How to choose a focus light 
Last Update: 11 October 2006 09:18 AM
9 comment(s) | discuss in forums
Author: Willy Volk ( WillyVolk )
Related Link: Focus light report
A focus light is a broad beam of light designed to help a photographer create a sharp image by adding contrast to a subject. However, a focus light can also help a photographer keep an eye on a small or camouflaged subject; it may serve as a primary source of illumination during a night dive; it might also serve as a prop during an underwater photo shoot.
On Backscatter, Brad Brown has written the mother of all focus light overviews, carefully covering what to look for if you’re in the market for a new focus light. Then, Brown puts 6 focus lights through the grinder, comparing their beam qualities, sizes, weights, battery lives, and painstakingly identifying their pros and cons.
If you thought your light was “good enough,” you’ll whistle a different tune after reading his report.
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Comment(s):For low end, he missed the best bet, the Fantasea 44LED. Smaller that 2x miniQ lights and with a wide, bright beam. No it’s not a Fix, but it doesn’t cost that much either. Great for compact digicams.
Posted by JackConnick on 10/03 at 09:00 PMI’ve used the Fantasea 44 LED and concur, perfect spotting light/night dive light. Why spend more for a light than you would on a lens?
Posted by scubastu on 10/04 at 08:37 AMI did not have access to the Fantasea light when I wrote the article. It looks like I might get a chance to amend the text in the near future once I can get my hands on some additional lights. The Fisheye FIX LED 48DX and the new Hartenberger are certainly on my list to check out.
Posted by BradDB on 10/04 at 11:09 AMMaybe this Fantasea 44 LED would make good and inexpensive modeling light also… Anyone have any problems using NiMH rechargeable batteries with it?
Posted by meister on 10/04 at 11:49 AMThat’s all I used with it. Ansmann NiMH. Nice broad beam, no problems using AF on with my 10D on night dives.
Posted by scubastu on 10/04 at 12:27 PMI use the Fantasea 44 LED with my 20D + 100 mm macro + macromate setup. Works fine for me as long as i have the light aimed right. It’s “dim” enough that if I can’t clearly see the subject through my viewfinder that tells me that I am not close enough for a shot to begin with :)
Posted by chilipino on 10/04 at 01:13 PMI’m happy Jack’s comment has sparked some discussion. As a result, I wanted to shed some more light on the $75 light. From Fantasea’s site:
“The light is powered by 5 AA Alkaline or Ni Cad batteries...It includes a mounting ring and stainless steel wing nut which allows for easy attachment to strobe arms and lens port bracket for the FD-70 ports system. A Hand lanyard is provided for securing to wrist when serving as a night light.
Perfect for all rugged outdoor use, modeling light, night dives and macro lens auto focus during night dives.”
http://www.fantasea.com/product_details.asp?id=68
Posted by Willy Volk on 10/04 at 01:18 PMThis Fantasea light looks interesting also, as a dive light though.
http://fantasea.com/product_details.asp?id=175Posted by meister on 10/05 at 05:03 AMI will say this about that… ;-)
The LED44 is very buoyant. Like a cork. Not the easiest to use as a separate light. The flashing model is very nice as an anchor marker though. Their other lights are nice for the money, I like the brightest, most focused ones best, as LED light ‘scatters”. The small lights are, well, small.
LED light also gets “washed out” in clear, brighter conditions, of course most of the time then you don’t need a light! But more so than halogen or HIDs.
The very best thing is that I get 15 dives or more off a single load of batteries. Rechargeables don’t work with most of these lights, btw.
Fantasea also has some port mounts that are very cool. I shortened one to work on my lens adapter for my E900 Ike case.
PM me for info on all Fantasea products.
Posted by JackConnick on 10/05 at 09:00 AM
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