Update:Today, Jan 7, 2021 the TH-cam reviewers who had early access to the lights released their reviews. I suggest you check them out - Gerald Undone and DSLR Video Shooter are where I would start. There appears to be issues with the fan noise on the 200d. The 100d seems fine but some reports are the 200d fan noise is too much in a quiet environment.
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis thank you! Alright, here’s what I’m thinking after watching a number of videos including yours! Get the 60d for my streaming desk set up. It’s lite and will be placed on the Ulanzi 3 arm system. This will be paired with the mini soft box. This will be used for all my zoom calls paired with the new opal c1 camera. This will be way better than one of those cheap streaming flat lights. I will also get the 100x for my main YT light. I would love to grab the 300d but just don’t have the budget for that yet. This will be paired with the full size soft box. I think between these 2 lights, I can get a lot of use out of each. The 60d becomes the hair light for the YT vids. Thoughts? Only want to do this once!
@LifeOfaMatt sounds like a solid plan. You can also buy a cheap $20 panel light for your hair light and use the typical “3-point” lighting setup with an amaran on each side of your face. You definitely won’t need a 300d for a TH-cam studio for most applications
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis nice! Well that’s the plan then! Thank you so much! Last question, for the 100, would you get the 100x over the 100d? Just hit 500 subs and will be applying to the partner program today so this light order is in celebration of that!
I just bought the 100x like 10 minutes ago. I have an Aputure bi-color led panel light, but it’s a little cumbersome to setup with the dangling control box. So, I snagged the 100x which I will use for my TH-cam videos, since most of my practical lights are tungsten based. Then I noticed that my favorite Tuber, Mark “Apple Juiced” Bennett had a video about it, so I poked my head in to watch. Great stuff as usual.
Awesome! I just pre-ordered the 100x a while ago! Needed a Bi-color so I can't wait!!! This is gonna be my main key light now. At present I have the Godox SL60W like yours, great light for the price! Can't wait for it to ship and it'll be released in January 15th. The wait is killing me! Lol. Great channel man! I'm from Canada too! Cheers!
Awesome - fellow Canadian!!. I think this will be a great step-up and compliment to the SL60W. I just hope it's a little quieter. My SL60W can get pretty noisy close to the mic
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis I totally agree with you. The SL60W will do for now while I wait for the Amaran 100x. Haha... It'll now be my 2nd main light. It's an endless chase of gear. Lol. But I think, this 100x will do it for me this time. I hope. Haha... Hope to make a video review of it too in the future.
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis You beat me to it! Thanks so much, I appreciate it! 🙏🏽 I subscribed as well earlier. Yes for sure man, really can't wait for the Amaran 100x!
Assume video! Question, for my first key light…Amaran 100 DS, or 100 XS? I will most likely only use in my office for steaming, maybe a few item reviews and possibly once in a while use at different locations indoor, non commercial use. Thank you!
Great content Mark! I just started my TH-cam channel and preordered the light. This is exciting! Should I order the Aputure Soft box or do you have another good recommendation, what about light stands?
You need a light stand that can hold the weight. A lot of people use c-stands, but I just use a heavy duty light stand and it works great and is way cheaper. amzn.to/3oje87j The Aputure softbox is great, but the big one is a bit pricey, so the Laofas (very, very similar) may save you some dough. amzn.to/394nfCv If you are going for a smaller soft box the Aputure Mini and Laofas mini are closer in price. I have the mini size, but that’s only because I don’t have enough room for the bigger version. The bigger version will give you a softer light.
You got godox vl150, why do you need aputure 100d? Nice to have them but why spend more when the 1 you has is good already. Good video, keep up at it. 🙂
Ha. I’m always buying too much!! The VL150 was for my main key light. But I do need other lights for background, hair light, and fill lights. I also do photography, so multiple lights are often needed. ALSO, I am replacing with the VL150 with Godox’s similar UL150 because it is SILENT!! No fan. That’ll be another video. But for now, I’m looking at the UL150 for main key light and some lower cost accent lights which is where the Amaran comes in.
If the 300d ll is in your budget - I think you should still do it. These Amaran lights will be great if you don’t want to spend on the big boys, but I’m sure you’ll be happy with the 300d. It’ll have a better build quality, it’ll have less of a “hotspot” in the middle and you’ll get more power out of it when it’s diffused (soft box). And it will likely be quieter with a premium fan inside a metal casing. 300d will support DMX and comes with a v-mount to make it battery operated. Also, don’t forget to look at the Godox VL300 which compares much more to the Aputure 300d. The VL300 and Aputure 300d will be much more “pro” with pro features, but the new Amaran lights will get things done nicely on a budget. Thanks for the sub!!
Thanks for the great info on this new release! I was also looking at the GVM g100w for my home TH-cam studio, can you give me any advice about which might be better? Thank you!
The GVM is very well reviewed (I personally have not used it). But I would try the Amaran 100d over it if you don’t need the bicolour aspect. The reason I would choose the 100d, is because it’s brighter than the GVM (4300 lux compared to 3500 lux bare bulb) AND it’s cheaper and likely quieter. Additionally, the Amaran lights link up with Aputure’s Sidus app (so you can control your light with your phone) and as you add more lights, you’ll be able to control them all with the app (as long as it’s more aputure lights). Also, the sound of the GVM is a concern. I haven’t yet heard the Amaran lights, so it’s possible they are just as noisy, but people complain about the fan noise of the GVM at higher outputs. If you need the bicolour option, I would still choose the Amaran 100x because of all the reasoning above (although it’s brightness is the about same as the GVM. That being said, the GVM seems like a good budget option and you can always make adjustments to get around the fan noise. Here is a pretty good review or the GVM in case you haven’t seen it. You can hear the fan noise in his tests. th-cam.com/video/CfD3sHvJzkk/w-d-xo.html
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis Thanks for your fast reply! I will have to check out the 100x and pre-order! I have heard that fan noise can be an issue so that's a good point to bring up. I also know the GVM has a smartphone app with wifi, but I'm concerned that I can't also be connected to the internet at the same time. Do you know is that is true? With the Amaran, I see it connects with Bluetooth so I think that would allow me to stay connected to wifi or 4G. Let me know if you have any ideas about that. Thanks for your great videos and your advice in the comments section!
@@adamagave I have an Aputure MC which utilizes the Sidus app and I it connects Bluetooth so my internet is unaffected. It does look like the GVM connects via wifi, so you will lose your connection to the internet while using the app
I literally just watch your entire video thinking you’re a photo channel I haven’t found, yet you’re up there with the rest. And then I see 76 subscribers... that has to be a typo, brother!!! Get up there where you belong!
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis You're in the annoying phase of having great content but just waiting on the algorithm. My wife is in the same boat lol Keep your head up!
I’m definitely in the market for “budget small space small channel lighting” When I do finally upgrade, I’m gonna post what I’m currently working with.... and we can all look back and laugh lol
Man, I am experimenting with so many lights right now, because I have such a small space, fan noise is always picked up by the mics. Growing pains of the small creators!! But these Amaran lights look very promising. To get Aputure quality at these prices would be awesome.
Yes, the Light Dome 2 will work with the 100d because the 100d will support any modifier with a bowens mount. The Light Dome SE is less deep than the Light Dome 2 and will be better for smaller spaces. If you have a very small space. (like me), you can always go for the light dome mini. The big difference between the Light Dome 2 and the SE is the way it gets put together. You have to insert the individual rods into the SE which takes a bit of time and is not fun. The Light Dome 2 is a push system that makes putting it together and taking it apart much faster and easier. If you plan to set the softbox up once and never take it down, then the SE would be fine. But if you plan to put it away after you use it, don't get the SE. It will be too much of a pain to take those rods out and inset them every time. Check out Gerald Undone's video at the 5:42 mark where he talks about the SE. th-cam.com/video/rFO7sfm32uk/w-d-xo.html
I know - it sucks when you have to pay extra for shipping and tax. I live in Canada so that burns me too sometimes. In Canada I can get the 100d for 289 + tax (37) - not quite as bad for us and I can get free shipping. Exchange rates and shipping and taxes are a killer!! Makes these “budget” lights way less budget friendly.
The Amaran 200 is not as powerful as the 300d ii. That lux reading is a focused light reading. The 300d ii is way brighter. With a softbox and tons of diffusion the Amaran 200 cant complete. You need more power for all that diffusion. But they all have their uses.
Yes - the 300D has a brighter spread and is going to be better coming out of a soft box. But to get the power of a 200d for $299 is not something budget content makers have had before. There is no way it actually “competes” with a 300d, but it’s a great option for those working on a lower scale.
Apparently they sell a V-mount addition to it so you can v-mount a battery later. But then the costs go up because it’s pretty expensive. If you want v-mount but don’t want to pay Aputure prices - I think you’d be better off looking at the Godox VL-150 or UL-150 or the bigger VL300. I have two of their lights and I love them. On my channel I feature them in other videos.
It wasn’t called a review, first of all, and the lights haven’t been released yet. I put up the video so people who may want to pre-order them will be aware they exist.
@@Gabalonsom I stated they are pre-release in the video. I stand by the title. According to the specs - these are the best budget lights I have seen. Made by a very reputable company.
Update:Today, Jan 7, 2021 the TH-cam reviewers who had early access to the lights released their reviews. I suggest you check them out - Gerald Undone and DSLR Video Shooter are where I would start. There appears to be issues with the fan noise on the 200d. The 100d seems fine but some reports are the 200d fan noise is too much in a quiet environment.
SOLD! I will be grabbing the 100d today along with the standard soft box and mini too!
Can’t go wrong with Aputure / amaran
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis thank you!
Alright, here’s what I’m thinking after watching a number of videos including yours!
Get the 60d for my streaming desk set up. It’s lite and will be placed on the Ulanzi 3 arm system. This will be paired with the mini soft box. This will be used for all my zoom calls paired with the new opal c1 camera. This will be way better than one of those cheap streaming flat lights.
I will also get the 100x for my main YT light. I would love to grab the 300d but just don’t have the budget for that yet. This will be paired with the full size soft box. I think between these 2 lights, I can get a lot of use out of each. The 60d becomes the hair light for the YT vids.
Thoughts? Only want to do this once!
@LifeOfaMatt sounds like a solid plan. You can also buy a cheap $20 panel light for your hair light and use the typical “3-point” lighting setup with an amaran on each side of your face. You definitely won’t need a 300d for a TH-cam studio for most applications
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis nice! Well that’s the plan then! Thank you so much! Last question, for the 100, would you get the 100x over the 100d?
Just hit 500 subs and will be applying to the partner program today so this light order is in celebration of that!
@@LifeOfaMatt Which did you go with? 100d or 100x ?
I just bought the 100x like 10 minutes ago. I have an Aputure bi-color led panel light, but it’s a little cumbersome to setup with the dangling control box. So, I snagged the 100x which I will use for my TH-cam videos, since most of my practical lights are tungsten based. Then I noticed that my favorite Tuber, Mark “Apple Juiced” Bennett had a video about it, so I poked my head in to watch. Great stuff as usual.
this was one of the first videos of mine that ever got some views. I’ll always owe Aputure for that 🤣
Awesome! I just pre-ordered the 100x a while ago! Needed a Bi-color so I can't wait!!! This is gonna be my main key light now. At present I have the Godox SL60W like yours, great light for the price! Can't wait for it to ship and it'll be released in January 15th. The wait is killing me! Lol. Great channel man! I'm from Canada too! Cheers!
Awesome - fellow Canadian!!. I think this will be a great step-up and compliment to the SL60W. I just hope it's a little quieter. My SL60W can get pretty noisy close to the mic
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis I totally agree with you. The SL60W will do for now while I wait for the Amaran 100x. Haha... It'll now be my 2nd main light. It's an endless chase of gear. Lol. But I think, this 100x will do it for me this time. I hope. Haha... Hope to make a video review of it too in the future.
@@BernieHipos I look forward to your review - I just subscribed. The chase of gear IS endless. Fun, but expensive!!
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis You beat me to it! Thanks so much, I appreciate it! 🙏🏽 I subscribed as well earlier. Yes for sure man, really can't wait for the Amaran 100x!
Great Vibe Mate! Keep it up 🍻🍻
Cheers!!
Assume video! Question, for my first key light…Amaran 100 DS, or 100 XS? I will most likely only use in my office for steaming, maybe a few item reviews and possibly once in a while use at different locations indoor, non commercial use. Thank you!
The 100D would be best. more power at a lower cost and you won’t need the bi-colour for what you’re doing
Just ordered one with a Godox sofbox/grid. Both for $250! Insane!
This is a good time to be interested in photo and video. So many awesome things coming out at affordable levels.
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis agreed. Excellent lighting for that price? It doesn’t get any better than that!
Have you tried any of these out by now? Thanks for your great videos ;-)
they are great lights, but I like the smallrig 120d better at this price
Great video, I like the wittyness
Thank you. I blame genetics.
Great content Mark! I just started my TH-cam channel and preordered the light. This is exciting! Should I order the Aputure Soft box or do you have another good recommendation, what about light stands?
You need a light stand that can hold the weight. A lot of people use c-stands, but I just use a heavy duty light stand and it works great and is way cheaper. amzn.to/3oje87j
The Aputure softbox is great, but the big one is a bit pricey, so the Laofas (very, very similar) may save you some dough. amzn.to/394nfCv
If you are going for a smaller soft box the Aputure Mini and Laofas mini are closer in price. I have the mini size, but that’s only because I don’t have enough room for the bigger version. The bigger version will give you a softer light.
You got godox vl150, why do you need aputure 100d? Nice to have them but why spend more when the 1 you has is good already. Good video, keep up at it. 🙂
Ha. I’m always buying too much!! The VL150 was for my main key light. But I do need other lights for background, hair light, and fill lights. I also do photography, so multiple lights are often needed. ALSO, I am replacing with the VL150 with Godox’s similar UL150 because it is SILENT!! No fan. That’ll be another video. But for now, I’m looking at the UL150 for main key light and some lower cost accent lights which is where the Amaran comes in.
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis looking forward to your progression 👍
@@gafferngrip5407 Thanks - it’ll be slow and clunky!!
And I wanted to buy a new 300d II? Shall I still do it? (Great video - subbed :) )
If the 300d ll is in your budget - I think you should still do it. These Amaran lights will be great if you don’t want to spend on the big boys, but I’m sure you’ll be happy with the 300d. It’ll have a better build quality, it’ll have less of a “hotspot” in the middle and you’ll get more power out of it when it’s diffused (soft box). And it will likely be quieter with a premium fan inside a metal casing. 300d will support DMX and comes with a v-mount to make it battery operated. Also, don’t forget to look at the Godox VL300 which compares much more to the Aputure 300d. The VL300 and Aputure 300d will be much more “pro” with pro features, but the new Amaran lights will get things done nicely on a budget. Thanks for the sub!!
Thanks for the great info on this new release! I was also looking at the GVM g100w for my home TH-cam studio, can you give me any advice about which might be better? Thank you!
The GVM is very well reviewed (I personally have not used it). But I would try the Amaran 100d over it if you don’t need the bicolour aspect. The reason I would choose the 100d, is because it’s brighter than the GVM (4300 lux compared to 3500 lux bare bulb) AND it’s cheaper and likely quieter. Additionally, the Amaran lights link up with Aputure’s Sidus app (so you can control your light with your phone) and as you add more lights, you’ll be able to control them all with the app (as long as it’s more aputure lights). Also, the sound of the GVM is a concern. I haven’t yet heard the Amaran lights, so it’s possible they are just as noisy, but people complain about the fan noise of the GVM at higher outputs. If you need the bicolour option, I would still choose the Amaran 100x because of all the reasoning above (although it’s brightness is the about same as the GVM. That being said, the GVM seems like a good budget option and you can always make adjustments to get around the fan noise. Here is a pretty good review or the GVM in case you haven’t seen it. You can hear the fan noise in his tests. th-cam.com/video/CfD3sHvJzkk/w-d-xo.html
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis Thanks for your fast reply! I will have to check out the 100x and pre-order! I have heard that fan noise can be an issue so that's a good point to bring up. I also know the GVM has a smartphone app with wifi, but I'm concerned that I can't also be connected to the internet at the same time. Do you know is that is true? With the Amaran, I see it connects with Bluetooth so I think that would allow me to stay connected to wifi or 4G. Let me know if you have any ideas about that. Thanks for your great videos and your advice in the comments section!
@@adamagave I have an Aputure MC which utilizes the Sidus app and I it connects Bluetooth so my internet is unaffected. It does look like the GVM connects via wifi, so you will lose your connection to the internet while using the app
I'm curios what are you thinking about the LS series of Nanlite (also coming soon)
Do you mean the Forzo 60 and 60B? Because I am not sure about an LS Series. If I missed it - can you send me a link?
You are cool 😎 like your content
Facts!!
I literally just watch your entire video thinking you’re a photo channel I haven’t found, yet you’re up there with the rest. And then I see 76 subscribers... that has to be a typo, brother!!! Get up there where you belong!
You get it!! I appreciate it, man. I started this channel recently so here’s hoping it picks up steam soon
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis You're in the annoying phase of having great content but just waiting on the algorithm. My wife is in the same boat lol
Keep your head up!
@@teejay9373 what’s your wife’s channel?? I’ll check it out and get that stupid algorithm working
@@MarkBennettCameraCrisis couch mom club
www.TH-cam.com/couchmomclub
I’m definitely in the market for “budget small space small channel lighting” When I do finally upgrade, I’m gonna post what I’m currently working with.... and we can all look back and laugh lol
Man, I am experimenting with so many lights right now, because I have such a small space, fan noise is always picked up by the mics. Growing pains of the small creators!! But these Amaran lights look very promising. To get Aputure quality at these prices would be awesome.
nice review, you are a funny guy:)
Can you use 100d with light dome 2 ? What's the difference between Light Dome 2 and Light Dome SE ?
Yes, the Light Dome 2 will work with the 100d because the 100d will support any modifier with a bowens mount. The Light Dome SE is less deep than the Light Dome 2 and will be better for smaller spaces. If you have a very small space. (like me), you can always go for the light dome mini. The big difference between the Light Dome 2 and the SE is the way it gets put together. You have to insert the individual rods into the SE which takes a bit of time and is not fun. The Light Dome 2 is a push system that makes putting it together and taking it apart much faster and easier. If you plan to set the softbox up once and never take it down, then the SE would be fine. But if you plan to put it away after you use it, don't get the SE. It will be too much of a pain to take those rods out and inset them every time. Check out Gerald Undone's video at the 5:42 mark where he talks about the SE. th-cam.com/video/rFO7sfm32uk/w-d-xo.html
Nice video. In my country the price of 100d is 299 dollars + shipping extra + tax (GST) like between 50 to 80 dollars. So it's a bum for us.
I know - it sucks when you have to pay extra for shipping and tax. I live in Canada so that burns me too sometimes. In Canada I can get the 100d for 289 + tax (37) - not quite as bad for us and I can get free shipping. Exchange rates and shipping and taxes are a killer!! Makes these “budget” lights way less budget friendly.
The Amaran 200 is not as powerful as the 300d ii. That lux reading is a focused light reading. The 300d ii is way brighter. With a softbox and tons of diffusion the Amaran 200 cant complete. You need more power for all that diffusion. But they all have their uses.
Yes - the 300D has a brighter spread and is going to be better coming out of a soft box. But to get the power of a 200d for $299 is not something budget content makers have had before. There is no way it actually “competes” with a 300d, but it’s a great option for those working on a lower scale.
the paper joke was great! ahahah
I make jokes because I feel old on TH-cam!!
any configuration to use V mount batteries with these?
Apparently they sell a V-mount addition to it so you can v-mount a battery later. But then the costs go up because it’s pretty expensive. If you want v-mount but don’t want to pay Aputure prices - I think you’d be better off looking at the Godox VL-150 or UL-150 or the bigger VL300. I have two of their lights and I love them. On my channel I feature them in other videos.
Yeah... paper.. nostalgic 😂😜
🤣🤣
In conclusion... Buy with Mark's affiliate links
That’s the only conclusion that matters!! 😜
Yeah I remember paper, feels weird 😂
Lol🤣
100d or 100x... decisions decisions
If you gotta match other lights - 100x. If it’s your main key light - 100d. That’s how I would do it.
So you are doing a review on 4 lights and not showing any of them?! Genius 🙄
It wasn’t called a review, first of all, and the lights haven’t been released yet. I put up the video so people who may want to pre-order them will be aware they exist.
The title of your session is misleading! No everyone knows if the lights are on the market yet...We therefore rely on truthful information...
@@Gabalonsom I stated they are pre-release in the video. I stand by the title. According to the specs - these are the best budget lights I have seen. Made by a very reputable company.
hhhaaaa nice