Longimanaus 4 Posted August 12, 2012 I had the small fisheye focus light that had a handy feature of switching off during shots to prevent hotspots. Great feature, just not enough overall power, so I am looking to upgrade. Specs: 1) Not sure of the right intensity for my D700 w/ Z240s set up, but think 800 lumens is the go; 2) I would like a red light feature for macro night diving (rather than use my Z240 pilots with red filters); 3) I don't think that I need too big of a light (no video), but I would like something to provide some light during the day if I am shooting with my 16-35 or 10-17mm in my 230mm zen dome and no flashes (seals, white pointers, whales at the surface etc). My thinking here is that a relatively powerful light will put some color in subjects when they swim through the focal sweet spot (when shooting without strobes); and 4) Don't want an elaborate charging/battery/seal system to pack (I would prefer AA or the Sola system). I noticed that a lot of you are selling your larger fisheye focus lights and buying Solas... Where is popular opinion on size of light and model for my rig (Hugy, D700, Inon Z240s)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmooney 6 Posted August 12, 2012 Sounds like the SOLA 1200 photo is the perfect choice. Physically the same size as the SOLA 800. 50% more white light power to suit those bright days you mention while still having 3 levels of RED for the macro / night. my 2 cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted August 12, 2012 Sounds like the SOLA 1200 photo is the perfect choice... ... 50% more white light power to suit those bright days Why would you need it on a bright day? Too much power is a drawback as the Sola series don't have a flash inhibition circuit. The lower power Sola 600 has been very popular for macro photography and night-diving, but even that will leave a trace in wide-angle images. This was shot using a Sola 600 as the key light (I had no strobe): Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmooney 6 Posted August 12, 2012 (edited) Why would you need it on a bright day? Too much power is a drawback as the Sola series don't have a flash inhibition circuit. The lower power Sola 600 has been very popular for macro photography and night-diving, but even that will leave a trace in wide-angle images. This was shot using a Sola 600 as the key light (I had no strobe): Tim 2) I would like a red light feature for macro night diving (rather than use my Z240 pilots with red filters); 3) I don't think that I need too big of a light (no video), but I would like something to provide some light during the day if I am shooting with my 16-35 or 10-17mm in my 230mm zen dome and no flashes (seals, white pointers, whales at the surface etc). My thinking here is that a relatively powerful light will put some color in subjects when they swim through the focal sweet spot (when shooting without strobes); and Recommendation was based on using the lights as fill in a wide angle available light situation. The extra power of the 1200 will give extra penetration in a bright ambient situation - if it's still to bright it can always be turned down where a 800 can't be turned up if its not bright enough. Poor use of english - forgive me i'm a colonial. Edited August 12, 2012 by pmooney Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gina 9 Posted August 12, 2012 I noticed that a lot of you are selling your larger fisheye focus lights and buying Solas... I traded in my Fisheye for a Sola. While the Fisheye is very bright (I think I may have seared some retinas with it on full power!) I think the small size of the Sola, plus the fact it has the sealed housing, makes it a superior light. It has been quite bright enough for me. Plus, since it only requires the small plug-in unit to charge as opposed to a battery charging station, it takes up much less space when travelling. -Gina Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcclink 8 Posted August 12, 2012 http://www.laluzoptics.com/ Another choice. Well built, Plenty of light. Changable battery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted August 17, 2012 Recommendation was based on using the lights as fill in a wide angle available light situation. The extra power of the 1200 will give extra penetration in a bright ambient situation - if it's still to bright it can always be turned down where a 800 can't be turned up if its not bright enough. I suspect that even that will not be bright enough, and why do you need fill light from a continuous light source, anyway, if you are shooting stills and have a strobe? A strobe will be more flexible, doesn't disturb the fish, freezes motion, generates less backscatter... Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
