Video light or Strobe

[Smudger]

Hi




I now have a cannon G15 compact and a Fantasea housing. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on whether to purchase a strobe or a video light to go with it. Either way this is a big jump up for me. I've only ever had a small compact and a housing before. Along with comments on which way to go ie strobe or light. I would appreciate any advice on particular products.


cheers




Ian

 

[Larry C]

If you want to take video, get a video light. If you want to shoot still pictures, get a strobe. Later, you can use a video light at lower settings as a focus light while shooting strobe pictures. Then you can do both.

 

[Dive-aholic]

What Larry said. Video lights for video and strobes for still shots. Either way be prepared to spend a lot of money!

 

[Smudger]

Hi thanks

like I say I'm new to this. Last year in Bali I watched a chap using a small light attached to the top of his housing for close up shots. I had assumed that he was taking stills, but now that you mention it he could have been shooting video. Do any of you photographers have any suggestions on a good budget strobe for a beginner.

 

[sunnyboy]

Gotta disagree. A video light combined with a flash (on camera or additional strobe) makes a fantastic back-fill light for still photos. Plus if your camera has a video mode you can also take video.

 

[mjh]

This old thread might help give a little perspective...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/un...e-number-strobe-taking-still-photos-pics.html

 

[LowVizWiz]

I prefer to use video lights to shoot both stills and video on land or underwater.
A lot of people prefer strobes for underwater photography because they can "stop action" or do certain effects with a strobe, but generally the same can be achieved with lights, the right aperture and shutter speed on your camera.

I would argue that it maybe even easier to learn to light a scene using lights than it is with strobes because you can "see" how your lighting affects the subject even before snapping a picture.

Should you purchase a light or a strobe? It may be cheaper to get a really decent strobe than a decent video light; and you may get by with one strobe where I would suggest two lights. Strobes are generally more powerful than comparably priced video lights, but in the end it doesn't really matter as long as you learn to use and understand the pros and cons of whichever you end up choosing.

Cheers

 

[Interceptor121]

In UK items are quite pricey compared to US. What the op can afford depends on his budget. Let me know how much you can spend and I can tell you what you can afford both in terms of strobe and light. Remember that for a strobe you also need to allow for a tray and arm system, whilst a good focus light for macro video can work with a cold shoe (assuming your housing has one)

 

[Smudger]

Thanks for all the info.

I had noticed that kit is far more expensive in the UK. I'm In a quandary about how much to spend. I don't want to spend a fortune and find I'm completely useless at this but at the same time it's no use buying gear that does not perform. Initially I had been hoping to get some second hand stuff. But I haven't come across much yet. I guess I would want something for around £200-£250 ($450). I have seen A Sea and Sea YS-02 strobe only on EBay from Hong Kong For $228 any opinions on this.

I had been considering a video light for a couple of reasons. If it fits the housing cold shoe it keeps everything compact, and also the canon G15 can take video. I have seen some pictures of set ups that have a light and a strobe but unless I could pick up such a set second hand I'll have to pick one or another.

Ian


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Interceptor121]

You can get one of those
FIT Flare LED1200WSR (Wide Spot Red) - F.I.T. - Manufacturer
Epoque EL-1000L - Cameras Underwater Ltd
or Inon LE - Cameras Underwater Ltd

Alternatively buy a second hand strobe on ebay. Would not recommend an YS-02 better to go for a unit with TTL

Good imported from Hong Kong attract
VAT at 20%
Import Duty 0 to 7% depending on the item
£13 parcelforce import charge or similar