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Beginner Forum / Archived topic

Spotting Light

Started by IMSushi ·

  • 5Posts
  • 5Replies

Read-only discussion

Spotting Light

5 posts
  1. First off, thanks to all that replied to me last couple of posts. You guys are really helping me formulate how I am going to spend the money I don't have. :D

     

    Why do you need/not need a spotting light? Can it be velcro'ed to the strobe or the housing?

  2. The purpose of a spotting light increase the light enough that the camera can focus. Most important at night or in a cave, though also very usefull for macro during the day as well.

     

    Well many strobes have a built in spotting light. While a real spotting light is better, the built in light will be good enough for many people.

     

    You really need to be able to aim the spotting light, so directly attaching to camera is not ideal. You could attach it to strobe, though often the direction you want to aim the strobe is not the same as the direction you would want to aim the spotting light. Best is to add the light to it's own arm that can be aimed independantly of strobe poition. Also it is best if changing the strobe position does not change the aiming of the spotting light.

    Edited by acroporas
  3. acroporas is correct about the use of a spotting light. You most assuredly need it even during the day when shooting small animals, not only for focus, but for composition. You want to see as much detail as you can when you are composing so you can get the "main" things sharp as a razor. Also, I mount my light directly onto my housing, but as stated by Acroporas, it is best mounted with a flexible arm. I use a loc-line system, but there are other more expensive arms available through ULCS. You have to be able to manipulate that light into cracks and crevices so your camera can see. Thus it is important to have a somewhat flexible arm.

     

    Joe

  4. I have just started using two 'spotters': the 1st on the housing (to assist the auto-focus) and more recently, one 'duct-taped' to my strobe to ensure its pointing the right way! doh :D

    Edited by ralphy
  5. Yeah, I agree. They make quite a difference. And don't have to be expensive. I've just bought a $50 Mini Q40 which uses LEDs and 4 rechargable NiMh AA batteries. It works really well fitted to my housing with a couple of ULCS clamps and an arm.

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