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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
On Camera Light

X-Gregg_Witmer
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Apr 26, 2003, 9:22 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1493 views)
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On Camera Light	Can't Post

What is a good on camera light to use on a VX-2000?
It would primarily be used for taping wedding receptions and interviewing guests.
I have been using the Sony 10w/20w light which can be blinding while at the same time not doing a very good job of lighting.
Thanks for any thoughts...

X-Iain_J
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Apr 27, 2003, 7:22 AM

Post #2 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light	Can't Post

I use the same sony light and get better results by using a diffuser gel bent round the front (hope to make a plastic holder for this soon) and taped into place- gives a much softer light and is less dazzling, may be worth trying,
Iain J

: What is a good on camera light to use on a VX-2000?
: It would primarily be used for taping wedding receptions and interviewing guests.
: I have been using the Sony 10w/20w light which can be blinding while at the same time not doing a very good job of lighting.
: Thanks for any thoughts...

X-James
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Apr 27, 2003, 11:10 AM

Post #3 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

: I use the same sony light and get better results by using a diffuser gel bent round the front (hope to make a plastic holder for this soon) and taped into place- gives a much softer light and is less dazzling, may be worth trying,
: Iain J

I too use the Sony 10w/20w which can be too bright. You mentioned using a gel diffuser, what material and what color is best for this purpose and where would you get hold of this material?
James

X-Iain_J
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Apr 27, 2003, 11:26 AM

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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

I got the diffuser from a pro Lighting Tech on a job we were working on- don't know what it's called but it is like plastic tracing paper coloured grey. I'm not in touch with him but my mate might know what it's called, will ask him when I see him this week
Iain J

: : I use the same sony light and get better results by using a diffuser gel bent round the front (hope to make a plastic holder for this soon) and taped into place- gives a much softer light and is less dazzling, may be worth trying,
: : Iain J
:
: I too use the Sony 10w/20w which can be too bright. You mentioned using a gel diffuser, what material and what color is best for this purpose and where would you get hold of this material?
: James

X-Jenn_M
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Apr 27, 2003, 11:23 PM

Post #5 of 11 (1493 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

: What is a good on camera light to use on a VX-2000?

have you tried playing around with different custom settings? Joel sent us some a few months ago - we tried them out and they worked great.
Here's what he wrote (hope he doesn't mind that we are transfering his words to you):
"Hi Brian,
I use a 10/20w light and set the maximum gain (in the custom preset menu) at 6db. If I need a brighter image I adjust the iris manually. I often click to 9db or 12db, rarely higher. This keeps the iris from opening up completely when black fills the screen, as when a black jacket becomes full screen. I will sometimes use two 50w lights on 13' stands on each side of the DJ/band that are controlled by remote control. Using just those with a the 1/30th setting and no on camera light gives you a gritty film like look and also is a way of getting great moving camera shots because no one pays any attention to you...
Joel Peregrine
Peregrine Video Production
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
www.RememberTheFeeling.com"

Hope this helps - it did us well.
Thanks
-jenn

X-Dave_L
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Apr 28, 2003, 8:45 AM

Post #6 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi,
Just wondering, do you think that some wax paper taped over the front of the light would have the same effect?
Thanks,
David

: I got the diffuser from a pro Lighting Tech on a job we were working on- don't know what it's called but it is like plastic tracing paper coloured grey. I'm not in touch with him but my mate might know what it's called, will ask him when I see him this week
: Iain J

:
: : : I use the same sony light and get better results by using a diffuser gel bent round the front (hope to make a plastic holder for this soon) and taped into place- gives a much softer light and is less dazzling, may be worth trying,
: : : Iain J
: :
: : I too use the Sony 10w/20w which can be too bright. You mentioned using a gel diffuser, what material and what color is best for this purpose and where would you get hold of this material?
: : James

X-Scott_Brooks
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Apr 28, 2003, 2:56 PM

Post #7 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Hi,
: Just wondering, do you think that some wax paper taped over the front of the light would have the same effect?
: Thanks,
: David
Don't get cheap on something like this. Wax paper is not made for light diffusion and it can burn.
Go down to your photo store, or if you have a light and sound shop they would have some diffusion paper as well. You can buy it in a single sheet and get many uses from it.

X-mikeb
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Apr 28, 2003, 5:54 PM

Post #8 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

>>Just wondering, do you think that some wax paper taped over the front of the light would have the same effect?
The wax paper might give off a nice warm glow just as it catches fire!

X-Dave_L
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Apr 28, 2003, 7:21 PM

Post #9 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

But isn't firelight so romantic? Okay, dumb question. Just the cheapskate in me.

: >>Just wondering, do you think that some wax paper taped over the front of the light would have the same effect?
: The wax paper might give off a nice warm glow just as it catches fire!

X-Dave_L
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Apr 28, 2003, 7:22 PM

Post #10 of 11 (1493 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

: : Hi,
: : Just wondering, do you think that some wax paper taped over the front of the light would have the same effect?
: : Thanks,
: : David
: Don't get cheap on something like this. Wax paper is not made for light diffusion and it can burn.
: Go down to your photo store, or if you have a light and sound shop they would have some diffusion paper as well. You can buy it in a single sheet and get many uses from it.
Thanks I will try that.

X-Gregg_Witmer
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Apr 29, 2003, 10:06 PM

Post #11 of 11 (1492 views)
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Re: On Camera Light [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have check around at a few local camera shops and I get the dreaded blank stare when I ask about diffusers and gels.
I was told by one camera shop owner to use the plastic from a milk carton, and I have gotten some sheets of platic from hobbie shops. Both of these types of plastic seem to color the light yellow.
Is there an online source for these gels?
Thanks for all the advice so far.