Which Flash/video light?

[cruvon]

Hi, a new member here, just ordered myself a Canon HF S100 and a Canon wide angle lens due soon..is it true that the inbuilt flash and video light would now be blocked?..I am looking at mostly personal use,combination of video and stills, have a baby due soon..Was looking at other flash/lighting options like the the Canon vl-5, vfl-2 and the Comer 900. What do you'll suggest? If the Comer 900 where do I get a mini to standard adpater from?

[Flozem]

1) Yes your inbuilt light will get blocked by the WA convertor
2a) I cannot really recommend any lights as I did not buy any... the ones available locally are either total pieces of **** or far too expensive at 250+ EUR. The micro-advance shoe ups the price by another whopping 30 EUR for the adapter.
2b) Since you use the camera for the same purpose as I, I would advice you to get decent lights in each of the rooms you expect to shoot video. I find it eliminates the need of having an expensive camera mounted light.
2c) As a bonus: put off the auto gain in your camera settings, as otherwise you'll end up with very grainy pictures in low light environment. Shoot in Shutter priority mode and use the quick-menu to manually change exposure. It gives best picture quality. You're going to hate yourself if you find the first birthday videos look heavily distorted on bigger screens... Happened to me, but then again: it was the first actual video taking I did...

lol... and do not even think of filming the birth itself... your wife will most likely not appreciate it... better shoot some B/W pictures... And careful with the flash on the little one's eyes...

[cruvon]

1) Yes your inbuilt light will get blocked

Thanks for the headsup Flozem, appreciate it. What sort of lights would you suggest, fluoroscent or bulb lights for inroom lighting?..Lol, yes, will stick to not filming the birth. Womdering if I can use the inbuilt video light in stills mode instead of the flash for the newborn pictures.

[Flozem]

I have normal light bulbs at home... anything from 40 to 60 watt will do. Though I plan on exchanging some bulbs for energy efficient lamps with nearly the same lumen.

[cruvon]

I have normal light bulbs at home... anything from 40 to 60 watt will do. Though I plan on exchanging some bulbs for energy efficient lamps with nearly the same lumen.

Thanks Flozem

[cruvon]

1) Yes your inbuilt light will get blocked by the WA convertor
2a) I cannot really recommend any lights as I did not buy any... the ones available locally are either total pieces of **** or far too expensive at 250+ EUR. The micro-advance shoe ups the price by another whopping 30 EUR for the adapter.
2b) Since you use the camera for the same purpose as I, I would advice you to get decent lights in each of the rooms you expect to shoot video. I find it eliminates the need of having an expensive camera mounted light.
2c) As a bonus: put off the auto gain in your camera settings, as otherwise you'll end up with very grainy pictures in low light environment. Shoot in Shutter priority mode and use the quick-menu to manually change exposure. It gives best picture quality. You're going to hate yourself if you find the first birthday videos look heavily distorted on bigger screens... Happened to me, but then again: it was the first actual video taking I did...

lol... and do not even think of filming the birth itself... your wife will most likely not appreciate it... better shoot some B/W pictures... And careful with the flash on the little one's eyes...

Hi Flozem, was trying recall who told me about using the shutter priority mode setting, thanks, it really works well. Not sure how I put the auto gain off though, where do I find that? Also, when shooting in shutter priority in indoor light/low light settings do you always use a tripod to avoid image blur while panning the camera or when u have moving subjects?

Thanks again for the shutter priority mode suggestion, went to the Opera house here in Sydney and got some really good night pictures of the Opera house using a tripod which couldn't have got in auto mode.

[Pali]

Hi Flozem, was trying recall who told me about using the shutter priority mode setting, thanks, it really works well. Not sure how I put the auto gain off though, where do I find that? Also, when shooting in shutter priority in indoor light/low light settings do you always use a tripod to avoid image blur while panning the camera or when u have moving subjects?

Thanks again for the shutter priority mode suggestion, went to the Opera house here in Sydney and got some really good night pictures of the Opera house using a tripod which couldn't have got in auto mode.

In the menu there is a setting to limit artificial gain. "AGC Limit" 0, 6, 12, 18, or AUTO. Some artificial gain is not going to ruin your shot. Don't be afraid to add some. Experiment before the big date and see what works for you.

If you use shutter priority less than 1/30 you will get 'image blur.' If it's too dark at 1/30, add more light.

[Flozem]

What Pali said...

So, how long till the little one says hi?

[cruvon]

In the menu there is a setting to limit artificial gain. "AGC Limit" 0, 6, 12, 18, or AUTO. Some artificial gain is not going to ruin your shot. Don't be afraid to add some. Experiment before the big date and see what works for you.

If you use shutter priority less than 1/30 you will get 'image blur.' If it's too dark at 1/30, add more light.

Thanks Pali

[cruvon]

What Pali said...

So, how long till the little one says hi?

Thanks Flozem, anytime in the next 3 weeks...on my toes