Another crazy idea: tunable light

[naimis]

I just had a thought, and it may be absurd, but would there be any benefit at all to using one of those RGB/RGBA LEDs, and allowing each color to be individually controlled in terms of brightness? I was thinking that you might want to boost red and throttle blue, for example.

I was thinking in terms of using it as a video light, though I'm really not sure if this is of any use, since you'd probably want to just use a "pure" white light and keep your subject close.

 

[Dr Wu]

I just had a thought, and it may be absurd, but would there be any benefit at all to using one of those RGB/RGBA LEDs, and allowing each color to be individually controlled in terms of brightness? I was thinking that you might want to boost red and throttle blue, for example.

I was thinking in terms of using it as a video light, though I'm really not sure if this is of any use, since you'd probably want to just use a "pure" white light and keep your subject close.

It's an intersting idea. If you were able to vary the RGB as you descended you could color correct during depth to view proper chroma.

As I said a good idea but far too complex for anyone to consider taking up the manufacturing process at this time.

 

[Texfrazer]

I think it's a great idea and with LED technology, could be something workable. I would imagine a set-up like 6-9 mini maglites with an adjustable beam focus where you could dial-up the red in order to compensate for the greater blue.

Could be useful for some higher end videos where you've got some distance between you and the subject (whales, for example).

 

[onemorefalcon]

The theatre industry has already begun to embrace LEDs for color changing lighting. The problem with this idea as I see it is the ability to control the intensity of each color. ETC a theatrical lighting company has a light that uses 7 different colored LEDs to create colors. Another problem is you would need a significant distance (2 feet+) between your LEDs and your target item before the colors could successfully mix.

Another option would be to use dichroic glass to change the color of the light. Seachanger, another theatre lighting company has developed this for lighting.

You can check out the ETC's LED light here:
Lighting solutions for Theatre, Film & Television Studios and Architectural spaces : ETC

Here is a link to seachanger:
SeaChanger

In both cases your major problem is going to be control. I am not saying that it is going to be impossible just cost prohibitive.

 

[Dr Wu]

If you could get ETC to create a Source Four that was good to 500fsw and not need a "canister" Grand MA for control it would be pretty awesome as a dive light.

 

[onemorefalcon]

Are you kidding! A grand MA would be overkill. All you need need an Ion. Just create a back mount system using a pelican case to convert it into a back plate and you are set.

All joking aside, the technology is there. It would just be getting it into a size that is small enough to carry and creating a controllable unit that would prove difficult.

 

[ktomlinson]

great idea! build in a depth sensor and a computer, maybe an light sensor and make it auto adjust its beams.