Before you spend money on Video Lights to film free divers be aware that most lights have an effective range of 2 feet. So if you thought that a pair of 35w halogens will light up the sea scape like on the Discovery Channel, you will not only be disappointed but very poor.
The lighting that you see on the TV is normally provided by at least 2 surface current supplied 500w HID lights which will cost you price of a small car!
I presume that you already have a red filter if not that's the first piece of kit to buy. If you have seen the Carlos Coste 102m World record video I can tell you that we only used natural light and filters for the whole sequence. The bottom camera did not have a filter as it was on the ROV and not a very good quality camera.
Lights are great for night dives, close ups and adding a little extra to your shot if you are close enough, within 3 feet. They also light up any particles in the water column.
If you want to try there are several lower cost divers torches that have variable beams that you can either adjust of replace to give the "flood" style of light that you need. This will give you a very rough idea of what can be achieved. I have a slightly more expensive option of a Kowalski 1250 50W halogen fitted with a flood beam (around us$700) to go with a pair of L&M 20w fitted to my Mako Housing. In the UK you could also rent video lights from the UK L&M agent. If you decide that you want them they knock the cost of hire off the purchase price.
The lighting that you see on the TV is normally provided by at least 2 surface current supplied 500w HID lights which will cost you price of a small car!
I presume that you already have a red filter if not that's the first piece of kit to buy. If you have seen the Carlos Coste 102m World record video I can tell you that we only used natural light and filters for the whole sequence. The bottom camera did not have a filter as it was on the ROV and not a very good quality camera.
Lights are great for night dives, close ups and adding a little extra to your shot if you are close enough, within 3 feet. They also light up any particles in the water column.
If you want to try there are several lower cost divers torches that have variable beams that you can either adjust of replace to give the "flood" style of light that you need. This will give you a very rough idea of what can be achieved. I have a slightly more expensive option of a Kowalski 1250 50W halogen fitted with a flood beam (around us$700) to go with a pair of L&M 20w fitted to my Mako Housing. In the UK you could also rent video lights from the UK L&M agent. If you decide that you want them they knock the cost of hire off the purchase price.