DIY Camcorder Light

Make a light for your camcorder.

Good lighting is a necessity when recording on a camcorder, but some camcorders come without a built-in light. Other camcorders have built-in lights, but they produce dim, useless light for recording. Stores sell many types of lights for camcorders, but they are expensive. Different models run from $40 to $250 depending on the style you prefer. You can save money by making your own lighting device, tailor-made for your needs.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1-Pack of 20 LED clear lights
• 1-9 volt battery
• 1-9 volt battery connector with 2 lead wires
• 1-Roll electrical tape
• Wire strippers
• 2-Zip strips

1. Purchase a set of LED Christmas lights. Place each light into your left hand, and bend the wire between the lights into a "U" shape. Once all of the lights are in the left hand, wrap electrical tape around the U shaped wires. It will form a tight cluster of lights in your hand. Wrap the tape until all of the wire is held together tightly.

2. Cut the wire leading to the plug above the transformer that is in the power cord. Make sure you cut off the transformer with the plug in. Strip the bottom 1/2 inch of wire. There are two wires in the cord.

3. Attach one wire to one of the wires on the 9-volt battery connector by twisting the ends of the two wires together. Wrap the exposed wire with electrical tape. Attach the second wire from the light set to the second wire on the 9-volt battery connector the same way, and wrap it with electrical tape. Make sure there is no exposed wire. If there is, wrap it with electrical tape.

4. Lay the LED lights on top of the camcorders handle with the LED lights pointing in the same direction the camera lens is facing. Run a zip strip under the handle and around the electrical tape area on the LED lights, and strap the lights to the handle.

5. Strap the 9-volt battery connector with the other zip strip at the end of the camcorder's handle. Place the battery into the 9-volt connector. This turns on the LED lights.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lights are not bright enough, add a second battery connector with another battery for brighter light.

• Using too much light may cause the image to look washed out.

• Your subjects may squint their eyes if there is too much light during the recording.

References

• ProdMod, Make Your Own LED Camera Light For Only $2-Lasts Longer Than Camerabright