Question on Strobes

[paradicio]

Hello,

My wife has the Sony HDR-SR5 video camera seen here:

Sony | HDR-SR5 AVC HD 40GB Hard-Disc Handycam Camcorder

She will be getting the Ikelite Housing for it, seen here:

Ikelite | 6038.91 Underwater Video Housing | 6038.91 | B&H Photo

She's looking at strobes now, and has a question (don't ask me why she doesn't just post this herself, she always makes me do it...).

The two strobe she's looking at are:

Ikelite | 6341.05 Pro Video Lite 3 100W w/ NiMH | 6341.05 | B&H

and...

Ikelite | 6341.55 Pro Video Lite 3 50W w/ NiMH | 6341.55 | B&H

The only difference that I noticed between the two is one is 50w, and one is 100w. My natural reaction is: more light = better! But then I've been known to be wrong, and since I know absolutely nothing about u/w video that is very likely...

She would be getting two of which ever light she decides to get. Most of our diving is done here in the lovely murky waters of So. Cal. though we will on occasion do some tropical diving.

Just wondering if the experts here might be able to provide some feedback on this setup for us. If there are better lights for around the price listed that will work for this setup, then that info is appreciated as well!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Papa_Bear]

The one chip cameras need a lot of light! But there is a cost, shorter battery life and the batteries are expensive! Light underwater is only good for 3 to 4 feet max. So you need to get as close as you can and filter for longer distances in clear water! Good luck!

 

[paradicio]

Thanks Papa_Bear, that is what I figured, especially in CA waters.

Looks like the ones she is looking at come with a rechargeable battery setups, so when you say shorter life are you referring to the life of the battery itself (meaning before it needs to be replaced) or the duration it will be able to stay lit under water?

I can see what you mean by expensive, they are $254 @ BH Photo...

 

[Papa_Bear]

Both! How long they will power the lights and how fast they lose efficiency or ability to hold that charge! (I am talking Video Light Battery) In reality the 50 watt works great and the battery will last longer the distance difference is 1 to 2 feet at most! So go for the longer burning light, and buy a couple back up batteries so you can change them on every dive! Good luck! B&H is great, and I buy from them, but check others who will have maybe more knowledge in the underwater part of it! Check on wetpixel.com and search around before you invest. I use Light & Motion and there are other good ones as well. Check with Ikalite as well! Lots of options!

 

[paradicio]

Thanks for the good advice Papa_Bear! We will look into other options as well. I think h2ophotopros recently opened a store in Newport Beach, so we can go there to see some of our options in person.

 

[Empty V]

Thanks for the good advice Papa_Bear! We will look into other options as well. I think h2ophotopros recently opened a store in Newport Beach, so we can go there to see some of our options in person.

I think that's your best bet, go talk to Mike he knows his stuff.

Billy