So my Neewer 60w point source LED light, came today.
It cost $85au!
It is brighter than my 660 panel, probably my 660 and 480 together. It is handy to use with the remote, which is cheap, but works well, but equally in-convenient, needing power from the wall, but $85….. .
In comparison videos, this light actually looked slightly more even and a smidgeon warmer than the Godox, which retails at over $200 (for now).
Above, shot in manual mode, all at the same settings; Ambient light, then the 660 using all the warm and cool beads for maximum output and the SL-60 at 100%. It is actually providing daylight fill (see the window top right). The 660 was also wall connected which gives it a little more power than batteries alone. Out of frame is the nicely rounded edge of the SL-60 light.
It is plasticky and light weight, not built for heavy use, but again, $85….., so buy a few of them.
Fan noise is insignificant, especially considering it is capable of lighting a whole room from way back. You can feel it running when you are touching the unit, but have to put your ear to within a few inches to hear it. For closer work, I think it would be pushing it anyway as the minimum 10% setting is still a lot of light, so I will continue to use the slim-line 480 panel (silent and gentler).
The light is a point source, so yes, it is un-focussed by design. A modifier is needed to either soften or shape it. One reason I jumped at one, apart from the price, was the small collection of mods I have at hand that will not be used for stills work (plenty of other options available there), again keeping my total outlay to, you guessed it…...$85.
The 26” double baffle soft box is a little small, but provides even and soft light.
A brolly is good, probably reversed, and my 90x20 strip soft box, which rarely gets any use as it is a pain to assemble, is ideal for video and stills, especially as a hair light as the long flat edge can come closer to the subject and not be in the frame.
The 7” diffuser dish is perfect for it and works well with a grid and/or diffuser.
I have not tried it, but I guess my big umbrella mount, 4’ internal bounce soft boxes, or the monster 7’ brollies, would also be a good match. I do not trust the plastic brolly mount on the light for heavy loads, but on a C-stand to take the weight, it will be fine.
A 10.6 inch “Flapjack” light was also on my list, but several things stopped me. They are hard to ad mods to, much like the LED panels, but lack even barn doors. They are strong, but not as soft as I hoped. The point light is as strong and easily modified, both softer or more focussed.
I may buy another for, did I say……..$85, or the new Aperture Amaran 60D for about $250 instead, using the Neewer as a second light when indoors. It is slightly more powerful, can run on NP series batts and is even smaller.