MLiebergot
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Aug 26, 2008, 10:00 AM
Post #11 of 21
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Re: [Bryan G] The HDV vs SD debate
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Yes Chuck - it now looks like I will have to compiel an order of lighting equipment throuigh B&H Photo or similar - yes, I can buy this from them far cheaper and have it shipped to Australia than what I can get it for here.
Just a question - if you review the two lighting situations that I detailed in my earlier posts (exactly the same venue but with different lighting siuations) does it surprise you I got such a different result?? You have probably answered this but I just didn't knwo how to interpret it. Bryan, while I would love it fi everyone hired a lighting designer to light a wedding reception. It just doesn't happen often for us. Guess we do low end weddings  .
But here's what I have started doing for all wedding shoots. We use onboard Sony HVL-LBP LED lights and love them, as they are dimmable and have very good throw and are self powered with long lasting Sony batterues (no battery belt needed). But I wasn't ahppy with always having to run onbaord lighting as it can be distracting for guests and teh overall image is flat.
So we have added additional off camera lighting to the mix. Now it's not what teh sterotype of videolighting rigs is, but rather is based on the Reception Light, which several people here use and seem to love.
I put together two Reception light setups myself at B&H Mike's Reception Light Kit.
I did however order two remote controls from Darrell, which help me save on battery run times, as I turn off the lights during dinner.
The reason that I built my own is that I already had one Varalux light and prefer using long lasting battery belts to wrap around the base of the light stand. This keeps the light stand very stable and also gives me battery run times of 5+ hours running 50w bulbs at full power.
The lights aren't powerful enough to overpower a DJ's setup, but it is enough to give a nice boost to the dance floor when needed. This can add some nice depth to the image as well as keep me from having to use on camera lighting if possible. The only thing that sucks is that the battery belts (I bring 2 large Bescor belts and a couple NRG batteries), which weigh around 50 lbs.  We keep all of the batteries in a small rolling suitcase, and all other equiptment in a large rolling suitcase (Proroller 3 with cameras etc. and tripods strapped to the side) and an audio bag, which I place on top of the large rolling suitcase. Everything is rolled in.
These really came in handy a few weeks back , when I shot a wedding where the dancing took place in an outside tent. The tent only had 2 small rope lights on both ends of it and some votive candles on the fountain in the middle of the tent, and no DJ lights. If I didn't have the lights on stands, noone would have been able to see who they were dancing with. Of course we do have onbaord lights, but the overall feel to the tent was so much nicer with just the dance floor lit up.
Overall it only takes me 15 minutes to setup both lights, belts and all,a nd I can place them anywhere I wish. I like to palce them by the DJ or by a sateg (if a band is palying. This way people thnk that they are aprt of the music setup for the night. And I love the fact that I don't have to run any cables to worry about people tripping over.
I don't know if this is somethign that you woudl be interested in, but thought that I woudl mention it to you as an option.
Michael
Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!
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