Customer Reviews

Sony HVL-S3D 3 Watt Video Light for DCR-DVD101/201/301 & DCR-HC40/65/85 & DCR-TRV38

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've used this light a lot since purchasing it and it has worked well in most situations that would cause chroma noise in dark environments. Use little battery power but is surprisingly bright in short range shooting, say up to max 10 ft. Combine with a Sony camcorder's Program mode for Sunset/Twilight and you can get good, clean and decently lit video.

This light is good. Note that the video light head can turn 180 degrees. So if appears that the light is facing backwards, just turn the light head 180 degrees. It is listed in the manual.

I bought this light to shoot an evening wedding. I was a bit aprehensive, because my previous experience with video lights is that they are too bright, and have a "flashlight" effect. This was not the case. The SONY light is bright, but diffuses nicely. Plus, the light can rotate, which also helps to diffuse. At night, outside, it created a nice fill with excellent image quality and color, without harsh shadows.
Great light, great price.

Very nice and convenient but a little dim past 10 feet or so.

Yes, I agree, the light was not defective, it installs backwards then swivels around when installed, & tighten locking ring. Some people will never figure out technology. But sony's help line for light not being able to tell him how to operate it and telling him it was defective was even worse. I'd suggest you re-order this light and figure it out. it works fine.

Anyway, for closeup shooting the 3 watt light is good. If battery drain is a problem, you can order additional hight capacity batteries for your camcorder. you can't use flash closer than 2 feet or so for stills, so get this. The dvd-403 that it works with take FABULOUS 3.3 megapixel stills.

it even helps preview object that you'll take flash pix with.

I use the additional hvl-20dw2 video light (see separate review for this on amazon) for objects 6 to 15 feet away and also for lighting closeups. I hold the sony camera as close as needed (sony's can macro in to 1 cm from objects usually) and hold the light a bit further back usually so not TOO bright in viewfinder. (move light in, out a bit till object looks best).

This light worked perfectly for my Sony DCR-HC40 Camcorder and all of my needs and yes as pointed out by the reviewer who said when he mounted it & it faced him and not the subject (which happended the same for me when I installed it)...YOU SHOULD HAVE TRIED TURNING THE LIGHT AROUND AS I DID. It does swivel completly around...DUH!! Some people can not think for themselves.....a pitty. They would have loved it as I did if they had discovered this.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE WONDERING, It uses an 8-Pin Connector Shoe.

.Sony HVL-S3D 3 Watt Video Light for DCR-DVD101/201/301 & DCR-HC40/65/85 & DCR-TRV38The Sony HVL-S3D 3 Watt Video Light is a great product. The cost was good and the delivery time was early. It is great to have to film my grandaughter inside the house and have the light always attached to the camera, ready to be used.

Just what i needed. My camcorder has a night light but this item is so much better and twice the light.

For several years after our first daughter was born we really couldn't successfully video tape Christmas morning before the sun came up without the wonderful video light. All the video was dark and grainy. Although I would like to have one that illuminates a bit further, this does do the trick. I remember my dad's old videos with the SUPER bright video light (back in the 60's) and everyone who was within 2 miles of the camera was blinded by the light! This one is not so strong but gives just enough light within about 5 feet to get everything fairly clearly.

This little video light is great. Easy to store in camera bag with the camcorder. Quick and easy to set up and use.