I’ve a really small workplace area, which I take advantage of for work and filming tutorials. For the filming half, I used to be searching for a compact lighting resolution. Typical studio lights are sometimes fairly massive and would not have supplied the flexibility I wanted. That is why I am glad I obtained launched to the Colbor CL60R, which I evaluation on this article.
This tiny LED studio gentle is ideal for small areas and affords some attention-grabbing options at an inexpensive worth.
Specs
The Colbor CL60R is an RGB LED gentle that not solely allows you to management shade temperature and brightness but additionally lets you choose from greater than three million colours in its HSI mode. At most depth, it could possibly ship 2,600 lux at a one-meter distance. It may be elevated even additional with the included reflector mounted by way of a Bowens adapter.
The CRI score of 97+, quiet fan, weight of solely 600 g, an choice to mix a number of lights in a matrix, and an app you need to use to manage all the sunshine’s options remotely spherical off the package deal Colbor affords.
I must also point out that 13 lighting results might be simulated, together with lightning, fireplace, and TV. In the event you use the Colbor CL60R as an ambient gentle in your video manufacturing, these results may turn out to be useful whereas they are not related for images.
Apart from a carrying bag, a Bowens mount, a reflector, and an adapter to mount the sunshine onto a lighting stand, the Colbor CL60R comes with a compact AC adapter to plug right into a wall outlet. Connected to this adapter is a 3 m USB-C cable, which delivers energy to the unit.
What I Like
As I present within the characteristic video, as a result of I haven’t got a lot area behind the digital camera when filming in my workplace, I put the sunshine exterior the body and level it on the white wall and ceiling above my digital camera. The mirrored gentle ensuing from this setup may be very tender, and due to the ability of the Colbor CL60R, nonetheless brilliant sufficient for my use. I seldom go above 50% depth after I’m filming at 1/50 s, ISO 100, and f/2.8.
And as much as that depth, I can use the so-called quiet mode of the sunshine. The fan is hardly noticeable then, which is ideal for filming. And even at greater intensities in sensible mode, the fan may be very silent and by no means an issue after I report audio with the DJI microphone near my mouth.
What I seen instantly after unpacking the sunshine have been its construct high quality and cube-like design. It feels well-made and stable and affords completely different mounting factors on either side. These assist you to connect equipment like a V-Mount batteries or mix a number of lights in a matrix.
The construct high quality does not contribute an excessive amount of weight, although. At 600 g, the Colbor gentle feels very light-weight. Measurement-wise, it isn’t way more than a handful.
Some of the vital options of a LED gentle is the variable temperature setting. I can discover the proper temperature for any state of affairs between 2,700 and 6,500 Okay. With the Colbor app, I can accomplish that remotely.
Moman Energy 99
In the event you purchase such a compact gentle, one thought that may come to thoughts is to make use of it exterior. Because it does not add a lot weight to a typical digital camera backpack, it is excellent for outside photoshoots for which you require some additional gentle. I just lately used it for woodland images at night time.
You may now ask how one can energy the sunshine throughout such a photograph shoot. The reply comes from Moman, who has a number of compact V-Mount batteries of their lineup. For my photoshoot, I paired the Colbor CL60R with the Moman Power 99 battery. It was not more than 5 °C, and I used the sunshine at round 70% depth for almost half-hour. After the shoot, the 99Wh battery nonetheless almost held 80% of its capability.
Just like the Colbor gentle, the battery is a compact powerhouse. It suits within the palm of a hand, weighs solely 500 g, is rated secure for plane carry-on, and has two 200 W D-Faucet outputs that you possibly can use to energy not just one however two lights. Along with that, you need to use two USB outputs on the high of the battery to cost smaller electronics.
The one factor taking away a few of its versatility is the comparatively massive D-Faucet charger you should purchase individually. If Moman manages to eliminate it in a future model of the battery and permits charging by way of USB-C, it is going to be excellent for off-grid journey. One other characteristic I would prefer to see is help for quick charging over the USB retailers. The battery might then energy tablets and laptops.
What Might Be Improved
I really like the opportunity of utilizing an app to manage the sunshine, and the providing from Colbor works nicely sufficient. However there’s room for enchancment. The app may very well be extra responsive, and shifting a slider ought to straight have an effect on the sunshine. At the moment, new settings are solely despatched to the unit when you launch a slider. It ought to be fastened in future updates of the app.
Then I’ve one little gripe with the 2 wheels in the back of the unit. These aren’t wheels however switches that do not really feel as well-built as the remainder of the sunshine. I might a lot desire correct knobs as a substitute. The LCD might additionally use an improve.
Conclusion
Based mostly on the options, portability, and construct high quality of the Colbor CL60R, a worth of $199 is a good deal. In the event you do not require the RGB choice, it can save you $50 and go for the CL60, which is out there for $149. The most important promoting level for me is its measurement and weight. In the event you do not connect a big gentle modifier by way of the included Bowens adapter, you’ll be able to match the sunshine even into small areas. Mixed with a V-Mount batterie just like the Moman Energy 99, it offers you all the flexibleness you should be inventive.
