Rotolight Ultimate Vlogging Kit Andy Westlake

Tries out a highquality mini LED ring light setup

● £79.99 ● www.rotolight.com

GENERALLY, we take it as read that our readers mainly use their cameras for still images. But practically every model now on the market is also very good at recording video, as are modern smartphones. As the boundaries between photographic and video kit have disappeared, the option of working with the moving image has become increasingly accessible, and the latest generation of users is embracing both media.

Video brings its own challenges, including sound and lighting. In the latter case, LED panels have been transformative in providing quality, bright output without running uncomfortably hot like tungsten lights did. British rm Rotolight has been a leading light in this revolution, with its signature ring-shaped designs.

The Ultimate Vlogging Kit is based around the rm’s entry-level RL48-B Stealth light. It’s primarily aimed at those recording videos on their smartphones for sharing via social media, but will work equally well with compact or mirrorless cameras like the latest Sony ZV-1 or Panasonic G100. The RL48-B can also be used as a

ll-in for stills, or perhaps to provide lighting if you use your camera as a webcam. Just be aware that you can’t point a lens through the middle, as the hole is too small; however you can mount the light directly onto the foam windshield of certain microphones.

In the box is an adapter to attach the light to a stand, a smartphone clamp, a mini tripod, and a metal bar to x them all together. It’s just a shame that no hotshoe mount is provided. But everything is nicely made and ts together well, and I was delighted to nd a set of clearly written printed instructions too.

The only control is a large power button. There’s neither a dimmer switch nor a colour temperature setting, which is unusual now that many video lights use bicolour LEDs; instead gels are included to balance with arti cial or mixed lighting. The trade-off for this simplicity is robustness, as the casing is designed to be weatherproof. Battery life is up to 4 hours, but the use of 3x AA cells is inconvenient if you prefer to use rechargeables.

Verdict

This is a neat, well-made kit that provides good-quality lighting with accurate colour rendering. The ringshaped design delivers nice catchlights and relatively soft shadows, while the small size and light weight make it very portable. It’s quite pricey compared to USB-powered units, but much more mobile and robust.