Cost Effective Video Light For DC 800

[TheBigPhillyFish]

I have the DC 800 Pro (one strobe flash) and I am trying to figure out a cost effective way of adding a decent video light. I really like taking video with the DC800 and was hoping I could add a decent video light to brighten up the videos a little bit.

Now I was looking at using one of these two lights, unless someone else has another idea. Let me know what you think?

BOSSK BigBlue 170 Lumen Aluminum LED Light

Or

BOSSK, BigBlue 500 Lumen Aluminum LED Dive/Video Light

Now the big question is? Is the 170 Lumen fine for video? Or Do I need to go higher. Remember I really dont want to spend 500 - 600 dollars for a video light for the DC800. When I start looking for an HDV camera set-up then I will fork out the big dollars for the good lights. I just want to get some economic for right now.

Thanks

 

[diversteve]

Another option is the UK Light Cannon. 450 Lumens. JoeDiver has it on sale for $150 which seems cheap as most sell it for around $200. Underwater Kinetics LIGHT CANNON Waterproof Dive FlashLight - Super Sale!: at JoeDiverAmerica.com It is an HID light though so there's a re-strike delay when it's turned off.

Several people have posted they use one or two as video lights. There's even a mount sold that replaces the handle - I believe for use with ULCS arms.

 

[Nocturnal Lights]

We have the SLX 300i and the SLX 800i focus light/video light. Both worth looking into depending on your budget. The 800i will be ideal if you're looking to get a full-on video setup in the future.

underwater focus lights for underwater photography, photographs, photos, improve your underwater images, fits on most housings.

 

[merxlin]

Another option is the UK Light Cannon. 450 Lumens. JoeDiver has it on sale for $150 which seems cheap as most sell it for around $200. Underwater Kinetics LIGHT CANNON Waterproof Dive FlashLight - Super Sale!: at JoeDiverAmerica.com It is an HID light though so there's a re-strike delay when it's turned off.

Several people have posted they use one or two as video lights. There's even a mount sold that replaces the handle - I believe for use with ULCS arms.

They do work well in clearer water. The videographer on our manta dive in Hawaii used that set up with Light Cannons on flex arms and the video is very good. They do not have a wide beam so you get some shadows on the perimeter of wider angle shots.

 

[TheBigPhillyFish]

Well I was lucky enough that my LDS is a UK dealer, so they had the Light Cannon in stock and they matched the internet prices. I am working with Ultralight at this time to see what stuff I need to mount another arm on my DC800, and for the adapter to the light cannon.

I must say this Light Cannon is a heavy light, I was wondering if I should get a buoyancy arm to counter the weight of the light? Well I will keep all informed and maybe throw up a photo of the finished product. I am sure there is some other DC800 owners who would like to add a video light. The DC800 takes some pretty decent video for not being a video camera, sound included. But of course without the video light everything is blue/green. So hopefully this light will fix that, and at 500 Lumens it should do more then needed.

I just wanted something to get me by while I learn the underwater video thing. Then I will upgrade to a full blown HDV camera. Thanks everyone.

 

[diversteve]

They do work well in clearer water. The videographer on our manta dive in Hawaii used that set up with Light Cannons on flex arms and the video is very good. They do not have a wide beam so you get some shadows on the perimeter of wider angle shots.

They sell a diffuser that's supposed to help with that.

I am working with Ultralight at this time to see what stuff I need to mount another arm on my DC800, and for the adapter to the light cannon.

It's this one: Ultralight AD-UK Light Adapter for Underwater Kinetics (SunLight "D" or Light Canon) #AD-UK

I must say this Light Cannon is a heavy light, I was wondering if I should get a buoyancy arm to counter the weight of the light?

Cheap solution, buy one of those pool noodles and slit it to fit around your arm.

 

[TheBigPhillyFish]

They sell a diffuser that's supposed to help with that.

It's this one: Ultralight AD-UK Light Adapter for Underwater Kinetics (SunLight "D" or Light Canon) #AD-UK
Cheap solution, buy one of those pool noodles and slit it to fit around your arm.

Yeah I know that part they emailed me there whole line. But, now the problem is adding another arm to the DC800 Pro which only has one digital flash. So I am trying to see what other stuff they sell to help do this. I must say they are pretty reasonably priced compared to others.


Edit: Better yet, I also found this Equinox 12" Flexi-Arm for UK Light Cannon HID Light with Head and Housing adapter Which is perfet, I can mount this right to the base of the DC 800 and has the adapter on there. With the other company I have to add $200 worth of arms and adapters to make it work. I am just wondering if this Equinox style will hold the weight of the light without moving all over the place.

 

[TheBigPhillyFish]

Well I got the arm in, and I dont like it, it keeps moving because the light is so heavy. Now another concern that I have discovered, the cost of bulb replacement, is 80 dollars. Everything I have read, they seem to be very fragile. And battery life doesn't seem to be to good. I am starting to have second thoughts about this light. But how much better is this light compared to a 500 lumen LED light.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I have the Boss 170 lumen- and have seen and want the 500...they have a really wide beam compared to most lights, and much more uniform lighting... as a dive light, the wide angle is not always the best idea.. but as a camera light..very different story.

It is also nice that they come with an attachment ball in the box.

I have considered not even using my strobes for standard pictures, and just use these....as they have enough light.

That magnitic switch they use is also easy to turn on and off when mounted..

Just my two cents, but the boss is worth considering (just make sure to check everywhere they sell them, have seen huge price differences).

 

[kelseysmith]

Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but I just couldn't resist chiming in.

I just finished a dive trip to the red sea, and one of the fellows on the boat had the nocturnal lights video/dive light. A really good product. He was using it as a focus light, but a pair of them would make what I would think of as a very good video setup.

It comes with different sets of optics, one for narrow beam, and one for wide angle. Also You can remove the optics all together for something on the order of 120 degree wide angle, although you lose a lot of light penetration at that setting.

I have a pair of dive rite LED lux's that I have diffused, and the Nocturnal lights are much smaller/lighter. I don't know what the runtime difference is, but my LED Lux's get about 6 hours of useful burn before you need to recharge them.

If I had it to do all over again, and did not want the LED Lux's for regular wreck diving etc, I would have gotten the Nocturnal Lights.

Hope this is useful to someone!