Powerful Video lights

Bought it, was just hoping, being new to DSLRs to avoid the expense but found the 10-22 to be not to my satisfaction.

Steve

I was new to DSLRs last year (always had L&M video gear before) and bought a Nauticam for a T2i with a 60mm and the 10-17. I thought the 10-17 gave me great results which is why I was asking why you preferred to avoid it.

The two Hartenberger's video lights I have today are far to weak for this kind of photography.

Hi Alex,

your wrecks gallery is awesome.

Congratulations!

Bye

Thank you M43user! I just had my web site redesigned the last two weeks. I have not uploaded so many images yet but the official launch will take place mid december and I hope to have it all ready by then...?

I have still not made any decision on lights. But the sola 4000s or the gates VL 24 seems to be most likely that i choose.

// Alex

Thank you M43user! I just had my web site redesigned the last two weeks. I have not uploaded so many images yet but the official launch will take place mid december and I hope to have it all ready by then...?

 

I have still not made any decision on lights. But the sola 4000s or the gates VL 24 seems to be most likely that i choose.

 

// Alex

Hi Alex,

I've just taken delivery of two Fisheye Aquavolt 5000s and very impressive they are. I've only charged them and turned them on topside, however the beam looks very wide, clean and and consistent. Tomorrow I hope to take them to depth.

Alex

Are you going to shoot video or stills? Have you checked out the Hartenberger 625W strobes? It'll be loads more powerful than anything less than a light bar. IF you don't shoot video then those strobes will be a good choice.

As John E says, the quality of the beam is what you want to check out. You need to figure out what you want to shoot and what lighting needs are. A wide beam will make shooting off image a problem etc. 200W HMI are still the best way to throw out powerful light. As you can see in that video, the 200W HMI lit up the wreck while the 50W didn't do much.

Hi,

Thank you Timmoranuk, that will be interesting to see when you have tried the twin Aquavolt 5000s. Please post here.

Drew, I mostly shot stills but occasionally video. At the moment I don't have a camera, either going for the Canon 1DX or hopefully a new Nikon released before the Olympics.

The way I have developed my shooting technics and work flow, strobes is not a good choose since I like to work with scene lightning and many light sources and not just illuminating the scene like most other underwater photographers do. The video posted shows a very similar way on how I like to work.

So the question is, how big is the difference in power output and beam angle between the Newtlight 200 HMI and a Gates 24 VL? Or is there any other HMI out there that someone can recommend?

// Alex

The Nuytco Newtlight has the following specs that I received from their technician.

Cost $5000

Power 150 W approx

Lumens 10,000 approx

Burn time 35 min approx

No information on beam angle.

// Alex

Alex, it's pretty easy to shoot with strobes off camera with remote triggers. The Hartenbergers have a slave sensor that is light sensitive and will fire if a strobe flash is sensed.

There are quite a few threads on HMI 200W lights in the archives. Just do a search.

Hmm, no I have done strobes for 15 years and it will never be the same as continues light when you set a scene. And I am not the only one with that opinion... I like the "see what you get factor". And the flash will not work when I need to shoot video!

I have looked trough all HMI threads and there is nothing useful that I can find in this forum. And nothing on Google either... But I have started contacting people that build HMI lights and other powerful lights now and are hoping to get some answers soon.

Drew do you have any experience shooting WA video in green waters were all daylight disappears at 30 meters on low reflecting surfaces with good results?

// Alex

Hy guys,

I am also checking the market and trying to find suitable video lights to buy. I have noticed that no one has mentioned Mangrove 4L6 LED lights? Does anyone has some experience with them? How they work comparing to Gates?

Well Alex, the difference is mathematically calculable but that's hard to visualize without knowing the lights. For what you want, 200+W HMI is the highest output light, but not in a small package. I know the lights in that video looked like the beam from the Halcyon 200W, which I have. It's narrow and the beam isn't even, but it's great for certain shots.

You're trying to get the specs of the lights, where 200W HMI are rated at 12-15k lumens at the bulb, depending on who you ask. I'm afraid you will have to borrow/rent the lights to see if they suit your needs in terms of beam spread and light quality.

"Alexx" the Mangrove 4L6 LED light looks like a very good value light. There is also the Mangrove LH-VL6-40 head even a bit brighter...

"Drew" I would like to know how 4000k vs 6000k light differences traveling trough green waters reflecting a rusty brown surface and then back to sensor, is it possible to calculate the reflecting light assuming the lights have same lumen? Or what is the best color temperature for green waters in your opinion?

// Alex

In addition to the Halcyon and Nuytco, you might also want to look at:

1) Silent Submersion Death Ray 200W HMI - switchable, used with scooter only

2) Pacific Visions Inc. PV200 - with Lithium batteries, allows two light heads in parallel

The Heliumizer 200w HMI is also mentioned at some sources, but, I am not sure about availability.

These are on my short list, but I have not yet taken the plunge due to recent advances in LED technology.

Drew, did you once mention about perhaps testing the Edge Ultra 100/200? Any results?

Hi r4e,

The ones you mention seem to be all out?

1. Deth ray seams to be discontinued

2. Pacific Vison, not possible to contact via email? Their mail bounces?

3. The Heliumizer I have been contacting for years without any success...

4. Salvo got sued just as they were introducing their first HMI

5. Halcyon I have not contacted yet, they have a 200w HMI Apollo video light.

6. Sartek has a 150watt HID that seems ok but not sure if it is powerful enough?

7. OMD 200w DCU. I am waiting for a reply on delivery and price

8. Genisea light 200w I don't know about.

9. Nuytco has discontinued their NEWTLITE 200W for a 150w model.

Thats all I know of and most of them are only available in the second hand market.

The ones you mention seem to be all out?

1. Deth ray seams to be discontinued

2. Pacific Vison, not possible to contact via email? Their mail bounces?

3. The Heliumizer I have been contacting for years without any success...

4. Salvo got sued just as they were introducing their first HMI

...

To some extent I agree, seems to be even worse than when I collected my list.

1. For Death Ray, you might want to see if any dealer has something in stock, atleast the following web page claims so today:

http://www.dolphinscuba.com/ProductDetails...a_7cDP_DEATHRAY

2. Did you check for a typo? I got a bounce for sales@pacificvisionsinc.com, but, info@pacificvisionsinc.com was ok.

3. Heliumizer is (was?) a side-time business for the person involded.

4. I guess the folks of Salvo are continuing atleast some part of the business as Light Monkey. However, I remember additionally hearing comments that they had difficulty in getting access to some of the (original) HMI lamp components and that the newer replacement components were less reliable.

The component reliability issues might just be a rumour, but, it made me very cautious about the technology over all, especially with the very limited supply worldwide. Whoever knows better, please correct us.

Ok, I will email Dolphinscuba about the death ray but it is not rely what i want since you need a scooter...

I tried both emails now and they both bounce?

I have a friend who is building a HMI now and he might have it ready before christmas. Lets see how that goes..?

// Alex

I tried both emails now and they both bounce?

Relating to my inquiry yesterday (Sunday) to info@pacificvisionsinc.com, I just got a friendly response from Louis Prezelin. The 200W HMI lamps are not for sale (anymore). However, they are available for rent and/or long term lease, and, I got a quote. Alex, seems that either you or Pacific Visions Inc. have email compatibility or spam filtering issues. If leasing is a viable option for you, you might try contacting them via an alternative email address or per phone.

"Drew" I would like to know how 4000k vs 6000k light differences traveling trough green waters reflecting a rusty brown surface and then back to sensor, is it possible to calculate the reflecting light assuming the lights have same lumen? Or what is the best color temperature for green waters in your opinion?

What's the point? You can change it all in post.

Drew, did you once mention about perhaps testing the Edge Ultra 100/200? Any results?

They sent an email offering to send a unit for testing. Then never got back. I guess they changed their mind.

I find that the color temperature of the Sola 4000s balances very nicely with ambient lighting in clear blue tropical water.

Regards

Peter

What's the point? You can change it all in post.

 

Drew, maybe you misunderstood me or I have misunderstood everything about how different wave lengths travel differently trough water?

 

Re: r4e

I am not interested in renting lights and I guess that their spam filter doesn't like my email address?

 

My friend just got a hold of some brand new polish HID with 220w power that is supposed to be very good. Hope to see it in action during next weekend..?

 

// Alex