This is one of the most important videos out there... don't care about the actual light.... but all the gear reviews always talk about camera or lens because it's the sexy topic... and i see so many videographers and photographers who just have no idea about lighting... and little known fact.... cameras capture light.... it's literally THE most important aspect of photography and videography.... anyone can press a shutter.... anyone can frame.... the light is what makes the difference
Hi Brandon. You've done a beautiful job with the video, the production quality and editing are excellent. While I trust your expertise on the technical side, I think you might want to put more thought into your discussion of budget. You referred to this project as a Zero Budget test, but it was a week long shoot in a studio with several people and multiple cameras on multiple rigs (including a huge slider and a stabilizer rig). Even with rentals and begging for help from friends to work for free, that is a big budget. In that context, your conclusion that the $570 (usd) light is perfect for all budgets carries less weight. To say that the light is good value for money would be very reasonable. If this was presented as "I am going to go big and see if this light can keep up in a professional environment" that might have made for an excellent demonstration of the light's value. Suggesting that this is the one to get for everyone's first LED light has got a little bit of a "Let them eat cake" vibe. To be fair though, it is possible that my perspective is not part of your target audience. While I am a camera and video nerd with disposable income, I have often been turned off by your boss's brand of "Conspicuous consumption of a rich guy who drops things". Whether you find this feedback valuable or not, I hope things keep going great for you and your family 🙂.
It's not nearly as expensive as it looks. High quality sliders, stabilizers, and such are FAR less expensive than they were 5-10 years ago. Zero budget probably means zero budget for anything other than the hardware itself. All in all, the total cost of all the hardware used in the shoot was probably less than ten grand retail. This light barely costs $600. That's STUPID cheap for what you get.
That Mirror shot in the music video is so beautiful. Also really love the grade! I need to look into a softbox that I can bounce into the actual silver.
Hey Brandon I always enjoying seeing you throughout your lmg days and was stoked when i found your channel just focusing on your expertise and passion.
I laughed out loud at this. This looks like a million dollar fully equipped studio with a small team of grips helping out. Good info, nonsensical premise.
I think you've sold me. Currently in pre-production on my 2nd short film and looking to move up from paper lanterns to a proper studio light, this looks fantastic. Great review!
Amaran has amazing pro-sumer lights but goodness do their accessories lack. We have the panels and they make no replacement softboxes or any yolk mount options. Still best bang for the buck
...10 years ago? mmmm Hive lighting or Arri ? I still have those Kino flo Diva lites, they are old, but awesome!!! Also,I really dig the white color of the Amaran, really cool for weddings...for production, aputure still doesn't cut it for me.
I have a p60C, that is sitting low to the floor to add color to my backdrop... is it better to mount it to the ceiling or will that fundamentally change how the light hits the backdrop? and what is biggest difference between an led panel vs a cob light rgb ?? Thanks!
I just like to say that the video production on this is great and love what you’re doing. (Tiny suggestion from a guy who barely knows what he is doing. For me the titles felt a little weird. Maybe keeping the song play through the title screens. I don’t know but it felt a little bland to me.)
I recently bought it while trying to shoot a feature film in 7 days with no crew. I love it at first I was a little disappointed that it wasn't the same light quality as the apature 1200's Im used to but the color flexibility and weight when haveing no crew really helps. and yes the App is great I shot a dance video at a club and being able to record music FX was awesome effect.
This is still a great option but if not this. Something closer to 600W power draw just so you can make up for the output necessary for studio photography.
Does Smallrig have RGB lights? I thought that they only had bicolor lights? Their RC series is bicolor, if I'm not mistaken. What is their RGB lights called?
Jokingly threatening a content creator isn't going to be taken as a joke. Calm down and remember you're talking to a stranger. If you wouldn't say it to someone you just met for the first time don't say it to a content creator.
As someone who is just been getting into video productions this past year this may be the light for me. Thanks so much for your knowledge as always!
Same
This is one of the most important videos out there... don't care about the actual light.... but all the gear reviews always talk about camera or lens because it's the sexy topic... and i see so many videographers and photographers who just have no idea about lighting... and little known fact.... cameras capture light.... it's literally THE most important aspect of photography and videography.... anyone can press a shutter.... anyone can frame.... the light is what makes the difference
Hi Brandon. You've done a beautiful job with the video, the production quality and editing are excellent. While I trust your expertise on the technical side, I think you might want to put more thought into your discussion of budget. You referred to this project as a Zero Budget test, but it was a week long shoot in a studio with several people and multiple cameras on multiple rigs (including a huge slider and a stabilizer rig). Even with rentals and begging for help from friends to work for free, that is a big budget. In that context, your conclusion that the $570 (usd) light is perfect for all budgets carries less weight.
To say that the light is good value for money would be very reasonable. If this was presented as "I am going to go big and see if this light can keep up in a professional environment" that might have made for an excellent demonstration of the light's value. Suggesting that this is the one to get for everyone's first LED light has got a little bit of a "Let them eat cake" vibe. To be fair though, it is possible that my perspective is not part of your target audience. While I am a camera and video nerd with disposable income, I have often been turned off by your boss's brand of "Conspicuous consumption of a rich guy who drops things". Whether you find this feedback valuable or not, I hope things keep going great for you and your family 🙂.
It's not nearly as expensive as it looks. High quality sliders, stabilizers, and such are FAR less expensive than they were 5-10 years ago. Zero budget probably means zero budget for anything other than the hardware itself. All in all, the total cost of all the hardware used in the shoot was probably less than ten grand retail. This light barely costs $600. That's STUPID cheap for what you get.
To support Brandon's claim, I donated my Feiyutech Scorp Pro gimbal to the project.
That Mirror shot in the music video is so beautiful. Also really love the grade! I need to look into a softbox that I can bounce into the actual silver.
Hey Brandon
I always enjoying seeing you throughout your lmg days and was stoked when i found your channel just focusing on your expertise and passion.
Let's not call this level of setup "zero dollar budget".
I laughed out loud at this. This looks like a million dollar fully equipped studio with a small team of grips helping out. Good info, nonsensical premise.
That shot at 2:50 is ❤
So great to see a new video from you! Super smart to lead with the LMG background!!
I love the delivery of this product review. Nice work!
Thanks Brandon, here's some engagement
Wow, what an amazing video, it's insane how every video you make is a clear 11/10
The best!
Video quality and production is always amazing. Even if I don't understand what I'm watching it was fun
A Brandon Y Lee post on my birthday? The best gift a guy could ask for!
I think you've sold me. Currently in pre-production on my 2nd short film and looking to move up from paper lanterns to a proper studio light, this looks fantastic. Great review!
The shots from the music video look so good!!! This light looks really solid I might have to order it 👀
This is exactly the light I needed a review for.
Amaran has amazing pro-sumer lights but goodness do their accessories lack. We have the panels and they make no replacement softboxes or any yolk mount options.
Still best bang for the buck
Thanks Brandon been looking at these for a minute
I’ll take 2!
Got mine, love it.
fantastic review
...10 years ago? mmmm Hive lighting or Arri ? I still have those Kino flo Diva lites, they are old, but awesome!!! Also,I really dig the white color of the Amaran, really cool for weddings...for production, aputure still doesn't cut it for me.
Love thisssss.
I really wish this thing had a DMX adapter for theater use.
Great video! Will there be a follow up video going into the details of the no budget music video shoot?
I have a p60C, that is sitting low to the floor to add color to my backdrop... is it better to mount it to the ceiling or will that fundamentally change how the light hits the backdrop? and what is biggest difference between an led panel vs a cob light rgb ?? Thanks!
I just like to say that the video production on this is great and love what you’re doing. (Tiny suggestion from a guy who barely knows what he is doing. For me the titles felt a little weird. Maybe keeping the song play through the title screens. I don’t know but it felt a little bland to me.)
Looks awesome - does anyone know which haze machine was used?
It looks very consistent.
Another good video.
hi! Thank you for the advice, very useful. Can you please share the link to the softbox you use? Thank you
I recently bought it while trying to shoot a feature film in 7 days with no crew. I love it at first I was a little disappointed that it wasn't the same light quality as the apature 1200's Im used to but the color flexibility and weight when haveing no crew really helps. and yes the App is great I shot a dance video at a club and being able to record music FX was awesome effect.
I got 2 Amaran 150C and loving them! Nice video dude BTW!
I have a quick question... what case do you recommend for them?
Where's the music video?
I wanna see it to
What is the reflector you used with this light? Like at 2:37
🎉🎉
Nice Diffused volumetric lighting! What did you use for the Haze?
sorry but, using a studio for 7 days with equipment and crew , cant be called , no budget, otherwise great video and work!
No barn doors? How well does it work as a hard source? Gobos, flags, scrims etc.
I'd recommend the Fresnel 2X if using it as a hard source unless it's directly behind talent as a back light then that works fine too.
Nice vid, but the price is crazy for what you get.
what lense was on that projector? 18 or 26
It was the 36 degree with an iris
Yeah for under $600 that's actually an amazing deal
Which kind of light would you recommend over this for a photography first user?
This is still a great option but if not this. Something closer to 600W power draw just so you can make up for the output necessary for studio photography.
Subbed coz I miss you on the LMG channels but given all that's happened of late...I guess your departure was well warranted.
Your 0$ budget and my 0$ budget seem to be pretty drastically different 😅
Did you use a fog machine or canned atmosphere haze?
Have you used the smallrig equivalents to these lights? If so, how do they compare?
Does Smallrig have RGB lights? I thought that they only had bicolor lights? Their RC series is bicolor, if I'm not mistaken. What is their RGB lights called?
7 days tight timeline??
eyelight ?
If you are asking what the eyelight is throughout the music video it's just the same umbrella softbox I used as my key. No extra eyelights used.
That intro was sexy
06:10 Brandon Lee lol
how much?
Linked in the description for most recent pricing
Music at the beginning way too loud.
Seems like you guys got quite a bit for zero dollars lol. Must be the exchange rate…
What fresnal/barn door combo did you have @ 5:55?
The Fresnel 2X from Aputure and the barn doors they also offer.
Yes all the equipment, crew and studio really screams "zero budget" ...
The desktop full of icons triggers me dear Brandon and I think it would be better for your dear kneecaps if it was cleaned up :)
Jokingly threatening a content creator isn't going to be taken as a joke. Calm down and remember you're talking to a stranger. If you wouldn't say it to someone you just met for the first time don't say it to a content creator.