SmallRig’s 220 watt RC220B LED light A much anticipated update RC120 Series LED. Although the D version is daylight balanced, the B model we tested offers a color balance of 2700K to 6500K. After creating several small vulgar-style LED lights, it seems that with this update, SmallRig is officially entering the world of professional continuous lighting.
The updated system seems to have easily restored the RC120 body with a set of more powerful internal components, allowing existing users to keep the same bags, boxes and modifiers they already owned. Outside the box, the RC 220B light ship is housed in a semi-rigid shell-carrying case that includes a protective plastic cap, a large reflector, and power bricks and wires to light up to about twenty feet from the plug.
Design and build quality
The light is almost identical to the compact RC120 model with an integrated handle on the back of the body for a secure grip when handling or adjusting the light stand. The light body itself has a metal chassis and a plastic enclosure, as well as a stiff plastic light stand mount and hardening crank.
During my testing, the plastic felt like it could break when I was stiffening the boom light, but to my surprise, even after a lot of pressure, it held firmly. I wouldn’t recommend going crazy with the pressure on it, but for most users, the mounts were durable and secure enough.
The light itself features a Bowens compatible mount for modifiers with a quick release lock on top of the light. It was nice to see a new LED system use some industry-standard mounts, especially since I already had several modifiers that I could test with it. If Bowen isn’t your thing, there’s an integrated umbrella holder next to the mount.
The back of the LED has a minimal design and features a power cable, on / off switch, an LCD screen and two jug dial buttons that control the intensity, color temperature and effect.
The light is cooled by a fan which was surprisingly quiet and unprepared even when turned on. Even the slightest sound can be picked up by an on-set microphone when recording video, but compared to some of the LED lights I’ve tested recently, it was the quietest.
In addition, even after leaving the light on at full power for a few hours, the fans protected the light from overheating and it was not at all difficult to manage. According to the company, the fan turns on automatically when the temperature hits 60-degree Celsius (140-degree Fahrenheit) and the sound output is 30 decibels or less.
It is also worth noting that this light has an optional V-mounted battery plate that allows you to purchase a separate 14.4V / 26V battery (not included) to connect to this rig and use the LED in areas where direct power is not available. . Remember, users will need a very BF battery to take advantage of this, but there is an option.
Features and settings
The new RC 220B Lite has a standard (adjustable) 2700K to 6500K color temperature and brightness control, as well as a selection of special effects most suitable for video shooters. This new light also has a built-in Bluetooth controller that lets you control the light and change every single setting SmallGoGo App that is available for iPhone and Android users.
It’s great to use the app once you’re connected, but to be fair, the process of connecting it was a bit confusing and I had to go to the company’s YouTube channel to find a guide on how to specifically add light via Bluetooth. The process was a little more crude to my liking, but it’s an early generation that should only improve with future firmware and software updates.
To connect the light to the Bluetooth app, you need to hold the light reset button for about five seconds to trigger the Bluetooth pairing.
The app allows users to turn on, off, or change any of the available settings, including enabling or adjusting the brightness, color temperature, and special effects options.
Special effects options are becoming commonplace in modern LEDs for video work, but the features are still fun and welcome. This light includes settings for Flash / Paparazzi, Lightning Bolts, Party Lights, TVs, Fireplaces, Fireworks and more that allow for some interesting and creative background setup while shooting video. Sadly, none of this has real value for stationary shooters.
Light quality and performance
According to the company, when the metal reflector is mounted, the light is rated for 84,500 lux and has a TLCI of 96+ and CRI of 95+. Put that in a normal strobist perspective. With this light at full power using a large softbox, I was able to illuminate corporate headshots (as well as creative portraits) at about ISO 500 with an F-stop of 5.6 without any problems. Somehow “perfect” but still very usable and much more powerful than I expected from the system.
In a short time I tested this light, the color temperature was very accurate, with a variation of only 100 to 150 Kelvin depending on where I set it. While not entirely perfect, it was quite impressive considering the very low cost of lighting and is still within the same acceptable diversity level of most professional strobes.
The bottom line is that, apart from bumping up my ISO, the light itself is very usable (as seen in the portrait) or even blends in with other lights like the headshots shown in the picture below. For the headshots in this review, I’ve used the SmallRig RC 220B as the main light with the Profoto B2 head used for backdrop and rim lights.
Affordable light for photography and videography
The 220B light is more powerful than its predecessor and is surprisingly usable for professional-level photo and video work with accurate color temperature control. Although the light is not perfect or is not loaded with tons of bells and whistles, it is Is Small, lightweight, portable, and can be powered directly by the outlet or battery which makes it much more versatile than I initially expected.
As a primarily focused still-photo creative, I’d prefer a larger power output, but that larger output would probably come at a much larger cost. Priced at less than $ 370 for the light, the proposed power is actually quite impressive and must be used to create professional-level images.
Have options?
Looking at how to make these LED items more affordable, there are plenty of options available at the same price, with its own advantages and disadvantages per dollar. Outside the gate, unless you need extra energy $ 369 RC220BYou can save about 100 and go with it 120B Also from SmallRig. In addition, you can choose from one of the other options e.g. $ 199 Aputure Alert 100DThe 20 520 Nanlite Force 200, $ 475 Rotolite AEOS Portable Dual Color LEDThe 9 449 Godox / Flashpoint FV200And $ 189 SL-100Y Or $ 395 SL-200WII.
Each of these lights will give you a little more or less power and function associated with the price they are asking for, so depending on what you need outside of a continuous LED system, any one of these is a suitable option. However, the RC220B seems to give the most push as far as light energy is concerned.
Will you buy it?
Yes. If you are a hybrid shooter looking for an affordable, expandable and cool lighting system for your video and still working, SmallRig RC220B Definitely looking value.
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