6 replies to this topic

[2ge]

Hi guys,

 

I just come back from Lembeh, shoot some video footage on my new GH2 with +10 dio, I am quite impressed with that camera, too bad I can not use manual focus.

 

Now I check some other videos and it seems, I need to buy some tripod (for camera only) and make a snoot for lights. I was looking for some snoots for Sola 4000, but I can not find any, everything is DIY, which is also good, so one can use imaginations and skills. Do you have any tips, how to make good video adjustable snoot?

 

I would like to change easily position of light (using LOC I guess), but I would like to change also the amount of light area, and if I understand correctly  with fibre optics I can not do that (using for example this DIY http://www.divematri...ber-Optic-Snoot ) 

 

I got 2+2 big nauticam arms on camera, so position Sola 4000 is quite OK, so in my mind comes some adjustable simple snoot using this technique: http://www.divephoto...ot-photography/ but adding adjust (somehow?) the length of the snoot.

 

Any tips are appreciated.

[peterbkk]

I would get a piece of thick (7mm) firm wetsuit neoprene, black nylon on at least one size, by cutting up an old wetsuit. Then shape and glue it into a cone shape. A wetsuit arm might be already close to the right shape.

The wide end should slip tightly onto the business end of the Sola 4000, held in place with a big rubber band or a circle of bungee. The opening in the narrow end should be about an inch across but you might experiment underwater before you do the gluing. Doesn't really need to be variable opening as you can adjust the size of the light on the subject by changing the distance.

Regards
Peter

[2ge]

Hi Peter,

 

thanks for opinion, I can really imagine what you are describing, it might be fun to try, but I think in long-run, I would pick the FiberOptics with LocArm, one of the reason is, LED light from SOLA is not in the middle. I really like the idea how it is done here:

 

http://www.divematri...ber-Optic-Snoot

 

My idea is to use LocLine 3/4", fill it with FO inside, and on the end of snoot using different size of cap, so that way I can control the size of the light and using just one snoot per light. But I am not sure, if it is possible changing the last piece underwater. He is describing it here:

 

http://www.divematri...ll=1#post112661

[Scuba_SI]

Remember you will need water flow around the LED's for cooling.  I am going to do the same thing to allow me to use lower powers for macro where i only need a tight beam.  I'll be using drain pipe or wetsuit arm.

[2ge]

thats a good idea, I will think about that in my design, just make there 2 holes more

[Oceanshutter]

I have the 4000's and I tried a snoot, based on another wetpixel members recommendations, Eunjae Im. It has a subsee +5 on the end of it. To help narrow the beam. I used a plastic cup and lined the inside with velvet, as I was getting a halo effect with out it. It works....but I just bought a sola 2000 with the spot light, and that works much better. So I am thinking of using the 2000 just for macro, and the 4000's for wide angle.

The problem I ran into with this setup with the 4000's is that between the light not being in the middle, water thru the plastic cup, and then finally out of the subsee.....the light wasn't very powerful. I could have it on level 6 and 7 and it was still pretty weak. It lost so much of its intensity going thru all of that. Not to mention it was big and bulky, and difficult to maneuver. If I could run it on the 2000 lumen setting and have it go for 4 dives it might be worth it. But it was barely lasting me 2 dives....

Just got back from Aniliao and the new 2000's spot is great. Often only using level 1 or 2.

Dustin

[2ge]

Hi Dustin,

 

thanks for nice reply, I check your vimeo videos, good work, also editing is cool. Can you send the pictures of your snoot, how it looks like on Sola 4000 ? I want to use fibre optic cables, and put the snoot on the led, so it might be the way, but of course I am curious about ideas. For now, I dont want to invest another money to Sola 2000, if not needed.