DSLR Still/Video Lighting

Assuming (big assumption) that it will be "easier" to switch between shooting stills and video on the next generation of DSLR cameras and housings what are people thinking are the best options for lighting. Strap on 2 still strobes and 2 video lights? Recall a thread were someone claimed their HID or LED lights were fine for still photography(?) Or anyone have knowledge of new "combo" lights coming out?

Or anyone have knowledge of new "combo" lights coming out?

Not sure what others are planned, but there are some out there now (not sure if you knew those or not)

Like the Ike DS-161

Isn't this like a new zoom lens? An invitation not to set up shots and work at them, but to jump in and take snapshots (what's the video equivalent of a snapshot, anyway?)?

Tim

Isn't this like a new zoom lens? An invitation not to set up shots and work at them, but to jump in and take snapshots (what's the video equivalent of a snapshot, anyway?)?

 

Tim

 

An hour long video, with OOF footage, shakey footage, crappy editing and music that just doesn't go at all with the footage that you show your family and friends for years to come. I have been producing this kind of thing for a few years now.

compelation

Stew

Assuming (big assumption) that it will be "easier" to switch between shooting stills and video on the next generation of DSLR cameras and housings what are people thinking are the best options for lighting. Strap on 2 still strobes and 2 video lights? Recall a thread were someone claimed their HID or LED lights were fine for still photography(?) Or anyone have knowledge of new "combo" lights coming out?

i think we will start seeing more strobes like the ikelite ds161, instead of a "focus light" its amped up to a "video light". besides, LED technology is getting so good and efficient these days.

HID's will give way to LED's soon. a 10W HID is generally claimed in the 500-600 lumen range i believe. The ikelite ds161 claims 500 lumens on a 15W LED. Of course 500 lumens focusable down to a pinpoint vs 500 lumens at 45degrees will look quite different.

A top of the line 3W Cree XP-G R5 LED can produce about 250 lumens. 2 of those is 500 lumens at only 6W. Look up the Fenix TK45 flashlight, its 3 Cree LED's at 760 lumens. 2hrs of burn time on 8AA batteries and outshines a 10W HID. Put that in a strobe and you've got a formidable video light, especially a pair.

This top LED technology does seems to be taking a while to appear in dive gear though. Evidenced by the fact that ikelite is getting 500lumens from a 15W LED. Maybe they're just under-driving it to get the 5hr burn time, i don't know, but I don't see any names like Cree or Luxeon attached to the LED.

I guess the point of all my rambling is that strobes will be putting out plenty enough constant light for video very soon. That or small torches will be powerful enough for video. Cheers,

Chris

i think we will start seeing more strobes like the ikelite ds161, instead of a "focus light" its amped up to a "video light". besides, LED technology is getting so good and efficient these days.

 

HID's will give way to LED's soon. a 10W HID is generally claimed in the 500-600 lumen range i believe. The ikelite ds161 claims 500 lumens on a 15W LED. Of course 500 lumens focusable down to a pinpoint vs 500 lumens at 45degrees will look quite different.

 

A top of the line 3W Cree XP-G R5 LED can produce about 250 lumens. 2 of those is 500 lumens at only 6W. Look up the Fenix TK45 flashlight, its 3 Cree LED's at 760 lumens. 2hrs of burn time on 8AA batteries and outshines a 10W HID. Put that in a strobe and you've got a formidable video light, especially a pair.

 

This top LED technology does seems to be taking a while to appear in dive gear though. Evidenced by the fact that ikelite is getting 500lumens from a 15W LED. Maybe they're just under-driving it to get the 5hr burn time, i don't know, but I don't see any names like Cree or Luxeon attached to the LED.

 

I guess the point of all my rambling is that strobes will be putting out plenty enough constant light for video very soon. That or small torches will be powerful enough for video. Cheers,

 

Chris

HA check this: i browse this forum later after my last post and theres this new topic:

Aquatica LED 800 video and Focus light

just when i say this top end LED tech isn't making it into the dive market yet, boom, aquatica throws 800 lumens from a 12W LED. And in a tiny light, just big enough for 2 18650 batteries (each the size of 2 CR123's) and a head. bravo aquatica.

and, it looks like 800 'out the front' lumens as the specs say 900, implying 900 lumens 'at the LED'.

the question now is: how much?

mount 2 of those on triple clamps next to your strobes and you won't even notice it. too bad its stuck at 90 degrees though. would be sweet if it focused too.

Assuming (big assumption) that it will be "easier" to switch between shooting stills and video on the next generation of DSLR cameras and housings what are people thinking are the best options for lighting. Strap on 2 still strobes and 2 video lights? Recall a thread were someone claimed their HID or LED lights were fine for still photography(?) Or anyone have knowledge of new "combo" lights coming out?

I am currently using two Ikelite DS161 and honestly I find them very under powered and more suited to providing backing light in support of a more bright and dedicated video light.

Recently I have been playing with the light and motion Sola600 which I have found to be an excellent light in terms of even spread, power and all from a very small compact size. I think the only major downside to the Sola600 is its $570 price tag and its built in battery (ability to change batteries between dives and change batteries after a year or two of use).

I find with using video on my Nikon D90 that the Sola600 provided enough power and flexabilty to be used as the primary light source and the two Ikelite DS161 as adding a little more spread and support of th sola600 bream. Another benefit of the Sola600 is that it provides an excellent light for focusing especially with use of the red LED setting.

I found this combination of Sola600 and Ikelite DS161 easy in switching between video and stills during a dive.

But in the end of the day I really need to learn how to edit video and produce something more that the stock clips I have taken up to date.

Regards Mark

500-1000 lumens is definitely not enough, especially for wide angle. For proper HD video on a DSLR, you need 2000-3000 lumens for anything wide angle. Preferrably dual 21watt or 50watt on-camera with an additional 50watt or 200watt bulb on spot divers.

I think those DS161 lights are a bit of a toy when it comes to video lights. Great strobes though, and nice feature to have an LED light but more for emergency something like that.

I originally thought that switching between video and stills would be viable. In practice I set my camera up for one or the other as it puts me in that frame of mind to get the job done.

Rig configuration wise, I've actually found that two strobes on wide arms actually stabilises the video (like a tight rope walker). My current thinking is to just mount my video lights in this configruation.