HV30 onboard lighting

[demalibu]

I've looked at so many lights on B&H (hot shoe fitting) for my HV30 that I'm a little confused.
Should I get a light that: runs from the camera batts or has a seperate supply and lasts longer?
What wattage are people using?
Are spot more useful than soft and do you need daylight bulbs/filters ??
What is the general opinion of HV30 users??

[Paul LS]

Good question, I have been thinking of getting a light for my Sony. Will be interested in the answers. From what I have read anything over 3W tends to "blind" people... there again I guess it depends very much on shooting conditions and what you are actually shooting. Probably a switchable one would be the way to go... so you could switch from say 3 to 10 watts. I am looking at self powered LED lights... low power and run cold.

[George Tyndall]

What is the general opinion of HV30 users??

I purchased for my HV30 one of the hotshoe-mounting lights that Canon makes (the model that doubles as a flash), however, I've never used it.

The reason is that, if one always uses the auxiliary hotshoe-mounting shotgun microphone that Canon also makes for the HV30, then there is no place to attach the light.

The reason I bought the light anyway is that it's possible I may someday come across a scene or situation for which I don't need high-quality sound but I do need some extra light.

[ksnielsen]

I have a light for my Sony. It has it's own battery source. I don't remember the watts but I know that it is much more than 3 or 10 ( more like 50 or 100). That doesn't give off much light at all. I got a free light with my camcorder that is 3 watts. It made no difference on my video footage what so ever. I needed my light for wedding receptions that are dark. I can tilt the light up so it bounces off the ceiling and doesn't blind anyone. I have used it for my last two weddings and it works great. My video is nice and crisp instead of dark and grainy. I am glad I got my light as a separate unit with it's own power source. I feel I have more flexiblity that way.