Skip to content

Lights, Strobes, and Lighting Technique / Archived topic

Fisheye FIX

Started by IMSushi ·

  • 9Posts
  • 9Replies

Read-only discussion

Fisheye FIX

9 posts
  1. I know that the topic of focus lights comes up every now and again here, but I can't find a comparison between the two Fisheye lights, Halogen (HG20DX) and LED (48DX), and what everyone prefers. What about a comparison between the 48DX and the Hartenberger Mini Compact? I have the funds for either of these lights and probably would be happy with any of them. I've played with the HG20DX and really want one of those, but with short bulb life and practically one dive per battery charge, I'm kind of leaning towards the LED 48DX.

     

    My concerns are color temperature and battery life. Does the cooler color of the LED lights affect in any way the outcome of your final picture?

    Edited by IMSushi
  2. A strobe will overwhelm the output of either light so the color temp doesn't matter. The warmer light of the halogen makes it easier to see and some feel it works better because of that. I don't agree. The camera needs light to focus properly but it's not important that the light have a distinctive, warm appearance.

     

    The halogen FIX light puts out a lot of light, arguably more than necessary and wider than necessary. It's a luxury to have underwater and is easily the more desirable light to have once shooting. The problem with it is that it uses a proprietary Li-Ion battery and charger, offers shorter burn times and less durable bulbs. If I were to use the halogen version I'd swap out the bulb for the 10W variety and possibly use a narrower reflector. I'd prefer longer burn times than the stock configuration offers. A 10W bulb is more efficient than a 20W bulb dimmed to half output and the 20W is so strong you will frequently be dimming it.

     

    The LED version is not as wide and is adequate in brightness but not generously powerful. It uses AA batteries and offers very long burn times that allow you to leave the light on for a whole dive and still run it all day on a charge. I would prefer even brighter LEDs and less burn time. The light is harder to see with the eye in daylight but the camera likes it all the same. I consider it good but not perfect, just like the halogen version.

     

    I think it comes down to whether you value the durability and AA battery solution of the LED light versus the greater output of the halogen. I use the LED one myself. If cost matters, the LED is less expensive and uses cheaper batteries and chargers that can be shared with strobes.

  3. Check out the 7 page review at reef Photo. It shows the brightness, color, and beam size for a number of different lights. It has not been updated to include the H. Nano.

  4. Thanks guys! Canuck, I've seen the Reef and Backscatter reviews before. I guess I just wanted to hear for myself that using an LED focus light is acceptable similar to what Craig wrote.

     

    I'm the Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor type. More power, the better!

  5. Hi Pat,

     

    I recently opted for the LED version and I'm impressed by the light. We do a lot of diving off the beaches in Mexico with no power around for miles so the battery configuration was the obvious chioce for me. I'm using it with the diffuser and I've been turning it down to about 1/2 power and my 40D does fine with it. I did some test shots at f/16 and f/22 at 250th with the light on full power and strobes off and there where no hot spots. The beam is so wide I don't think it will be a problem even on blue water macro longer exposures.

     

    One thing I didn't know till I read the manual, you can use the rechargeable battery with the LED configuration if you like that idea and pay the extra for the option. I'm liking my decision so far. :P

     

    Steve

  6. Steve, what do you mean, "pay extra for the option"? Do you mean the extra cost for rechargable batteries, NiMH, over Alkaline? I thought the LED would accept both with no problem. Didn't realize there are options except a diffuser.

  7. Steve, what do you mean, "pay extra for the option"? Do you mean the extra cost for rechargable batteries, NiMH, over Alkaline? I thought the LED would accept both with no problem. Didn't realize there are options except a diffuser.
    Yes Pat, that's what I was trying to say. You can chose to buy the rechargeable pack and use it with the LED light. The white diffuser came with my light, I also picked up the red diffuser since I love to night dive. Sorry for the confusion.

     

    Steve

  8. Yes Pat, that's what I was trying to say. You can chose to buy the rechargeable pack and use it with the LED light. The white diffuser came with my light, I also picked up the red diffuser since I love to night dive. Sorry for the confusion.

     

    Steve

    Red diffuser? Where did you find that? I've looked on the web and don't find a reference. Help.

    Thanks,

    Brian

  9. Red diffuser? Where did you find that? I've looked on the web and don't find a reference. Help.

    Thanks,

    Brian

     

    Hi Brian, Try this link at Reef Photo. I'm pretty sure Backscatter has them too. They are sometimes shown for the Halogen light but the lights are the same dia. so the filters will fit both. There is a blue one too for the video folks.

     

    Steve

Isotta

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.