Hallogens will always be a gold standard with an SSI rating of 90+, it’s as natural as sunlight... Though the new amaran S, that would be an interesting video review
@@gabriellorenzo6589 SSI is not a new metric, it's used for comparing one light source to another. It is useful for uniformity but not really useful when you dont really use your light together with the benchmark light source being compared with. Make sure not to get sucked in with the SSI hype and to also check your light's TLCI, TM-15, TM-30 :) Although in my opinion most modern lights from most brands are quite good now with insignificant variances, having flexible fine-tuning with G/M for source matching is more essential nowadays. About Halogen being the best... It is a workhorse, but not perfect. Halogens is also a victim of green/magenta casts depending on the make and brand. The quality of high-speed ballast, reflector housing, fresnel glass can also influence in color shifts in output from halogen type fixtures.
Interesting fixture. The output with the Nanlite fresnel seems to higher than the 500B II. How is this possible? Maybe the Nanlite sacrifices output to incorporate the G/M shift option?
A few things could do this, the 500ii has a diffuser mixing surface that could be reducing its output whereas this has a clear lens system. But also the fresnel may not be going as wide with this light attached.
@@gaffergear You mentioned it being $600, its $600 now with the discount. Regular US price is showing $899 ($900 basically). Its weird because at that price for $100 more you could option for the Aputure Storm 300 bi color light. Also how do these compete with the Amaran series?
@@Dubi00 the price seems to be all over the place with this light. I think they are feeling what they can sell it for. The non sales prices this week are different to when I filmed this episode.
@@gaffergear So retail $600, mark up to $900 for the deal to still sell at $600.....they are pretty smart or shady...LOL I have seen this tactic for Black Friday deals from other companies.
Hey there! I love how deeply you break down these reviews. Do you plan on reviewing the RC450D/B at any point? I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether the extra output changes what accessories work best on the light.
hi i love your channel and your work here, can you tell me which light from those will have max light output in deep double diffused parabolic softbox? i have possibility to buy them all in same price Forza 720D, Aputure LS Light Storm 600D (not pro), Smallrig COB RC 450B, Thank you
I would have liked to know how long it lasts with v-mount batteries in the Aputure and to know if with this accessory it worked at 100% of its power. Do you have any idea about it? Thank you very much for the review, very good work, greetings from Bolivia!
From my experience I would be reluctant to push it to 100% if you want a guaranteed long run time. Even with high capacity batteries. The Aputure Power Bay can do it, but the battery pins are the weak link. You would want to check the amperage rating on the battery pins, and then calculate based on batteries lowest running voltage. Because as the battery voltage drops as the battery get flatter the amperage on the pins goes up. At some point, if you are pulling a lot of wattage the math may go past the ratings of the pins and a good battery will shut down early, even thou it is not flat. If you don't have a battery that shuts down at this point, the plastic around the pins can melt over time. For example my batteries are 310wh. And claim 220w output. But if I'm pulling around 200w the battery will shut down early. The battery still has power in it, but the amperage over the pins is now too high because the voltage has reduced. So if I run a 300w light off this system I get about 2 hours. But if I run a 400w light off this system I get just over an hour. So my guess on run time is somewhere in the middle.
@@gaffergear Thank you very much for answering. What do you think of ecoflow generators? Would this light work well at full power or is it also preferable to keep the full power a little less than maximum?
@@Star-fl6lw I haven't used one, but here is where they make sense. I have large scale 48v that can only be used with 48v lights. These can be used for anything, not just lights
I’m sorry if this is the wrong spot, or inappropriate to ask, but between Godox, Nanlite, and of course Aputure, what 300w light do you recommend? We picked up two VL150s and a VL200 a couple of years ago and are thinking about trading in for a VL150ii and a VL300ii but wanted to ask you before making our final decision/purchase Thanks so much in advanced for your help!
Seeing this review, now I want you to review the Smallrig RC 450B!
I think the one benifiting the most in this CoB light competition is the bag manufacturer 😂
Very true
Been waiting for this light review for a bit now
Would be keen for a 450b review and see how it compares to 500 and 600w lights. Recently picked one up for half price!
I did the same but for me it was the diminutive size when packed down that was the main point for me. Small size but relative high output.
Wow Great light
Speakin' of Nanlite...2400B Evoke by Nanlux preview video dropped a few hours ago. Start dumping those 4ks...
It seems too good to be true. A 2400 that is the same size as a 1200.
I want to see this with my own eyes, and test it myself.
@@gaffergear ... And hopefully not hear it!
Hallogens will always be a gold standard with an SSI rating of 90+, it’s as natural as sunlight... Though the new amaran S, that would be an interesting video review
@@gabriellorenzo6589 SSI is not a new metric, it's used for comparing one light source to another. It is useful for uniformity but not really useful when you dont really use your light together with the benchmark light source being compared with. Make sure not to get sucked in with the SSI hype and to also check your light's TLCI, TM-15, TM-30 :)
Although in my opinion most modern lights from most brands are quite good now with insignificant variances, having flexible fine-tuning with G/M for source matching is more essential nowadays.
About Halogen being the best... It is a workhorse, but not perfect. Halogens is also a victim of green/magenta casts depending on the make and brand. The quality of high-speed ballast, reflector housing, fresnel glass can also influence in color shifts in output from halogen type fixtures.
@@Jacob-gi4cw not to mention the heat, power draw, more limited dimming, warm up time, etc. compared to LED.
Great in-depth review as always! Do you know if there is actually any difference between this light and the 450B apart from the output?
I have no idea at all
Nice review... Any chance we'll see a review of the Nanlux Evoke 2400B anytime soon?
I doubt it. I think it was announced early to steal the thunder from other brands launching lights at Cinegear.
Love the self defense comment! lol
Interesting fixture. The output with the Nanlite fresnel seems to higher than the 500B II. How is this possible? Maybe the Nanlite sacrifices output to incorporate the G/M shift option?
A few things could do this, the 500ii has a diffuser mixing surface that could be reducing its output whereas this has a clear lens system. But also the fresnel may not be going as wide with this light attached.
Thanks Andrew. Good point re: beam angle. Anyone starting their journey into lighting today doesn’t know how lucky they are!
Now RC350B has a special discount on B&H, reducing $300, it is an incredible price.
Wow, that's crazy value
@@gaffergear You mentioned it being $600, its $600 now with the discount. Regular US price is showing $899 ($900 basically). Its weird because at that price for $100 more you could option for the Aputure Storm 300 bi color light. Also how do these compete with the Amaran series?
@@Dubi00 the price seems to be all over the place with this light. I think they are feeling what they can sell it for. The non sales prices this week are different to when I filmed this episode.
@@gaffergear So retail $600, mark up to $900 for the deal to still sell at $600.....they are pretty smart or shady...LOL I have seen this tactic for Black Friday deals from other companies.
Hey there! I love how deeply you break down these reviews. Do you plan on reviewing the RC450D/B at any point? I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether the extra output changes what accessories work best on the light.
It's not on the radar for a review at the moment.
hi i love your channel and your work here, can you tell me which light from those will have max light output in deep double diffused parabolic softbox?
i have possibility to buy them all in same price Forza 720D, Aputure LS Light Storm 600D (not pro), Smallrig COB RC 450B, Thank you
I would have liked to know how long it lasts with v-mount batteries in the Aputure and to know if with this accessory it worked at 100% of its power. Do you have any idea about it? Thank you very much for the review, very good work, greetings from Bolivia!
From my experience I would be reluctant to push it to 100% if you want a guaranteed long run time. Even with high capacity batteries.
The Aputure Power Bay can do it, but the battery pins are the weak link.
You would want to check the amperage rating on the battery pins, and then calculate based on batteries lowest running voltage. Because as the battery voltage drops as the battery get flatter the amperage on the pins goes up.
At some point, if you are pulling a lot of wattage the math may go past the ratings of the pins and a good battery will shut down early, even thou it is not flat.
If you don't have a battery that shuts down at this point, the plastic around the pins can melt over time.
For example my batteries are 310wh. And claim 220w output. But if I'm pulling around 200w the battery will shut down early. The battery still has power in it, but the amperage over the pins is now too high because the voltage has reduced.
So if I run a 300w light off this system I get about 2 hours. But if I run a 400w light off this system I get just over an hour. So my guess on run time is somewhere in the middle.
@@gaffergear Thank you very much for answering. What do you think of ecoflow generators? Would this light work well at full power or is it also preferable to keep the full power a little less than maximum?
@@Star-fl6lw I haven't used one, but here is where they make sense. I have large scale 48v that can only be used with 48v lights. These can be used for anything, not just lights
Just do the 300c please! Great review though as always
I have a shipment of Aputure stuck at customs with a paper work issue. I assume a 300c is in there, along with infinibars
@@gaffergear i appreciate all of your work! if you have a 150c would be able to combine it in the video? thanks alot
Real shame that this light is around 1100 euros in the eu. Would be interesting with a price drop
Hi Andrew, Do you know of any Aussie made Shotbags anymore?
This guy Michael makes the best ones in Melbourne
0412807766
What light stand did you use for the 350B?
It would have been whatever the closest stand in my workshop was at the time. I literally have no idea
@@gaffergear Alright, thanks anyway
I’m sorry if this is the wrong spot, or inappropriate to ask, but between Godox, Nanlite, and of course Aputure, what 300w light do you recommend?
We picked up two VL150s and a VL200 a couple of years ago and are thinking about trading in for a VL150ii and a VL300ii but wanted to ask you before making our final decision/purchase
Thanks so much in advanced for your help!
Pretty sure all the Chinese Light Brands use the same OEM COB panel
4:12 ahahaha
the price is just too high
those plastic pieces for the mount is scary . Eeeek