Cool project I did real quick 2 nights ago on my birthday:

So a couple weeks or so ago, I buy this video camera for my upcoming trip to Mexico. I later realize that when the room lighting is too dim, the image from my JVC GZ-HD6 looks very grainy and hard to define image detail. So I noticed this 'cold shoe' mounting (for a flash or light unit mounting w/o power source) on the top of the unit, so I think, "no problem, I'll just go buy one of those self-powered lights that snaps on top for a few bucks, sinch, case closed". After checking prices everywhere, I find that the cheapest light is like $125 for incandescent battery powered lighting going all the way up to $500-$1000 plus for LED solutions. To me, that is non-sense to spend even more on this endeavor (I spent enough already). I wanted LED because the batteries last 10-times longer. So I decide to get creative a couple weeks ago, and got an idea. Then I was on the prowl since then for the components to do this (even though at that moment I had no idea what I was looking for). Then the other day, I was at Walmart near the shoe section and they have these $10 LED flashlights that take 3 AAA batteries (= super bright) that are only 3" long and that was the point when I knew I found 1 piece I needed for this project, and then a few days later I finally made it to the camera store to check what they had for mounting and I saw this cold shoe-to-hot shoe adapter which I don't care what it actually does (it adds an external power source into a top 'hot shoe' mount), as I only need the bracket itself of it. It cost $15 bucks. So then I go home and Dremmel out the top of it a bit to make a slight 'U' shape dip so the flashlight fits into a cradle and wont budge. Then I drilled cross holes in it down low in the bottom part of unit for some hold-down zip-ties and wah-lah! Worked like a dream just as I thought, and tests showed that I can walk all around in pitch dark and get nice video! And that was my birthday project. A $500 value for the low price of $25 + tax and 35 mins work.

Just thought I'd share it to you guys since my 3 brothers thought it was really cool:

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight01.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight02.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight03.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight04.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight05.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight06.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight07.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight08.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight09.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight10.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight11.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight12.jpg

http://www.ojbox.com/camlight13.jpg

Let me know if the pics don't show and I'll fix it.

That is very cool my friend, I had a similar idea with my sr12, using a piece of paper covering the LEDs as a diffuser. i just haven't had the time or opportunity to figure out how to mount it onto the camera, but ill see if i can pick up one of those cold to hot shoe mounts like you used.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8586/imgp5089jl2.jpg

Dude, that's awesome. You could probably sell those things and make a tidy profit....

Yeah, sell'em for like $500 bucks like all the other 'pro camera' guys charge.

Nah, I don't know, I just wanted to share this as one of those low-cost hacks in life where people who don't like to burn money, can save a few bucks is all. I also tend to like the personal pride associated with saving money and using something that you designed or modeled yourself.

Anyhow, thanks for the compliments!

The Panny SD9 doesn't come with any place to attach a light, so I did the same thing you have, but with a $12 tripod->flash adapter. It looks a bit bulky, but it works. In fact, I purchased a 10 watt video light to go with it, and it has been the biggest POS I ever wasted money on. It's not at all daylight balanced, and so dim as to add an orange tint to everything. I wish I could sue B&H Photo for their BS product, the adapter bracket is the only accessory that came in handy.

Yeah, I hear ya. That's why I wasn't all that excited about using any kind of incandescent light. Maybe you could retrofit yours with an LED type light unit, or maybe even retrofit an LED type bulb assembly into yours? I think the white LED have a nice color balance, and don't make things look red at all. Plus, the wattage is less for the same brightness so the batteries last pretty long.

Wow, this is GREAT!

I just got myself a Canon HF100. Does anyone know if there is a tutorial or any instructions on how to do this to an HF100? I would love to be able to do something like this, but I don't know if it is possible.

its really cool..but my hot shoe is already occupied by my DM-100 Shotgun mic....otherwise awesome idea!!

Hey NJ, how do you like that mic?

Also, still no tips on how to "mod" the HF100? Im surprised more people aren't doing this.