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High end video lights

Started by TotDoc ·

  • 6Posts
  • 6Replies

Read-only discussion

High end video lights

6 posts

  1. I have been debating picking up a set of video lights - looking to get some higher lumen lights for both cave diving and open water diving. Since I want to use them in open water, I'd love to get some higher CRI lights to save effort in post processing. I have used low CRI floods before, and I was never super happy with the results. This has led me to look at a number of high end lights, and now I'm not really sure which way to go.


    What I'm considering:

    Keldan 4x video flux lights: 7000 lumen, 82 CRI, 110 degree

    Fix Aquavolt 10000 lumen, 91 CRI, 100 degree

    Light & Motion Sola Pro 9600 lumen, ? CRI, 90 degree


    All lights are relatively similar in price.


    The Keldans have a really smooth beam, and I know they are some seriously intense lights, and I really love the soft falloff of the edge of the beam. I have never seen the other lights, but I know they have a good reputation, and have heard they have a nice soft edge as well.


    The Aquavolt has a little more light, for a little more money, but I like it that it has a controller for adjusting it remotely. The downside here, other than the extra cost, is the increase in bulk and weight of the lights. They might be a bit big to put on a goodman handle with a GoPro, which I think I would do with the Keldans now and then.


    The Sola beam should be really intense, especially since they are packing 9600 lumen into a more narrow angle, but I am worried that might make for a harsher falloff at the edge of the beam. Also, I'm a little concerned about not having the ability to replace the battery, though I do love the fast charge feature.


    I also really like the time remaining displays on the Aquavolt and Sola lights, though Keldan has a battery meter, too. Keldans also have the ability to add on their cyan filter for ambient light appearance, which I think is a pretty cool concept.


    Does anyone have any practical experience in comparison of these lights? My heart has me going with the Keldans, but I think it's because I don't have enough experience with the other options...


    Thanks!


    Edited by TotDoc

  2. Wow...nobody has an opinion on this one, eh?

  3. Sorry Totdoc. Didn't see the first post.

     

    I went straight for Keldans (although went for the CRI ones). They are the number one lights in the business, didn't seem any point second guessing the choices people make when they are not spending their own money. Lol.

     

    Check the temp also. From memory the Aquavolts are very cool.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. I agree with trickster on the Keldans. They are extremely reliable and very easy to handle underwater. When you change power levels they also dim up and down very smoothly without any flicker. Very nice. I bought the Flux 4X. those are not the super-high Cri ones, but I'm not sure you'd see the difference. Temperature at 5000 Kelvin is also fine.

     

    For macro, I still kept my Fix Neo 3000 as I can trim the power down to very low levels in 1% steps if required. Unfortunately they flicker on every 1% step up or down - which is not so nice.

     

    NB: You probably get quicker answer to video related questions if you post in the video section of the forums :-)

    Edited by bubffm

  5. Thanks for the input! 2/2 say go for the Keldans - so it looks like that is the way I will go. I have been drooling over them for a while anyway...

  6. ha, found you again, Totdoc. Well you know my thoughts, I'm excited to demo the L&S lights and will report back in a month or so, hopefully with some great footage.

Keldan

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