Video and Lights

*JohnKendall* · February 27th, 2006, 05:44 PM

Hi All,

A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video?

Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie.

Thanks

J

Teppo · February 27th, 2006, 06:09 PM

Hi John

I have Gates San diego housing and i have "wings" in both side of it and my 24wHID in a arm which is fixed to the "wings". The arm has 50mm clamp where i can plug in and off the light. I have only the HID with me (short swim cave dives with this rig) and i will use hand signals when videoing

I also have a handle in the videoreflector, but is a bit useless to signall with the videoreflector, for longer swims and when not videoing i can carry normal handle also with me

Teppo

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

Hi All,

A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video?

Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie.

Thanks

J

true · February 27th, 2006, 07:43 PM

John,

Around the office, I usually see two configurations:

-when using the dual 50s (ie, the overwhelming majority of dives with the video camera and what I've been using with the D100 still camera), we're using a 13.5 canister with an E/O connector. During taping, the 50s are connected via a Y-connector and the 18 head is clipped off.

-when we have the luxury of a "spare" lighting diver, they wear a second canister to power the 200W HMI. The primary should be clipped off during shooting.

Exploration dives are made with the Mini-Mee scooter-based housing and independent power supply, so the shooter is still wearing only one canister.

Best,

Anthony

nadwidny · February 28th, 2006, 02:25 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

Hi All,

A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video?

Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie.

Thanks

J

I never used to have a separate primary, I used just one the waist mounted battery pack and swapped from primary to video as needed (using EO connectors). I was always uncomfortable with that so I went with 2X4.5aH NIMH battery packs on my housing (one for each video light) so that my primary has it's own dedicated battery pack (the one on the waist band).

I'm using 2X24W Halcyon HID's for video and an 18W Halcyon for a primary.

QBU · February 28th, 2006, 12:32 PM

Dang, I feel like the little kid on the block with the home made toy instead of fancy store bought.

Since the concept of shooting video at night with the independent lights and added canister, I have my Helios clipped of in case I need it. I normally just run the HID's from the video arms.

Before I was introduced to DIR, I would use the HID's from the camera system only and carry a UK400 in case I ran out of battery life for the HID's.

I've only now begun experimenting with the different setups. I'll be watcing this thread with great interest!

*JohnKendall* · February 28th, 2006, 12:54 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the good info. I tried out the rig in the pool last night, and had both canisters on, however was massively overweighted with it all, but that's not exactly suprising without a drysuit.

I'll be playing this weekend some more, and hopefully will be able to put together a few little clips for some critical feedback

Thanks
J

GLOC · February 28th, 2006, 01:06 PM

Looking at this as a newbie, surely whatever video rig you are going to have you are going to be massively overwieghted unless you can put some major bouyancy onto the video rig.

*Richard Lundgren* · February 28th, 2006, 01:11 PM

I have been playing with video for a decade now and this is what I (we) have found to be the best set up for me and my team.

There are few situations where communication is as important as during video dives. The videographer needs to communicate with the models and potential light divers. This to ensure safety and efficiency. Communicating with a high power video light such a 50w HID or 200 W HMI is not desirable due to the wide angle light beam.

The videographer carries two light sources – one for illuminating the models and area of interest and secondly one for communication. If video lights is not used – hmm I guess you know what to do. For us usually dual 50-60w HID and a 18w HID (Halcyon)

The light diver (HMI) also carries two light sources used in the same way as the videographer. For us usually a HMI and a 18w HID (Halcyon)

It’s really interesting to see how a video team work and interact during a mission. When you watch the final DVD you usually miss how much effort and work all the team players put in the production. To see all the communication and interaction that goes on behind the camera is rather spectacular.

Take care,
Richard Lundgren

Stephan · February 28th, 2006, 03:37 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Richard Lundgren)

The light diver (HMI) also carries two light sources used in the same way as the videographer. For us usually a HMI and a 18w HID (Halcyon)

Is that standard procedure ?

Because when I look at some great behind-scene-pics

http://www.gue.com/Events/Norway/gallery.html

I think I see for example Paolo only carrying the HMI and not an additional communication light. A particular reason ? Or am I mistaken ?

BTW I hope the DVD from that expedition will be available to purchase from GUE !

Regards,
Stephan

nadwidny · February 28th, 2006, 03:40 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

Looking at this as a newbie, surely whatever video rig you are going to have you are going to be massively overwieghted unless you can put some major bouyancy onto the video rig.

I believe the 4.5aH are about .5kg negative apiece so I've found that some added bouyancy is necessary in the way of a bit of PVC tubing but nothing that I would call "major". On my Amphibico I used one piece about 4"X8". For my Gates I'm using 2-2"X8".

It would be different if I had to use a couple of Pro 6's or (gasp) Pro14s on my housing. Thanks to the brilliant minds that gave us NiMH!

February 27th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,099	Video and Lights Hi All, A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video? Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie. Thanks J __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

February 27th, 2006, 06:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Teppo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 116	Hi John I have Gates San diego housing and i have "wings" in both side of it and my 24wHID in a arm which is fixed to the "wings". The arm has 50mm clamp where i can plug in and off the light. I have only the HID with me (short swim cave dives with this rig) and i will use hand signals when videoing I also have a handle in the videoreflector, but is a bit useless to signall with the videoreflector, for longer swims and when not videoing i can carry normal handle also with me Teppo Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Hi All, A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video? Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie. Thanks J __________________ Teppo http://koti.welho.com/tlallukk/

February 28th, 2006, 02:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
nadwidny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 117	Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Hi All, A few questions for those of you with experience of diving with Video. When you have Video lights do you also carry a seperate Primary light? If not, what do you do if you have to travel before using the video? Any hints or tips for a Video lighting newbie. Thanks J I never used to have a separate primary, I used just one the waist mounted battery pack and swapped from primary to video as needed (using EO connectors). I was always uncomfortable with that so I went with 2X4.5aH NIMH battery packs on my housing (one for each video light) so that my primary has it's own dedicated battery pack (the one on the waist band). I'm using 2X24W Halcyon HID's for video and an 18W Halcyon for a primary. __________________ Brian My crappy website - members.shaw.ca/nadwidny

February 28th, 2006, 12:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
QBU(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Okinawa Posts: 121	Dang, I feel like the little kid on the block with the home made toy instead of fancy store bought. Since the concept of shooting video at night with the independent lights and added canister, I have my Helios clipped of in case I need it. I normally just run the HID's from the video arms. Before I was introduced to DIR, I would use the HID's from the camera system only and carry a UK400 in case I ran out of battery life for the HID's. I've only now begun experimenting with the different setups. I'll be watcing this thread with great interest! __________________ "C"

February 28th, 2006, 12:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,099	Hi Guys, Thanks for all the good info. I tried out the rig in the pool last night, and had both canisters on, however was massively overweighted with it all, but that's not exactly suprising without a drysuit. I'll be playing this weekend some more, and hopefully will be able to put together a few little clips for some critical feedback Thanks J __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop

February 27th, 2006, 07:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
true(Offline) GUE Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 141	John, Around the office, I usually see two configurations: -when using the dual 50s (ie, the overwhelming majority of dives with the video camera and what I've been using with the D100 still camera), we're using a 13.5 canister with an E/O connector. During taping, the 50s are connected via a Y-connector and the 18 head is clipped off. -when we have the luxury of a "spare" lighting diver, they wear a second canister to power the 200W HMI. The primary should be clipped off during shooting. Exploration dives are made with the Mini-Mee scooter-based housing and independent power supply, so the shooter is still wearing only one canister. Best, Anthony

February 28th, 2006, 01:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,962	Looking at this as a newbie, surely whatever video rig you are going to have you are going to be massively overwieghted unless you can put some major bouyancy onto the video rig.

February 28th, 2006, 01:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Richard Lundgren(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 111	I have been playing with video for a decade now and this is what I (we) have found to be the best set up for me and my team. There are few situations where communication is as important as during video dives. The videographer needs to communicate with the models and potential light divers. This to ensure safety and efficiency. Communicating with a high power video light such a 50w HID or 200 W HMI is not desirable due to the wide angle light beam. The videographer carries two light sources – one for illuminating the models and area of interest and secondly one for communication. If video lights is not used – hmm I guess you know what to do. For us usually dual 50-60w HID and a 18w HID (Halcyon) The light diver (HMI) also carries two light sources used in the same way as the videographer. For us usually a HMI and a 18w HID (Halcyon) It’s really interesting to see how a video team work and interact during a mission. When you watch the final DVD you usually miss how much effort and work all the team players put in the production. To see all the communication and interaction that goes on behind the camera is rather spectacular. Take care, Richard Lundgren

February 28th, 2006, 03:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stephan(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 41	Quote: (Originally Posted by Richard Lundgren) The light diver (HMI) also carries two light sources used in the same way as the videographer. For us usually a HMI and a 18w HID (Halcyon) Is that standard procedure ? Because when I look at some great behind-scene-pics http://www.gue.com/Events/Norway/gallery.html I think I see for example Paolo only carrying the HMI and not an additional communication light. A particular reason ? Or am I mistaken ? BTW I hope the DVD from that expedition will be available to purchase from GUE ! Regards, Stephan

February 28th, 2006, 03:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
nadwidny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 117	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) Looking at this as a newbie, surely whatever video rig you are going to have you are going to be massively overwieghted unless you can put some major bouyancy onto the video rig. I believe the 4.5aH are about .5kg negative apiece so I've found that some added bouyancy is necessary in the way of a bit of PVC tubing but nothing that I would call "major". On my Amphibico I used one piece about 4"X8". For my Gates I'm using 2-2"X8". It would be different if I had to use a couple of Pro 6's or (gasp) Pro14s on my housing. Thanks to the brilliant minds that gave us NiMH! __________________ Brian My crappy website - members.shaw.ca/nadwidny