I nearly went the Smallrig route because of the included bags but eventually chose the Amarans because of the app and nicer on-light controls. I love them and have no regrets. Though, it turns out that you can contact Smallrig and order one of their bags separately which will fit the Amarans just fine. I've just ordered their two light bag, and it cost $38 + $10 shipping. Happy days!
Hit reset button 3 times on the Smallrig 220b and it activates silent mode . Perfect for indoor interviews. It cuts power to 50 percent but you don't need much light for indoor interviews
You should test the lights with no modifier. Reflectors create a non-uniform field and are purposefully built with hot spots to exaggerate the power of the light. If you don't have a light meter, use your camera's exposure meter and give the f-stop readings.
the brightness comparison was very helpful. Reading the specs left me baffled... how could they be so different. Now I see they really aren't as different as they appear. Thank you!
If you expose for the lights, how are we going to be able to judge output? Or did I miss your camera settings? I would have appreciated a test with a subject-preferably a person, but at least something. Then setup your camera to Daylight WB (and the light obviously) and expose for f5.6, or whatever and see how much % of power you need for each light to expose correctly. Then do the same for Tungsten WB. In short, make your camera settings known and static and don't compensate any WB in post (but match light's K value to camera WB presets). Any off-color coming from the lights need to show.
Good point. I covered this in my review of the 120 watt model. Unfortunately I don't have a V-mount to test it, but it can be extremely handy if portability is a deciding factor!
I bought the Smallrig 220b but the fan is still loud in my opinion and gets picked up in the lapel mic of talent. The more inconvenient thing is at 85% power it turns off for about 30 seconds then on for about 5 minutes then off, then on repeatedly.
@@AnthonyGugliotta Thanks for letting me know. My only other concern is if there was a way to keep the fan on or off. I guess I've heard the aputure fan is always on so it's consistent. Great value lights though.
@larryvaughn5843 I have them now and don't mind them for a simple set up. My p300c and p600c panels are my work horses and now the new storms are out, can't keep up LoL.
Hi, would you consider that I will get better recording quality with one of these lights or a godox vl150 (for example) instead of a godox sl60w? I am considering making that upgrade, although my shooting area is only 16m2 and I shoot with an a6600 and a sigma 16mm 1.4. I wouldn't want to do a pointless upgrade, but I don't mind spending on it if I get better results. Thank you very much and congratulations for the content!
The Smallrig 220b, Amaran 200x and Godox vl150 will be brighter than the SL60 (220watt and 150watt vs 60watt) if you're finding your current lights aren't bright enough it might be worth considering an upgrade!
What about Nanlite? They provide good budget lights in their FS series. The FS-200 and FS-300 are about on par with this one (at $300-340). Now I don't know what to chose :P
Do you still have 220B? Seems Smallrig silently updated their firmware and introduced SILENT mode + improved fan control. Are you able to update us on this?
If it comes with a bag then it does NOT cost more, the Aputure does... so the SmallRig offers more quality to a lower price, it's not a tie it's a clear win
I have $500 to spend on a midrange, preferably bicolor, bowens mount light. I have the rc120d and like it but want something with more punch if I have to shoot outdoors or against harsh natural light. What should I get?
Small rig firmware update broke the app and requires a login and account to operate the damn light remotely. Probably spyware. The aputure fan is on all the time and it makes it easier to deal with noise reduction software rather than the Small rig fan that turns on and off constantly. You can buy a soft case for $14 that the padding which comes with the Amaran shipping case fits into. Ok for carrying it around but I put lights into a hard case.
@@AnthonyGugliotta It has been lately released. The price is simply shocking with such an immense power and quality. Mind you it comes without a carrying case but shaving nearly $600-700 from its older brother Forza 300B with nearly identical performance is a killer deal. The shape of the light also helps with stacking more than one above each other in a large carrying bag (probably slotting a cushion in between). Wram greetings and thanks for the great review. I was actually aiming to get Amaran 200x until I stumbled upon FS-300B.
hello your video is very good, I have the 120D model of smallrig and it is as powerful as the Amarán 200D, but it costs $220. I think RS220 is a bit more than amaran. Thank you for believing this content
Hopefully this helps, and whatever light you end up buying, I hope you're inspired to get out there and create! :)
thnks for the tutorial .. is thre any light like together using filming light and flash for Photography I mean all I n one
I nearly went the Smallrig route because of the included bags but eventually chose the Amarans because of the app and nicer on-light controls. I love them and have no regrets. Though, it turns out that you can contact Smallrig and order one of their bags separately which will fit the Amarans just fine. I've just ordered their two light bag, and it cost $38 + $10 shipping. Happy days!
What about fan noise? Wich fan is more quieter? That’s really important for me 😅
Smallrig is the most quite one
@@mitchhifi9192 on other channel I saw that Smallrig produce more noise than Amaran 200X.
Hit reset button 3 times on the Smallrig 220b and it activates silent mode . Perfect for indoor interviews. It cuts power to 50 percent but you don't need much light for indoor interviews
You should test the lights with no modifier. Reflectors create a non-uniform field and are purposefully built with hot spots to exaggerate the power of the light. If you don't have a light meter, use your camera's exposure meter and give the f-stop readings.
Hey! At 6:23 that's a comparison with no reflector, no modifier. You can compare the waveform reading! Does that help?
the brightness comparison was very helpful. Reading the specs left me baffled... how could they be so different. Now I see they really aren't as different as they appear. Thank you!
If you expose for the lights, how are we going to be able to judge output? Or did I miss your camera settings?
I would have appreciated a test with a subject-preferably a person, but at least something. Then setup your camera to Daylight WB (and the light obviously) and expose for f5.6, or whatever and see how much % of power you need for each light to expose correctly. Then do the same for Tungsten WB.
In short, make your camera settings known and static and don't compensate any WB in post (but match light's K value to camera WB presets). Any off-color coming from the lights need to show.
The biggest difference to choose the smallrig is you can use v mount batteries with the vmount plate smallrig offers
Good point. I covered this in my review of the 120 watt model. Unfortunately I don't have a V-mount to test it, but it can be extremely handy if portability is a deciding factor!
@@AnthonyGugliotta Great review Anthony, I just missed this
You can buy the APUTURE 2-BAY BATTERY POWER STATION, unfortunately it costs approx 200 bucks ;)
@@giancarlomigliore2696 and it will work with the small rig?
@@iso64media13 it works with amaran 200x/d
I bought the Smallrig 220b but the fan is still loud in my opinion and gets picked up in the lapel mic of talent. The more inconvenient thing is at 85% power it turns off for about 30 seconds then on for about 5 minutes then off, then on repeatedly.
I've found the fan noise to be about the same as the aputure lights.
@@AnthonyGugliotta Thanks for letting me know. My only other concern is if there was a way to keep the fan on or off. I guess I've heard the aputure fan is always on so it's consistent. Great value lights though.
@@VideoUpskill I've found that as well. The aperture lights tend to stay on which may be better for doing noise reduction after.
@@AnthonyGugliotta Yep.
Looks like I will stick with one more 200x light instead of the small rig 220B. But I will buy the SmallRig SoftBoxes for my Amarans.
The 200x s is supposed to make higher quality cleaner light.
@larryvaughn5843 I have them now and don't mind them for a simple set up. My p300c and p600c panels are my work horses and now the new storms are out, can't keep up LoL.
so good video! it's very useful
is the light stand mount on the Smallrig made out of metal? Does it hold larger softboxes well? Thanks for the video!
Hey! Yes. It's made out of metal. I've been using a 35in softbox with no problems!
@@AnthonyGugliotta thanks, much appreciated 👍🏻
Is it possible to use smallrig without fan running at some low setting? If so what is the highest setting you can run it without the fan?
Hi, would you consider that I will get better recording quality with one of these lights or a godox vl150 (for example) instead of a godox sl60w? I am considering making that upgrade, although my shooting area is only 16m2 and I shoot with an a6600 and a sigma 16mm 1.4.
I wouldn't want to do a pointless upgrade, but I don't mind spending on it if I get better results.
Thank you very much and congratulations for the content!
The Smallrig 220b, Amaran 200x and Godox vl150 will be brighter than the SL60 (220watt and 150watt vs 60watt) if you're finding your current lights aren't bright enough it might be worth considering an upgrade!
What about Nanlite? They provide good budget lights in their FS series. The FS-200 and FS-300 are about on par with this one (at $300-340). Now I don't know what to chose :P
I'll see if I can get some in to test! Would be a good comparison!
FS-300b is $239 at BH Dec 1, 2024.
Smallrig have adapter for v mount. Anyone know if the 200x have adapter for v mount?
Does your camera not have an exposure meter??
Do you still have 220B? Seems Smallrig silently updated their firmware and introduced SILENT mode + improved fan control. Are you able to update us on this?
Does small rig have barndoors that can be purchased for their light?
No but you can buy the Aputure Barn door modifier and they will match the SmallRig light because they are both Bowens mount.
If it comes with a bag then it does NOT cost more, the Aputure does... so the SmallRig offers more quality to a lower price, it's not a tie it's a clear win
One of my small rig knobs split in half, a bolt with a plastic handle. The Aputure version to lock to the nightstand is metal.
I have $500 to spend on a midrange, preferably bicolor, bowens mount light. I have the rc120d and like it but want something with more punch if I have to shoot outdoors or against harsh natural light. What should I get?
no light is going to be able to compete with the sun, especially under $500. You’re better of buying a reflector disc in my opinion
You'll need at least a 1200 watt light to be able to compete with the sun. Good luck finding that under $500.
Great product review! This was actually super helpful thanks
Thanks Noah! I know a lot of us were curious how they stacked up, now there's an un-official comparison! :)
Can you connect external batteries to the small rig?
Yes! If you purchase their V-mount battery adapter!
Great work buddy
😘
You missed two important things .. Color accuracy and brightness intensity measurements on spectrometer and smartphone App control
I might get a small rig light for my yotuube studio in portugal.
Both the 120B and the 220B are perfect lights for a home studio!
Small rig firmware update broke the app and requires a login and account to operate the damn light remotely. Probably spyware. The aputure fan is on all the time and it makes it easier to deal with noise reduction software rather than the Small rig fan that turns on and off constantly. You can buy a soft case for $14 that the padding which comes with the Amaran shipping case fits into. Ok for carrying it around but I put lights into a hard case.
This test is lacking consumers main concern, fan noise.
Nanlite FS-300B rendered both inferior at $399.
Might need to try one
@@AnthonyGugliotta It has been lately released. The price is simply shocking with such an immense power and quality. Mind you it comes without a carrying case but shaving nearly $600-700 from its older brother Forza 300B with nearly identical performance is a killer deal. The shape of the light also helps with stacking more than one above each other in a large carrying bag (probably slotting a cushion in between). Wram greetings and thanks for the great review. I was actually aiming to get Amaran 200x until I stumbled upon FS-300B.
good joB ! great vid
hello your video is very good, I have the 120D model of smallrig and it is as powerful as the Amarán 200D, but it costs $220.
I think RS220 is a bit more than amaran.
Thank you for believing this content
The 120D is a great light. I actually use the 120B as my daily light for videos!
@@AnthonyGugliotta my plan is to go now for Rc220B to complete my lights
nah the aputure has a hot spot.
so you'd need to redo the brightness tests with some kind of consistent light modifier
Wouldn't that be unfair though? This way I'm using only what's included in the box?