Well I think you are limiting yourself with that budget---the problem is you need both the light and a battery belt and charger-----I use a Frezzi and there soft box and it is very expensive but gives you 10-100 watts (adjustable). You can look at NRG's products, they are a little bit cheaper-----Bescor makes some decent battery packs that aren't to pricey. Let me suggest that you go over to B&H and check out their extensive offerings.

pb:
Could use your help on finding a camera light for a PD-150.
What are the model numbers on your Frezzi and accessories?
What battery power pack do you use?
Gotta check B&H and get these, soon.
Thanks,
Steve

I am using a Lowell Pro Light on mine with good success. Barn Doors, screens etc. 100W and I can then throw in an A/C lamp and use it with the rest of my Lowell kit at 500W.

K

http://www.frezzi.com/pr02.htm (doen't show barn doors though, you'll have to search a little bit)

Will get the particulars when it comes back off rental this morning. THe Frezzi is more expensive than the the Lowell but the 25/35/50/75 watt bulbs are cheaper, it is smaller and tidier looking and holds the barn doors/diffuser and 3200->5600 diopter simultaneously, you just flip the dipoter up in front when you need it. The optional extra long spud to keeps the sometimes very hot light away from the operator's face.

Rextillion is right about the battery belt; however, if you price out an NRG belt versus three or four long life Canon XL1/GL2 batteries you'll find it close in price AND you can run your XL1 for many hours with a belt, even using the light intermittently. Can't remember ever draining a belt with the XL1, even on 12 hour shoots at -25 C (don't know what that is in Fahrenheit other than cold).

Peter

This is why I won't buy anything before asking here! Thanks guys for all of the info; I'm off to B&H.
Thanks again,
Randy

Peter:
Sure could use the model number particulars when you get a chance. Does the Frezzi come with or should I ask, what is the right connector for the PD-150 when I order it? Just got the camcorder!
Thanks,
Steve

I ordered an on-camera, XLR power-pack supplied light way back..... (can't even recall the model# or manf, but it was recommended on other forums..and was 100W & like 400 bucks?)

Shipping got screwed up and I had a gig that weekend, so I had to go pick up a VL-10LI light (the 'stock' light for the XL1s/canon cams) at a local camera store ..like $140 at the time....(think they go for about $70 today)

Well.. it worked just fine for my gig (wedding)!
I was actually worried when i bought it about the 10watt light not being powerful enough.. PLENTY powerful for most wedding reception shots, in fact I had to put a napkin over it for the remainer of the night (as not to blind anyone on close up interview!)

I ended up returning the other 100Watt light/power pack i had on order when it finally arrived and have since purchased another 10LI... with a little "gel" home-depot style, it has been working great for me (and the fact that it uses the same battery packs as my canon cameras is a total + )

I would recommend giving the 10LI a whirl if your needs & equipment are similar to mine.

HOWEVER - I'm maturing a bit & looking for a bit better lighting coverage, came across the SL 3000 from Cool-Lux and wondering if anyone has an experience with this?
Function looks pretty sweet - rather than trying to explain it
http://www.cool-lux.com/docs/new_products.html

Any comments/experience with this paticular lighting system?

tadpole said >I'm maturing a bit & looking for a...<
Are you finally turning into a frog tadpole (sorry, I couldn't resist). The urgency for me to buy the light has passed since I was able to use a/c lighting for the shoot but I will certainly be trying the VL-10LI. The super low price and the fact that you can use any Canon XL1s battery are 2 huge plusses (sp?). Thanks very much tadpole, I woulda thunk the price was just too good to be true and not even bothered.
Randy

Tadpole, I have been looking at that Cool-lux SL-3080, myself. Tempting ad. But, at LIST of almost $600 for an on camera light, its seems like it ought to come with a few super models thrown in. I'm not sure of the selling price, but that sort of thing I expect to actually sell for about $400. Where are the models.

If you find it in your heart to buy one to test for me, how about letting us all know the details. In particular, does it overpower everything at short in-door range? Things like that.

I use the VL-10Li also. It has saved the day for me many a time in poorly lit rooms. For 10 watts, those things are brighter than a supernova, and the battery life is very good. The lack of any way of varying the output is its biggest drawback. Of course I always tell the people who are paying me that we have three choices: we can get grainy, useless footage of their affair, I can set up some big lights that might change the whole room ambience, or, we can have this small bright light pointed at people or groups of people for brief periods. Not a hard choice.

A guestion for tadpole: What did you mean by "with a little "gel" home-depot style" in your prior post? Is there something Home Depot sells that can be used as a gel insert for the light? Thanks. I had to smile when you mentioned using a napkin as a diffuser. Be careful with that. Those lights get extremely hot. That, along with taping hot women working on their cha-cha, just might ignite that napkin. ;)

wcoxe1, I think the Cool-Lux SL-3080 is a kit that has the light tadpole posted the link for and a battery belt. Not sure if it's the exact same light (might be lacking the XLR connector) but I think that kit runs just over $400. I have not used these lights so I can't comment on how they perform, but, they look quite interesting.

Just got back from the Videomaker EXPO in Los Angeles. Bought an on camera light the Paglight C6 Model # 1008 for $260.00. It can focus from spot to flood, comes with 2 barndoors, a fold up dichroic filter for outdoor shots, a fold down diffuser and a battery pack that lasts for 2.5 hours per charge using a twenty watt light. You can use a ten, twenty or thirty watt bulb.

This thing is great. It's the right amount of light without blinding interviewees. Check it out at www.paguk.com.