SOFTBOX VS LANTERN | which is best for you?

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Smallrig website: www.smallrig.com?afmc=226
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SmallRig recently released a new lineup of lights and with it came the modifiers. In this video I review their SmallRig RA-D85 (85cm) softbox and their RA-L65 (65cm) lantern. I go over examples of how to use these modifiers, for what scenario and how it can improve your setup.
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Thanks for SmallRig for sending me a free sample of their softbox. You can purchase it here: www.smallrig.com/smallrig-ra-...
Thanks a lot to Perrot-Image here in Switzerland for sending me a sample of the lantern, here's the link to purchase: perrot-image.ch/de/led-leucht...
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My website: www.crisphotography.info
My Instagram: @cris_photo_graphy
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Thanks to hooksounds.com for their amazing music!
Check out their website and get 10% discount with this link and code: www.hooksounds.com/ref/estala... and use the code CRIS10
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00:00 Intro
0:47 Softbox (SmallRig RA-D85)
5:24 Lantern (SmallRig RA-L65)
8:31 Examples of usage
12:37 Conclusion

[@DaytonaShooter]

Superb review and demonstration! Thank you. You answered all my questions and the visual demonstration made my decision easy. You make a great point for the top loading case. You presentation makes perfect sense and brings attention to the unique properties. Thank you very much. All the best. 🙏

[@cris_photography]

Thanks a lot - much appreciated! Glad this was helpful to you. Take care

[@chrisyfitz]

Very thorough and helpful. Thank you 😊

[@cris_photography]

You’re very welcome Christine!

[@nisrinakurnia]

Such a good and helpful review of the softbox and the lantern thanks alot for your effort

[@cris_photography]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful

[@thespeakingpen]

Lantern wins for moving scenes: the softbox wins for talking heads with a single subject. The lantern is more versatile

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the input! I agree with you. Take care

[@davidp158]

The main deciding factor for me between softbox vs lantern is how much light I want to reach into the background. When properly set up, I think both will give similar light fall off and shadow softness on talent. One advantage to the Aputure lantern is the ability to shape the spill with the skirt around the perimeter. One big drawback to the Aputure lantern is that it is difficult to add a color gel to it. The magnetic gel holder for the Aputure softbox is brilliant.

[@cris_photography]

Exactly 👍🏼 very good points thanks!

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you Cris for the helpful and informative comparative video! God bless and Good luck!

[@cris_photography]

Thank you for watching and glad it was helpful! Take care

[@bala1000mina]

@@cris_photography Thank you Cris!

[@amandamessbarger]

Nice review. Thanks!

[@cris_photography]

My pleasure Amanda

[@matthewtrump3452]

Great review and explanation! Curious to know your thoughts/comparisons between the RA-D85 and the Aputure Light Dome II. Quite a sizeable difference in cost here in Aus and wondering whether it's worth paying more for the Aputure? Apart from physical dimensions which are easy enough to compare, how does the build quality and quality of light compare?

[@cris_photography]

Hello Matthew, thanks for your comment and feedback. To be honest, I don’t see why aputure’s lightdome II is that expensive. The bag’s zipper broke within a few usage for example and otherwise it works fine. The SmallRig one while being 5cm smaller in diameter is really good be it in terms of quality, the open and closing system is smooth and the bag works fine too - nothing to say. So y’a, function wise I like them both but for the price nowadays I’d go for the small rig if I had to come back on my purchase. Hope that helps Take care

[@matthewtrump3452]

@@cris_photography really appreciate your feedback! I think I'll end up picking up SmallRig 👍

[@JackieDElia]

Really enjoyed this video. I’ve got a softbox and grid, which works well for my setup.

[@cris_photography]

That’s great! Thanks for watching and take care

[@chrisquigley]

Good video. I enjoyed it. I wonder how the RA-D85 compares to the Aputure Light Dome Mini II.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Chris. I own the aputure light dome II (the 90cm diameter one) and they are about the same thing. I believe that the dome mini II only has one layer of diffusion vs 2 for the RA-D85 AND it is smaller in diameter so the light will be a tad harsher. Take care

[@robwettengl8845]

I would buy these over the Godox just because of the storage bags, I have two and both bags, the zipper broke in a few months, very cheap. Glad to see Smallrig took care of this important detail.

[@cris_photography]

Right?? I feel ya - I feel the same way and after over a year still intact btw. Take care

[@robwettengl8845]

@@cris_photography thanks for the reply, good to know the bags held up for you. Just watching the video, I could see it was a superior design. You take care as well!

[@vasilis72]

Hello Cris! Well explained video! Do you remember on what percentage the power light was on the lantern on this video?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Vasilis! Unfortunately I don’t remember but I’d say between 20 and 40% (the fans not on so I don’t think more than that). Take care

[@ahmedmhpop1087]

Very good explanation

[@cris_photography]

Thank you

[@BiscuitsAndBurlap]

Thanks for this. We're making cooking videos and unhappy with the lighting so far. We're thinking of getting a lantern style modifier and your video was quite helpful. FYI - your link goes to the light itself - not the lantern.

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, thanks for the message and glad this was helpful to you! I’ll check the link now - strange Thanks

[@fidiak]

Nice video, thanks

[@cris_photography]

My pleasure

[@vamsikrishna4960]

Great vid. Is it best to use 2 lanterns to evenly light up groups (4-6 people) as compared to using 2 softboxs? or do you suggest using any other modifiers ? thanks

[@cris_photography]

Thanks. Depending on the location, I’d bounce the light to the ceiling probably (so either no modifier or maybe a couple of lanterns)

[@21ferebee]

Hello Great Content Question. Which one is better with the amaran 100d? Also which one is better for a 2 person shoot?

[@cris_photography]

Hello 👋🏼 thanks. I’d say that the lantern with no barn doors gives you an all around even lighting and if your only going to une one I’d go with that one. Cheers

[@HuyNguyen-ux6zk]

Hi Cris, I'd like to know what app you used to control the light output. Thanks.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! It’s the app SmallGoGo cheers

[@eduardomagana3158]

Hello, would you recommend a small rig ra-d55 or a light dome mine ii?

[@cris_photography]

Hello Eduardo, honestly per what I could see, the biggest difference is the price. So I’d recommend going for the SmallRig one. Take care

[@imjustfabi7545]

At which brightness were these two lights? I was a bit shocket, at how dimm they were. Thx for the comparrison.

[@cris_photography]

Must have been at around 30% - not more. Cheers

[@arturbukatar4532]

Great video! Would you use small rig 30in or 21inch for a small room to do talking head video?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Artur! Depends a lot on the room size and the light you’re using AND the diffusion you’re after. So hard to say but if the big one fits and your light is strong enough I’d go with the 30in cheers

[@arturbukatar4532]

@@cris_photography thank you Chris for your prompt reply!

[@sagarstudio8520]

wao imazing

[@cris_photography]

Thanks 😊

[@mikemeetstec]

Thank you sir

[@cris_photography]

You’re very welcome

[@SaintWolfCrypto]

In the example you mentioned with the officee/interview wouldn't it be better to use the parabolic since the light is above so you only light the subjects vs the whole room?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks and yes you could that too. It really depends on the space you have available and the mood/style you are going for. I used both in different case scenarios and they are both good. Cheers

[@UrbanRoamer]

Hey man, which light stand you’re using for the lantern? It’s tall enough + you can roll it around

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, it’s a neewer C-stand that goes up to 3 meters I believe.I did get the wheels for it so I can move it around. Do make sure to get sand bags for the feet so it doesn’t tilt over with the weight of lights. Cheers

[@MrHenriquez]

Thank you for the examples of usage. What, would you say, are the biggest downfalls of the lantern?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks. Honestly the light spill is one. It spills a LOT everywhere and if that’s the look you want (I use that a lot personally) it’s awesome but otherwise it’s hard to control unless you use the diffuser but that only works if the lanter is upside down and that’s not always easy to do (ceiling space, light stand, etc.) cheers

[@MrHenriquez]

@@cris_photography Thanks! That's something to think about.

[@JayJanePhotography]

When you said don't move, my initial reaction was Don't ki** me!! Thanks for the info. Exactly what I searched for.

[@cris_photography]

;) thanks - glad it was helpful!

[@WideAngleLuis]

I was thinking of buying the lantern for interviews. I also do flash photography I wonder if the lantern is worth it. I have a bowens mount adapter for my speed light so it would fit it.

[@cris_photography]

That’s cool! I use it often with my flashes and it works great (and I find it very good for interviews as well). It’s a very versatile type of modifier. Cheers

[@thebrandfotollcbymelaniene1601]

what is the best continuous light power you can use with the lantern soft box?

[@cris_photography]

Honestly it really depends on how much light you need. I use it regularly with either a 120 a 220 or a 450 from Smallrig - it all depends on my project and effet I need. Cheers

[@bme7491]

Is the RC120 usable for studio photos? (assuming you have at least two).

[@cris_photography]

Hello there, you can - sure - but u strongly advise using flash for photography vs continuous lighting. It’ll strain less on the model’s eyes and use less power overall. That said, depending on what you want to light up the 120s are fine for photography too Cheers

[@bme7491]

@@cris_photography Agree, flash is more flexible....I went with the Godox V1.

[@SlavGuns]

Awesome. Definitely helpful.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks and glad it could help 😉

[@gabrielahuallanca]

Excellent video! Which do you think would be best to record my video lessons using a whiteboard. Also, how many would be necessary? Thank you!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Gabriela! It really depends on a lot of things (size of the room, distance from the subject, type of light being used, final look you’re going for, etc.) But I presume you want everything evenly lit and in that case I’d go with the lantern and a 220 so you have a good soft lighting everywhere. Donc think more that that is needed to start and then see if you need more. Cheers

[@gabrielahuallanca]

@@cris_photography Thank you! Sorry, but I'm not sure what you mean by 'a 220'

[@cris_photography]

Oh sorry! I meant the SmallRig 120 or the SmallRig 220 (its the stronger light from smallrig). You can check on this channel I made a review comparing the 2. Take care

[@gabrielahuallanca]

@@cris_photography Thank you so much! I understand now!

[@brandonlazo]

Hello! How is the quality after a year? Do you think 65 is perfect or maybe 90?

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, thanks. Keep using those modifiers on a daily basis and not a single issue with it! So definitely good products. Personally I prefer a bigger source of light making it more pleasing and less harsh but if you travel a lot and need a small diffuser 65 is ok (I used a couple of them for projects in Italy where I didn’t have much space to carry bigger ones and they really are ok but for big if you can. Take care

[@ruutube2483]

What ARE you using for your key light before you turned it off!?

[@cris_photography]

I was probably using my aputure 120d II with a 90cm soft box 😅

[@ruutube2483]

@@cris_photography thnks man

[@cris_photography]

Betcha

[@sagarstudio8520]

😍

[@cris_photography]

😊

[@diegocaracasfc]

If you are in budget and need to buy just one for interviews with two people, which softbox would you buy?

[@cris_photography]

I’d go with the lantern

[@diegocaracasfc]

@@cris_photography now the question would be what size? 65cm or 90cm

[@cris_photography]

What light will you be using? 120/220/450? Depending on the light I’d take a smaller or bigger one. For a 120 I’d go with 65 and for 220/450 I’d take a 90cm. Either one will work but I’d go like that personally. Cheers

[@diegocaracasfc]

@@cris_photography I was thinking to buy the 200. I'm wondering if a 200 is too much for what I'm thinking (interviews of 1 person or 2)

[@callmesahara]

Which would you recommend for a beauty video shoot?

[@cris_photography]

I’d probably go with the lantern so soften the light and have it everywhere but it really depends on the space you have.

[@user-fn6zb2nl8i]

which one gives more light on objects?

[@cris_photography]

Can’t really answer that question. There is not one giving more on the subjects, depends on the way you use them, how many subjects, positioning, distance, size of the subject, etc.

[@josephjobe216]

Who manufactures the Lantern Skirt?

[@cris_photography]

Smallrig - it comes with when you purchase it

[@aruspl]

Isn't a lantern with a skirt a softbox? Does it work that way? :D Excluding honeycomb. If it is, the lantern seems more universal.

[@cris_photography]

😁 you might think! I noticed a grided soft box will provide a much softer light, even simply with the fact that you can add layers of diffusion - and that is the biggest difference vs a “skirted” lantern 😉 take care

[@aruspl]

@@cris_photography Thanks a lot for response! Have a great day :)

[@evelynparreira]

🤗

[@cris_photography]

😉

[@coin777]

3:23 You mean reflecting coating. ANTI reflective will absorb the light.

[@cris_photography]

Yep

[@castielvargastv7931]

So basically a lantern makes umbrella light. The only difference is it loses less light as it is closed

[@cris_photography]

Yes kind of. The lantern can be modified with a skirt making it more flexible too. Cheers

[@jambononi]

Also surely it's actual purpose is to create a 360 degree light whereas a softbox is directional?

[@MadPunky]

Get a lantern. Lanterns can be a soft box too with some modifications.

[@cris_photography]

True true - BUT you will prolly need a C-Stand to do so (being held from above) which can be a hustle in any cases (need a high ceiling). I find lanterns to be amazing but I find myself using soft boxes a lot too. Cheers!

[@AirPixelProMedia]

whats the tripod you are using? seems very durable

[@cris_photography]

Hi there, you mean the light stands? I use Manfrotto but also Neewer and other brands like Walimex. Nothing too fancy but they last and work just fine for the price. Cheers