Gaffer & Gear 253 - SmallRig RC 60B

Gaffer & Gear 253 - SmallRig RC 60B
In this episode I take a look at the SmallRig RC 60B
This is a compact Bi-Color LED light with a built in battery system and mini Bowen Mount
This light has a CCT range from 2700K up to 6500K with very superior color render
00:00 Intro
00:32 Cons / Negatives
02:16 Pros / Positives
04:48 Cost and What You Get
07:54 No Modifier
08:28 Supplied Reflector
09:02 Dome (RA-D30mini)
09:43 Dome (RA-D30mini) with Grid
10:05 External DC Power Draw
10:13 Dimming
11:17 CCT Accuracy
11:27 Color Render (TM-30 RF)
11:37 DuV (CCT Tracking / Hue)
12:27 2700K
13:01 3200K
13:33 4400K
14:05 5600K
14:42 6500K
15:06 Closing Thoughts

[@bubbakneipp2360]

As a news shooter, I just got back from a 4 day trip to Washington D.C. I haven't flown in 8 years so I just took run and gun gear. I borrowed light gear from our bureau and realized I would probably be coming back. I first looked at the Zihyun Molus G60 until I saw the SmallRig RC60B with the built in battery. Ordered one and was surprise how much light it produced so I ordered another and the 2 soft boxes I had to order from China. These are now my run and gun lights to go with my Lowel stands. I shot two two camera interviews this week and used them due to the rooms were so small. Needless to say I'm in love with them plus I got the Black Friday discount early so $160 U.S. each. Then tonight I see your review confirming what my eyes were telling me! Thanks for what you do for the industry!

[@IMDABROWN]

I didn't think you would review this. thanks a million.

[@TheJewellian]

finally someone who know what they are talking about!

[@DK-CN]

Mount system con is the biggest one to not buy this light , this video helped save my money ❤

[@Trevellian]

Everything with a 1/4" 20 needs locating pins. Good to see more products with them.

[@Neeemy]

I have two of these lights. As a workaround for not having a Bowens mount adapter available yet, I would recommend the Wescott Quick-Mount S-Bracket to attach Bowens mount accessories.

[@joshuadelivuk5853]

Nice tip. Thanks.

[@pignna]

Is it the one made for FJ80 and FJ200?

[@reiztrigger]

thanks for the review, so far i like this cutie. btw: a "small usb-c to usb-a cable" was not inluded here though.

[@shagral]

Great review as always. I would be very interested in seeing an eye light / catch light tutorial from you, using something like this light. I always struggle to get a good eye light without raising the fill level on the face.

[@666size666]

I am seriously considering this for my new OB light.

[@00WhiteBlade]

Seems like a solid choice for a quick eye light. With no cables to manage you just pop it on a stand and keep it near camera. Quick question: why won't a standard USB-A out of a v-mount power the light? The cable included with the light won't work? Is the 5V output on the v-mount too few volts? I imagine you could use a Bescor D-Tap to USB-C 100W adapter if you want the full 100W the input can take. Mount the v-mount to the stand with a Godox universal v-mount clamp.

[@gangd4807]

The V battery's usb A ports(white) have 5v 2a, so it's 10w at most, it's hard to supply any camera equipment stably.

[@gaffergear]

It can extend the run time, it can be used to charge the light if it is off , but USB A will not drive it outright without the internal battery doing the bulk of the work because the light pulls 65w and USB A is well under that. For some reason my v-mount diagnostic shut down the outlet when this light is attached also

[@MShirow]

Thanks for this detailed review Andrew. I was actually waiting to get your thoughts on this. Seems like a decent unit. I really like the idea of an internal battery. Speaking of which, any plans to review the INKEE GC60X5? Would love to know your thoughts on it.

[@tabrezmashori4619]

Big fan of

[@filmowaniezprofitem]

Are You able to create video about options for 60W mobile COBs? There are nanlite forza, fs, godox, amaran, aputure, zihyune and now smallrig. I cannot decide what to invest in.

[@ShotByJaguar]

will you review nanlite fc500b &300?? greetings from germany!

[@TimoSund]

Nice and compact light for small/home studio.. But like on tomorrows video shoot/streaming on funeral service bit on the very side not enough for my needs

[@freednighthawk]

It'd be awesome if they made a China Ball for it, and outright epic if they made some optics for it.

[@uncosminreels]

It'll be best contacting them directly. The more people ask for it, knowing smallrig, they'll make it happen. They really are listening to their customers

[@Cinegavo]

Check out the colbor cl60r. Full color 60w same size same Idea but nato rail

[@jacobvidios]

Thank you for this! Does the light work with the Forza 60 spotlights?

[@gaffergear]

No unfortunately

[@boothstrapped]

You mentioned phone app control but can you confirm it supports wireless control? I have their 120D and control it using the SmallGoGo app but not sure if the RC 60B is compatible.

[@leoquesto9183]

As always, great review. Andrew, have you perhaps come across the Zhiyun MOLUS 60 or 100 COBs? Curious as to your impressions for these fixtures, as well. Thanks!

[@gangd4807]

Im not andrew but Molus is much much bigger and heavy than this! 😢😢

[@gaffergear]

I haven't seen these, looks like some interesting design thoughts

[@leoquesto9183]

@@gaffergear Agreed. You would be ideal in breaking down the Molus series for all of here. It’d be nice if @ZhiyunTechGlobal would send them to you for review.

[@NM-bs4ck]

Hi Will you do a review of the Rotolight Anova Pro 3?

[@gaffergear]

If they send one to me

[@FolkeFox]

weird request, Would you consider doing a comparison between the NEEWER CB60 and CB100 RGB lights vs The Amaran 150c and 300c. The Amarans are probably miles better, it would just be very useful on lil indie sets to know if we can mix them together, we just don't have a spectrometer to test like you do. Thank you!

[@gaffergear]

If they send me some I would review. A lot of these cheaper lights actually have good colour science, they are just missing top end features you may not need.

[@DominikGeisler]

What do you think Andrew: Is it a good light for some little product photos?

[@gaffergear]

A bit limited due to attachments

[@DuncanDimanche-sreview]

did i miss the internal battery capacity ? i can't find it online... i'm guessing it won't do more than an hour at full power but... that's only a guess

[@gaffergear]

I can't remember the run time now, it's in the review somewhere. It's not anywhere near an hour I think

[@KnightmareOX]

Most reviews that tested it were around 45 minutes give or take

[@vexphoto]

Couple of deal breakers there...

[@tabrezmashori4619]

I want a video Gamma & Gamma Assist Lut

[@joeaddison]

Edit: I had a pre-production unit from smallrig without realizing, disregard my comments about build quality and then laugh at Andrew's anecdote in the replies below! Old comment: I tested this unit and the sekonic c800 said it was good but I held the unit in my hand and the body flexed way more than I was comfortable with. Not sure what to make of it with these two conflicting points

[@gaffergear]

That's odd, This one's solid, it definitely wouldn't flex underhand. How did you get yours to flex, just squeezing it?

[@joeaddison]

​@@gaffergearI just squeezed the unit while it was on a light stand, I did not spend too much time with it. I believe it was a fully production ready example that smallrig sent over, but possibly it was Pre-Production. I will defer to your opinion on this matter Andrew, you have spent more time with this unit than I have. I ran the meter over the light and got some good numbers then I felt the unit and noticed that flex I mentioned. I stopped looking at the unit after that point because it weirded me out to have that much flex in a light with an internal battery.

[@gaffergear]

@@joeaddison I was once sent a light to do a first look video. But no one told me it wasn't for a full review or test. They just forgot that information in the email. I thought "this doesn't look all that strong" so I dropped it 20cm and let a safety chain catch the load. It ripped the 10“ fresnel and barn doors straight off the front and completely wrecked the gears in the mechanical flood spot. It looked like a high speed car wreck. They were not happy with me, it was 1 of only 2 in the world at the time and was put together from 3D printed internal parts. I was only meant to have it for a few days before it was to be shipped back to the USA and displayed at NAB as a prototype light. Now I ONLY test the finished products, the product that the user gets, and it must have completely patched and working firmware which is why my reviews are so often months late.

[@joeaddison]

​@@gaffergearjust got confirmation it was a Pre-Production unit so that's my mistake, I'll edit my original comment above to avoid confusing anyone!

[@tinderbox218]

I didn't even know SmallRig made anything more than camera cages

[@AlmightyUniden]

The light isn't for me as I shoot mostly TV dramas and I shoot throughout the day. The battery only lasting 45mins at 100% isn't gonna cut it especially since I can't attach any of my vmount accessories but I can see it's a good quality light for smaller projects!

[@RayValdezPhotography]

Smallrig makes their own Vmounts that are mini v mount from 50 to about 155 WH. I am sure that their mount will fit their own batteries.

[@tabrezmashori4619]

Am cinematographer here in Pakistan

[@civinenad]

Charging time ?

[@gaffergear]

Totally dependent on your charger as one is not supplied. About 1 hour 10 minutes was about what it was taking me with a unit capable of outputting 100w

[@civinenad]

@@gaffergear tnx , somebody else sad 6h 😆

[@gaffergear]

@@civinenad I did four charge cycles on the first day of testing so it can't have been more than 90 minutes max for the charge times, I was using the Eccoflow delta to charge it as I don't have any USB-C chargers with the PD Hight speed changing function they suggest. My other chargers only seemed to charge it at between 2w and 5w, that would take at least 7 hours. I just checked some on-line information from sellers and some claims under an hour with a 100w USB-C to USB-C charger. But I definitely wasn't getting it charged in under an hour from fully flat.

[@retro4078]

Looks like these will be come to the LED equivalent to a Tungsten Tweenie.