Gaffer & Gear 254 Nanlite PavoSlim

Gaffer & Gear 254 - Nanlite PavoSlim
In this episode I take a look at the Nanlite PavoSlim
This is a lightweight panel solution that has a native 60 degree beam angle for maximum output, the full color versions boast CRMX and a pop out soft box.
00:00 Intro and overview of product
02:09 Advantages on a boom arm
04:08 What you get in the kits and cost
08:42 Differences between the 120C and 120B
10:33 The controller
12:15 The light
12:40 Negatives / Cons
13:47 No Softbox attached
15:27 Grid Cloth
16:21 Full Diffusion
17:17 Grid
17:36 DMX intro
18:36 DMX Testing
25:05 PavoSlim 120B Data
25:27 120B Dimming Characteristics
26:10 120B 2700K
26:35 120B 3200K
27:11 120B 4400K
27:38 120B 5600K
28:20 120B 6500K
28:44 120C PavoSlim 120C Data
29:10 120C AC Power Draw
29:26 120C Dimming
30:52 120C CCT Accuracies
31:11 120C Color Render (TM-30 RF)
31:22 120C DuV
31:57 120C 2700K
32:21 120C 3200K
32:49 120C 4400K
33:14 120C 5600K
33:54 120C 7500K
34:19 120C Color Vectors
35:02 Closing thoughts

[@MunacoMediaServices]

Yes please give us the pro version. 4x4 and 4x2 at 300-350watts sounds about right. Spot on review Andrew.

[@TimTylerCine]

Great review Andrew. Maybe you and Seerveld and Roche can join forces and make a video directed at all the manufacturers that lets them know exactly how important professional features really are for working gaffers and DoP's. - The kinds of fixtures you all use most often and how you use them. - Missing features that are deal-breakers - Features you're willing to pay extra for like CRMX, well-made grids, diffusion options, G/M, etc.

[@gaffergear]

Actually John can put survey questions on Gaffers Sallon FB and really find out what we want

[@fatandproud1]

Fantastic lights. Last month at BSC they showcased a 240W version which was basically 2 X 120c's attached together with a hinge in the middle so it can be folded (they both shared 1 controller). They also had a new 60c version with was rectangular instead of squared. Thank you for all the amazing reviews over the years - your work and kindness is invaluable for all of us lighting and camera professionals.

[@stuartswindellcampoy8483]

That's what I'm confused they said on the website and all info I can find that it's 25000lux at 1m but I find that hard to believe as you said it's 2 120c slapped together. I've got a F22c and it's around 5000 lux at 1m and it's a 200w light. So I'm seeing it hard to believe a 25000lux at 1m light from a 240w panel unless it's magic hahaha

[@shirlylin5840]

Thank you for the review, Andrew! Happy Holidays!

[@aphosimages1246]

I’ve been eagerly waiting for you to cover these

[@cubul32]

Yesss! Was waiting for this Andrew.

[@mikedeen3401]

Thanks so much for finding the time to do these. Your reviews are the best out there!!

[@kiwihavoc]

Love your content Andrew. Thanks for all your work on the channel this year. Have a great xmas.

[@unsaved_]

Thanks Andrew, merry Christmas!

[@meetthegaffer]

Great review, as always! Thank you.

[@melvinraschke3204]

Andrew, thank you so much for your amazing work and videos. one of the best in the game!

[@leoquesto9183]

Love these reviews. Yes, would like to see 4’ versions.

[@vivihuang2980]

🤗Thanks for your sharing, Andrew.

[@cokebottles6919]

Thank you for making this, I've been waiting for it! I might be picking up a 120c, I'd definitely be more interested in a 4' version as the 1x2 is a somewhat awkward size for any light.

[@dpjohnjones432]

Spot on review! The planckian curve info on the 120B was worth the price of admission alone. Definitely more reason to get the 120c for me.

[@Carboxylated]

Clicked so fast...been seeing these small mat lights. Nanlights wireless app is not my favorite which is why i've been staying clear of them but for quick studio setups were the fixture is near you, they aint too shabby! Happy holidays

[@Ranger7Studios]

You can add some i-hooks to each side of the top 1/4 20 mounts for a safety chain. A simple drive to the hardware store will fix that. ;)

[@auroraborealis7472]

Tell Nanlite

[@efleschner]

I have heavy 1x2 panels for work. Would love these in my kit!

[@samhainstudios4036]

I am definitely interested in a 4x1

[@RobertJohnPhotography]

Totally agree with you. When Nanlite told me about these I had said that I wished they would make a 2x2 or 3x3 version of these. My connection their said he would relay my message. Kind of disappointed in the 5600 cri scores, so many below 90.

[@joeaddison]

I think the total spectrum performance makes up for any cri deficiencies. CRI is far too limited to measure a good white light. Check I think it's episode one to see how he tests lights

[@ReelFilmGeek]

Oh man a 4 ft version would end up on my van so fast it would be great.

[@brittacurkovic]

Thank you Andrew! I'm really excited about adding these to my kit... have a couple of 2x2 amran lights, but find them fiddly to setup... I love how fast setup is with these! I would LOVE a 1x4 as well :)

[@gaffergear]

Yep, I'm selling my F21s in place of these because of how easy they are to set up, but I'm keeping the F22s.

[@mr.eliezer]

@@gaffergearwhy are u keeping the f22?

[@gaffergear]

@@mr.eliezer 2x2 source with it's controller grid is something that comes in handy for me on booms

[@brittacurkovic]

@@gaffergear Me as well as they come in handy as eye lights for 2 person setup - or combined behind a grid as a key for a doc setup. Wondering if two of the Nanlite 1x2s side by side with 60% spread, would be equal to a Nova 300 with 120% spread for filling a frame? I know extra time to assemble but would be great to have more uses for lights for different setups...

[@morningtidefilms]

@@gaffergear With the newly announced foldable Nanlite 240s, would you recommend them over the F22s?

[@joeaddison]

I see a comment here under the videos often, it goes something like 'I won't buy anything until Andrew reviews it' I fully understand that idea, but the man can't review everything you need to buy haha! That being said every single one of the lights I've bought, and grip gear also had been reviewed by Andrew, and I did not buy it until after I had watched the video. So maybe I am the same as those other comments...

[@brittacurkovic]

What about asking them to add a flat discussion and 60% grid and barn doors like Kino? This would give more lighting control options and I’d love to buy this as an add on…

[@SlyMaelstrom]

When you did the side-by-side with the Skypanel, it was very obvious that the Nanlite seems to be have pretty inconsistent lighting across the beam. For example, in the On/Off cues, you can see the light go dark from the edges to the middle, with the middle being the last to go out like a shrinking circle. It's also very evident on the CCT/Hue changes that the red color was creeping in and out from the edges. Contrast this with the Arri where the panel changed colors and dimmed very evenly across the whole beam. Am I right in suggesting this is a result of it being hotter/brighter in the center? Does this improve greatly with a diffusion layer?

[@gaffergear]

To match light levels the PavoSlim had no diffusion and is about 2ft closer to the wall than the Skypanel was. I reckon the diffuser would sort this out a fair bit of what you see. The change overs from CCT to Hue are definitely not linear in transition though. People ask why I still have Skypanels, I haven't come across another panel with as good DMX cures (other than the Skypanel X),

[@lll9416]

Nice review, Andrew. Nanlite has really upped their game, nice mounting system. I use the "Neewer Heavy Duty Light Stand Head Adapter" adapter from Amazon (40 US) for the new mount on the Amaran F22X/C. It performs just like these. I have four, old 2 foot Nanlite tubes that i never use, Nanlite managed to send me 4 lights that couldnt match to each other,RGB or white light.... They were magenta monsters! lol

[@lll9416]

Im still not a fan of small "soft boxes" that are only slightly larger than the panel light itself.. Larger sources, further from the source are always better(softer). These soft boxes' light quality is more like old school diffusion, "C-47ed" to the barndoors, lol..

[@darrencoates]

Great review (as always!). Which is the brighter out of this 120c and the f22c? This certainly appeals for speed of set up.

[@gaffergear]

I can't remember the stats, you would have to look at the separate episodes to get the data, but I would guess from the fact that I'm always using the F22c dimmed down that the F22c would be way in front.

[@zsoltdirectorofphotography9598]

Great review, what do you prefer more the Pavoslim 120c or the Amaran f22c?

[@gaffergear]

I've kept my F22c kits because they are lighter for rigging, but these have replaced my F21s

[@scent1test]

Great review, my friend! Based on your testing, does the 120C provide a light quality (with the supplied softbox) similar to that of the Amaran F22C? I'm considering the F22, 120C, or the 400bi. I'm looking for an overall soft fill light that isn't a COB in this price range. Narrative work, BBC style imagery, mimic natural light source for period piece. Thank you!

[@gaffergear]

The F22c will be a softer light because it is double the size. I can't remember if the F22 has better colour specks off the top of my head.

[@Michael_Galgano]

Well I guess I will post this again as the first video went down. FIRST!

[@gaffergear]

I forgot to put the ISO settings on the brightness readings.

[@Michael_Galgano]

@@gaffergear ah OK. I have to say out of everyone I have seen on KZbin your reviews on equipment actually help with buying decisions. For instance, I was going to buy the Godox projector kit and everyone else on the platform talked about how amazing it is but when you brought up how much light is lost I knew it wasn't for me. Thank you for the thuroughness.

[@igorrutsch]

thanks Andrew !!! great, I was trying to compare the results from the f22c and this model but couldn't. the output is almost as strong as the f22c isn't it ? @@gaffergear

[@gaffergear]

@@igorrutsch I've fixed up the index and chapters so the brightness level with no soft box now appears on the index. This kills the F22 with no soft box attached. But the F22 is way brighter through its full diffusion than this is with its full diffusion.

[@igorrutsch]

thank you Andrew !@@gaffergear

[@cristianmihai4818]

An updated tour of the VAN? 🙂

[@MnFilmCO]

i wish youd go back to including comparisons to other lights that are similar or would be in competition with this light. the videos are ton of useful info but when i first found your videos those would be what i looked for the most

[@999slawter]

Hey Andrew, sorry for bothering you, but I really could use your help! I just upgraded my camera and it's really about time to get a proper lighting setup, so I can start working on paid jobs. I want to shoot interviews, little short films and do photoshootings indoors and sometimes outside at daytime. I am a one guy crew most of the times and I have to carry my stuff by myself (without a car most of the times) I warched lots of reviews and tests and I am lost, I do not know what could be the best setup for me... My budget is 400EUR (up to 500EUR if needed) . I am using a Yongnuo YN-300 III right now, so you can imagine how much aI need a proper lighting setup... I already have an Aputure al mc as well. What do you think, wich product would be the best in my situation? Your thoughts would be much appreciated!! Have a nice weekend! Tomi

[@TheNateLefever]

Hi Andrew, thanks for this. I had a question - we just got one of the 120C's with the ballast clamp and it's not exactly rock solid. Did you have issues with yours getting a secure latch?

[@gaffergear]

Mine seem solid. It's got no play at the v-mount and the clamp seems to mount solid on the stand

[@johnnyweissmuller5838]

Maybe the corner threads is for mounting the safety wire?

[@gaffergear]

What I should have said is it doesn't have a dedicated safety point, you can mount I bolts to the threads, but they are in the corners and it could swing.

[@PancakeLighting]

I'm really interested in these. I appreciate that they re-thought the mat style light instead of trying to imitate what's already working. Curious if you're adding these to your personal truck, Andrew?? Do you think two of these in a bracket could replace a Spectrum 2L?

[@gaffergear]

It wouldn't replace my 2L in my kit, but I would get these over paying for another 2L. The spectrum has that lower CCT range that comes into play in locations like bars that are usually lit with warm white practicals. I'm getting two of the 1x1 and 2x1 because they are just great for rigging in small rooms, even though the rest of the time the 1x1 will probably get used as a work light.

[@PancakeLighting]

@@gaffergear Thanks, Andrew! I value your input, as always :)

[@EmreYazgin]

I think I have watched almost all your videos :) And I still couldn't find my answer to my "problem" on my own. As a pro Gaffer, I would like to ask you this question of mine. Which single light setup would you recommend for someone who is a one-man-band, wants the ultimate portability and enough power when needed, but can dial down to as little power as needed to, mainly for "lifestyle" style short videos in restaurants, cafes, etc, usually closeup shots on table, people sitting, eating, enjoying etc. maybe closeup shots of food...Almost never wide angle or coverage. I am leaning towards flexible led's due to their practicality (not much space in restaurants cafes etc, and mostly you need the tripod to be invisible)...I am leaning towards Godox F400bi, but if you think a 1 by 2 is also soft enough for a 4 person table this nanlite is looking really interesting too...Other stuff I've checked are f22 from aputure, some falconeyes...I would really appreciate your input.

[@EmreYazgin]

Oh I have a nice rapid scrim/diffuser from manrotto which I can of course use my single led lights like amaran 200's or even 100's but those will need much more setup time and space I think...

[@gaffergear]

My go-to fast set up is my Aladdin 350s running off v-mounts. They are a 3x3, which makes them softer than a 2x2 but more convenient to move around a location (like a restaurant) than a 4x4. However to get these to work fast I have them fully set up in a custom bag ready to go, the controller and battery mounts are stored with clamps attached to put them directly onto the stand out of the bag. The frames is custom built with a pin on one end so it goes directly into a grip head. I made my own cables up to a length that works on a stand with no having to manage excess cables and I got a custom 1/2 grid cloth made up to get the brightness I wanted because they came with a magic cloth only. Also custom 40⁰ snap grid. I can build this in under 1 minute. But it's an expensive solution to the point that I wish I had 3 could only ever afford to build 2. I set this up on as small C-Stand, light at the top, and batteries down the bottom as a counter weight, and it is light enough to carry around for walking shots.

[@EmreYazgin]

@@gaffergear Thank you so much for your detailed answer. I will look into Aladdin's 350s. Great channel by the way. Very lucky to have access to a professional's insights.

[@jchproduction-video360degr9]

Would it be a good purchase to buy the pavoslim120c instead of the mixpanel 150? because I wanted to buy the mixpanel but I realize that this pavoslim120c is practical

[@joeaddison]

Very different lights both top notch but I wouldn't be choosing between the two but instead comparing the mixpanel to other 100/150 watt panels, and the pavoslim to other mat lights like the zolar blades for example

[@gezzabomb]

I've got a mixpanel 150 back when it came out. There are a few features I really like.... you can pull it out, pop a battery on and have a light set up very quickly. The inbuilt soft filter feature is really useful, though I leave a piece of diff on the barndoors at all times anyway. However the light is quite heavy so it is hard to rig up as a single operator usually working without a gaffer or any assistants. The colours on the Mixpanel are also a bit off so I rarely use it on interviews which is the majority of my work. I think I'll be getting rid of the mixpanel and replacing with one of these in either a 120c or 60c as the ability to rig it for a hairlight is more useful to me. I might grab a 2ft or 4ft tube to replace as a handheld light when I need something I can just pull out and use.

[@paper_camera]

@gaffergear How does the 120c compare to the Amaran F21c? Which is the better light? It sounds like the ease of assembly of Nanlite is great, but perhaps the color rendition of the Amaran is better?

[@gaffergear]

Comes down to whether you vale colour render and CCT range over speed and ease of setup. I have replaced my F21C units with these but I am keeping my F22s. That's my compromise

[@stuartswindellcampoy8483]

Hi, thanks for your videos and hard work you put into them! I have a question the F22c have a lux of around 5000 at 1m but apparently the new 240w version from NA light has 25000 lux at 1m how accurate is this as you tested the 120c at around 2600 at 1m, my guess as it's 2 120c together that it would be around 5000lux at 1m unless they did some incredible magic

[@gaffergear]

I'm not sure how Nanlite get their readings, I'm using a c800 for my lux readings as this seems to give me very close to other manufacturers claims on their products, I usually get slightly more light than Aputure claim for example. but always less than those claimed by Nanlux. I'm not saying they are doing anything dodgy, I have 3 meters that all give me different lux readings, I'm just saying my C800 tends to line up very closely to other brands claims. Also I don't trust readings at 1m. They can be inflated greatly by optics in the light compared to at 3m

[@stuartswindellcampoy8483]

@@gaffergear if you get your hands on the nanlite pavoslim 240 would you mind doing the 3m reading on it please :)

[@user-xv6tk2vw3r]

Kupo Big Boom with Four-Way Geared Controlreview this product

[@loumurrall]

Andrew, are you going to be reviewing the XT26 and CS15 anytime soon?

[@gaffergear]

I had a box arrive from Aputure yesterday with lenses, an Iris and an ETC adaptor for the spotlight max. The box was marked 1 of 5. The other 4 boxes were too heavy for the standard delivery guy to deliver in a van. I'm guessing one of the missing boxes is the spotlight max and I'm hoping two of the others are the XT26 and CS15.

[@shem44]

Its a shame that Nanlite force people to buy the color version by not including the controller clamp, fast softbox, pin clamp and lousier grid. I have no need for color and prefer to have higher 3200 and 5600 output.

[@gaffergear]

It's odd

[@Ranger7Studios]

Hopefully they can fix the HSI with a firmware update???

[@gaffergear]

Totally doable, If they do it that is

[@gezzabomb]

Hey Locky, thanks for another great review. Does the 60c also come with the improved softbox the same as the 120c?

[@gaffergear]

Yes

[@tokekkk]

weird decision to differ the accesories included between full color and bicolor version.

[@gaffergear]

Totally, I suspect they made thousands of the ones selling with the Bi-colour and then changed the design to the pop out. And this is how they are trying to get rid of them. Just a theory!

[@GOA_Pictures]

wow, where is the affiliate links? you deserve %-s, marketing them so well

[@gaffergear]

Affiliate links take work away from local distributors.

[@ErisedMediaCo]

You said there’s no spot for a safety chain on the back but there’s a 1/4-20 mounting point. Put an eye hook there and chain it through that…

[@gaffergear]

You could, but the 1/4 20 threads are in the corners, not near the centre, so it would have a 2ft swing on it if it came loose and it was only mounted at the one point

[@mblais213]

I still don't know what to buy... Those Pavoslim or Amaran F22C

[@gaffergear]

I've gone PavoSlim and 22c. These have replaced my 21Cs.

[@Samskihero]

Amazing lights, But I could not be more annoyed at Nanlite's decision on the accessories though... The choice should be if you want Bi-Color or Full Color, it makes NO SENSE to make such brilliant accessories and also decide to make even weaker accessories, just to pair them with the Bi-Color light as if it's a cheaper unit, it's the same family of lights and should have the same family of accessories, Bi-Color is a choice not just a cost savings method, so why they took out so many things...

[@gaffergear]

It's totally bizarre

[@suckersklub82]

as always, a great review, thanks andrew! i recently got myself a 120c to check it out. did you by any chance have success linking the onboard timotwo to your crmx toolbox? i was trying to update it, but i can't even get its bluetooth to show up anywhere. i've already tried on multiple devices, and even through the bt options on the of the box operating system, although that shouldn't even be related to the issue. the specs say there's a timotwo in there, but if that's true, it's bluetooth is very elusive ... 🥲

[@gaffergear]

They definitely don't talk to the app. I highly doubt they have TimoTwo modules. I would say they have TimoFX modules. If you are having problems with flashing it is fixable via a Nanlite firmware update

[@suckersklub82]

someone needs to pry one open and look inside i guess. :) @@gaffergear

[@suckersklub82]

@@gaffergear - i do INDEED have MASSIVE problems with flashing all of a sudden! they worked perfectly fine for a month or so, and as of yesterday, they're completely unusable via CRMX. i have tried everything to isolate the source of the problem. they're running the latest (official) firmware (v1.01.04), too - did you get a beta from nanlite or something?

[@gaffergear]

@@suckersklub82 this sounds like the firmware issue I encountered during my initial testing, the light was not usable. I had a look at the official firmware on the website and it looks too old to be the stable CRMX version. I'm letting them know

[@suckersklub82]

​@@gaffergear awesome! would you mind me dropping you an email with my contact info, in case they have something? i have already emailed their support, but no reply yet.