Quick test of the VL-3 video light

[kbrafford]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPR5SIX5VFg

Automatic everything. 60i video with Vegas settings set to "Interpolate" in order to deinterlace. Media properties set to "disable resampling."

When I held the camera normally, the light was right in his face. I had to hold it out to the side where I couldn't see the LCD screen in order for him to be able to look at me and not get distracted by the light in his face.

I am pleased with the color. That light is 1000% better than the nasty one that comes with the camera.

[Ten Ounce]

Looks pretty good. Seemed to give just enough light to evenly light his face. Have you found any other real world situations where you needed that light? I've been wanting to buy one of those just to have it but was afraid I'd never use it.

[kbrafford]

Looks pretty good. Seemed to give just enough light to evenly light his face. Have you found any other real world situations where you needed that light? I've been wanting to buy one of those just to have it but was afraid I'd never use it.

So far I have found that it's really nice to have when I am in a dark place. I haven't yet found a situation where it has made adequate light "better" but, hey, YMMV, right?

Compare that video to this one which was shot with the built-in nasty LED (almost identical ambient light conditions):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBbhRo8J4GE

[Worley]

Eurghh, that in-built light is so blue.

The first clip looked pretty darn good to me!

[PWHerman]

Yeah, what do you expect for an LED light, though. I think it does a pretty darn good job for being built-in (not too many people are gonna justify getting the VL-3 and taking up that hot shoe space). I feel as if it is sufficient enough for what most would use it for. The VL-3 is pretty nice, though...not a very professional interview, so I don't see why it would've mattered as to using the LED built-in instead. You can probably make iti a little "truer" looking in post if you really wanted to.

YouTube does it absolutely no justice, either.

[Lunchbox]

You can still make warm video with the built-in light by changing the white balance.

[24Peter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPR5SIX5VFg

Automatic everything. 60i video with Vegas settings set to "Interpolate" in order to deinterlace. Media properties set to "disable resampling."

When I held the camera normally, the light was right in his face. I had to hold it out to the side where I couldn't see the LCD screen in order for him to be able to look at me and not get distracted by the light in his face.

I am pleased with the color. That light is 1000% better than the nasty one that comes with the camera.

So it's powered by the camera's battery. How long did it last/how does it affect battery life?

How did you encode your video for YouTube (what output settings did you use besides the ones you mention?)

[kbrafford]

How long did it last/how does it affect battery life?

How did you encode your video for YouTube (what output settings did you use besides the ones you mention?)

I haven't tested the light's effect on battery life yet. As far as encoding goes, I used XVID with standard settings, set to 244kbps (to make the video be right at 10MB, the max) using the FourCC "DIVX" and used 56kbps MP3 for the audio. YouTube gobbled it up almost immediately, so I know there was no re-encoding. I have done WMV files with them before and it took forever, so I think XVID/DIVX is the way to go.

[PWHerman]

You can still make warm video with the built-in light by changing the white balance.

Good call. I particularly found the "Fluorescent H" preset to work wonders in this situation.

K: Perhaps try something similar to your second clip (the one with the built-in light being tested) with that preset on. I guarantee it'll look loads better! :hv20-smilie77:

[kbrafford]

Good call. I particularly found the "Fluorescent H" preset to work wonders in this situation.

K: Perhaps try something similar to your second clip (the one with the built-in light being tested) with that preset on. I guarantee it'll look loads better! :hv20-smilie77:

Great idea...I didn't even think of that!

[PWHerman]

No problem! Taky sort of "reminded" me of it...I nearly forgot to mention that!

Shoot & then upload another clip using that (if possible) and we'll see how it looks!

[kbrafford]

Shoot & then upload another clip using that (if possible) and we'll see how it looks!

Ok folks...here's my new test:

http://www.embeddedexcellence.com/vid/light_test.wmv

The first part of the video is with the built-in LED light, with white balance set to the hyper-fluorescent mode and the second part is with the VL-3 and auto white balance.

EDIT: these are deliberately with NO post. We can share post secrets later :-)

[PWHerman]

Hmm...the built-in LED light still can't compare with the VL-3 light (obviously), but it looks loads better than before! Nice...this should help some people out hopefully!

Hah...after you switch to the VL-3 and ask her you who her favorite baseball team is (again) and she responds "The Yankees," it sounds like you say the "Yalankees." Heh...and her face after you say the camera is now in Auto White Balance Mode. Nice little "what the..." look.

[Lunchbox]

The built-in light isn't too bad. It comes handy in some situations.

Good interview skills :)

[kbrafford]

Heh...and her face after you say the camera is now in Auto White Balance Mode. Nice little "what the..." look.

Yeah, she didn't know what to think!

Here is another test with the same concept, except with different skin tones involved:

http://www.embeddedexcellence.com/vid/light_test2.wmv

[CJDaniels]

I was waffling on prior posts but now I think I have made a decision, I am going to start having kids. :hv20-smilie87:

[VaNdaL]

I'm thinking of getting the VL-3 cause I'm going to be shooting some footage in very dark tunnels and underground places. I'm not satisfied with the torch lighted look, how far is the range of the VL-3, better than your average torch? Perhaps someone (kbrafford!) could do a quick test for me, shoot something in a large dark room, that would be awesome!

[kbrafford]

I'm thinking of getting the VL-3 cause I'm going to be shooting some footage in very dark tunnels and underground places. I'm not satisfied with the torch lighted look, how far is the range of the VL-3, better than your average torch? Perhaps someone (kbrafford!) could do a quick test for me, shoot something in a large dark room, that would be awesome!

I didn't see your post...sorry about that. I'll see what I can do.

[Lunchbox]

I have both Canon VL-3 and VL-10. VL-3 is only good for lighting up in short distant. VL-10 will be a much better option for shooting in a large dark area. However, you have to bring your own battery for VL-10.

[VaNdaL]

I have both Canon VL-3 and VL-10. VL-3 is only good for lighting up in short distant. VL-10 will be a much better option for shooting in a large dark area. However, you have to bring your own battery for VL-10.

I'll check that out! :hv20-smilie70:

[africanmarty]

I just use my no name brand light, its no pro light but it does the job, plus it came with a hotshoe adaptor so i dont use the hot shoe on top of the hv20. So its win win :) included a pic so you know what i'm talking about. Click thumbnail for a better pic :

http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/7/18306314537.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5867790)

- Marty.

[VaNdaL]

I just use my no name brand light, its no pro light but it does the job, plus it came with a hotshoe adaptor so i dont use the hot shoe on top of the hv20. So its win win :) included a pic so you know what i'm talking about. Click thumbnail for a better pic :

- Marty.

That's a sweet setup you got there.

The VL-10 produces 10 watts, seems a tad low when you consider your average light bulb is 40/60 watts, but the VL3/10 is a directional light so should be brighter in its field of view. A video comparison between a standard torch and the VL3/10 would be appreciated.

[africanmarty]

That's a sweet setup you got there.

The VL-10 produces 10 watts, seems a tad low when you consider your average light bulb is 40/60 watts, but the VL3/10 is a directional light so should be brighter in its field of view. A video comparison between a standard torch and the VL3/10 would be appreciated.

i'll try post up a clip using the no name light but i'm a little busy and i have work tomorrow @ 7am, but i should have a clip in a day :) thanks for the comment.