Would like recommendations for indoor light bulbs

Hey, All,

For using a camcorder indoors, what brand/wattage of light bulbs do you guys/gals recommend to brighten things up in a way that yields good video results with a Mini DV camcorder?

I ask 'cuz I know there are bulbs that try to simulate natural sunlight, bulbs that are said to flatter skin tones better than other bulbs, bulbs that accentuate different parts of the color spectrum more than others, and so on.

I'm assuming 'regular' incandescent bulbs -- you know, the yellowy ones -- prolly aren't the best, but I dunno. I like GE's Reveal bulbs and use them for general indoor lighting in my home, but I dunno if they are best when it comes to lighting for shooting video with a Mini DV camcorder.

Like most camcorders, the cam I'm planning on getting is said to perform rather poorly in low light so I wanna brighten things up a bit in rooms I might shoot in here at home. Any advice/recommendations?

And while I'm at it, what about a light meter? Any good brands/models that don't cost an arm & a leg?

Ken

And while I'm at it, what about a light meter? Any good brands/models that don't cost an arm & a leg?

I know it's off topic, but you made me curious: why do you want a light meter? I can understand why you'd want one with a film camera, because you can't see the final output to check your exposure. But with digital cameras and a display, you get much more information that you'll get from any light meter.

I know it's off topic, but you made me curious: why do you want a light meter? I can understand why you'd want one with a film camera, because you can't see the final output to check your exposure. But with digital cameras and a display, you get much more information that you'll get from any light meter.

Because reviews on this site typically mention a camcorder's performance at certain lux levels, namely 15 and 60 lux for low-light performance measurements. I've also seen "minimum lux" specs for some camcorders, like when reading spec sheets on mfgrs' Web sites.

I was just thinking it would be helpful to a newb like me to be able to measure the light level in, say, my living room and have a frame of reference for how bright that is vis-a-vis my camcorder's measured performance at that light level (or a similar level). For example, let's say I measure the light in my living room at night with the lights on and it's 55 lux. And let's say the review of my particular camcorder mentions that performance at 60 lux is noticeably degraded. With a measurment of 55 lux, I'd know it would be advantageous to make the room a little brighter to get past 60 lux. Without a meter, I'd have no idea how close I was to having the amount of light my particular cam needs to perform well.

Since most camcorders that cost less than a king's ransom perform poorly in low light, I'd rather simply brighten up a room with extra light than hassle with manual gain (if the cam even offers it) or use flash or even post-processing in Photoshop (which I don't even know how to do yet :p ) to 'compensate.' I don't plan to shoot in total darkness, but if I can optimize my cam's performance in otherwise dim rooms just by getting some higher-wattage bulbs or adding an extra lamp or two, that would seem like the best way to get good results.

Hope that makes sense. Am I thinking about all this correctly, or am I off base?

You are right on the money. I'm waiting for the pro's to jump in here and get us to first base at least on lighting. I'm shooting the same way you are and I am very interested in the replies you get. I am sure they will follow. I, like you, think that if an inexpensive light meter and then which type of light bulbs work best will help us a lot with our indoor shooting. Good question.

Tom

I sure wish somebody that knows lighting and meters would answer this guys question. I want to know the answer too.

Tom

You don't really need a light meter.

Reading your manual on how to set white balance can make a difference.

Just about any light will work, it just depends on how much of a perfectionist you are.

More light is usually better.

Don't assume you see the same colors your camcorder sees.

Experiment.


Lighting Information forum: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f132


Izzy Video 09 - Hard and Soft Light: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2005/12/04/izzy-video-09-hard-and-soft-light/

Izzy Video 10 - Intro to Key Lights - Positioning: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2005/12/11/izzy-video-10-intro-to-key-lights-positioning/

Izzy Video 14 - The Difference One Light Can Make: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/01/07/izzy-video-14-the-difference-one-light-can-make/

Izzy Video 22 - Three Point Lighting: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/03/04/izzy-video-22-three-point-lighting/

Izzy Video 48 - The Fourth Light: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/10/29/izzy-video-48-the-fourth-light/



Rich

First, I've moved this to the Lighting Forum.

Second, take the manufacturer's low light specs with a huge grain of salt. There is a standard for measuring light levels but adherence to this standard is not mandatory. Everyone wants their cam to look good so let's just say they will find ways to make theirs look good.

Third, the difference between 55 and 60 lux in your example is likely to be within the margin of error for an inexpensive meter. I know you used that as just an example but I just wanted to say that knowing a meter reading and a cam's purported minimum light requirements may not help you much.

Fourth, I, too, often think it would be good to know light levels but I've always found other things to spend money on.

Fifth, most consumer cams do best with a minimum of 100 lux no matter what the manufacturers say their minimum is. This and other good info about low light can be found in my article on low light (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t121934.html).

Good luck.

Dennis

Oh, one more thing. Just about any lights will do for indoor shooting as logn as you have enough of them, you use all the same kind (regular incandescents, full spectrum incandescents, fluorescents, etc.) and you white balance.

Good luck.

Dennis