<p>As mentioned above, no. The bulb and circuitry is not set up for it. </p>

<p>If you are looking for a cheap solution to home video lighting, go to a hardware store and buy a set of Double Halogen Work Lights With stand. It will run you like $40 and is just as good as any fancy video light for basic stuff. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-02T20:10:43.600Z
Just be cautious of the heat they put out.  They will set things on fire if you put them too close to things.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-04T13:53:46.873Z
True, however I find them bright enough that I dont need to get them any closer than 3 ft. At that distance you are safe. Just dont touch them.
Dave
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-04T13:56:35.987Z
Yeah, they are best used bouncing off of something (often the ceiling) to avoid too harsh of light.  They can work great, I just like giving the caution when someone mentions them since people tend to not realize just how much heat they really do put off.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-02T19:19:18.980Z
2014-09-02T19:19:18.980Z
Dave
<p>Generally speaking, it is not possible to use a camera flash as a light for video.  A true flash is a high intensity discharge bulb which produces a very short (1/100 second or shorter), very bright burst of light.  It is not designed to be used for constant light output and has insufficient power, durability or cooling to be able to operate as a continuous light source.</p>

<p>Some devices, most often smartphones, use LED light sources as a "flash" but actually are not flashes, simply constant output lamps that can be used for video or as a low brightness "flash" for still images.  This is very rare to see with a point and shoot or DSLR.  When it is included with DSLR flashes, it is typically as a separate, distinct light on the same unit, such as the video light built in the Canon's 320EX flash.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-29T20:50:50.513Z
2014-08-29T20:50:50.513Z
AJ Henderson
<p>I have a Nikon D3100. It has a built in flash.  Can I use it as a light when filming videos?</p>

<dslr><lighting>
Using a Flash to Light Video
Lasha Kheladze
# Using a Flash to Light Video

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-29)

I have a Nikon D3100. It has a built in flash. Can I use it as a light when filming videos?

**Tags:** dslr, lighting


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-08-29. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Generally speaking, it is not possible to use a camera flash as a light for video. A true flash is a high intensity discharge bulb which produces a very short (1/100 second or shorter), very bright burst of light. It is not designed to be used for constant light output and has insufficient power, durability or cooling to be able to operate as a continuous light source.

Some devices, most often smartphones, use LED light sources as a "flash" but actually are not flashes, simply constant output lamps that can be used for video or as a low brightness "flash" for still images. This is very rare to see with a point and shoot or DSLR. When it is included with DSLR flashes, it is typically as a separate, distinct light on the same unit, such as the video light built in the Canon's 320EX flash.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2014-09-02. Score: 0

As mentioned above, no. The bulb and circuitry is not set up for it.

If you are looking for a cheap solution to home video lighting, go to a hardware store and buy a set of Double Halogen Work Lights With stand. It will run you like $40 and is just as good as any fancy video light for basic stuff.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Just be cautious of the heat they put out.  They will set things on fire if you put them too close to things.  
> **username_1**: True, however I find them bright enough that I dont need to get them any closer than 3 ft. At that distance you are safe. Just dont touch them.  
> **username_2**: Yeah, they are best used bouncing off of something (often the ceiling) to avoid too harsh of light.  They can work great, I just like giving the caution when someone mentions them since people tend to not realize just how much heat they really do put off.  

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