Do You Need Small, Medium, or BIG Video Lights?

[@marsgizmo]

Tom, love your backyard video setup! It gives you holiday vibes 😌

[@tombuck]

Thanks! It’s a fun place, even in the heat 😬

[@JavierMercedes]

Love the constant battle with your big diffuser sail, amazing vid as always! Congrats on the 100k when it comes!

[@tombuck]

Thank you sir! I think I could use that light dome as a parasail if I ever need to 😁

[@GrantDeFor]

Tom, your videos continue to increase in quality as you go! This video looked and sounded fantastic, but not only that, the material was quality (and not just the light-diffusion materials!) - thanks for putting in so much effort, I learn so much from your channel!

[@tombuck]

Thank you Grant! I won't take your compliment for Grant-ed! Really though, I appreciate the kind words and I'm really impressed that the audio is listenable considering how windy it was.

[@v3zMedia]

Definitely in my Top 5 review channels for tech at this point.

[@tombuck]

I'm absolutely honored, thank you 🙏

[@RafaelLudwig]

Illuminating review - I agree the best upgrade after the camera is lighting.

[@tombuck]

Good lighting definitely helps to fix things in camera! 😉

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Great video. Thanks. Lighting has always been the aspect of YT that I have struggled with the most. It has been so tricky to get it right. I finally started to crack it about six months ago. Still working on it, but I’m definitely happier than I was. But overall lighting was a surprisingly steep learning curve.

[@tombuck]

I totally understand. I felt really intimidated by lighting for a long time, but it's not too bad once you get started. My first video light was just a cheap from Amazon, but it worked really well and helped me to get a better understanding of the basics.

[@johnravi1683]

Hi Tom, It was a really great watch! My sister is new to KZbin, and she is trying to create a setup where she can record videos and vlogs. I am helping her find the best gadgets on budget, and this video was really helpful. It looks like a great option, and I am so glad that you shared about the best lights. I will definitely share this with her, and hopefully, she can find value in this. Thanks a lot for such an amazing share, it was a great help.

[@tombuck]

So happy to hear that John! Lighting is one of those things that can feel really overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be. Just starting off with a single video light is a good way to go, especially if it's in a diffuser or soft box. Even just a cheapie from Amazon can get the job done and will help things look much better overall. Then new things can be added/changed as her skills evolve.

[@PrestonJensen]

Wonderful video. I know you mentioned the bugs but it is amazing to me that you weren’t swarmed even more!

[@tombuck]

Thankfully the desert is pretty dry so it’s not usually too insane 😬

[@GrindstoneGroomingCo]

Tom… Well Done! Explained without extra non needed info! This video could help a lot of content creators, especially when explaining what to look for based upon the situation. Thank You

[@tombuck]

Real happy to hear that! Lighting is super important but it can quickly get confusing.

[@johnheiser2604]

Thanks Tom. I've been collecting gear readying for my first podcast. Lighting is something I've not been too sure about. You've given me a great insight into the matter.

[@tombuck]

So glad to hear it! Lighting is so easy to overlook, but really does make a massive impact.

[@REMY.C.]

Thanks a lot for enlightening us on the topic. It comes a few days later than I needed but it reassures me regarding the choice I made a few days back, went for a 200+W and a 60+W with modifiers. I think that'll be enough especially for a first setup.

[@tombuck]

Ooh, that's perfect in my opinion! There's so much you can do with a 200 and a 60 👍

[@REMY.C.]

@@tombuck Now I just have to experiment and discover what's possible to do for video and photo. I also wanted to go for that dome modifier but it seems to create many shadows on your video. Maybe it's possible not to set it up above the subject but rather ¾ or facing to avoid that darkness under the chin.

[@kissu_io]

This channel is SOOOO underrated. Congratz on the 100k btw! 🎊

[@tombuck]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kindness and support.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I need all of them, Tom. All of the lights!!

[@tombuck]

It’s really the only sensible option.

[@NateNakao]

I love how much effort you put into your videos! I'm moving into a new place next year that will have more room for a bit of a studio setup. right now, I'm using an Elgato Key Light Air as my main key light, a Logitech Litra Glow as my fill light, and a cheap Neewer LED box as my back light. As always, your dad-joke and pun game is on point. Each joke is always a de-light-ful experience. And for watt-ever it's worth, I always glow eager when I see a new video from you lumen large in my KZbin feed.

[@tombuck]

Thanks Nate! I’m sure you’re super excited for the new space!

[@CinnamonSnail]

The “turn down four watt” joke was one of your best. Keep keeping the dad flair powerful

[@tombuck]

Haha, I have no right to be as proud of that one as I am. 😁

[@karljohanlindvall]

Love this breakdown🤩💪

[@twolinesslotcars]

Tom! This video is perfect timing for me.. looking to improve my video from a lighting stand point. But Bro.. you are soooooo close to 100k!

[@tombuck]

Thanks Marty! Feels like that milestone is so close and so far at the same time 😁

[@twolinesslotcars]

@@tombuck it couldn’t happen to a more deserving creator!

[@ChipBeforePC]

Tom... thank you for an extremely illuminating video as I am sure it will be the bright spot of my day... I just hope that the bugs didn't pun-ish you too much! Seriously, thank you for a great video...

[@tombuck]

I’m delighted to hear it 💡

[@ChipBeforePC]

@@tombuck I felt that feed back is essential so you aren't "led" astray... Have a great day!!

[@Nick_Reinhardt]

THANK YOU!!! I can't tell you how many videos I've watched just trying to get this simple answer. You're a godsend hahaha

[@tombuck]

Really de-lighted to hear that! 😁🙏

[@aroncontinuousconversation]

Like I said, legit. It took me a second to figure out what was going on with the landscape light on the tree. I love ifootage build quality, but the apps are not my favorite to work with. (nano slider). Great video Tom.

[@tombuck]

I was impressed by how sensitive it was to the brightness of the video lights 😁

[@AJCoReTV]

As usual perfect timing as I look to upgrade my lighting game.

[@tombuck]

There are so many great lighting options out there it's crazy! And at super reasonable prices too.

[@SylvereNazaire]

This really shed some light on lighting

[@tombuck]

It's no fun to be stuck in the dark on things like this.

[@waynewrz]

I've enjoyed my iFootage products and these lights look amazing. Thanks for the great video.

[@tombuck]

I’m really impressed with all of their stuff. I would love like 20 more articulating arms and clamps 😁

[@TouchLifeStudio]

What a great review of the lighting set ups Tom. You are nearing your 100k subs - great accomplishment and well deserved with well put together content. And just your personality lights-up the space.

[@tombuck]

Thank you so very much!

[@ActionCrypto]

I swear I watched you saying okay at 0:21 at least 5 times 😂

[@tombuck]

I'm sure the almighty algorithm appreciates that 😁

[@keithlancaster7471]

Quite enLIGHTening

[@ac1320]

iFootage is throwing down the gauntlet! Those kit reflectors, if you can find the old ripple style they actually soften the light. The newer square, honeycomb style finish create a hotspot. I forget what creator tested them against each other a few years back.

[@tombuck]

Ahh interesting! And yeah, iFootage seems to be coming for everyone's lunch. These lights seem like a great choice now that Aputure has moved into a bit more of a premium space (still amazing lights though, of course).

[@DiscordCoach]

Love this...I learned a lot about how to light a studio here with different wattages and diffusion devices. Thanks! 💙

[@tombuck]

Now you know watt to use them for!

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

4:17 I know the flickering on the bottom left of the chair cushion, is because of your right arm moving. Know what takes care of that problem? Yep, even more lights! 😁 This is where I normally use a LED panel with tracing paper. I don't know who asked this question, but the answer always is... More lights! 🤩

[@tombuck]

Must get ALL the lights! 😎

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

@@tombuck Gotta catch em all!

[@ToddWhirley]

I love the chinese lantern softboxes. Can provide such a nice even fill. Keep the awesome content coming, Tom.

[@tombuck]

Yes! I would love a space lite by several of them. So soft and nice.

[@OrangeNomad]

Love the set Tom!!

[@tombuck]

It was a shame to take it all down!

[@beyond2809]

I have lighting on a budget. I'm using 24inch Chinese lanterns that I hang a 5000k 40w (300w equivalent) LED inside and hang from my ceiling. It gives me that diffused lighting in all directions and I have two of them so I can change the amount of fill from different angles. Total setup for two lights costs me less than $60.

[@tombuck]

I bet it looks amazing. I first saw lanterns on Casey Neistat's overhead table, and I think he said they were like $15 each and it always looked so good 👍

[@HeatherMajors]

This video is very informative. Also, I never thought of doing a creator ethics page but I love the idea.

[@tombuck]

Super worth it to have one! Feel free to borrow/modify mine if needed.

[@HeatherMajors]

@@tombuck That is amazing of you to offer to let me modify your work. I think I will because I believe in what you said on your page.

[@HeatherMajors]

@@tombuck I finished creating one that represents my niche. Just wanted to let you know I gave you credit in the footer :)

[@Wbc1811]

Great Job Tom, what an information packed video! how much effort you have put in has come to the light and delighted us with this great video. anyone get the joke

[@tombuck]

Always happy to know when a video is enlightening for others.

[@Wbc1811]

@@tombuck 🤣🤣

[@danwheatley5960]

Great review! 👊

[@tombuck]

Thanks! 👍

[@mattwruff]

What dedication, there no way I would record in the desert in the summer unless it was 4:00am, I love iFootage gear I use there tripod, monopods, crab legs etc. And if I was starting new then I may look into them but I got so much Aputure gear that I’m quite happy with, I don’t want to mix brands if you know what I mean. Do they not have a lock on the light so it wouldn’t turn in the wind (Aputure lights do). Great video - only 800 more to go. You going to do a Celebration LiveStream when you hit 100K? - Ok I got to get ready to record my show again here in Alabama. See you next week…

[@tombuck]

Good luck in the show! I didn’t see a lock on the moving light, but I also might have missed it 😬

[@brittany6429]

You're soooooo close to 100k!!!

[@tombuck]

It's exciting (and terrifying 😱)

[@JakeSloan]

turn down 4 watt... I don't know what to say, you are a master of word smithing puns and pop culture references into every day speech.

[@tombuck]

I was insanely proud of that one. Much more than I had any right to be.

[@JakeSloan]

I think you have every right to be! It was a masterful display of your punning ability

[@tinatangent9268]

"Turned down four watt" ...So far my favorite of your eQUIPment suggestions....

[@tombuck]

I have no right to be as proud of that one as I am.

[@tinatangent9268]

@@tombuck Copy that!

[@joeykahng6219]

Always good informative TENT-ative tech info.😏😉✌🏼

[@SimplyAubs]

Very enLIGHTening video! 🤪 (Yup....you bring out the pun-ster wannabe in us all!) Thanks for setting up your outdoor studio to be able to properly show how the lights really work! Fantastic!

[@tombuck]

Thanks Aubs! I was really happy with how the whole thing looked once it was all set up.

[@jw_film]

An excellent breakdown of these lights Tom and it delighted me to see them used to light up your studio/garden 🙂 Looking forward to these becoming available in the UK so thank you again for posting (I'll leave the puns to you 😉)

[@tombuck]

Some people ask if the best lights are 60, 220, or 320 watts. But I say James Watts is the best.

[@jw_film]

@@tombuck Mr Buck, you shine brighter than the rest 😁

[@THEGRIDIRONBLITZ]

Hey Tom…great video. Turn down for watt. 😂. Did you by any chance review the elgato keys lights?

[@tombuck]

I haven't used the elgato lights myself, but I know they're super popular and people seem to love 'em.

[@THEGRIDIRONBLITZ]

@@tombuck ok. Thank you sir

[@WilliamNevius]

Really enjoyed this video Tom. Love all the dad jokes kept me entertained while also learning 😄😄😄

[@tombuck]

This is literally the perfect thing for me to hear. Thank you 🙏

[@hato.dj]

This comment is meant to shed some light on the fact you're almost at 100K :D

[@tombuck]

Now that's a delightful thing!

[@Ameusia]

Im doing youtube videos in my little room and the light will be on me witha 85cm smallrig parabolic softbox. Do I need 220v as the softbox is big or is 120v enough as i wont be bouncing it off anything?

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Great info. I am choosing between Ifootage 200 and Nanlite Forza 200 - which would you suggest for small studio key light use. Special kudos to you for all the schlepping of lights, stands and extra setup time to do this outside setting.

[@tombuck]

I've got both so I think I can answer! You really can't go wrong with either and they each give a great quality of light. A small but important difference is in the power supplies. The Nanlite's is a bit beefier, but also easier to run off of a v mount, plus it comes with a clamp for c-stands, which has been hugely helpful to me. So if you want to use battery power or are looking for an easy way to mount the power supply, the Nanlite might be the way to go. If not, then the iFootage is great.

[@markexploringnewstuff]

@@tombuck Thanks so much Tom

[@JoeCastellon]

Your puns never disappoint 🤣 TURN DOWN 4 WATT!! 😂

[@cwTheDrummist]

The pun powers are strong in this video and they LIGHTEN my day. Well done! 🔥

[@tombuck]

They were actually powering these lights the whole time.

[@cwTheDrummist]

@@tombuck And the wind too! DeLIGHTful!

[@JamesHicks]

Turn down 4 watt - that's the one we've all be waiting for ;) - as always great information Dr. Buck ✌🏾

[@danielschaller-digitalcrealab]

Very cool video, I'm sure you had fun putting that one together 👍 oh and 99.2K...

[@tombuck]

It was a lot of fun, despite competing with noise from a neighbor’s house party 🫠

[@nikrica1]

Educational and funny (as always - love your dad jokes:) Must have some video lights - looks so cool 😎 thinking of a godox 60w with a softbox to start with. I have a request: could you at some point do a video where you review the Sony A1? It will be highly appreciated😊

[@tombuck]

I've only ever used the A1 in a showroom, but I might be able to borrow a review unit at some point 👍

[@TheSHELMSY]

Dang dad jokes... durn down 4 watt... why was I laughing so hard.

[@workingwiththelight3119]

I am now officially enlightened and d-lighted

[@RESURRECT2]

GIVE ME WATER... Those dry jokes 😂😭😂

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

I am here for the Dad jokes!!!

[@therealtytechguru]

Just when I thought Buck Jokes couldn't get any worse, you go and drop "turn down 4 watt!" My son and I love your jokes, as corny as they are!!!

[@tombuck]

Get worse...or get better? 😉

[@BrandonDemand]

Hahahah "turn down 4 watt"

[@RexxReviews]

This video was so Litt

[@tombuck]

🔥

[@joeygwood]

In my experience, a cheap 20"x28" softbox light from Amazon is more than good enough for creating content in your bedroom. I've done comparisons with my Godox UL150 and 36" parabolic softbox and found that I prefer the look of the cheap Amazon light. I also asked other people without telling them which is which and everyone preferred the Amazon light. When asked if they thought there was a $600 difference in the quality of light, they always answered "definitely not". So IMO expensive lights marketed towards content creators are snake oil. Having sufficient soft light is important, but you definitely don't need to spend a lot of money to get that.

[@tombuck]

I think yes and no. A cheap light from Amazon is 100% good enough (I used an $80 one for several years, right up until it broke). The bigger difference between the more expensive lights is quality, both of the light and the actual unit itself. With cheaper lights, I've found it can be hard to match color temperatures sometimes, even if they're set to the same setting. It's really nice to know that "5600K" on several lights is going to look the same. And the other issue is durability. I'm sure there are plenty of tough cheap lights out there, but every cheap light I've ever used I've ended up having to get rid of at some point, not because it stopped working, but because something physically broke. Even when being used gently and rarely repositioned, it seems like it's only a matter of time before a handle, mount, or button breaks and makes the light tough or impossible to use. That's far less likely to happen with higher end lights, and is really something to keep in mind for anyone who moves lights around a lot. I did not mean for this to be so long 😁

[@yusakuvlog]

Hi, I'm Yusaku. new subscriber hello from Philippines. Just saw you from Mr.Lindgren haha!

[@tombuck]

Hey so glad you're here! Peter is such a good friend and just a great guy!

[@ItsRyukin]

But mine uses a table lamp for lighting 🤣 and some natural + sunlight lighting. 😎 That's "My" all low budget lighting! =)

[@tombuck]

The sun is the original video light 😎

[@ItsRyukin]

@@tombuck Yes, I do have a diffuser at my window and then, Bam! A natural video light source.

[@PatrickBoberg]

The build quality if iFootage gear is surprising given their kinda lame name. I love my iFootage slider and mini tripod. But I'm done blending lights, don't want to run multiple apps to manage my light setup.

[@tombuck]

I'm sure they regret the name now that the i-Blank crazy has died out, but the gear is great!

[@DemetriosMina]

turn.down.4.watt.