Customer Reviews

Sony HVL-20DW2 Video Light for use with DCRVX2100, HDRFX1 & FX7

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My Sony FX1 has great low light capability, 3 lux, but eventually you WILL need extra light. Using your software to lighten dark shots will likely reveal some degree of graininess, no matter which camera you use.

I'm so glad I bought it. Used it for my birthday party. Though the overhead light was good, dark corners of the room require more light. If you consider yourself advanced, semi-pro, or a pro videographer, you MUST HAVE a light.

My only major beef is it runs at either 10 or 20 watts. No variable for 5, or 15. It is worth getting a long life battery like the NP-970. Independent power source (battery) is a plus. But no outlet plug adaptor that I know of.

if you have pretty much ANY digital camera and want to do closeups or see what you're taking pix of before flash, you need this or similar light. A german company makes a high-wat LED video light but it has speckled pattern, not good for closeup stills. The light pattern on this is VERY even. Closeup up with light in one hand and camera in other, to cover an object 6 to 8 inches. pull back to widen light to 2 feet or more across. Keep the video light as close to camera as possible, will reduce shadows the camera sees. Even outdoors at 9000' in Colorado I found use for this, taking picture on shady trail where a plant was half in shade, will fix this.

bulbs are replaceable. Yet in 4 years of having one bulb never wore out, and heavy usage, 8 hours at a time. (3 fp-970 batteries, such as batterybarn.com sells will give you 8 hours light. the last time I got it off amazon, FP960 for $47 from computer brain. the new 15 hour camcorder batteries power this light for about 2 1/2 hours)

The onlything that eventually broke was the switch. Don't force it, push down the middle safety button when turning it on or eventually will break it. take battery out when travelling so won't go on accidentally. you can add a grip by getting a disk shaped tripod adaptor and screwing a hand grip such as hakuba's monopod / tablepod combo (the most comfortable grip there is, about $25 at places like Fry's) into the tripod adapter.

It gets warm, almost hot but keeps running no problem with vent slits. Even using it caving in Anza-Borrego, as we knew that we had for sure 2 hours on Li-ion batteries.

Anyway, for indoor shooting in converence halls with bad flourescent lighting, this brings out the colors. You can't use flash closer than about 2 feet with most objects or you get too much glare from reflection..

so use a video light instead for serious indoor shooting where you can't have a fixed light stand. use it in 10 watt mode for most objects, for tall or dark objects, switch to 20 watt. When battery is starting to run low, the light will only go into 10 watt mode.

I have the sony video light 3watt for dvd-403. I keep this on top of camera sometimes when too much hassle to get out video light. But it drains camcorder battery unlike this one, and light output alot lower. good for small objects tho.

and by all means, TURN ON FLASH when farther than 2' and object looks slightly dark. this helps ALOT in your pix. if it looks OK in viewfinder / lcd LEAVE FLASH OFF!

see flashlightreviews.com for general light patterns and battery life of other flashlights incl led lights you might want to buy.

IF sony would just come out with an LED version I'd be happy as a lark! It would last 10 hours or more.

Most flashlights throw uneven ring pattern so are unsuitable for lighting photos.

I got this light to go with my full rig I use for wedding videography. Some of the lights out these are soooo expensive but I saw a lot of good reviews for this light and thought I would give it a go. Here are the goods and the bads.

Goods - Works with the batteries that go to my PD150 camera so no need for silly looking belt battery pack or extra batteries. It comes with a 10w or 20w setting. So far it has also proven itself to be durable. Not that I am clumsy but I have dropped it twice and it survived. I understand the bulbs are expensive but I have used it for 2 years now with out the need for a change. It is lightweight and fits on the slide foot on the top of my camera. Most pro and non pro cameras will have this too so i use this with my tiny consumer camera and its great there too.

Bads - I guess this stuff isnt really bad but for folks who might have a pro rig these are the things that might bum you out. No dimmer, no barn doors, so swivel. The one thing I will say though is that this thing is so light that I have a few times taken it off of the camera and held it in my hand up high at an angle so not to shine it in anyones face directly.

I hope this helps!

This is a great on board cam light.
It's great to use the same batteries with your camcorder (FP series), although you need to use at least an FP-F770 (not the original that comes with the cameras) to light both bulbs. It's just great.

I do profesional videos. This light has a good lighting patterna nd seems to hold up under heavy working conditions. It is light and fairly durable. I highly recomend it to anyone who does interior or exterior shoots. Light range is optimal from a distance of 6 to 15 ft. Get it and get a upgraded battery it will last for hours.

This is a great product. I wish I had not waited so long to purchase it. You must be aware that it only works with L type batteries. I though that it would work with P or M types, which is what I have for 2 Sony camcorders. I had to then purchase an L battery (NP-F970). My old camcorder that uses P batteries is able to charge L batteries as well. Do your homework with the batteries.

It just works!
It uses the same Batteries as trv-900,vx-2100 and FX-1 or Z1-U
I only wish it was horizontal.

Many of the other reviews already covered the basics. I will add that I also use a Stofen om-ez diffuser with this light in order to even out the lighting of the subjects (and to make the light a little dimmer). I bought a few 5 watt bulbs for this light that I may try in the future.

This Light is one of the little Hidden Gems by Sony The Light is actually made for the Professional and Prosumer Video Camera not,I repeat not for the average consumer. Unfortunately it is advertised in the consumer level.

Like competitive Video Lights By Canon for the XL-2 it does not come with a battery or power supply (another trait found on similar Pro Level Gear). The type of battery this light works best with is the L series (NP-F570 for 10 Watt mode and NP-F770 & NP-F970 for 20 Watt mode for good weight balance I would suggest the NP-F770). The Biggest Issue with this Light is the improper advertising by Sony (its says Handy-cam light on the Package and even a sticker on the light that says AMATEUR VIDEO LIGHT) . However this is the same reason which makes this Light a hidden Gem if you use any of the Prosumer or Professional Camera gear you will be very satisfied with this light.

I'm a professional photographer and videographer, and this light is useful within its limitations.
I use it on my Sony HDR-FX1.
Basically, you'd want to buy this if say when shooting a wedding or party, and you're going around and interviewing/asking for people's reactions, comments, etc., and you want their faces to be nicely lit, then this is something good to have.
I'd say it has a max range of about 15 feet in a regular indoor setting (with both bulbs on; more range if you are in a darker room of course).
Just don't expect to light up the whole room.

It also fits in a DSLR's flash hot shoe, so this is also particular useful if you photograph portraits, you can use this as an on-center modeling light.

This double-duty potential gives it a 4-star rating; otherwise a 3-star rating if just using it on a video recorder.

Note: As stated, you'd need at least the 700 series battery to light up both bulbs. If you use the 500 series and below you can only use the 1-bulb (10-watt) setting. Heard a lot of people had problems thinking it was defective, when they didn't bother to read the instructions.