What is the difference between a good Focus Light and a good small Video Light?

[ChimarraoMate]

I am new to UW photography and would like to know if there is best practice difference between the two lights? What works well and why? I am primarily thinking about doing macro photography, but want to/will work with All of the above (including video). I have set up Two strobe lights and a center video light (about 600 lm) with a 160+ degree angle and very soft edges. Is it ok to use this as a dual focus/video light? Is there a better way? Sorry for the ignorance.

 

[Interceptor121]

There is no main difference between a good focus light and a video light except video lights are much more powerful. With a single centre light you can shoot decent macro and you don't need 160 degrees. 40-60 is plenty. Wide angle will be affected by backscatter so you need two lights despite all sort of attempts you can shoot with a single light only in crystal clear waters, a bit of particles and this becomes snow storm

 

[ChimarraoMate]

There is no main difference between a good focus light and a video light except video lights are much more powerful. With a single centre light you can shoot decent macro and you don't need 160 degrees. 40-60 is plenty. Wide angle will be affected by backscatter so you need two lights despite all sort of attempts you can shoot with a single light only in crystal clear waters, a bit of particles and this becomes snow storm

Thank you for your response @Interceptor121. I have two video lights and two strobes. I guess I figured that instead of shooting with 4-5 light arms, I'd take out three and use a video light as a focus light when I am prioritizing the photo's, and when I plan to shoot video, I'll do the reverse. I'm new to photography diving, and have not really spent any time with photographers in open water. Does that sound like a typical setup (if there is such thing), or are folks heading out with 4-5 lighting arms?

I have three lighting levels with my video lights. I can always use a low light when using one as a focus light. Is having a red filter a really big deal? Does it really work at scaring less subjects away? I also read that a red filter helps the diver, by not having to readjust to the darker light after each use.

 

[Interceptor121]

There are solutions to attach video lights on the same arms of the strobe either using triple clamps of other points on the arms.
In general shooting video and stills on the same dive is not a good idea as the mindset is different. It is better to have an arm system that works for both (though you usually need shorter segments for video) and put the lights on the arms as you need replacing the strobes.
When you dive for stills a single central focus light for close up is what you need.
So there is no silver bullet am afraid

 

[ChimarraoMate]

Excellent, thanks @Interceptor121. Thank you for the tips! I took a look at your latest video, and it is excellent. I enjoyed it a great deal.