10 replies to this topic

[jrosenf]

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive focus/modeling light to be mounted to an Ikelite DSLR housing that comes with a red lens/filter or has the ability to easily add one without having to be jerry-rigged?  

 

When shooting at night (exclusively macro still photos, no video), I find that using the modeling lights on my Ikelite DS160 strobes brings in a ton of small plankton/krill.  I know that a number of the Sola lights offer this feature but they cost a lot more than I'm interested in spending.

 

Ideally I'm looking for something in the price range/size/power of the Fantasea Nano Focus Light or the BigBlue AL1X5MAFO (with the red lens/filter option that these seem to lack).

 

Thanks!

[AndyBarker]

Hi 

their are some fantasea nano focus lights on ebay with coloured filters at the moment also when I got mine it came with a red filter.

This was in the UK when i got it.

regards,

Andy. 

Edited by AndyBarker, 18 March 2013 - 01:03 PM.

[jrosenf]

Andy, would you mind providing a link to the Ebay items you found.  Unless I'm missing something, none of the Nano lights that come up when I do a search seem to include filters.  Thanks!

[billmackbarnes]

It is not cheap, but I love the Sola 600 photo (now Sola 800 photo). Turns red with a switch. Three levels of white and three levels of red. Very bight white. Our entire group each bought one (or two). It is very small, compact, has external charging port, so flooding is not really an issue. Just do not mistake it with the Sola 800 dive light.

 

I started with the Big Blue, but it has not been wet since, save your money.

[rtrski]

The Nano loads batteries by unscrewing the front, like a lot of simple above-water flashlights.  Turn on is by 'loosening' it a 1/4 twist or so.

 

I just bought a red filter gel from somewhere (cheap, 6x8" size) and cut it down and put it behind the glass on the Nano.  Worked fine; no problem with the sealing or on/off capability at all, and it still did the auto-shutoff when sensing strobe light, too.  In a pinch you could probably find a sheet of red 'viewgraph' film from an office supply store.  Or find a place that does gift baskets and see if they have a red cellophane wrap and will snip you a corner. 

Edited by rtrski, 19 March 2013 - 09:55 AM.

[rumblefish]

Here's a link to a DIY approach.

[Aussiebyron]

I-torch video pro 4 are lots cheaper and more powerful than a Sola600/800 and uses standard AA batteries for easy change over.

 

Cheers Mark

[the_dragon_no1]

Fiy, nano electronics sucks! Belive me, i had 4 of them... never again. Sendt fra Samsung Galaxy S2, via Tapatalk forum app.

[Undertow]

red gel and velcro.

[jrosenf]

Thanks all!  I ended up purchasing a La luz L800.  They've announced new, more powerful lights but unfortunately not in time for my upcoming trip to Anilao.

[Stewart L. Sy]

I strongly recommend the red filter in Anilao on night dives.  Keeps the worms from swarming all over you.  I'll be in Anilao a month from today.

 

S.