Are flexible LEDs good enough? FalconEyes - RX-18TD Review

[@Hangs4Fun]

love how you find music melodies from sound effects of the things you are reviewing. Your content is spot on, but the humor is the cherry on the top.

[@extrashot]

Thank you for the very kind comment... it's really appreciated!

[@gilscharf]

Wow talk about unexpectedly funny lmao You seem so professional in no way did I anticipate that ^^

[@extrashot]

Thank you... I think ! 😂

[@gilscharf]

extrashot your welcome 😂

[@tomgilchrist553]

"What a great time to be alive." Love it.

[@DavidHernandezLovesYou]

I subscribed the second he started dancing to Lil John!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 "Okkayyy!!"

[@extrashot]

It was worth it then.... 😂 thanks for the sub!

[@DaveDugdaleColorado]

Wow that was a funny story. I hope she wasn't too mad.

[@extrashot]

Hi Dave, It was the bulb in the backlight that blew, showering hot glass fragments down the back of her jumper (even with a safety mesh on). We didn't notice she was smouldering until we'd restarted the interview with a fresh bulb. Embarrassing to have to stop and put her out !!! She took it well.

[@Filmmaker809]

Really happy to see a new video from you again! You have been missed mate. :) Funny intro and outro. I own and use a Dracast S Series Daylight LED500 Video Light with 2 NP-F Battery Plates, Blue (DRASP500DN) and a Aputure 528 Video light AL-528W. Both very affordable.

[@extrashot]

wow, you're quick Shark!... I don't know the Dracast but the Aputure lights are also getting a good reputation. There's so much choice at reasonable prices now... happy days. 👍

[@Filmmaker809]

Your welcome. I feel like you have been away a long time. Lighting is a tough thing to crack. It's a dark art!

[@PatrickRambles]

The little dance was hilarious 😂

[@extrashot]

In an embarrassing way I think! 🥵

[@Mixxwizard]

Nice review, but the Intro 🔥🔥🔥🔥🧯Keep them coming.

[@extrashot]

I'll try! 👍

[@PanDownTiltLeft]

Been using these for 2 years now. No issues.

[@extrashot]

Good to hear.... they are great value. 👍

[@sujitchachad]

This is the best comparison and review I have seen of this product. Nice video.

[@extrashot]

Thank you... very kind!

[@tombuck]

I love my RX-18. Really awesome quality of light!

[@davidp158]

Epic introduction! I also think your wall corner should be the new standard for comparing lighting fixtures. Cheers.

[@extrashot]

Thank you!... standard white corner... that's a good idea 😂

[@RamasolaProductions]

Oh Maann! This is hilarious! Your story in the intro reminds me of the time years ago when we would use 2000 watt halogens during weddings and our assistants would light their cigarettes with the lights! And also of a competing video business that had a bride client's house burn down when the wires melted because of the halogen lamps!

[@extrashot]

... are you sure it was a "competing video business?" OMG what a nightmare! I miss the old 2K 'Blonds'... like using a sledgehammer! I know a cameraman who melted the wooden beams in a celebrities old farmhouse... because he didn't realise they were fake plastic! They started to droop when he was de-rigging the 2K lights! However, I swear this silly Arri 750 plus is even hotter 🥵

[@trigonvisuals]

when the beat dropped, i subbed!

[@extrashot]

Thank you for the sub... much appreciated!

[@thinknews]

Love this...and have dealt with exploding glass myself a few times. And melting ceiling light fixtures (plastic) when doing a bounce shot.

[@extrashot]

Still remember that smell of melting plastic!... and the long wait for everything to cool down before you can change the bulb... while everyone's blaming you. 🥵 Thanks for the comment Cyndy.

[@gabedamien]

Never seen this channel before, so 1:00 hit me by complete surprise (and delight). Nice review 👍

[@extrashot]

Thank you... and welcome on board!

[@christianbrault3520]

Ok you are by fare the funniest reviewer while still very professional! Thanks fore the info and lightning up my day!

[@extrashot]

Wow, thanks!

[@niborski2997]

Great stuff as usual. I've been using the Swit flex panels on jobs abroad, and using the train down to London for over a year now, and they have been excellent. So light and portable, everything goes into a wheelable Peli case. No more excess baggage, or suffering a gridlocked metropolis and jammed motorways. I arrive chilled not frazzled.

[@extrashot]

Hi Niborski, For a while it looked like Swit were selling the same panel re-badged... but it now looks like a smaller (and better) controller? All of these are great when travelling... I can't believe I'm so late to the party!. Take care.

[@niborski2997]

@@extrashot The contoller looks the same and so do the connectors, the smaller panel has a an oblong controller a bit like a Dedo, still a bit bulky. Not being able to tilt the panel down more is a pain, but the pros outway the cons. Thanks for the informative and always amusing channel. All the best.

[@extrashot]

@@niborski2997 ...and thank you for joining in. Always enjoy the info. 👍

[@DavidKatz]

This was awesome! Thanks for the humor and good comparison!

[@extrashot]

...and thank you for the kind comment. Appreciated!

[@mugen-PT]

So happy I found this, appreciate it extrashot. P.s. The writing's underated

[@extrashot]

Thank you for the kind comment... really appreciated!

[@stevenpam]

That intro just earned you a sub 😊

[@extrashot]

Thanks Steven.... it's appreciated, and welcome!

[@libraproducciones]

0:57 best thing I see on KZbin for a while 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BrianHunt]

Great video! I have had my FalconEyes RX18TD for about a year and it has been a great travel light and really good on Doco shoots when we are moving fast and have minimum set up time.

[@extrashot]

Thanks Brian... These lights have been my go-to lights whenever I'm flying... easy to pack and carry with surprisingly good results too !!!

[@TECHDRONEMEDIA]

Ran across your channel searching for a new light. I like your content and way of presenting. subbed

[@extrashot]

Cheers Tech Drone Media... it's appreciated!

[@j.oakley9588]

You sound like the great Sir David Attenborough. Subscribed.

[@extrashot]

Oh nooo.... not him again! 😂

[@rogerlee1112]

hahaha I stumbled onto this review and that intro story about the ARRI light exploding along with the Lil' Jon sequence had me cracking up LOL

[@extrashot]

Wasn't so funny at the time! (thank you for the comment)

[@dennisporter7355]

Wonderful video! I've used the FalconEyes RX-29TDX and RX-24TDX as my main lights for more than a year now. They're great, soft lights, but the build quality of the soft box doesn't stand up to constant setting up and tearing down. They also take a bit too long to put together and if you have an assistant that hasn't used them before, they'll need help. Just this month I switched to a pair of bi-color COB lights with the new Aputure dome softboxes. Compared to the flex lights, they set up much faster, fit into Pelicans better and take a plus green gel easier. They may also be a teensy bit brighter. The Aputure softboxes seem like they'll last a long time too. BTW, I LOVE your channel and desperately miss your podcast. Any chance of bringing it back?

[@extrashot]

Hi Dennis, Thanks for the input... I fear you might be right about the soft box, I've been careful with the egg crate, but could see that anyone in a bit more of a rush could easily damage it. The COB lights and particularly Aputure are certainly very popular at the moment. I need to catch up and find some to try! Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. I'd love to bring the podcast back and we have discussed it. It's difficult to justify the time it takes to do a reasonable job... but I'm still working on making time!

[@wasislos]

I cracked so hard when you did the math and said "less than 300 pounds each" Nice review and sense of humour!

[@extrashot]

Cheers hitachiman... it's appreciated!

[@iwatatech7569]

Me the same. But good review!

[@jeremiahhinds7016]

That lil Jon reference got me. Subbed

[@extrashot]

I'll do anything for a sub!... thank you 😂

[@sterlingdavis2933]

HILARIOUS INTRO.......But also really informative.

[@extrashot]

Thank you... hope it helped 👍 (just watched your last drone shot... amazing range from a Mavic!... where were you?)

[@sterlingdavis2933]

@@extrashot Thanks, this was studio city in Los Angeles. I didn't fly more than about half a mile in either direction. The Mavic 2 has GREAT range!

[@Mr.Monta77]

My Falconeyes RX18 are really good. Recommended.

[@MnMS1904]

Thinking about getting a couple of these for green screen work.

[@lightchild]

The dancing sequence made me subscribe 🤣 i had the same thought when it was making that noice 😅

[@extrashot]

Nice... and thanks for the sub... appreciated!

[@stalman]

I really wish one of these cheap flex lights would do something closer to knocking off the LiteMat design

[@extrashot]

Hi Tyler, What is it about the LiteMat design you like? Is it worth losing the flexibility? I'm seriously interested. Cheers, Paul

[@stalman]

@@extrashot Having the polls in the back flexible lights makes them thicker than the LitMatts, but still less stable, and in the end I never end up using the actual flexibility to fold them up. In your travel example it makes a bit more sense, since you can fold them up a bit smaller, but I would rather have a thin permanent backing to the light.

[@extrashot]

@@stalman Good point, I've never bent my flexible lights in use yet... although I've persuaded myself I will do! I hadn't thought about the stability thing... but of course that gets worse when you start hanging soft boxes and crates off the front. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@MattGrover]

I’ve had an 18T (daylight only despite the “T”) in my kit for a while as a more lightweight option and it’s been brilliant, I tend to roll it up and chuck it in my tripod bag, good output and surprisingly for how little I paid for it is lasting very well indeed. Debating getting the 24 as well

[@extrashot]

Hi Matt, It's great to hear they seem to be lasting well. If they turn out to be as reliable as many are saying, it's a no-brainer.

[@ErikNaso]

Nicely done!

[@extrashot]

Thank you Erik, very kind of you.

[@MrYadjdf]

Ahaha, Patreon, Lol. Very cool review, subscribed! Thank, you!

[@extrashot]

.. and thank you too!

[@SparaCash]

My god this is hilarious, totally my sense of humor combined with an excellent review - big thanks! You haven't had the chance to try the Falcon Eyes SO-28TD or the bigger ones? I'm currently in the phase of upgrading my lights but just for talking heads. Thinking that SO-28TD is more portable and takes less space but RX-18TD seems more powerful.

[@extrashot]

Thank you for the comment. I haven't tried the bigger ones but funny you should mention larger soft panels for talking heads... I'm just trying out another solution right now!

[@SparaCash]

@@extrashot Awesome! Looking forward to see a video of it if you are planning one. Thanks for the reply!

[@extrashot]

@@SparaCash I went for the COB lights in the end... still quite small and possible to run on batteries but way more light.. and soft too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jquqZIJsmcSUg7s

[@GabrielleSamsonCoach]

You are funny love the video instructive. I am hesitant between the round solid and flexible. And btw I am not that old and still remember the fear of burning or explosion.

[@extrashot]

There's some very neat round LED panels now which I'd love to test... only because I'm starting to hate straight lines reflected in people's eyes! Still, the flex panels are a boom when we're all allowed to travel again! Can't believe you remember tungsten !!!

[@GabrielleSamsonCoach]

@@extrashot if you look at my channel I do cooking courses. My courses are not on my channel but you will see my “kitchen” ... I studied photography and was spending all my free time in my darkroom since I was 14. But now I find my creativity is more at use with kitchen then being a professional photographer. I don’t really travel with my kit, I have a small studio at home and shoot my video with backdrops. I own the falcon eyes SO-68TD I absolutely love it. But I need a second an probably 3rd source. I am thinking on the small 28TD but the rx-18TDX looks exciting but maybe I don’t need something that fancy :)

[@extrashot]

@@GabrielleSamsonCoach I did take a look at your channel... and the quality is great. It's difficult to know how much room you've got to play with behind the camera, but I think I'd be looking for a way to separate the amount of light falling on you from the background Some way to reduce the spill on the wall at the back while keeping you in a pool of light might look stylish? Separation is key if you have the space. Have you looked at the small COB lights with mini light domes? If you have a grid on the front they can be very soft without too much spill... they do need quite a bit of room though. I've just been shooting sequences for Masterchef Australia in quite small kitchens, so I feel your pain with the lights... it's not easy! Keep going.

[@GabrielleSamsonCoach]

@@extrashot Thanks I will look into it. I am 2 feet away from my kitchen backdrop my studio is pretty small. But yes I will keep that in mind thanks for the tips :)

[@ClaireMcHardy]

+1 Subscriber. Since coming back from a doco shoot and having to haul my light panels with me... I am seriously considering a system like this. Would be curious to see a video of you comparing some of the competition. Question.. When you apply the diffusion box, is the distance and diffusion used enough to merge those LED shadows together? They look quite spread out.

[@extrashot]

Hi Claire, Good idea... but a lot of the competition is using the same LED panels. Obviously, it's not as soft as the Diva LED, but the soft box moves the diffusion about 10cm away from the LEDs. It's heavy enough to merge the shadows enough so I don't notice on normal interview setups. I see they now sell an updated RGB panel which is a bit more money, but could be a better bet for colour accuracy? Thanks for the sub - it's appreciated.

[@ClaireMcHardy]

@@extrashot I will take a look at the RGB version. I will be watching your back catalogue of videos to see what other gems you have in there :D. Have a good one.

[@michaelbowyer5222]

Intro was bringing back memories (traumas).

[@extrashot]

True... I still shudder!

[@MarcelloScotti]

great video review, thanks!

[@zoltans72]

you' got another subscriber for the funny part at @1:00 , :)

[@Tore_Lund]

Pointed a halogen one a smoked glass coffetable and the table split in half after 45 minutes.

[@extrashot]

The Arri...Seriously ?1? Scary stuff (I know a camera guy who melted what he thought were the wooden beams in a celebrities home... turns out they were fake plastic!) 😂

[@BobKartyMusic]

RX is the prefix for the “roll-flex” line.

[@extrashot]

ahh... that makes sense... thank you! 👍

[@BobKartyMusic]

@@extrashot Oh...and thanks for the entertaining and informative review. Really appreciate the comparison with the Kino. It helped me have confidence in getting an RX18-TD as my first-ever video light. (I'm a pianist, not a videographer, and will be making some selfie performance videos at home.) A neighbor who's a documentary filmmaker also recommended it; like you he has Kinos but uses the RXs when needing to travel light.

[@extrashot]

@@BobKartyMusic Ahh, that's good to hear.... I bought mine specifically for travelling as well. Good luck with the video's... I look forward to watching (listening) to them soon! Take care.

[@sajithpurusothaman1771]

Where is the patreon account's link? Awsome intro song hope didn't get claimed ;)

[@extrashot]

Shhh, don't tell everyone! 🤫

[@dieterthephotographer]

Thanks! Still wondering if I could use it for outdoors photography (have some strobist experience)...

[@extrashot]

That's a good question... not sure they're punchy enough to balance a very strong sun. I suppose it depends on how wide your shots and how close you can place the light? Like Most LED lights, the fall off is quite sharp... the specs say: LUX :9920 (0.5m) / 3660 (1m) / 933 (2m). So there's quite a bit of light available if you can get the panel close enough!

[@gregia7]

1:00 I'm dead. Subscribed ahah

[@helenrae880]

This intro :D :D :D

[@intrinsiccinema7374]

2 seconds I'm laughing already love it

[@extrashot]

Good to hear... thank you!

[@raveleando]

Hi, Thanks for your review. Has the light been Reliable?

[@extrashot]

Thank you... and yes, so far all good. I did a far bit of travelling on flights without any issues, although I did keep the cardboard tubes that come with it to wrap the lights around before packing each time. 👍

[@ruicunha2439]

Question to anyone that has one of these: I bought it back in Aug to do a quick interview job, my assistant was late and I ended up taking off without her and having to set set up everything on my own. When I got to the subject's studio, I ran around making small talk and setting up camera, sound and lights on my own. Set the lights and camera to 5500k, went about the wireless mic setup, still chatting pretending to listen and cursing my missing assistant. When I look at the guy's face in the middle of all his sound consoles, he was super yellow, like tungsten yellow, camera is 5500, run a quick auto check and goes to 3700+-. I had no time to think so just changed the temp on the light till it was more daylight by eye and carried on. Never used the light again and this week went on to do another interview with this light and a single colour rotolight, same thing again, I had forgottten about it. Am I being an idiot or this light is wired the wrong way round? Thanks in advance

[@robinprobyn1971]

What about trying to get rid of reflections off glasses in interviews.. not being able to tilt down when light is higher would be a problem.. ?.. the idea is great though .. not sure I could live with that huge controller box though .. currently use Astra,s with DoP choice softboxes.. nearly always V mount battery on board light.fixture. in a Pelican case travel kit they sell.. heavy box but nothing compared to Blonde ,Redhead ,Arri kit cases of old .. my story is setting fire to the head lining of a Police car ,bouncing a sun gun into it .. unfortunately officers were also present in the vehicle .. from which we then had to then "stand away" from..

[@extrashot]

Yes... the tilt down issue is a pain. I must admit to using a spare magic-arm on top of my lighting stand. I like the brightness and quality of the Astra's... but keep hearing of issues with the first version of the mother boards. For the money they cost, I'd expect Litepanels to be fully supporting the early purchasers? Great 'setting fire' story.... did you have to continue working with those officers? I'm betting there were some embarrassing silences!!!

[@robinprobyn1971]

@@extrashot fortunately it was towards the end of the interior car shots that the head lining ignited .. but yes not a good look.. and I made my excuses not to have "a tour of the cells " later... . they then tried to set me up for the Brinks Mat robbery.. but all charges were ultimately dropped .. and I moved to Japan as an added precaution ..

[@MrYadjdf]

What kind of stand do you think is good for this light? I've just bought RX 24 and RX 18, and think what kind of "gaffer things" I need now, to use these lights more effective (: I'm thinking about some kind of light C-stands, like Falcon Eyes Lsb-4Js. I'm complete newbie in Lighting. My friend DOP, used for RX 24 some big noname stand and two "gripheads" + "arm" (I'dont know is this correct name for this kind of stuff in english ((%

[@extrashot]

The kit I bought came with two Falconeyes stands (model number I-2501/B) which seem okay. The lights are very lightweight, so I'm not sure if C-Stands might be too much? Obviously, if you're going to start hanging lights out on arms then the Lsb-$Js start to be a better idea!

[@Smb2886]

Yoooo Lil Jon lmao

[@kcalumpit]

Do you any recommendation for a better mounting option to give the light more articulation?

[@extrashot]

I've stated using magic arms on the top of the lighting stands which works well. Trouble is, it's more stuff to carry when I'm trying to keep it light! There must be a better solution!

[@ExplanatoryLive]

Love the jokes!!

[@skymakai]

My RX-18TD is about 5400K when it says it's at 5600K.

[@extrashot]

So slightly warmer at 5600... that's not bad for a value light. Mine seem much more accurate when they're using the blue LEDs than the red. 4300 definitely has a slight magenta tint, but now I know about it, I can compensate a touch in camera.

[@orelbitan]

You r cute kid!☺️

[@thomaswindfeld728]

Hahahahaha!!! DUDE! :-D

[@doubledark2]

could you please give an f stop reading at 1 metre /400ISO with & without grid - thanks

[@extrashot]

Okay... I've just been making a video today so the light's still up! At 1 meter / 400ISO and 50th shutter, I'm getting f/7.1. That's just measuring incident dead centre of the bare light... no diffuser or grid, the light set to 100% and 4300K so all the LED's are lit. The overall light level doesn't seem to change too much as you adjust the colour from 3200 to 5600 .... (I expected 5600K to be measurably brighter) !

[@doubledark2]

@@extrashot thank you for doing this. So, for interviews; this light seems ideal as long as I'm not shooting into a window

[@extrashot]

@@doubledark2 Yes... depends on how bright it is outside! I live in the UK so windows aren't so much of a problem !!! 😂. I use two of the RX-18TDs as a flyaway kit when I need to keep everything light... and they work well for interviews etc. Like all of these flexible panels they do take a little longer to set up compared to say the KinoFlo Diva LED or anything solid.

[@christosmontes7222]

I’ve also had 2 of these for 2 years and have proven great value! They do tend to lose strips if you fold/unfold frequently though, so far I have changed about 3-4 per panel. The spigot I just recently found out that can be rigged from the side , so you get over the non-tilting issue. Notice a threaded hole in the side of the spigot,that’s what that is for. Unfortunately there is no reference about it in any kind if instructions.

[@extrashot]

@@christosmontes7222 Great tip with the spigot... I never realised! Thank you 👍 Are you still using the cardboard tubes when you roll them up? I always use those and haven't lost any strips yet... bit of a worry though...