Video Lighting

[temrich]

I am starting to get into video in caves and was wondering what those of you that do shoot video recommend for lighting. I have a Sony TR101 hi-8 camera and an Amphibico housing. I guesstimate the age of the system at 5-8 years old. I am not looking for the top of the line equipment yet, just something I can shoot decent video with. Thanks for the help and safe diving.

[aainslie]

I started cheap. 2 x 10W light cannon HID's from UK. They worked, but in any cave with heavy Goethite or long expanses, you need serious light.

I now use 2 x 21W Salvo HID's. I view these as marginally OK.

I see some of their 35W's in my future somewhere!!!

Bottom line - buy as MUCH as you can afford. It will pay you back in spades.

Now... if you Do want cheap, I might be able to do a rpetty sweet deal on 2 x 10W UK HID's. Say $400 for a pair with chargers - I'll throw in shipping. PM me if you're interested.

[RH]

I use salvo 35 watt lights with the batterys built in which are nice for small cave no cords to get hung up and if you have to pass the camera off to go through a small spot They work great for wreck diving as well as I have found out lately nice to be able to make everything as small as possible to move down gangways and hatch's. As for light power well there not 50's but One of my dive buddys said it was like swimming into a statidium lights.For the money you can't beat them and they can take some abuse.

[temrich]

Have either of you seen the lights that are built in Summerfield Florida. I think they are called Pro Watt. I was going to head in that direction but I have not found anyone that has used them.

[Mike Edmonston]

Have either of you seen the lights that are built in Summerfield Florida. I think they are called Pro Watt. I was going to head in that direction but I have not found anyone that has used them.

I've used them,

they are not bad at all. They are not HID, but they do the job in caves. They are fairly negative as they use SLA batteries, and they only last about 40 minutes TOPS! For the money, they're OK. They're actually built pretty well. I haven't broke mine yet ( Although I prefer my 50w HID salvo pair ) PM me if you need more details or if you want to see some footage shot with these lights.

[curtschu]

Those are OLD Dive Rite Nutralights reborn. Theyt are probably the OEM from the 90's

[RH]

If you don't have the cash don't waste what money you have on some old refurbed dead weight save up and get what you really want at least that way you won't be sorry about settling on something else.

[temrich]

So it sounds like 50 watters are the way to go for good video. Thanks for the help guys and safe diving.