SmallRig RC120D Light Review - GREAT VALUE Light
Today, I'm going to talk about one of the better lights I've seen in a long time. Hi everyone, and welcome to pal2tech. I use SmallRig cages all the time for my camera gear. I didn't even know they made lights. Okay, a quick disclaimer. SmallRig did send me this light to share my thoughts and talk about it to all of you. They are not paying me to do this arti. They have not seen this article. This is not a sponsored article. And frankly, they have no idea what I'm going to say about this light. So let's get to it. This light is designed to do one thing and one thing only. Output at 5600 Kelvin daylight at 5370 lux at about a 3.3 foot distance. However, it comes with this reflector that will brighten the light output to 62,600 lux. This is a 120 Watt light. One of the issues I have with my Godox SL60 light is that it is constantly running the fan even when the light is not on, but it's plugged in.
The fan is always running in the background. However, on the SmallRig, the fan only kicks in when the light reaches a temperature over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. And you can definitely hear the fan when it kicks in. And you would not want this light to be very close to your microphone. But then again, it's not really much louder of a fan for a comparable light of this wattage and size. But the best estimate I've seen of the loudness level comes from SmallRig themselves. When they say that it's just like a quiet night in the countryside. Wait, what? Inside the box you get the light, a reflector attachment, the AC adapter and a power cable. And what has to be the best stickers I've seen yet included with a product. The power cable is about 20 feet. The light also comes with a mounting hole right here that you can use for an umbrella or a reflector. And overall this has a wonderful and solid feel to it. It is well built and I love the fact that it can be fully controlled both on the light itself as well as remotely through the app. SmallRig does sell a special V mount battery plate that you can use to take this light with you on location in case you don't have any power outlets.
Okay. I've got my Key Light now turned off and I have the SmallRig light exactly in the same position that it is. And currently right now, as you're seeing me, it is at 1% power. Let's kick it up to 50%. This is 50%. Five zero. Okay, 50%. Oh, here's a hundred. Can't believe how bright it is. Oh, I'm still seeing stars. It's so bright. By the way, here's what the app looks like. Gee, check it out. You could just go (makes noises). Obviously, it goes without saying that you can control the light completely through the app as well. And honestly, I'll say this. This is not that bad of an app. Check it out. It does have some polish to it that I don't see in a lot of smartphone apps for lights. And there are also nine different lighting effects that you can choose from. You know, all the usual suspects such as lightning, fireworks. And there's this thing called breath. Check it out.
I'm going to go ahead
and turn that on. So this is breath.
You know.
That's right.
Honestly, though, with
the special effects that it comes included with, it's not quite the same thing
as you get when you have special effects that come with a bi colored light or an
R GB light. There's obviously not that many options because this is only one color
temperature. So all of the special effects are basically timed flashing and pulsing
intervals. That's all it is, really. Now, one little issue that I noticed and
SmallRig is not the only company that does this.
When I go in and try
and get the app or the manual using the QR code, I get taken to a non English
page and instructions SmallRig. It would be great if there was a way to have
it default to English if it senses that the app or the web request is originating
from an English speaking country. That would help me and probably a lot of
other people get this thing set up much easier.
But as far as the light
itself, I honestly cannot think of a single issue or problem with it.
It perfectly does
exactly what it's supposed to do. It gives you a solid and consistent 5600
kelvin daylight with the ability to adjust the brightness with a huge amount of
variation. Even the latch right here makes it so easy to use and take things on and
off the bones mount. This is an outstanding light and I think a
great deal for the price. If this is the direction SmallRig is going
with their lighting, then Aperture had better watch out.
Well, that wraps up today's
quick review. I hope you found it helpful and I'll catch you in the next one.
Take care.
Comments
Post a Comment