Aputure 300X vs Aputure 300d Mk 1 - Should you sell off your old lights?

[@TylerEdwards]

2020 is an exciting year for Aputure. 300x, Nova and 600D! I can’t wait for the nova. Great video as always good sir!

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks Tyler! Yeah.. Nova is going to be my favorite for sure.

[@KevinGaynor13]

I don’t own any Aputure lights, but looking to invest in some soon. Surprised to hear about the fan noise on the 300d though. Everyone always seems to tout Aputure lights as having little to no fan noise, but perhaps that is only relative to other brands. With the 300x lights being bi-colour and producing less fan noise, perhaps these will be my first Aputure lights. Great video - keep it up. 👍🏾

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks Kevin - yeah the first generation 300d is notoriously noisey with ac power. You’re going to love the 300x. It’s amazing

[@MartijnSchoeber]

Aputure lights are really silent for the most part. The only noisy light they made was the 300d mk1. But still, it’s only the AC ballast that was loud, so you’d move that thing away (with the included 7 meter ballast-controller cable). When on batteries it’s silent.

[@NewLayer]

Just when I thought I’d be able to pare down my collection of lights... one of my favorite things Aputure does is the staggering of chips. Does it make a difference in many cases, not at all, but I still love it anyways.

[@BerlinGonzalez]

This Aputure 300X is the new light you need for your studio, absolutely.

[@willemprobst4415]

Still waiting for the Aputure 600D! :) Keep up the good content!

[@zoanyway]

YES. This!

[@YTit69]

u wanna grill ur actor by light? xD

[@willemprobst4415]

@@YTit69 It's LED, but for bigger objects like cars etc.

[@kipling1957]

I wrestled with which one to get (i.e., 300D vs. 300X) but so glad I got the 300X. This is the first COB for me and the most I have spent on any light. The bicolored option has come in so useful and the power is plenty for me at least. I shoot with a C100 Mk2 at a native ISO of 850. The only problem I have encountered is with the fan auto mode. Set at only 20% power after about 30 minutes the light cuts out. At first I had no idea what the problem was then realized the fan wasn’t kicking in. The light overheats and a self-protection circuit turns the light off. So now I run the light with the fan on continuously. It’s pretty quiet so no biggy. I did a search and found some users had a similar issue with the 120D. I suspect that at low power, the temperature creeps up slowly, trips the fan at low speed, but there is not enough current fed to the fan to overcome initial inertia. One guy on KZbin even pushes the fan blades with a pencil to get them turning. Anyway, I just keep the fan on permanently as a precaution as it cut out during a live Vlog.

[@TommyCallaway]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing

[@EposVox]

I'm still on a 120d MK 1... Really want a 300 now!

[@animusvisual]

Mind blowing just how much difference that reflector makes. I'm gonna have to make sure all my lights have one that's insane

[@TommyCallaway]

Honestly, it's unbelievable. Totally agree.

[@Craylor]

Hey Tommy! Random question, but are you still using the MKH 416? I'm researching mics and saw your review. I'm wondering if you stuck with it long term. Audio sounds great!

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks man! Yes, I still use it in all of my videos.

[@Craylor]

Tommy Callaway cool! Thanks. Looking forward to getting it soon.

[@TillThenPlease]

Awesome Video! Just subscribed :) Quick question for you. I just purchased the 300x and noticed that the fan almost has two types of noise going. #1 the fans, which was acceptable in how loud they are #2 there's also a slight buzzing sound like an HMI light or like a hard drive type sound. Is that second noise normal for these lights? Or should I check with Aputure to see if I might have gotten a light with a bit of an issue? I'd be interested to know if you have that happening with your light. I ask because I'll be using the light as my key for documentary interviews and it seems a bit loud at the moment.

[@Prachtify]

Hi Tommy, thank you for this great video :) I LOVE your sound quality. What microphone / recorder are you using? Thank you, Gerhard :)

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks man, I really appreciate that. I link all of my gear used for audio in the video description (mkh 416 + mixpre 3), and I run everything thru my own adobe audition preset for processing, which I sell for $10 now. payhip.com/b/ieYp

[@Prachtify]

@@TommyCallaway Ahh, great. Thank you for your fast answer! :)

[@nir296]

Hi tommy, For my first cob light,what would be better ?300d ii or 300x? Im gonna shoot mostly interviews indoors,and photos.i want a good light to jeep up with the light dome 2+grid. I dont know what to get! Most of our shoots will be in 5500k,correct me if im wrong..

[@carlosramme9455]

I need an excelent daylight for Hair Video and Photos wich do you recoment me more ore is better

[@alexanderfamily]

Very new to this and looking for a nice light. So, this is/may be a silly question. Does the 300x do everything the 120d can do?

[@TFaminu]

Jesus loves you bro! Thanks for the awesome review Tommy. Love your personality and passion!

[@mkelly01]

Nice mix of music in your vid

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks man. :-)

[@HiveBoxx]

Glad Make Art Now sent us your way! Killer stuff and knowledge. As we continue learning, we are curious what battery mount you'd choose for your first Aputure lighting set up -- Gold Mount or Vmount? We are looking to use your link to snag the 300x :)

[@TommyCallaway]

Oh man thank you! You rock! I prefer V-mount, because they are more ubiquitous - more readily available, more often, and mostly I haven't seen any Gold mount offering the "pocket" form factor of batteries that I love. Gold mount is slightly more secure / a stronger mount. I would say go with V-mount.

[@HiveBoxx]

@@TommyCallaway solid advice! Truly appreciate you taking the time to respond. This is going to be a fun light to play with. Excited to learn and grow with your vids and a few others.

[@HiveBoxx]

Do you have a go-to C-stand for your Aputure lights?

[@TommyCallaway]

@@HiveBoxx I like impact C stands.. but have recently been using the "Impact Folding Wheeled Base Stands" - SO much more convenient. Grab sand bags.

[@angel_falls_creative]

What V mount battery do you have connected to your setup?

[@TommyCallaway]

Bebob micro V mounts. I love them. Here's a link: bhpho.to/2N6gd8v

[@theshortlist]

and what about batteries for the 300X (i need bi-color for architecture... ) ? from the aperture web site : Therefore, for best results, we recommend using batteries that are capable of continuously discharging 14-15 Amps, to provide adequate headroom for the power draw. so the D&O/Comer C90 A/S Supports up to a 10 Amp Continuous Draw... so not up to the task... any cheap and good recommendations ?

[@TommyCallaway]

Actually yeah - bit.ly/3kwyisj that right there is the best value per dollar for power draw and size at 15A.

[@theshortlist]

@@TommyCallaway Thanks a lot, but appenrently not available in europe ! from aputure : 1x or 2x 190Wh+ 14.4V 15A V-Mount

[@TommyCallaway]

@@theshortlist Hmmm.. you could try to preorder from B&H -> bhpho.to/2ZNffSL if they're still unavailable, I usually just default to Bebob's batteries

[@REC.709]

Quick questions, looking for 2 lights, a light that can go against the sun and another RGB light. I have seen your Intellytech videos and the aputure videos. To be honest for these to be the only lights I could probably afford. which do you recommend?

[@TommyCallaway]

If you need to go against sun, at the very least, a 300d mk ii with a fresnel 2x, and for RGB, stay in the same aputure ecosystem to combine with sidus link and go nova or MC.. if you need a mid-range RGB, check out the Lupo actionpanel full color. I love that light.

[@REC.709]

@@TommyCallaway thank you

[@whabmedia9288]

thanks man but i want ask u whats light better for outdoor 300d mark 2 or 300x

[@TommyCallaway]

If it's just max output you're looking for, 300d mk 2, or 600d is also now available and shipping.

[@AlwynKirk]

A better comparison is between the 300MKii and the 300X.

[@DiviPhotos]

great video

[@TommyCallaway]

Thank you!

[@oakwoodcinematics934]

I want to get 3 lights. Out of your experience, what do you recommend? I was thinking 3 300x. And 4 mc Or 2 300x and 1 nova?

[@TommyCallaway]

Preorder 600d, nova, and 300x. Ultimate setup. Then get MC in the future if you find yourself needing them, they’re cheap.

[@oakwoodcinematics934]

@@TommyCallaway I was looking into a 300d as well. Am i better of using a 300d if i dont need that much power from the 600d? 1 600d 1 300d 1 300x 1 nova Or 1 600d 2 300x 1 nova ?

[@TommyCallaway]

I would do 600d, 2 300x, nova.

[@filmspotzshorts]

what do you think about aputure 300dii, godox vl300 and 300x? Great vid. Thanks

[@TommyCallaway]

My favorite COB light is the 300x. 300dii is more powerful but i don't need that much power. VL300... I sold mine. Just saying.

[@filmspotzshorts]

@@TommyCallaway why did you sell ur vl300?

[@DaneMeale]

Is that the Nova in the background!!??

[@TommyCallaway]

No, sorry! It’s the Lupo Superpanel full color 60, been using it for the past year. Would love to try the nova though!

[@DaneMeale]

@@TommyCallaway Yes I just worked that out. The Nova looks Good!

[@thatkidroshay]

What brand vmount batteries would u recommend for 300x and 300d!? Pls respond it seems no one ever does lol

[@TommyCallaway]

Bebob are my personal favorites.

[@thatkidroshay]

@@TommyCallaway which bebobs?

[@joseezhou6985]

nice~

[@TommyCallaway]

Thanks 😆