I always suggested weeylite for a small light like this in the same price range, but Amaran just killed that one! No adaptor needed and cheaper! Boom! Great video!
@@NewLayer Last week I bought NANLITE FORZA 60B for 300€. Do you think that this light is same, or better like Forza? They looks pretty same, based on specs.
@@UPStudioSRO Functionally they are pretty much the same, and now that Nanlite has a good mobile app, that's not a big downside any more. The Forza 60/b uses a proprietary mount instead of Bowens mount, but you might like the mounting yoke and battery handle better. I'd keep it unless you have a bunch of other Aputure products. Hope that helps :)
Dont have any question, just wanted to let you know that i think you sir got the very best reviews about lights i've seen in youtube! This is like the third video i look at and i enjoyed every single one. Very informative and great responses on the comments Im subscribing, leaving a like and a comment, hope that helps with the algorithm Great work, all the best!
@@NewLayer That's so true. To a point now where Aputure are making lights whose pricing is friendlier than Godox. Never would i have ever thought this would be possible
I bought the 60d and I'm returning it, the Godox ML60 has a nicer light, yes its bigger and not a Bowen but the Amaran gice me a hot spot in the midlle even with other reflector. It also shutdown on me many time at full power even with the power supply. So I'm going to try the ML30 since I was looking for a small light for filming video in a Van.
Thanks for the input. Last I heard Aputure was aware of the shutdown issue and fixed it with a firmware update. And I can understand returning it because of the hotspot if you use the light with stock reflectors a lot. With softboxes it's not a problem at all, and even negligible with the reflector + external diffusion, but with just the reflector alone, the hot spot is very intense.
what batteries should i buy for the dual mount plate? or is it not a big deal? i got this, and somehow didn'tt expect the extra costs... ? thanks so much in advance!
I've always had good luck with GVM batteries. They have been true to their capacity and voltage for me and relatively cheap: geni.us/gvmnpf750 Overall, anything should work as long as it's from a fairly reputable brand.
Great review, but, why does your background keep jumping forward and backwards? I've noticed it on some of your other videos, and now I find myself focusing on it rather than what your talking about.
Great video and awesome review. I want to get the 60d due higher brightness but the 60x versatility for only 30 bucks is really really compelling. I most likely will shoot in a 10x12 room and mostly talking head shots. I got the EZ glow 25 you recommended via amazon. If i was to transport and shoot with this light, would be for similar situations/cases (small shoots, interviews, etc). Would you recommend the 60x over the 60d?
I used a 60 watt light with a 24" softbox in a ~10x12 room for talking head at just 25-35% brightness, so a bi-color 60 watt light would've worked just fine closer to 50% brightness. If you're not having to fight with external light sources, the 60x would be my recommendation!
@@NewLayer You sir are a legend and a Scholar. My thought is the light will always be used inside home or a studio. totally loving the fact it can be so versatile by changing the temps. Ordering one now and following you. Great content!
Great amount of detail. Really like the comparison tool you have put together. I'm having to pick a light to replace a panel as my key light. From where I come, the COB 60X, 100X and Godox ML60bi all cost approximately the same. Would you still recommend the 60X over the 100X or the ML60bi for use in a study nook? The form factor of the smaller lights is delightful, but I also want to vary of the light output.
Thanks, glad it's helpful. I would go with either the 60x or 100x because of Sidus Link control and the native Bowens mount. The 100x is about 1/2 stop brighter than the 60x, so not a whole lot, but more light is never bad. You just lose the battery option with the 100x unless you buy the optional v-mount battery station, but then the price and portability change a lot. For a really significant difference in brightness you'd want the 200x. Overall, I'd recommend the 60x with a Light Dome Mini II or Light Dome SE, or a collapsible beauty dish to save some room in what sounds like a small space. Light Dome Mini II: geni.us/aputurelightdomeminiii Light Dome SE: geni.us/aputurelightdomese These are my favorite collapsible beauty dishes and are a bigger surface area than the Light Dome Mini II, and less deep than the SE. geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver geni.us/laofasbeautydish60 geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
Great review! I honestly waiting for this review in your channel. My only concern is on mounting a softbox with this light. Do you think it can handle a 90cm parabolic softbox?
Thanks. A 90cm was no issue in my testing. If you can get one, I highly suggest collapsible beauty dishes over parabolic softboxes because they're half the depth and lighter weight/less front heavy, like these: geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver geni.us/laofasbeautydish60 geni.us/laofasbeautydish85 As long as you're using the front diffusion, you get the same exact light quality as a parabolic in a smaller package.
By the way one last thing, which do you recommend 60d or 60x...Im usually shooting using 5600K and sometimes I changed it to lower Kelvin for more yellowish color effect and just a replacement for my Godox SL60W for a less noise. Thanks in advance!
@@eltondioquino If you're shooting in a single space like a small office/studio, then I think the 60x should be plenty of light, and obviously give you the flexibility to change color temperature at any brightness. You may have to use it at higher % brightness settings, but in my experience, the fan runs at a constant speed no matter what so that shouldn't matter.
@@NewLayer thats great! Thanks again for replying. It helps me a lot! I also love lights so I always watched your lights review. Cheers!
2 роки тому+1
Hi, thanks for this review. I am wondering what to chose between Godox ML60BI and Aputure Amaran 60X. Amaran seems to have a better construction and is cheaper. On another hand, i already have the godox bowens adapter and the handle of the ML60BI looks great. Could you tell me if it is possible to charge batteries with the plate provide by Aputure ? Or is it mandatory to buy an external charger ? Thanks.
The ML60 has better construction in my opinion, since it's all metal. Neither light charges batteries, so you'll need an external charger. I really prefer when lights have a native Bowens mount, so that's one of the main reasons I like the Amaran lights. Plus the fact that Sidus Link is unbeatable in how well it works, and the special FX etc. it opens up. Plus the ML60 doesn't have mobile app control at all.
I want a backpack sized light kit with modifier and stand. I have all Godox lights so far... and the Godox ML60 + Godox softbox appear smaller than this. But I like the integrated V-mount on the side of the Amaran and the flexibility of modifier options with the standard Bowens mount. 🤔
The ML60 is a tiny bit smaller, although a different shape, obviously. I like the Amaran lights for the same reasons you mentioned, more battery options and the Bowens flexibility. The big pro for Godox in your case would be the fact that you own other Godox lights, so it can be nice to stick to 1 ecosystem, but there's always exceptions. I wish I could make your choice easier, but sometimes you just have to think through your workflow and imagine what might work best for you. Good luck! 😀
Hi, will dome mini 2 help to soften the hotspot? If yes, is it the best solution? I’m looking for get 60d but not sure which soft box best suited. I usually shoot my coffee bar for contents. Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
You want to look for "NP-F 970" which are the highest capacity ones, like this: amzn.to/3GYd9SZ Your batteries could be super low capacity, old and losing the ability to hold a charge, or both. Hope that helps.
Yup there are defiantly issues with this light. I have two and both of them are cutting off while using the battery power. I emailed aputure about it ! I think I’m going to be sending them back
@@AOJOPhotography oh dang I thought mine was defective, I was going to get a replacement but now I’m starting to think its just the light. I even bought brand new batteries and tested this morning and same problem. The fan even stays on
They look like a fantastic option for a small set up in a spare room or studio that could sit in place....but MIGHT need moved on occasion! Small/compact and at a much more compatible power ....like what is the point of having a 100w light when it's never really used above 30-40%, this is the perfect format and saves money
Yep! I think a lot of people coming from photography look for lights to try and give them ISO 100, 1/125 sec, f/5.6, but the reality is that for continuous lights, that's blindingly bright, and most of the time for filming people you want around ISO 400, 1/50 sec, f/2.8-5.6, which is significantly dimmer. I used a Forza 60 at 33% in my old talking head setup. So, especially if you're just filming yourself at home, a 60 watt light is plenty!
Having used a Godox SL60 for the past year and currently looking for more lighting options, this could not have come at a better time! My only concern is weight when mounting a soft box.
Sure! I should've mentioned, the 90 degree bracket has teeth on the pivot, so once it's locked it, it won't sag for sure! For small 60 watt lights, I typically don't recommend going bigger than 36" on the softbox mostly due to light output limitations, but you should be totally fine with that. I also highly recommend collapsible beauty dishes. They are half the depth of a parabolic, but put out the same softness of light if you're using the front diffusion. Since they aren't as deep, they're lighter weight overall, and less front heavy, so stress the mount and yoke much less. These are my favorites: geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver geni.us/laofasbeautydish60 geni.us/laofasbeautydish85 Hope that helps :)
That's some amazing info and comparison table. I have the CLX 10 and looking to load another one. Looks like from your chart the Amaran 60D is just as powerful as the CLX10? The latter I use for interviews and such but it tends to either run out of power or overheat and throttles down if you leave it plugged in for longer shoots which forces me to turn it off or unplug it. So with the fan and plug I guess the 60D would give me the same power at a fraction of the cost?
I replied to your community post, but you are correct. The CLx10 is only 1/3 stop brighter, and being able to swap batteries out indefinitely lets you run it forever. I've seen 0 overheating issues with it at max power.
is there a reason why these shut down when setting is above 50%? or is it a problem with the Np-F batteries? o_o or is something to do with the NP-f550 vs NP-F970 capicity problem? the godox you need an adapter which kinda sucks since it doesnt have bowens mount pre installed....
Sounds like a battery problem, or perhaps a problem with the light. They should run just fine at 100%, so definitely get in touch with Aputure. They're one of the best in the business for customer service and product support.
I'll probably end up getting 2 of the 60d's. Along with my 100d I should have all the bases covered for key lights and fill/back lights for narrative film, and I also have the P60C to cover in-between needs or accent color, if needed. Also, the battery power is an invaluable plus for shooting out in the woods at night, or other locations without power. I occasionally do industrials as well and the small form of these lights will be appreciated. The Amaran line is making it possible for filmmakers at our level appear like the level of videos we are able to produce, which instills confidence in the clients.
That would be a great kit! You can do basically any set up with a 100d, a couple 60ds, and a P60c, assuming there's not a ton of ambient light infiltrating the area :)
@@NewLayer - I always have 3 or 4 moving blankets and gaffer tape and clamps with me for just such an occasion. ;) I just ordered 2 Ulanzi LV49 RGB lights for background accent lights, and if I want to splash any color anywhere for flavor. In a few months I'll be getting the 60d's. I am pretty excited to outfit this kit like this. I also have some cheap lights that I've used for a while that can also fill in any gaps.
You can compare the photometrics here newlayer.com/gear/lights/compare?light1=Aputure+Amaran+60x&light2=Aputure+Amaran+P60x And my review on the P60 lights here ua-cam.com/video/G12eAAL4U8w/v-deo.html Both are amazing so it just depends if you like COB or panel for your needs.
I’ll be testing the cob to the panel lights u mentioned above tomorrow. But for me personally, depends on case by case imo. I got the panel and with the soft box on it’s a bit too heavy for outdoor shoots vs studio environment using mid level stands in the market. And lack of modifiers. I mean I can make it work but doing additional ootb during shoots may be too distracting for me. Hence these cobs, much lighter and many available modifiers might be better in my case why I ordered one to see. I suspect it will. The panel color p60c has great rgb but after playing around for awhile I don’t see myself using rgb outside of accent/fill/practical lighting (and I have plenty rgb pocket/stick lights already 🙃). In other words, for my main keylight or hairlights I prefer natural color temps over rgb and use the rgbs as accents. I suspect everyone have rightfully different needs so whichever pro/cons may be better for them since both the cob and panels can do about the same. (Also I don’t have/use c stand to do tilt overhead lighting with the panel as very unstable and I get nervous if it fails on that person. But the small cob and modifier seems more safe for me in that scenario) *edit. Forgot to mention I find myself putting too much effort into controlling light spill using the rgb p60c panels. Even with the grid on etc. And I couldn’t find any available barn doors for the p60c. Maybe the grid that came is useless or my lack of experience in controlling spill better but I find myself in the end to just throw on grid and set the panel intensity very low (which kind of defeats the purpose for my use cases and the cost) and using my pocket rgb lights with their grids. I have high hopes that these budget cobs have many options for me to control light spill much quicker. Saw some Aputure barns for cobs but it cost a pretty big chunk in my budget so I’m still looking for cheaper barn options for the cobs. I’m trying to budget accordingly because if spent too much, then I could just get the LS60x that already comes with barns at $420. I’ll be happy if anyone in same boat as me have any more suggestions in regards to cob barns 🙂
@@lebavu8260 This is a tough part about choosing lights, because if you're not able to try a few out for your specific work, you may end up buying a great light, just not the best one for you. The LS60x is a great light too, but definitely a bit pricier :)
My two favorites are Amaran and Nanlite. Both are excellent options, so I would put together kits of each brand with what you need to compare the total price and go from there :)
For wedding dance floor filming, 15degrees beam angle with the reflector dish is way too tight. With the chip alone, I suspect the beam angle is too wide like 120-150. I wonder how well you think barn doors would do at restricted the beam on this light - a benefit of the full size Bowens versus the Godox ml60.
I think barn doors would work similarly across all COBs like this. The most important thing would be finding barns doors that had tight corners to stop light leaks since me cheap ones aren’t so good at that. Hope that helps.
I used the Freewell magnetic filter system, which I mention in a few of my videos, and is the best system I've ever used. Most of the time I have the 1/8 Glowmist filter on: geni.us/freewellglowmist18
The Nanlite Pavotube II 6C. I recently did a whole video on my new studio office setup you might like, which includes all the lights I use: ua-cam.com/video/RPsunHi2sXE/v-deo.html
I would buy this instead of the Jinbei EF 60 II now, but I've got a lot of use on my Jinbei since I bought it early this year. It was also easier to justify the battery cost with a cheaper light
I feel like at this point Aputure with the Amaran brand is going to force godox and others lower in price. why would I buy any light over the 60d/x, 100d/x ,200d/x family. they have great app support, quiet fans, good colors.
I hope so! Godox started out as a value brand, but have slowly crept up in price. The quality has improved, fortunately, but I think their sales numbers are struggling because they moved away from their low pricing.
@@gdrriley420 The SL150W II is better in some ways, unfortunately, not in any ways people in that price range care about. It was a killer deal when the other alternative was the Aputure 120d, but now there are 5 other lights in the same price range, so either people are going as cheap as possible for the most part, or buying a professional production light. It'll be interesting to see what Godox does in 2022.
Having trouble getting my 60d to turn on with a V-Mount battery. I'm a newbie with V-Mount tbh... should I be able to just click it into the light and have it work? Or do I need to get a cable that connects the the battery and then the camera?
The v-mount slot is just the mount, there are no power leads. So you can put 2 NP-F batteries in the NP-F battery plate, mount it on the light, and plug that in and it works. Or, you can put a V-mount battery into the plate, but need a d-tap to barrel connector to plug in from the battery to the back of the light. Hope that helps.
JT: I don't know if remember our consult, but it's me, your weight and size averse fan. Would you recommend these over the little monocolor Lupo panels for run and gun...I generally light with a collapsible shoot thru translucent umbrella, sometimes with an extra layer of diffusion. From the light comparison on your site, it still looks as if the Lupo has an output advantage, even with both lights putting out a concentrated beam. I like that the Lupo only needs one battery, has no fan, and seems to go forever on a single battery. But I'm looking for the brightest bang for the weight and size. Thanks!
Haha., hey again! The Lupo is brighter because it has a ~45 degree beam angle Vs the ~120 of a bare bulb COB light. Once you throw a reflector on the Amaran lights they’ll be significantly brighter because they’re 65 watts Vs 20 watts. The Lupo light is still smaller and lighter weight, but their strength in brightness is greatly diminished with diffusion in front of them. That’s a hard choice, and I probably didn’t say much to help you decide, so good luck! Lol
@@NewLayer Thanks JT. I may try one of these because the Lupo does seem to just run out of steam when it hits diffusion. I've noticed that with a lot of COB lights without reflectors, but maybe it's time I try a reflector and if these are smaller than the usual ones and will provide more brightness, it's certainly worth a try!
@@bobkrist1 It's really just the nature of light in general. The only real way lower powered lights can be brighter than higher powered ones are if they focus the beam angle. Diffusion is the great equalizer, so if you need more light while using diffusion, you just need a higher wattage light. Hope that helps :)
Which would you recommend: the Jinbei EFII-60W or the Amaran 60D? Any time I use it I would setup/breakdown and would only be using it occasionally and probably with a soft box (35" on the way). I just bought a Jinbei (on it's way) and didn't even know about the 60D till today :( I recommend making a comparison video of the SL-60W, Jinbei, and 60D next to show what a little extra money can do and if it's worth it.
The Jinbei EF II-60 is still a good light, but the build quality isn't as good, it doesn't have mobile app support, and doesn't include a carrying case. If you don't need the mobile app support or case, the Jinbei will functionally do the same thing as the 60d, so may not be worth the hassle of returning. If you can easily return it for free, I'd get the 60d.
@@NewLayer Amazon is easy to return here in the big city so I grabbed a 60D too. Should arrive the same day. We'll see which works best. All my gear was stolen early this year so I'm slowly building a kit from scratch.
Definitely a killer combo, and I love having brand-matching stuff whenever possible. I also highly recommend collapsible beauty dishes. They are half the depth of a parabolic, but put out the same softness of light if you're using the front diffusion. Since they aren't as deep, they're lighter weight overall, and less front heavy, so stress the mount and yoke less. These are my favorites: geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver geni.us/laofasbeautydish60 geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
I use the Sekonic C-800 which is 100% reliable for comparison and should be very, very, very close to manufacturers stated measurements. If they are not nearly identical, the most likely reason is that the manufacturer is cheating the system somehow. I have found Aputure specifically to be very conservative in the numbers they use for marketing, and I always get even better numbers than they promote.
Wouldn't be surprised if there was already one in the works. The P60c/x softbox is great, so if they could make something in the 24-32" range that was ultra compact and light weight, that'd be cool. Otherwise, I'll stick to my collapsible beauty dishes.
Just depends if you need the option of adjusting the color temperature. If you're always working in a controlled environment where you can set all lights to 5600K, I'd get the D because it's slightly brighter.
@@NewLayer thanks. Still very new to this. I feel I need to be flexible with my lights, I have no set purpose but to be creative as a hobby really. Is having the option to change temp worth it or is it adding a layer of complexity I do not really need?
I'd give it a "very quiet" rating. A good deal quieter than the Amaran 100/200 lights, which aren't really loud to begin with. Should cause no issues with audio.
Just as good as any other 60 watt light! I've used 60 watt daylight balanced lights into an umbrella at around 30-50% brightness with camera settings near 1/50 second, ISO 400, and f/2.8, so the brightness is definitely serviceable in a controlled environment.
@@NewLayer sorry I should have been more specific in my question. You mentioned the light didn't have a lot of spread if I recall. Worried it would just have a very hot spot in the middle due to lack of spread.
At 5:25 or so. I think maybe your saying it's very narrow when used with the modifier they provide. But not as bad of narrow beam if used bare bulb in a brolly
Whoops sorry I misread your question. Yes, the included reflector has a strong hotspot, but an umbrella would soften that a lot. You could also use a small softbox, or what I prefer on smaller lights, a collapsible beauty dish like this geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver because it's very shallow, but has multiple layers of diffusion, so will provide super even lighting. Hope that helps!
@@NewLayer I wasn't verbose enough in my first attempt at the question. I have one in the mail now and will try it with my glow 36" collapsible beauty dish and umbrellas when it arrives. Thanks for the great review and answers.
Are there any other better budget/beginner lights for small creators? I'm close to saying to say a hard "no" at this point...
I always suggested weeylite for a small light like this in the same price range, but Amaran just killed that one! No adaptor needed and cheaper! Boom! Great video!
@@PaulFeinberg Yep! They did a great job covering all the bases. Crazy what $150-200 will get you now. Thanks for the support.
@@NewLayer I know.....so crazy
@@NewLayer Last week I bought NANLITE FORZA 60B for 300€. Do you think that this light is same, or better like Forza? They looks pretty same, based on specs.
@@UPStudioSRO Functionally they are pretty much the same, and now that Nanlite has a good mobile app, that's not a big downside any more. The Forza 60/b uses a proprietary mount instead of Bowens mount, but you might like the mounting yoke and battery handle better.
I'd keep it unless you have a bunch of other Aputure products. Hope that helps :)
best review of that lamp if seen so far ! super thorough, thank you !
Thanks, I’m glad to hear that!
Dont have any question, just wanted to let you know that i think you sir got the very best reviews about lights i've seen in youtube!
This is like the third video i look at and i enjoyed every single one.
Very informative and great responses on the comments
Im subscribing, leaving a like and a comment, hope that helps with the algorithm
Great work, all the best!
Thank you, that means a lot. Thanks for the support :)
I'm loving these lights the more I see videos about them. I need to try them out. Great video and very thorough. Thank you.
It's crazy how good beginner/basic lights are now Vs a few years ago! The options we have are pretty amazing.
@@NewLayer That's so true. To a point now where Aputure are making lights whose pricing is friendlier than Godox. Never would i have ever thought this would be possible
Always the best! The mention on 8:52 with 2 large NP-F batteries, the runtime is about 45 mins. Thank you for this info 🥰
Thanks, glad I answered at least one of your questions :)
The portability of this model is very important to me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and giving a detailed technical view.
No problem 👍
Great review! I like the thorough light quality rating.
Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful :)
I was just waiting for your review on that light :)
Great, hope I answered all your questions about it. Let me know if not :)
just subed and ordering 60x based on your review as my first shot at youtube video making. Hope it turns out good. Thanks
Thanks for the support! Hope you like it. Let me know what you think after giving it a try :)
Even though I just posted my video on these as well, I’m still stoked to see yours too 🙌🏼
Thanks! I'll check yours out ASAP too!
These lights seem awesome, ordered them 60x today.
I think they are! Thanks for the support, let me know how you like it when you get it.
I bought the 60d and I'm returning it, the Godox ML60 has a nicer light, yes its bigger and not a Bowen but the Amaran gice me a hot spot in the midlle even with other reflector. It also shutdown on me many time at full power even with the power supply. So I'm going to try the ML30 since I was looking for a small light for filming video in a Van.
Thanks for the input. Last I heard Aputure was aware of the shutdown issue and fixed it with a firmware update.
And I can understand returning it because of the hotspot if you use the light with stock reflectors a lot. With softboxes it's not a problem at all, and even negligible with the reflector + external diffusion, but with just the reflector alone, the hot spot is very intense.
Shut down issue? WTF?
what batteries should i buy for the dual mount plate? or is it not a big deal? i got this, and somehow didn'tt expect the extra costs... ? thanks so much in advance!
I've always had good luck with GVM batteries. They have been true to their capacity and voltage for me and relatively cheap: geni.us/gvmnpf750
Overall, anything should work as long as it's from a fairly reputable brand.
Great review, but, why does your background keep jumping forward and backwards? I've noticed it on some of your other videos, and now I find myself focusing on it rather than what your talking about.
Great video and awesome review. I want to get the 60d due higher brightness but the 60x versatility for only 30 bucks is really really compelling. I most likely will shoot in a 10x12 room and mostly talking head shots. I got the EZ glow 25 you recommended via amazon. If i was to transport and shoot with this light, would be for similar situations/cases (small shoots, interviews, etc). Would you recommend the 60x over the 60d?
I used a 60 watt light with a 24" softbox in a ~10x12 room for talking head at just 25-35% brightness, so a bi-color 60 watt light would've worked just fine closer to 50% brightness. If you're not having to fight with external light sources, the 60x would be my recommendation!
@@NewLayer You sir are a legend and a Scholar. My thought is the light will always be used inside home or a studio. totally loving the fact it can be so versatile by changing the temps. Ordering one now and following you. Great content!
@@DeTodoUnPoco-ng8us Awesome, thanks for the support :) Let me know how you like it when it arrives.
Great amount of detail. Really like the comparison tool you have put together. I'm having to pick a light to replace a panel as my key light. From where I come, the COB 60X, 100X and Godox ML60bi all cost approximately the same. Would you still recommend the 60X over the 100X or the ML60bi for use in a study nook? The form factor of the smaller lights is delightful, but I also want to vary of the light output.
Thanks, glad it's helpful. I would go with either the 60x or 100x because of Sidus Link control and the native Bowens mount.
The 100x is about 1/2 stop brighter than the 60x, so not a whole lot, but more light is never bad. You just lose the battery option with the 100x unless you buy the optional v-mount battery station, but then the price and portability change a lot. For a really significant difference in brightness you'd want the 200x.
Overall, I'd recommend the 60x with a Light Dome Mini II or Light Dome SE, or a collapsible beauty dish to save some room in what sounds like a small space.
Light Dome Mini II: geni.us/aputurelightdomeminiii
Light Dome SE: geni.us/aputurelightdomese
These are my favorite collapsible beauty dishes and are a bigger surface area than the Light Dome Mini II, and less deep than the SE.
geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver
geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver
geni.us/laofasbeautydish60
geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
@@NewLayer @New Layer Thanks for the response and recommendations. I've recently moved to shooting with primes, and that should help too.
Great review! I honestly waiting for this review in your channel. My only concern is on mounting a softbox with this light. Do you think it can handle a 90cm parabolic softbox?
Thanks. A 90cm was no issue in my testing. If you can get one, I highly suggest collapsible beauty dishes over parabolic softboxes because they're half the depth and lighter weight/less front heavy, like these:
geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver
geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver
geni.us/laofasbeautydish60
geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
As long as you're using the front diffusion, you get the same exact light quality as a parabolic in a smaller package.
@@NewLayer thanks for the recommendation I will check them. Cheers!
By the way one last thing, which do you recommend 60d or 60x...Im usually shooting using 5600K and sometimes I changed it to lower Kelvin for more yellowish color effect and just a replacement for my Godox SL60W for a less noise. Thanks in advance!
@@eltondioquino If you're shooting in a single space like a small office/studio, then I think the 60x should be plenty of light, and obviously give you the flexibility to change color temperature at any brightness. You may have to use it at higher % brightness settings, but in my experience, the fan runs at a constant speed no matter what so that shouldn't matter.
@@NewLayer thats great! Thanks again for replying. It helps me a lot! I also love lights so I always watched your lights review. Cheers!
Hi, thanks for this review. I am wondering what to chose between Godox ML60BI and Aputure Amaran 60X. Amaran seems to have a better construction and is cheaper. On another hand, i already have the godox bowens adapter and the handle of the ML60BI looks great. Could you tell me if it is possible to charge batteries with the plate provide by Aputure ? Or is it mandatory to buy an external charger ? Thanks.
The ML60 has better construction in my opinion, since it's all metal. Neither light charges batteries, so you'll need an external charger.
I really prefer when lights have a native Bowens mount, so that's one of the main reasons I like the Amaran lights. Plus the fact that Sidus Link is unbeatable in how well it works, and the special FX etc. it opens up. Plus the ML60 doesn't have mobile app control at all.
I want a backpack sized light kit with modifier and stand. I have all Godox lights so far... and the Godox ML60 + Godox softbox appear smaller than this. But I like the integrated V-mount on the side of the Amaran and the flexibility of modifier options with the standard Bowens mount. 🤔
The ML60 is a tiny bit smaller, although a different shape, obviously. I like the Amaran lights for the same reasons you mentioned, more battery options and the Bowens flexibility. The big pro for Godox in your case would be the fact that you own other Godox lights, so it can be nice to stick to 1 ecosystem, but there's always exceptions.
I wish I could make your choice easier, but sometimes you just have to think through your workflow and imagine what might work best for you. Good luck! 😀
Hi, will dome mini 2 help to soften the hotspot? If yes, is it the best solution?
I’m looking for get 60d but not sure which soft box best suited.
I usually shoot my coffee bar for contents.
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
The hotspot is only when using the reflector, so any softbox will work great for that. The Light Dome Mini would be a great choice!
@@NewLayer thanks very much 🙏🙏🙏
Which batteries are you using? My light turns off after a couple min with my npf batteries even when fully charged.
You want to look for "NP-F 970" which are the highest capacity ones, like this: amzn.to/3GYd9SZ
Your batteries could be super low capacity, old and losing the ability to hold a charge, or both. Hope that helps.
@@NewLayer hmmm ya thats what Im using, just diff brand
Yup there are defiantly issues with this light. I have two and both of them are cutting off while using the battery power. I emailed aputure about it ! I think I’m going to be sending them back
@@AOJOPhotography oh dang I thought mine was defective, I was going to get a replacement but now I’m starting to think its just the light. I even bought brand new batteries and tested this morning and same problem. The fan even stays on
@@HunterGelsen u tired new batteries ?
They look like a fantastic option for a small set up in a spare room or studio that could sit in place....but MIGHT need moved on occasion! Small/compact and at a much more compatible power ....like what is the point of having a 100w light when it's never really used above 30-40%, this is the perfect format and saves money
Yep! I think a lot of people coming from photography look for lights to try and give them ISO 100, 1/125 sec, f/5.6, but the reality is that for continuous lights, that's blindingly bright, and most of the time for filming people you want around ISO 400, 1/50 sec, f/2.8-5.6, which is significantly dimmer. I used a Forza 60 at 33% in my old talking head setup. So, especially if you're just filming yourself at home, a 60 watt light is plenty!
Having used a Godox SL60 for the past year and currently looking for more lighting options, this could not have come at a better time! My only concern is weight when mounting a soft box.
Sure! I should've mentioned, the 90 degree bracket has teeth on the pivot, so once it's locked it, it won't sag for sure!
For small 60 watt lights, I typically don't recommend going bigger than 36" on the softbox mostly due to light output limitations, but you should be totally fine with that.
I also highly recommend collapsible beauty dishes. They are half the depth of a parabolic, but put out the same softness of light if you're using the front diffusion. Since they aren't as deep, they're lighter weight overall, and less front heavy, so stress the mount and yoke much less.
These are my favorites:
geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver
geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver
geni.us/laofasbeautydish60
geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
Hope that helps :)
@@NewLayer that’s awesome. Thanks for sharing the suggestions
That's some amazing info and comparison table. I have the CLX 10 and looking to load another one. Looks like from your chart the Amaran 60D is just as powerful as the CLX10? The latter I use for interviews and such but it tends to either run out of power or overheat and throttles down if you leave it plugged in for longer shoots which forces me to turn it off or unplug it. So with the fan and plug I guess the 60D would give me the same power at a fraction of the cost?
I replied to your community post, but you are correct. The CLx10 is only 1/3 stop brighter, and being able to swap batteries out indefinitely lets you run it forever. I've seen 0 overheating issues with it at max power.
@@NewLayer Thanks for the advice! I just ordered two of them
@@WildHorseProductions Nice, thanks for the support :)
is there a reason why these shut down when setting is above 50%? or is it a problem with the Np-F batteries? o_o or is something to do with the NP-f550 vs NP-F970 capicity problem? the godox you need an adapter which kinda sucks since it doesnt have bowens mount pre installed....
Sounds like a battery problem, or perhaps a problem with the light. They should run just fine at 100%, so definitely get in touch with Aputure. They're one of the best in the business for customer service and product support.
@@NewLayer thanks man for insight will contact them
I'll probably end up getting 2 of the 60d's. Along with my 100d I should have all the bases covered for key lights and fill/back lights for narrative film, and I also have the P60C to cover in-between needs or accent color, if needed. Also, the battery power is an invaluable plus for shooting out in the woods at night, or other locations without power. I occasionally do industrials as well and the small form of these lights will be appreciated. The Amaran line is making it possible for filmmakers at our level appear like the level of videos we are able to produce, which instills confidence in the clients.
That would be a great kit! You can do basically any set up with a 100d, a couple 60ds, and a P60c, assuming there's not a ton of ambient light infiltrating the area :)
@@NewLayer - I always have 3 or 4 moving blankets and gaffer tape and clamps with me for just such an occasion. ;)
I just ordered 2 Ulanzi LV49 RGB lights for background accent lights, and if I want to splash any color anywhere for flavor. In a few months I'll be getting the 60d's. I am pretty excited to outfit this kit like this.
I also have some cheap lights that I've used for a while that can also fill in any gaps.
Good review! Time to save some money
Luckily you won't have to save too much, haha.
@@NewLayer hahah! Thanks
How does this compare to the new p60c / p60x? Which one would you pick and why?
You can compare the photometrics here newlayer.com/gear/lights/compare?light1=Aputure+Amaran+60x&light2=Aputure+Amaran+P60x
And my review on the P60 lights here ua-cam.com/video/G12eAAL4U8w/v-deo.html
Both are amazing so it just depends if you like COB or panel for your needs.
I’ll be testing the cob to the panel lights u mentioned above tomorrow. But for me personally, depends on case by case imo. I got the panel and with the soft box on it’s a bit too heavy for outdoor shoots vs studio environment using mid level stands in the market. And lack of modifiers. I mean I can make it work but doing additional ootb during shoots may be too distracting for me.
Hence these cobs, much lighter and many available modifiers might be better in my case why I ordered one to see. I suspect it will. The panel color p60c has great rgb but after playing around for awhile I don’t see myself using rgb outside of accent/fill/practical lighting (and I have plenty rgb pocket/stick lights already 🙃). In other words, for my main keylight or hairlights I prefer natural color temps over rgb and use the rgbs as accents.
I suspect everyone have rightfully different needs so whichever pro/cons may be better for them since both the cob and panels can do about the same. (Also I don’t have/use c stand to do tilt overhead lighting with the panel as very unstable and I get nervous if it fails on that person. But the small cob and modifier seems more safe for me in that scenario)
*edit. Forgot to mention I find myself putting too much effort into controlling light spill using the rgb p60c panels. Even with the grid on etc. And I couldn’t find any available barn doors for the p60c. Maybe the grid that came is useless or my lack of experience in controlling spill better but I find myself in the end to just throw on grid and set the panel intensity very low (which kind of defeats the purpose for my use cases and the cost) and using my pocket rgb lights with their grids. I have high hopes that these budget cobs have many options for me to control light spill much quicker. Saw some Aputure barns for cobs but it cost a pretty big chunk in my budget so I’m still looking for cheaper barn options for the cobs. I’m trying to budget accordingly because if spent too much, then I could just get the LS60x that already comes with barns at $420.
I’ll be happy if anyone in same boat as me have any more suggestions in regards to cob barns 🙂
@@lebavu8260 This is a tough part about choosing lights, because if you're not able to try a few out for your specific work, you may end up buying a great light, just not the best one for you.
The LS60x is a great light too, but definitely a bit pricier :)
Starting to make some led equipment what would you suggest? amaran, nanlite, godox or jinbei? thank you
My two favorites are Amaran and Nanlite. Both are excellent options, so I would put together kits of each brand with what you need to compare the total price and go from there :)
would you recommend them over godox sl-60w???
1000%. Battery powered, smaller, quieter, include a case, Sidus Link mobile app control... better in pretty much every way.
For wedding dance floor filming, 15degrees beam angle with the reflector dish is way too tight. With the chip alone, I suspect the beam angle is too wide like 120-150. I wonder how well you think barn doors would do at restricted the beam on this light - a benefit of the full size Bowens versus the Godox ml60.
I think barn doors would work similarly across all COBs like this. The most important thing would be finding barns doors that had tight corners to stop light leaks since me cheap ones aren’t so good at that. Hope that helps.
Did you use a ProMist Filter for the video?
I used the Freewell magnetic filter system, which I mention in a few of my videos, and is the best system I've ever used.
Most of the time I have the 1/8 Glowmist filter on: geni.us/freewellglowmist18
This is awesome! Also what are the small tube lights behind you?
The Nanlite Pavotube II 6C. I recently did a whole video on my new studio office setup you might like, which includes all the lights I use: ua-cam.com/video/RPsunHi2sXE/v-deo.html
@@NewLayer great thanks!!
I would buy this instead of the Jinbei EF 60 II now, but I've got a lot of use on my Jinbei since I bought it early this year. It was also easier to justify the battery cost with a cheaper light
True, that's another consideration, as batteries (especially big ones) are not cheap.
I feel like at this point Aputure with the Amaran brand is going to force godox and others lower in price.
why would I buy any light over the 60d/x, 100d/x ,200d/x family. they have great app support, quiet fans, good colors.
I hope so! Godox started out as a value brand, but have slowly crept up in price. The quality has improved, fortunately, but I think their sales numbers are struggling because they moved away from their low pricing.
@@NewLayer yep. The Sl150 is far too much for what it is. It needs to be priced against the 100d
@@gdrriley420 The SL150W II is better in some ways, unfortunately, not in any ways people in that price range care about. It was a killer deal when the other alternative was the Aputure 120d, but now there are 5 other lights in the same price range, so either people are going as cheap as possible for the most part, or buying a professional production light. It'll be interesting to see what Godox does in 2022.
The plot thickens
Having trouble getting my 60d to turn on with a V-Mount battery. I'm a newbie with V-Mount tbh... should I be able to just click it into the light and have it work? Or do I need to get a cable that connects the the battery and then the camera?
The v-mount slot is just the mount, there are no power leads. So you can put 2 NP-F batteries in the NP-F battery plate, mount it on the light, and plug that in and it works. Or, you can put a V-mount battery into the plate, but need a d-tap to barrel connector to plug in from the battery to the back of the light. Hope that helps.
@@NewLayer D-tap to barrel connector - that's what I need! Thank you JT!
JT: I don't know if remember our consult, but it's me, your weight and size averse fan. Would you recommend these over the little monocolor Lupo panels for run and gun...I generally light with a collapsible shoot thru translucent umbrella, sometimes with an extra layer of diffusion. From the light comparison on your site, it still looks as if the Lupo has an output advantage, even with both lights putting out a concentrated beam. I like that the Lupo only needs one battery, has no fan, and seems to go forever on a single battery. But I'm looking for the brightest bang for the weight and size. Thanks!
Haha., hey again!
The Lupo is brighter because it has a ~45 degree beam angle Vs the ~120 of a bare bulb COB light. Once you throw a reflector on the Amaran lights they’ll be significantly brighter because they’re 65 watts Vs 20 watts.
The Lupo light is still smaller and lighter weight, but their strength in brightness is greatly diminished with diffusion in front of them. That’s a hard choice, and I probably didn’t say much to help you decide, so good luck! Lol
@@NewLayer Thanks JT. I may try one of these because the Lupo does seem to just run out of steam when it hits diffusion. I've noticed that with a lot of COB lights without reflectors, but maybe it's time I try a reflector and if these are smaller than the usual ones and will provide more brightness, it's certainly worth a try!
@@bobkrist1 It's really just the nature of light in general. The only real way lower powered lights can be brighter than higher powered ones are if they focus the beam angle. Diffusion is the great equalizer, so if you need more light while using diffusion, you just need a higher wattage light. Hope that helps :)
Which would you recommend: the Jinbei EFII-60W or the Amaran 60D? Any time I use it I would setup/breakdown and would only be using it occasionally and probably with a soft box (35" on the way). I just bought a Jinbei (on it's way) and didn't even know about the 60D till today :( I recommend making a comparison video of the SL-60W, Jinbei, and 60D next to show what a little extra money can do and if it's worth it.
The Jinbei EF II-60 is still a good light, but the build quality isn't as good, it doesn't have mobile app support, and doesn't include a carrying case.
If you don't need the mobile app support or case, the Jinbei will functionally do the same thing as the 60d, so may not be worth the hassle of returning. If you can easily return it for free, I'd get the 60d.
@@NewLayer Amazon is easy to return here in the big city so I grabbed a 60D too. Should arrive the same day. We'll see which works best. All my gear was stolen early this year so I'm slowly building a kit from scratch.
great review. would be useful to see u actually use them to light yourself in a scene
Thanks and I agree. Unfortunately most of the time I don't have time to do a review + lighting scene setup, but I try my best :)
@@NewLayer All good! Just thought I'd mention it for when you time and think a light merits it . Keep doin what you do!
amaran 60d cob + light dome SE?
best budget solution?
Definitely a killer combo, and I love having brand-matching stuff whenever possible.
I also highly recommend collapsible beauty dishes. They are half the depth of a parabolic, but put out the same softness of light if you're using the front diffusion. Since they aren't as deep, they're lighter weight overall, and less front heavy, so stress the mount and yoke less.
These are my favorites:
geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver
geni.us/glowbeautydish34silver
geni.us/laofasbeautydish60
geni.us/laofasbeautydish85
Thought: Do UA-camrs with handheld color testers give better meter readings than mfg?
I use the Sekonic C-800 which is 100% reliable for comparison and should be very, very, very close to manufacturers stated measurements. If they are not nearly identical, the most likely reason is that the manufacturer is cheating the system somehow. I have found Aputure specifically to be very conservative in the numbers they use for marketing, and I always get even better numbers than they promote.
Now we need a super foldable tiny soft box... :)
Wouldn't be surprised if there was already one in the works. The P60c/x softbox is great, so if they could make something in the 24-32" range that was ultra compact and light weight, that'd be cool. Otherwise, I'll stick to my collapsible beauty dishes.
@@NewLayer I would love to see a comparison between this Amaran and the Nanlite Evoke 😎 “Which one should you buy?”
@@attilaishere_barcelona7935 Lol. You mean the Evoke 1200 Vs 20 Amaran 60d for the same price?
@@NewLayer haha yes. I mean there are so weird comparisons out there...
@@attilaishere_barcelona7935 My next video is Amaran 60d Vs ARRI Orbiter so hopefully that does well...
Is the X worth the extra $$$?
Just depends if you need the option of adjusting the color temperature. If you're always working in a controlled environment where you can set all lights to 5600K, I'd get the D because it's slightly brighter.
@@NewLayer thanks. Still very new to this. I feel I need to be flexible with my lights, I have no set purpose but to be creative as a hobby really. Is having the option to change temp worth it or is it adding a layer of complexity I do not really need?
Hi, would you review the Aputure 200x?
Here's my review of the 100/200/d/x, focusing a lot of the 200d, but with all the info you should need: ua-cam.com/video/ML0wiwVk6wo/v-deo.html
@@NewLayer I see, thank you so much. Appreciate the works you’re putting in these video! Keep it up ✌🏻🔥
How loud is the fan noise?
I'd give it a "very quiet" rating. A good deal quieter than the Amaran 100/200 lights, which aren't really loud to begin with. Should cause no issues with audio.
@@NewLayer Thanks a lot
@Sky Kim If a light this good and inexpensive can have a super quiet fan, it's what I'll expect from everything moving forward :)
How even would this be shooting into an umbrella?
Just as good as any other 60 watt light! I've used 60 watt daylight balanced lights into an umbrella at around 30-50% brightness with camera settings near 1/50 second, ISO 400, and f/2.8, so the brightness is definitely serviceable in a controlled environment.
@@NewLayer sorry I should have been more specific in my question. You mentioned the light didn't have a lot of spread if I recall. Worried it would just have a very hot spot in the middle due to lack of spread.
At 5:25 or so. I think maybe your saying it's very narrow when used with the modifier they provide. But not as bad of narrow beam if used bare bulb in a brolly
Whoops sorry I misread your question. Yes, the included reflector has a strong hotspot, but an umbrella would soften that a lot. You could also use a small softbox, or what I prefer on smaller lights, a collapsible beauty dish like this geni.us/glowbeautydish25silver because it's very shallow, but has multiple layers of diffusion, so will provide super even lighting.
Hope that helps!
@@NewLayer I wasn't verbose enough in my first attempt at the question. I have one in the mail now and will try it with my glow 36" collapsible beauty dish and umbrellas when it arrives. Thanks for the great review and answers.
Aaaaaawesoooooome!!
My thoughts exactly!
Nice review thanks because called my atention, but no no
Thanks, haha.
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