Cheap LED vs Cheap Softbox | The Best Lighting Setup for Most of Us
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- čas přidán 16. 04. 2018
- Buy the Fovitec softboxes here:
amzn.to/3hg3Tww
Cheaper alternative softboxes here:
amzn.to/3bNrm6Q
Single softbox for ultimate cheapness here;
amzn.to/33ufyCN
Cheap on-camera LEDs are super popular right now for lighting videos, but are they all that good? Not really, no. In fact I think they pretty much suck. I decided to put LED lights in a fight against what I think is the best cheap option for video lighting: the legendary softbox.
I wish I could tell you I had animated an actual fight scene between two lights, but that’s not the case so you’ll have to settle for a list of pros and cons.
I know how frustrating it has been for me to nail down a good lighting setup and technique over the years. I thought I might save someone else the hassle (and hopefully some money) by talking about why cheap softboxes are better for most CZcams filmmakers. Having said that, lights like these are just as good for live streaming or even photography.
If you’re one of those clever folks who has figured out how effective and cheap Facebook ads can be, get your act together and starting lighting your videos like a pro!
GEAR I USED TO FILM THIS VIDEO
- Camera
Sony a6300 goo.gl/fZMEmZ
- Lens
Sony 35mm f/1.8 lens goo.gl/51YMYU
- Fancy microphone
Rode NT1A goo.gl/zdk3kV
- Overkill audio interface
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 goo.gl/2gVK3H
- On camera mic
Pixel MC-50 goo.gl/zbZ7Vr
- Solid video tripod
Magnus VT-300 goo.gl/3QJnj6
- Softbox lights
Fovitec 20x28
Edited in Premiere Pro and Audition because creative cloud rules. - Zábava
If you're here to point out that a soft box is a light modifier, trust me I already know. This video is for beginners and it's about what you can get for bottom-dollar on Amazon. Cheers!
Only 1200 subs? How come?
@@spanishlyrics5720 lol, I'm not sure. But it's growing! Thanks for stopping by :)
Hey! Any cheap (under $100) Softbox you would recommend today? as in 2020. Are the links in the description still relevant?
@ I'm working on a revised version of this video, but yes there are some new things I would recommend. I'll get back to you ASAP!
Thank you for Sharing I learn a lot
Had me at “hello children “😂
I just saw this comment and it totally made my day lol
Brutally honest and very much appreciated for it.
Don't know if this will be helpful to anyone, but I think, just to offer an alternate perspective, it's important to keep in mind that HOW you use these tools makes a big difference. I have staged multiple cheap LEDs around my set and they have served as my daily drivers for years. Each LED is outfitted with a small soft box. In my several years of CZcams, I haven't received a single comment from anyone saying, "If only you used a large soft box instead." I agree with @EricHanson in that a single LED naked vs a large soft box light is pretty awful. If those are my options, I'd go with the large soft box light. But it's a bit of a false dichotomy. The advantage of the small LEDs is the flexibility they offer. It just depends on how you use them.
hi, how small is your small soft box? any recommendations?
Eric, this is some good info and I like your direct and frank approach. I've already subscribed. Make more vids!!!
I am a victim of these "budget friendly" alternatives to soft boxes. Completely agree with your honest review! subscribed! good luck with your growing channel brother!
Thank you for your review. Planning to start up an investing intelligently video in the future. Being frugal, will try to get the video up and running on a budget is the key to this channel running.
needed this!! was about to buy LED lights, going for softbox and fluorescent light instead
Thank You so much for this video! Finally a really useful one that helped me make my choice😊🙏🏻
Wow! I just like this video. Excellent content. Thank you so much for sharing this! 🙌🙌🙌
Thanks! Your message encourages me to do more with my softboxes. Also, I have cheap versions but they came with 5 sockets in each unit so i can adjust 1-5 levels just by switching some bulbs on/off. --Cheers, Roy
I bought one of the LED box lights as I’m only just starting and even with zero experience, i knew immediately that it was going to be inadequate. Boxed it up and sent it back, did some more research and i now have a pair of softbox lights incoming. I’m excited to see the results. Great vid Eric, keep up the good work.
Thanks for stopping by! Hopefully this was helpful. Are you getting somewhere good with your lighting setup?
Eric Hanson indeed i have. I bought a pair of the “Mount Dog” soft box lights and they have been the game changer for my vids. Super be lighting, easy to set up and pull down/store and didn’t break the bank either. I’m very happy with this setup.
Very Informative and straight to the point....No long dialogue...Thank you very much.
This is a great channel and I'm loving the shorts! Funny stuff!
LED lighting is changing at a lighting pace. A best in class low-cost light 1 or 2 years ago is just a ho-hum light today. CRI has been improving every year and looks to continue improving. Output has been improving. Generally each LED is brighter today with better CRI. Featues are improving. Battery support, remote apps, dimming, etc.
The comments about apples and oranges is also correct. He should either be comparing a LED light and a CFL light both in a softbox or both as bare bulbs.
With that said, here are two lightoptions with stands and case for less than $160:
Softbox:
$80) High CRI 95+ 40W E27 AC110-240V LED Corn Light Daylight White (2x$40)
$70) Linco Studio Lighting Softbox Light Kit AM245
LED Panel:
$160) Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable Bi-color 480 LED Video Light Panel and Stand Lighting Kit
Dude ! Straightforward and honest feedback, to the point. Thank you 😎
Watching in 2021 and i do beleave that the real honnest reviews come from here far from big sponsored crap channels, thanks for this
Thank you so much for sharing, I'm just looking for the right lighting and you just gave me what I need
You're welcome! I'm glad I could help and thank you for commenting!
Eric thank you so much for your non nonsense video. I particularly like the fact that unlike most youtuber you dont sit on the fence. I can't believe you only have 219 subs. You deserve so many more. Keep at it. You're really good at it. Suscribed.
Thank YOU so much for saying that. I'm glad you got some value here and I'm def gonna be putting more work on this channel :)
@@EricMakingWaves My pleasure.. 😊 Looking forward to future content. 👍
Wow... thanks for sharing!! this is actually what I need to know, was about to buy the LED
I'm not sure why you only have 2.2k subs. You deserve more. Thanks for the straight up comparison 👍
You saved me a lot of time brother. Thank you.
Thank you so much for is information, planning on getting a softbox
Reading the comments I realized I wasn't alone in thinking "wow this video has awesome content, presentation, everything! why does he have only 500??"
Very helpful tips dude! Good job :)
Such a massive compliment. I'm just gonna keep working till it grows :) I'm glad you got something out of this one!
Just stumbled across your channel and wow the quality is amazing you definitely need way more subs
Thanks for helping me make this decision. You rock!
Great content! This video helped me chose which lighting to buy.
Exactly the video I needed, thank you
Im subscribing you right now, the honesty really helps me
Great video mate! Thankls a lot, this all I wanted
Bro the exact question i was thinking about!! Great video!
Glad I could help! Also, your channel looks super legit by the way. Hope business is doing well!
@@EricMakingWaves bro thank you your the man!
Now i figured out what i really need to set up my lighting! Thanks alot for your video.
You're welcome! Seriously thanks for stopping by, I'm glad you got something out of this :)
Extremely helpful review. I'm going for the softbox thanks
Thank you very much for the details and the pro's & con's.
Thanks. This was very helpful
thks a lot , is see many of many video but yours is the best
Love this!!😍
Thank you for this honest trustworthy video.
Thank you for the comment! Seriously that's a huge compliment because I really do try to be as honest and straightforward as I can.
Neewer 160 LED light has it's place - it was never designed to light a room. There are many other choices for small and larger LED lights, and many have CRI's of 90+. Softboxes have there own place and it is not either or. And my experience with CFL bulbs, even daylight bulbs is that they are ok, but listed color temp and CRI are not that great. Corncob LED bulbs can be a good choice but their color temp is over 6,000 so you might want some CTO gels.
Totally agree!....Got the small one first, then went bigger but even the bigger ones with Barn Doors still don't beat the "El-Cheapo soft boxes with 4 bulb inputs I got a while back
Thank you for this. Starting at bottom I'm looking to take my video look to a much higher standard. Just been putting vids out, but a little bit uncomfortable with the 'crude' look of it. This was very helpful.
Thanks for your great videos!
Thanks man, I needed this -> 6:36
I'm just happy you got some value out of it! Thanks for stopping by!
lot of knowledge in such short video... thanks
I love your honesty. Thankyou 🥰
Thanks so much for your honesty. I feel like some people make reviews of cheap crap just so we will buy it.
I also hate when people do that. I'd rather say the truth even if it hurts :) Thanks for stopping by!
love this vid,
after seeing this vid, so the small LED is enough for product photography?
straight to the point. perfect video.
Thank you man. This is what I need
Really glad I could help :)
Dude, great video! Thanks for putting this out!
I also got to be the thousandth like!
:D
Thank you so much for sharing this 😊
my lighting hunt has ended , thanks this was brill !
I'm happy for you! Thanks for stopping by, friend!
Great video man, subscribed!
I really appreciate it! Lots more to come!
Calling all that 100000 ungrateful viewers who do not subscribe! This video alone worth your subscription!!
You’re too kind 😊 thanks for stopping by!
awesome thanks for the very direct advice!!!
Very helpful thanks!
You deserve millions
Maybe one day! Seriously thank you for posting this comment. Totally made my day :)
Very good and informative
Bruh you're voice is awesome and I like your videos.
I found a soft LED light & am in love with it! Granted, this was filmed a year ago, so there are probably so many new LED lights available
which one did you get?
Very helpful. Thanks
Great video!
Yes I was expecting around 100k subscribers.. u deserve more
Great and right to the point.... no fluff! thanx, -keith
Thanks for stopping by Keith! I tried to make the video I wanted to watch :)
@@EricMakingWaves You did just that Eric! -keith
when the " ultimate cheapness" is still too expensive😒😢
Great video 👍👍 truthfully put
Thank you fo making this.
Thanks a million Eric. I have seen quite a few videos on lighting for conducting interviews. It seems everyone is pushing aperture lighting and they are quite expensive. I have the soft box setup and was contemplating getting the led box. Wow so many choices. Just trying to make a smart decision about making a purchase.
Apiture lights are great, have good cri and they are versatile, they can be used as spot lights, can be softboxed, used in book light setup... and rhey are not as expensive as kino flo, arri or litepanels - that's why everyone is pushing them. That being said, there are some cheaper alternatives like godox Sl60w, yongnuo, falconeyes and similar, but they have their own "quirks" so you must take extra care when using them...
My personal choice, when bang for buck is concerned would be yongnuo lights, they have great output and cri and they are very inexpensive, BUT they are quite fragile, not easy to use and have some unusual power adapter requirements (8v 5A) for example...
My client needs lights for making videos at 1,5m x 1,5m room and a led softbox sound like a good idea lol. This video makes me bought a cheap led panels which already has diffuser and i put baking paper to make a bigger light source. Done.
Great info video. Just ordered two cheap softboxes.
Sorry for the late reply here, but I'm glad I could help! How are they working out for you?
Hello I am trying different lighting system for live streaming ordinary white boards writing through zoom.but there are reflection even with soft box..what's the solution
Thank you for being real!
Wtffff. U have just 300+subs 🤯🤯 u deserve 100k
Ok... Couple of things... These lighs are designed for different purposes. Small led panels, so called on camera lights, are designed to be put on camera and usually intended for eng filming. Softboxes are not designed for filming either... at least the kind that you're talking about, they are ment for interviews.
That said, being a cameraman, countles of times did those cheap on camera panels saved my behind. For a good location interview all I had to carry with me were 2 small led lights and a couple of lightstands (they are 20-25 usd a piece).
More... Yongnuo lights have a cri of 95 and so does the Falconeyes. Both punch quite a bit of output for such a small lights. Falconeyes dv160 has 900 lux - f5.2 1/50 400 iso at 1m (3 feet) or f2.4 1/50 800 iso (+6 db) at 2m (6 feet).
All of this being said, there are some great examples of diy lighting using only the lights from home depo and shower curtains...
I'm using the cheap led (a bit larger than the one on your video) and diffused the light with the cheap umbrella, and actually the result is pretty good... Well if you're don't mind with the color reproduction.
For someone who has less than 1k subs
Your content is better than someone with 100k subs
Congratulations 🎉 bro
Thank you for this video. I am just started CZcams and looking for lights. Would you recommend Softbox or Umbrella? Thanks alot!
hey great vid, I subbed. I'd be interested to know ur opinion on the multi-bulb softboxes compared to the single higher wattage bulb ones like in ur vid? For example, I've seen a few that have 4-5 55 watt bulbs with a handle and switches on the back, and others with the single 135 watt bulb. Obviously it would allow you to vary the amount of light in situ, but what are the pros and cons? cheers.
Thanks for the video 👍
You welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
I ordered my soft boxes for 75$ that was with shipping on wish. Git them in a week. They are great
Where were you when I was starting out and buying 'recommended' LED lights? :( Still, better late than never, thanks for the video!
Depends on what are you using them for. LED lights (on camera panels, small panels...) can be quite usefull for some types of filming and some situations. Softboxes are great but they are cumbersome and cheap ones depend on the available power outlets and quality of the bulbs that you use.
I own couple of the bigger lights with large softboxes and still they are not strong enough for some situations...
Well done!
So, how does the Fositan compare to the Fovitec? I'm not trying to be cheap, but I can't tell the difference.
Bro love this video, you deserve more recognition, really clear points and presentation. Quick question tho, if I'd like to do vlogging in a room, should I use ring light or soft box? Thank you very much
Depends on the style of lighting you're looking for.
Ring light is good and doesnt give off a lot of heat and doesnt take up much room
Box light is good for bigger space
Interesting honest review, now what about LED for ambient light, and that kind of rim light? what do think of those,
I'm sold. thank you!
Heya Eric, I was wondering if you could offer me any advice on my softbox situation?
So, as a complete newbite to photography and the equipment, I asked my dad for a softbox for Christmas and linked him a few I liked the look of on Amazon. The one he got me was a Luxlight 80cm Octabox Softbox with Grid. Now, on the picture it looked like it came with everything you need, ready to go - but apparently not, It was just the softbox part! Not only that, but I have found out it has a 'bowens s-type' fit on it, which when I looked it up is supposed to be for those really expensive studio lighting thingys!?
I really want to keep and use the softbox as it's really nice quality, but I was wondering if there is any way to attach a bulb to it (to make it a continuous light rather than flash, I think that would be easier for my simple photos of my dog against a white wall?)? I've searched for bowens s-type adapter for bulbs but can't find anything and I'm not really too sure what I'm looking for. Any help greatly appreciated!
Would you have any ideas on a battery powered softbox or LED panels??? I am just getting into film making/ vlogging and would like to take more light out in the field with me that has more than my on-camera LED light. Anything helps, thanks!!
Thank for stopping by Seth. DSLR Video Shooter has a great (but long) video on lights that should work for you czcams.com/video/AcBb-MInwBc/video.html
Nice video Eric 😇✌️👍
You deserve my sub!
I completely agree with you on the pros and cons on the LED lights. I have a few of them. One thing I would note is that you keep referring to them as 'on camera...'. The only, and I mean ONLY way I would ever mount these on a camera is if I were moving around and couldn't put them on a tripod, or couldn't just old the thing in my hand and hold it off to one side. LED lights tend to be very harsh, especially when straight on, even with gels or other softening material. I would use them as accent lights, hair lights, etc. At some point, I'll move up to softboxes, and maybe keep the LEDs for accent or 'run and gun' video as you put it. I have used them for supplemental lighting in the workshop, though, and they work fine for that.
i have a softbox with 4 lights and it makes me sweat all the time. it's hot. does the led lights get hot?
Yes, but not that much
Yes, most of what you say is true. But not all. Maybe it was true in 2018 but not in 2020. I just bought two inexpensive soft boxes and they come with remote controls that allow you to adjust color temperature and intensity. I used to have the curly fluorescents but I was always knocking them over and breaking the bulbs. My new ones are LEDs. I still trip on the power cords but the LEDs don't break. Much better for us klutzes.
wow this youtuber is so underrated! Thanks for the video
Damn this guy here is underrated bruh
Good find...
a good video. thank you .
Thanks!
What if you take a bit better led light with CRI 90..95% or even adjustable colour temperature and the ones that can work from an external power supply? :) Smth like YongNuo YN-300 III
Are there any color gel filters that fit these? Would these work to throw color on the backdrop?
They don’t generally come with any ability to change colors. For that you might want to look into either LED stage lights (for a big area of color on a backdrop) or maybe a pocket RGB LED (for small accents of color).
I have 4 neewer 60 led lights and they are amazing I use them as rgb lights and then I have my flash I do photography they work well in controlled environments