Is THIS the Best Small Softbox? Aputure Mini Light Dome III vs. the Competition

[@jdstarek]

About to begin my YouTubing adventure, watching literally hundreds of videos on lighting. But your energy and common sense approach stuck out. Subscribed, keep it coming.

[@thesahdstudio]

Awesome! Glad you found the channel 👊 I have some really good videos for helping out channels for when they are small. One I recommend on lighting while you're here is this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZjCnn5_rLaXjqM Also I have a couple on finding your audience I think area really worth watching, the first one in the series is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKuwgqSdg81sZ6M And I'm always around to chat to! Good luck man 🍻

[@pranavom]

Wishing you all the best

[@Lysemoselund]

Great video! I'm moving my studio from the outdoors to the indoors, and my big dilemma is about the size of the softbox. Think you're right that the brand isn't terrible inportant.

[@thesahdstudio]

That's just it... is it nicer to have the better one? Of course... is it worth $100+? Na. I've been happy with the little setup.

[@IceManIsaac]

Fantastic video. Would love to learn more from you on wide appeal topics like "Does Softbox Size Matter?" or "How Powerful Of A Light Do You Really Need" (as alluded to at 6:50). Those broader educational videos might perform better on "Recommended" as opposed to these very specific videos that might only perform better on "Search." You could still cover the individuals product recommendations after transitioning from your main topic. Longer videos, wider topic appeal, more retention = win, win, win for You, KZbin, and the viewer IMO! Keep up the great work!

[@thesahdstudio]

Thanks mang! I appreciate the suggestions. I like 'em! I've bounced around with more general approaches to headlines in the past, but perhaps just didn't quite land the headline/thumbnail combo to get caught in the ol' algorithm. It doesn't help I often bounce around from topic to topic (same with on my other channel The SAHD Life). Do you find at your level of subs, are you still taking chances with new concepts for thumbnails/headlines or do you just stick with what you know works?

[@2cupcakes1jar45]

subscribed to your channel, loved how detail you are in explaining about the softboxes/lightings too! Purchased the NEEWER 35"/90cm Octagonal Softbox, and can't wait to see it! Thank you!

[@thesahdstudio]

Welcome to the channel! Thanks for the positive vibes, I really appreciate it 👊 And that's exciting about the softbox!! Is it your first one? What light are you putting it on? What camera are you rocking?! So many questions :)

[@2cupcakes1jar45]

Yes, this will be my first. I've been researching for about a couple of weeks. I'm going to attach it to Amaran 60. I'm using an older DSLR Nikon version ( until I can save up for another camera). Thanks for the great video!

[@Finnathegod]

did you get a change to look at my lighting situation?

[@thesahdstudio]

I didn't. Just at the great Wolf Lodge with the family on vacation lol. Sorry mang.

[@RyanKorea]

Good comparison. It seems like the only thing that mattered was the size.

[@thesahdstudio]

Right? Having a small one is nice since it's so much easier to move and you don't need a massive stand for it but there's nothing better than a giant softbox.

[@JeffB]

Thank you! Keep going SAHD!

[@thesahdstudio]

Really appreciate the support my man 👊

[@kendelion]

Just bought a mini 3 and 60x S. Works great, light weight and easy to use. But after seeing this video, I might get the Neewer instead for my next set. Thanks!

[@thesahdstudio]

Funny timing you just got the same stuff I did! Yeah I love the little neewer one. It's not as cool to look at as the Mini 3 but the value is just better. You'll have to let me know what you think about it!

[@Finnathegod]

hey man, could you help me with something? I was wondering if I could talk to you about my lighting situation.

[@thesahdstudio]

I'll do my best to help. What's up?

[@Finnathegod]

​@@thesahdstudio do you think you could look at the lighting of my recent livestream on twitch and tell me what i can do to fix my lighting? i.use two elgato keylights on my face, the camera is a sony zv 1, the fps is 60, the black light is turned down 3, and the saturation + contrast are turned up in obs. How can i improve it? my twitch is jmizzy_, i cant send the link because it deletes the comment but you can see the most recent broadcast on that page.

[@Finnathegod]

@@thesahdstudio do you think you could look at the lighting of my recent livestream and tell me what I can do to fix my lighting? I use two Elgato Key Lights on my face, the camera is a Sony ZV-1, the FPS is 60, the black light is turned down 3, and the saturation + contrast are turned up in OBS. How can I improve it?

[@thesahdstudio]

@Finnathegod do people complain about it? Why do you think it doesn't look so good? I haven't really had a chance to look at it but... Why are you using two key lights on your face? Do you have soft boxes for them? Typically using one and having it at an angle would create a little bit more dramatic lighting which might be what you're looking for? You might not need the fill light at all or just have it really soft.

[@Finnathegod]

​@@thesahdstudio It doesn’t look good because there’s always a shadow over my eyes, and the lens keeps auto-correcting. It feels uncomfortable to watch since the saturation and contrast are too strong. I’ve also learned recently that using the highest FPS isn’t always the best, which at 60fps, may be true in my case. Honestly, I’ve made a lot of adjustments, like cranking up contrast and saturation, and lowering the blacklight, but people say it makes me look like I’m crying, sweating, or shiny. I’m using two Elgato Key Lights because other creators recommended it, but I’m definitely looking for advice from someone with more experience, like you. Do you think I should get a softbox for them, and if so, where could I find one?

[@svoropaev]

Great video and channel, bro! I wonder what lenses are you using mostly these days for studio shooting and outdoor?

[@thesahdstudio]

Thanks for the positive vibes! Appreciate it. Honestly my 24mm g Master f 1.4 It's pretty much all I ever use right now. It's just so good and I don't mind moving it around as I need to. I know some people like zoom lenses but I just love how wide open prime lenses are and how good they look it's hard to use anything else! What's your main lens?

[@svoropaev]

@@thesahdstudio I have same Sony 24mm GM lens, I used to have 20 mm G Lens, but finally I’ve sold it and bought 24mm. And to be honest this is my favorite lens ever. For portrait I have Sony 55mm 1.8, but 24mm I use much more often ) may be I would keep 20mm or tamron 17-28 just for vlogging

[@thesahdstudio]

@svoropaev Nice! I have the Tamron 17-28. Honestly I thought I would use it more than I have. It is nice to go wide but if I had to pick one I would probably choose the Sony 20 mm. But maybe the grass is just always greener on the other side??😆

[@svoropaev]

@@thesahdstudio Great, I feel same. Interesting, ihat wide lenses would you choose Sony 20mm or Tamron 17-28 in addition to your 24mm for wide outdoor videos?

[@thesahdstudio]

@@svoropaev Oop, sorry I didn't respond to this! Didn't see it. Honestly I'd probably just take the Sony 20mm... but if I had that, I don't even know if I'd need the 24mm. It sure is case by case when deciding on what gear to get. I think zoom lens are great for when you are BEHIND the camera, but if you are a one man band and are always in front of the camera, you really won't be using the zoom much and should focus on picture quality where the primes always win (in my opinion).

[@Finnathegod]

hey man, you check the lighting on my streams?

[@thesahdstudio]

Yo man! I'm in vacay for a couple more days. I've setup a reminder and will chat you up soon!

[@Finnathegod]

@@thesahdstudio thanks a lot, appreciate it again, it’s under JMizzy_

[@thesahdstudio]

Hey man, can you link me a video that shows your lighting well so we can chat about it?

[@thesahdstudio]

Also, I can't find our other convo, but if you can also add what camera/lens you're using and what lights you have or are using as well that'd help. It looks like you might have the room lights on in the background as well? I'm just looking at the last video on your channel from 3 months ago.

[@Finnathegod]

@@thesahdstudio So i cant actually mention it or else youtube deletes the comment, but its jmizzy_ under another site where you can stream...

[@MortyMizrahi]

Great comparison and good info! I wonder why the neewer was so much (relatively small admittedly) hotter. Is it shallower than the aputure? I wonder if the light has more room to soften up? 🤷

[@thesahdstudio]

Thanks for watching! You know, even though I had the footage, I didn't include it! Doh. Here's the reason (I think)... The 1st level of diffusion with the Neewer is just the same white material as the 2nd layer... whereas with the Aputure one, the 1st layer is a reflector as opposed to a diffuser... so it redirects the light off the dome and then it passes through the diffuser, but the Neewer one just goes through 2 layers of diffusers instead. There's definitely some room to just back off the light and soften it up. I love that little Neewer one. It's so great using it!

[@MortyMizrahi]

@@thesahdstudio That makes a lot of sense now that you say it :p Thinking back to the video i did notice that but my brain immediately dismissed it.. And now that you're pointing it out, it is causing the synapses to fire and connect the dots that you just connected :p

[@todddammit4628]

The 22" Neewer has a noticeably worse hot spot compared to the Aputure.

[@thesahdstudio]

It does for sure. But I found that for how use it, it doesn't really matter. If you can afford it I recommend the Aputure but the Neewer one gets the job done especially at lower brightness.