time wise or size wise, you WILL be better off using it.

Run and gun? and niche uses? Perfect.

My projected use this summer of a few of these for interviews in Montana's backcountry was based as much on weight and price than anything.

Hope this helps dispel yours and anyone else's thoughts that this was/is/could be, better than, say, Richard Andrewski's LED panels. It isn't, plain and simple. But it is a great little bite sized addition.

Me ? I think a couple belong in any videographer's tool kit.

Chris

ps. In other words if you were looking at LED panels, do not let this thread slow you down.
pps. If I were going to buy an LED panel, I'd seriously consider Richard's LED 600's.

Darren Griffin · February 27th, 2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Marchesseault

No need for the adapter, the light's mount is threaded already?

Gary Moses · February 27th, 2009, 07:11 AM

Chris do you have one of these lights?
Gary

Chris Swanberg · February 27th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Yes I have two, plus some of the IR ones as well.

Dave Blackhurst · February 28th, 2009, 03:21 PM

I picked up 6 of them, for being able to swap and have some backups, for the prices I paid, can't argue with them. I'm going to add some simple diffusers (using some needlepoint backing - crazy idea I got from a diffuser I saw for a still camera, mainly to soften the light for the interviewee a bit, but also helps spread the light more evenly). I find the camera seems to adapt WB pretty well with these (unlike the "blue ice" consumer LEDs), they are adequate for fill and when used in pairs they seem to boost over using one.

Tried using more than that, and there's not as noticeable a difference. A bit more light obviously, but I suspect these would benefit from being spread out in an array (when using two I've got them about a foot apart on outboard brackets). Throw seems pretty good, which is a weakness in ANY light rig.

Now I'm thinking about that external battery idea... HMMMM, that's the one weakness is the less than 1 hour run time and about 3-4 hours recharge from my experiments. I know the charger input shuts off the lights (won't come on when charging), but external power pack... can't be THAT hard to cobble up. Something using some of the old Sony F or FM serise shouldn't be too hard, and those are available pretty cheap... Not something I really need myself, the one hour time and a couple sets of them is plenty, but...

Chris Swanberg · October 4th, 2009, 06:29 PM

I thought I would bring this thread back into "real time" as I am often times pointing folks at it.

In a recent shoot I had the opporunity to use one as a kicker to separate a foreground object that was otherwise in shadow and blending it, light a shaded background object to make it look more natural, use it as a "hairlight/hair kicker" and to use in in a vehicle to moderate heavy shadows.

In other words a very valuable addition to anyones lighting tool kit.

Think of it this way...you have a scene lit, and as you look at the display showing the final result on camera, you notice a small area where you think, "Dang, I wish I had a little more light THERE." With these, you can pretty much hand hold the light during the shot and accomplish the "DANG I WISH" need, or hide it and get the rsult you want with the source itself hidden. ( A little black foil , or a tiny fold out mini tripod can be handy addition.)

ps. It is a SIMA !!! not SIGMA !

Oren Arieli · October 5th, 2009, 10:05 AM

I probably have $700 worth of on-camera lighting (LED and Tungsten), but these little gems have been my go-to kit for the past year because of the minimal weight they add, and the fact that I can use them with my Merlin steadycam without major balance adjustments (or dreaded power cables). I gang two (or three) in a row, put dimpled plastic diffusion sheets that I cut to size (and attached via velcro). I can run from 30% to 100% power by choosing how many lights to run. They are a bit harsh undiffused (and I wouldn't use them that way). The 'throw' isn't ideal (so get a bit closer). But done right, they offer a nice alternative to more expensive (and heavier) units costing 10x as much!
This is a sample from a bridal prep in a heavily backlit room (with 1 (diffused) Sima light on an XH-A1) Polina & Dmitry By Oren Arieli On ExposureRoom

Chris Rademacher · November 11th, 2009, 09:02 AM

Here's a video I shot at SEMA this past week using 4 of these lights on my HMC40 set with the iris open and no gain. I think they make a difference, but not a huge difference and they do through a bit of green tint off, but it doesn't help that this vehicle was bright green either. :) I've got some more footage with them that I'll post up later on, but this is what I have so far with these lights. I think I'm going to need to spend more money for better quality lights, personally. The footage clarity from my HMC40 in good light versus poor light is huge, so I'd say it will be worth it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnSFnLS2qmA

Chris

Jeff Harper · November 11th, 2009, 09:54 AM

The Simas are great for the money...I get tired of changing them as they do run down quickly. I run 2-3 at a time, and they make a huge difference for wedding use if used correctly. They obviously do not have a long throw, but running three per camera are sufficient for dancing and most other (not all) reception situations. You have to move in on your subject with these.

I'm going to buy the Comer 900 or 1800 as they are without question the best light for the money anywhere. The Comer is better than the Swit, which costs double or more.

If they don't make much of a difference for you then you are using them in situations they are not suited for. If you are twenty or even 10 feet from the subject they will not make much difference...except in a very dark situation.

Gary Bettan · November 11th, 2009, 02:53 PM

I just wanted to pass my thanx on to your guys from Sima. I told them about this thread and they added a link to it on their blog.
Sima’s SL-20LX is a hit! Sima Products

BTW - We're still running our 3 pak promo at $99.95. $35 each one at a time.

Videoguys.com - Search for "sl20"

Gary

Chris Rademacher · November 11th, 2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Harper

The Simas are great for the money...I get tired of changing them as they do run down quickly. I run 2-3 at a time, and they make a huge difference for wedding use if used correctly. They obviously do not have a long throw, but running three per camera are sufficient for dancing and most other (not all) reception situations. You have to move in on your subject with these.

I'm going to buy the Comer 900 or 1800 as they are without question the best light for the money anywhere. The Comer is better than the Swit, which costs double or more.

If they don't make much of a difference for you then you are using them in situations they are not suited for. If you are twenty or even 10 feet from the subject they will not make much difference...except in a very dark situation.

I was using them very close to the subject with the pany wide angle lens, less than 10 feet and mostly around 5 feet. I think I'm going to buy the comer 1800 most likely. Looks nice...just wish it worked with the pany batteries.

Jeff Harper · November 11th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Gary, you guys should look into the Comers, no one sells them ANYWHERE but one shop in L.A.

Chris Rademacher · November 14th, 2009, 08:50 PM

I think I'm going to spring for a comer...anybody got any footate using the $200 bescor though?

Chris

November 11th, 2009, 09:02 AM	#54
Chris Rademacher Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 40	Here's a video I shot at SEMA this past week using 4 of these lights on my HMC40 set with the iris open and no gain. I think they make a difference, but not a huge difference and they do through a bit of green tint off, but it doesn't help that this vehicle was bright green either. :) I've got some more footage with them that I'll post up later on, but this is what I have so far with these lights. I think I'm going to need to spend more money for better quality lights, personally. The footage clarity from my HMC40 in good light versus poor light is huge, so I'd say it will be worth it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnSFnLS2qmA Chris Last edited by Chris Rademacher; November 11th, 2009 at 10:36 AM.

November 11th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#56
Gary Bettan Sponsor: Electronic Mailbox Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Glen Cove, NY Posts: 758	I just wanted to pass my thanx on to your guys from Sima. I told them about this thread and they added a link to it on their blog. Sima’s SL-20LX is a hit! Sima Products BTW - We're still running our 3 pak promo at $99.95. $35 each one at a time. Videoguys.com - Search for "sl20" Gary __________________ Check out http://www.videoguys.com 800 323-2325 We are the video editing and live video production experts! DV InfoNet members save 5%! Use Coupon Code DVINFO5OFF

February 26th, 2009, 10:47 PM	#46
William James Ryan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 73	So what's the verdict here? Are 3 or 4 of these hacked together more appealing than/as effective as the LPMicro? It sounds like you have to correct the light on these, and the Micro has dimming capabilities and comes ready to apply filters... Just wondering. Thanks WjR

February 26th, 2009, 11:48 PM	#47
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Now... as big a fan as I am for these little "bite sized" marvels....they are NOT, in my mind anyway... even linked together into a panel of 6, 9 or 12... a competitor to the LED display sized lights. Think of them as a unique niche light.... a fill, a kicker, etc. Can you substitute them for a LED panel in a crunch? Yes, probably, but they won't give you the same kind of results I am sure. Use them singly or in pairs....and appropriately, and you will have a lot of fun and improve your cinemagraphic results. But... an LED panel substitute? ... uh huh. I don't think so. In other words if you have a situation that might benefit from a LED panel light, and have the time to use it, and it won't be in the way - time wise or size wise, you WILL be better off using it. Run and gun? and niche uses? Perfect. My projected use this summer of a few of these for interviews in Montana's backcountry was based as much on weight and price than anything. Hope this helps dispel yours and anyone else's thoughts that this was/is/could be, better than, say, Richard Andrewski's LED panels. It isn't, plain and simple. But it is a great little bite sized addition. Me ? I think a couple belong in any videographer's tool kit. Chris ps. In other words if you were looking at LED panels, do not let this thread slow you down. pps. If I were going to buy an LED panel, I'd seriously consider Richard's LED 600's.

February 27th, 2009, 07:11 AM	#49
Gary Moses Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 110	Chris do you have one of these lights? Gary

February 27th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#50
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Yes I have two, plus some of the IR ones as well.

February 28th, 2009, 03:21 PM	#51
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	I picked up 6 of them, for being able to swap and have some backups, for the prices I paid, can't argue with them. I'm going to add some simple diffusers (using some needlepoint backing - crazy idea I got from a diffuser I saw for a still camera, mainly to soften the light for the interviewee a bit, but also helps spread the light more evenly). I find the camera seems to adapt WB pretty well with these (unlike the "blue ice" consumer LEDs), they are adequate for fill and when used in pairs they seem to boost over using one. Tried using more than that, and there's not as noticeable a difference. A bit more light obviously, but I suspect these would benefit from being spread out in an array (when using two I've got them about a foot apart on outboard brackets). Throw seems pretty good, which is a weakness in ANY light rig. Now I'm thinking about that external battery idea... HMMMM, that's the one weakness is the less than 1 hour run time and about 3-4 hours recharge from my experiments. I know the charger input shuts off the lights (won't come on when charging), but external power pack... can't be THAT hard to cobble up. Something using some of the old Sony F or FM serise shouldn't be too hard, and those are available pretty cheap... Not something I really need myself, the one hour time and a couple sets of them is plenty, but...

October 4th, 2009, 06:29 PM	#52
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	I thought I would bring this thread back into "real time" as I am often times pointing folks at it. In a recent shoot I had the opporunity to use one as a kicker to separate a foreground object that was otherwise in shadow and blending it, light a shaded background object to make it look more natural, use it as a "hairlight/hair kicker" and to use in in a vehicle to moderate heavy shadows. In other words a very valuable addition to anyones lighting tool kit. Think of it this way...you have a scene lit, and as you look at the display showing the final result on camera, you notice a small area where you think, "Dang, I wish I had a little more light THERE." With these, you can pretty much hand hold the light during the shot and accomplish the "DANG I WISH" need, or hide it and get the rsult you want with the source itself hidden. ( A little black foil , or a tiny fold out mini tripod can be handy addition.) ps. It is a SIMA !!! not SIGMA !

October 5th, 2009, 10:05 AM	#53
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	I probably have $700 worth of on-camera lighting (LED and Tungsten), but these little gems have been my go-to kit for the past year because of the minimal weight they add, and the fact that I can use them with my Merlin steadycam without major balance adjustments (or dreaded power cables). I gang two (or three) in a row, put dimpled plastic diffusion sheets that I cut to size (and attached via velcro). I can run from 30% to 100% power by choosing how many lights to run. They are a bit harsh undiffused (and I wouldn't use them that way). The 'throw' isn't ideal (so get a bit closer). But done right, they offer a nice alternative to more expensive (and heavier) units costing 10x as much! This is a sample from a bridal prep in a heavily backlit room (with 1 (diffused) Sima light on an XH-A1) Polina & Dmitry By Oren Arieli On ExposureRoom

November 11th, 2009, 09:54 AM	#55
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	The Simas are great for the money...I get tired of changing them as they do run down quickly. I run 2-3 at a time, and they make a huge difference for wedding use if used correctly. They obviously do not have a long throw, but running three per camera are sufficient for dancing and most other (not all) reception situations. You have to move in on your subject with these. I'm going to buy the Comer 900 or 1800 as they are without question the best light for the money anywhere. The Comer is better than the Swit, which costs double or more. If they don't make much of a difference for you then you are using them in situations they are not suited for. If you are twenty or even 10 feet from the subject they will not make much difference...except in a very dark situation.

November 11th, 2009, 03:59 PM	#58
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Gary, you guys should look into the Comers, no one sells them ANYWHERE but one shop in L.A.

November 14th, 2009, 08:50 PM	#59
Chris Rademacher Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 40	I think I'm going to spring for a comer...anybody got any footate using the $200 bescor though? Chris