Dive video light lumens

[fishstix]

I'm looking at buying a dive light to shoot video and some of the inexpensive ones are rated at 500 to 1500 lumens. I'm inclined to get the 1500 lumen model because I can afford it. Any opinions on whether this is a reasonable amount of illumination, or will it cramp my ability under most shooting conditions?

 

[toozler]

Another factor to consider is the beam spread. Using a focused narrow beam 1500 lumen light will do more harm than help on your videos, make sure it's beam angle is at least 60 degrees wide (preferably greater than 80 degrees). Given that the GoPro has wide angle lens, ideally you would have 2 wide beam lights mounted on your tray, so you can light up a bigger area.

Even high-lumen lights have a very limited range, they will only bring back colors to a couple meters from you. If you are diving shallow (< 65ft) and in good vis, a filter would work better (and would be cheaper too!).

 

[RockyHeap]

beam spread > lumens.

you want WIDE and soft edges as Toozler pointed out. A bullet sized beam = no no as it'll just be one hot spot.


I love this comparison on Lights and Motion website. Go to "Beam Test"

at the top of the light window, pick a left and right different light, then scroll around the cross hairs.


LIGHT & MOTION || SOLA 1200 DIVE

 

[3D diver]

Another factor to consider is the beam spread. Using a focused narrow beam 1500 lumen light will do more harm than help on your videos, make sure it's beam angle is at least 60 degrees wide (preferably greater than 80 degrees). Given that the GoPro has wide angle lens, ideally you would have 2 wide beam lights mounted on your tray, so you can light up a bigger area.

Even high-lumen lights have a very limited range, they will only bring back colors to a couple meters from you. If you are diving shallow (< 65ft) and in good vis, a filter would work better (and would be cheaper too!).

Hmmm...couldn't find an "I agree" smiley...but I do.

LED lights are improving fast right now. It is easy to spread the light nearly 180 degrees using a bit of white flourescent lamp diffuser (or other bit of white plastic) but the peak intensity will drop a lot. This is where a couple of cheap high lumen lights come in handy---the high lumens compensates for the intensity loss.

This thread lists several cheap high lumen lights:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...options-any-experience-these-ones-photos.html

I've been tinkering with beam spreaders here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gopro-video/425784-my-gopro-3d-setup.html

 

[Interceptor121]

The GoPro has got such a wide field of view that a single light is not even worth considering, you need two lights and they better be very wide too
iTorch seems to be interesting from that point of view but it is heavy in water
Sola 1200 are great for normal camera but don't cover the GoPro wide setting

 

[toozler]

Speaking of iTorches, they are very reasonably priced compared to the Solas - you may be able to afford two of these for a little more than what a single Sola 1200 would cost.

I have the little iTorch wide which is only 180 lumens as a dive light, it feels well built but it's just not powerfull enough for video. This topic on another board has good comparison shots taken on a pool at various distances:

i-Torch Shoot Out

I find the iTorch 555 to be an affordable option (~$188 USD) if you are getting two of them - at the 5 meter range it does a decent job.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ho...nal-lights-save-140-new-dive-video-light.html

I think the Nocturnal lights are pretty good deals.

 

[fishstix]

Great Advice. Many Thanks!

---------- Post Merged at 11:09 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:03 PM ----------

All of my video diving is either going to be above 75 feet in blue tropical waters or in less than 30 feet in clear fresh water like Ginnie Springs. Suppose I want to illuminate a close object with my LED video light but have the background look reasonably natural? If I use a typical red filter to cut the blue cast will it make my LED illuminated subject have a reddish look? What's the usual technique when using filters and lights together?

 

[diversteve]

I've seen these mentioned as an option for the GoPro - $219 ea. Don't know much about them except they're 900 lumens with 120^o beam angle, two should give decent coverage. Underwater camera mini video light, 900 lumen scuba video lighting by Light For Me

They also show a "no longer available" tray/arm option for $589 - GoPro Lighting Set for Hero camera by Light For Me

maybe you could make something similar from parts thru Reef or someone else. Trays, Handles, & Pivots : Reef Photo & Video!, The Underwater Photo Pros

Optical Ocean Sales has some options also: Focus/Video Lights - Some may not be powerful enough.

---------- Post Merged at 08:26 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 08:22 PM ----------

All of my video diving is either going to be above 75 feet in blue tropical waters or in less than 30 feet in clear fresh water like Ginnie Springs. Suppose I want to illuminate a close object with my LED video light but have the background look reasonably natural? If I use a typical red filter to cut the blue cast will it make my LED illuminated subject have a reddish look?

Yes. Above 15' a red filter will also produce a yellowish cast that's hard to get rid of during editing.

Is Ginnie more green than blue? That's a different filter.

What's the usual technique when using filters and lights together?

Usually you don't. Switch to lights when the red filter starts to darken everything. In the Caribbean on a bright day that's between 60-90' typically. Depends on how good the GoPro is in low-light - I don't shoot one so have no idea.

 

[RockyHeap]

Diver Steve, while those Lights for me Tech lights look nice, per their website that $219 is Powered by one 3.7V, 18650 type rechargeable Li-ion batteryLight does NOT include battery and / or charger,


I still strongly believe (hence why I own two of them) that these $329 Sola 600's that come with the wrist strap or you can ball mount them are a great deal for stunning performance at a price for 2 that won't kill your bank.

size/package/performance/price. $329 each includes everything in a factory sealed no leak or o-rings to worry about enclosure.

Light and Motion Sola Dive 600 | Dolphin Scuba Center