Sola 2500F - Good Choice?

[Growing Older Not Up]

I have had two IkeLite Pro V8 video lights for about 4 years. Not long ago one flooded while I was in Cozumel. It actually still works, but I'm now looking for a new set of lights. I have heard good comments about Sola and I'm looking for a review from anyone who has used the Sola 2500F. I am using a Sony HDR-XR520 camera in an IkeLite case and mostly dive clear water (Cozumel). Using this setup for photos and video - both day and night dives. The Sola 2500 is at the top of my price range. Thanks in advance.

 

[Interceptor121]

If you are shooting a flat port you may want to settle for the more economical video 1200/2000
The 2500F is a 90 degree light and would be worth with a lens with a very wide lens

 

[Growing Older Not Up]

Thanks MSDT...good point. Guess I need to consider when I plan to change out my camera setup and whetheri will be going to a wider lens.

 

[drbill]

My video camera has a pretty wide field (although not fish eye). I can't speak for the 2500F, but I own and use the 1200s and 2000s and think they are great lights for underwater video. Nice even light field.

 

[Interceptor121]

Another thing that you may want to consider is that the especially on night dives it is quite useful to have a spot light.
The 1200s I have can switch spot flood, to me (I do many night dives) this is invaluable as I do not have to carry a torch and having a flood on all the time at night is like sending a broadcast to all fish saying you are around, they usually leave...

 

[Growing Older Not Up]

Thanks Interceptor121 and Dr Bill. Great information. Glad to hear that you both seem to like the Sola lights, since I had kind of zeroed in on Sola. I had also looked at the Fix Neo 2000, but really was favoring the Sola.

One point related to your comments - Many of our dives are and hour to 1.5 to 2 hours long (we usually dive with steel HP 120s). Based on that, I will be running the lights I purchase in either the medium or low output modes. Considering the dive time, would you go with the 2500, the 2000 or the 1200?

 

[Interceptor121]

I would leave the more experienced answer to Dr Bill, I shoot a lot in ambient light and the lights are not always on. If I can I recharge them after each dive but if not they last me well over 2 dives.
Sola are quite good with their specifications and publish them for each output level so it should be easy to figure out what you need and for how long you can go