Videolight for HF200

wdEvA · 25th June 2009

Hey guys,
I'm intending to purchase the Canon HF200. but the lowlight performance is bothering me.
I've seen videos online on the HF100 and the HF200, and the HF100 performs much better than the HF200 in terms of lowlight performance, but the HF100 seems to cost more than the HF200 at the moment (for amazon & B&H)

I'm totally new to the video scene and have never had a camcorder before.
I'm looking to use the camcorder for family events and shooting my baby niece, which mostly will be at home which in most time, under lowlight situation.

I was wondering if i were to purchase a videolight eg. Canon VL-5 for the HF200, will it improve the performance?

Thanks!

wdEvA · 25th June 2009

anyone?

jaegersing · 25th June 2009

This type of on-camera light will allow you to take shots in very dark places where you have no other choice, but it is very glaring and not comfortable for the people you point it at. If you can get something dimmable it is better, but much more ex.

wdEvA · 25th June 2009

Originally Posted by jaegersing

This type of on-camera light will allow you to take shots in very dark places where you have no other choice, but it is very glaring and not comfortable for the people you point it at. If you can get something dimmable it is better, but much more ex.

thanks.,
is there any diffuser to be used or some sort? like what we use on cameras?

jaegersing · 25th June 2009

Originally Posted by wdEvA

thanks.,
is there any diffuser to be used or some sort? like what we use on cameras?

Anything like that close to a hot light needs to be glass rather than plastic, so not easy to make a diffuser. Camera with flash is different because the flash is only on briefly and doesn't heat up so much.

wdEvA · 25th June 2009

Originally Posted by jaegersing

Anything like that close to a hot light needs to be glass rather than plastic, so not easy to make a diffuser. Camera with flash is different because the flash is only on briefly and doesn't heat up so much.

thanks.
so i suppose the best work ard would be to have additional lamps around to lit the room?
anyway, for camcorders there are iso settings as well right? so i'll be able to use a lower iso to improve the noise performance like dslr?
since more mts files that i saw are shot in auto mode, and no one mentioned about tweaking the iso.

sorry for the very noob questions, but it's kinda hard to find infos on camcorders around.

coffee3in1 · 25th June 2009

Originally Posted by wdEvA

thanks.
so i suppose the best work ard would be to have additional lamps around to lit the room?
anyway, for camcorders there are iso settings as well right? so i'll be able to use a lower iso to improve the noise performance like dslr?
since more mts files that i saw are shot in auto mode, and no one mentioned about tweaking the iso.

sorry for the very noob questions, but it's kinda hard to find infos on camcorders around.

Check out Litepanels MicroPro (almost same price as a SB800 or 580EXii). It's good and can be dimmed. I've also used it for still photography, the result is pleasing, esp w f/1.2 lens. In a pinch, it also doubles as up a emergency torch.

Speaking of which, I've used the AA powered LED camping lantern - also can. Not as pro and bright, but it's easy on the subjects. I think Energier sells those AAA convertible Torch/Lantern - $16.

wrt to ISO, I believe video term is gain, i.e. 0db, +6db and so one. I'm also pretty new to video.

Back to low light situation, if at home - then it's best to switch on all the lights. It counts. You can also use slow shutter for the drunken effect - but use sparingly.

wdEvA · 25th June 2009

Originally Posted by coffee3in1

Check out Litepanels MicroPro (almost same price as a SB800 or 580EXii). It's good and can be dimmed. I've also used it for still photography, the result is pleasing, esp w f/1.2 lens. In a pinch, it also doubles as up a emergency torch. Speaking of which, I've used the AA powered LED camping lantern - also can. Not as pro and bright, but it's easy on the subjects. I think Energier sells those AAA convertible Torch/Lantern - $16.

wrt to ISO, I believe video term is gain, i.e. 0db, +6db and so one. I'm also pretty new to video.

Back to low light situation, if at home - then it's best to switch on all the lights. It counts. You can also use slow shutter for the drunken effect - but use sparingly.

thanks,
but kinda overbudget to get the litepanel.
as for the gain is 0db the lowest? or i can go negative on that?

jaegersing · 26th June 2009

The ISO on still cams is similar to the gain on video cams. The signal from the sensor (CCD or CMOS) is analogue, and it is possible to boost or cut this signal before it goes to the Analogue-Digital Converter (ADC). If the signal is not changed at all, this is called 0dB gain. A positive dB value is a gain boost, negative value is a cut.

Usually, there are several settings for boosting the gain, to help when the lighting is poor. So you get +3dB, +6dB, +9dB, +12dB, +18dB, depending on the camera.

For reference, 6dB is one stop. But the higher the number, the noisier is the image. Just remember, "gain = grain".

Some cams also have a negative gain setting, maybe -3dB, which helps when you want to open the aperture as much as possible to get minimum depth of field. It can also reduce the video noise a little bit.

25th June 2009	#1
wdEvA Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,658	Videolight for HF200 Hey guys, I'm intending to purchase the Canon HF200. but the lowlight performance is bothering me. I've seen videos online on the HF100 and the HF200, and the HF100 performs much better than the HF200 in terms of lowlight performance, but the HF100 seems to cost more than the HF200 at the moment (for amazon & B&H) I'm totally new to the video scene and have never had a camcorder before. I'm looking to use the camcorder for family events and shooting my baby niece, which mostly will be at home which in most time, under lowlight situation. I was wondering if i were to purchase a videolight eg. Canon VL-5 for the HF200, will it improve the performance? Thanks! __________________ 1D2, 35L, 80-200L, 85L, 135L, Metz 58 AF-1, LB Muse \| e.tan photography \|

25th June 2009	#2
wdEvA Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,658	Re: Videolight for HF200 anyone? __________________ 1D2, 35L, 80-200L, 85L, 135L, Metz 58 AF-1, LB Muse \| e.tan photography \|

25th June 2009	#3
jaegersing Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,140	Re: Videolight for HF200 This type of on-camera light will allow you to take shots in very dark places where you have no other choice, but it is very glaring and not comfortable for the people you point it at. If you can get something dimmable it is better, but much more ex.

26th June 2009	#9
jaegersing Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,140	Re: Videolight for HF200 The ISO on still cams is similar to the gain on video cams. The signal from the sensor (CCD or CMOS) is analogue, and it is possible to boost or cut this signal before it goes to the Analogue-Digital Converter (ADC). If the signal is not changed at all, this is called 0dB gain. A positive dB value is a gain boost, negative value is a cut. Usually, there are several settings for boosting the gain, to help when the lighting is poor. So you get +3dB, +6dB, +9dB, +12dB, +18dB, depending on the camera. For reference, 6dB is one stop. But the higher the number, the noisier is the image. Just remember, "gain = grain". Some cams also have a negative gain setting, maybe -3dB, which helps when you want to open the aperture as much as possible to get minimum depth of field. It can also reduce the video noise a little bit.