Godox SL100D video light
For my videos and photos, I have been using Godox SL60W LED lights for a while now, which are bright enough for my purposes. Now it was time for something new.
Introduction
I got the Godox SL60W lights, which were used as a replacement for the Neewer NL660 LED panels at the time. The lights were affordable as LEDs and quite bright and more than sufficient for my purposes. I later added a Falcon Eye SO28 TD and of course the corresponding light shapers for the SL60W, which has a standard Bowens bayonet.
Also included was a 90cm softbox, which of course absorbs a lot of light, but also provides soft light.
Nevertheless, I wanted to buy a brighter lamp to have a little more reserve. I have also now mounted one of the lights with a lantern on a C-stand, so to speak, to have the YouTube studio on a movable tripod.
I recorded a short video about it:
The Godox SL100D
An SL150 for around €250 at the bottom and the SL100D for around €180, so I decided on the SL100D, which was also available on Prime Day for just under €140.
The two lights are hard to tell apart, although the SL100’s reflector offers a lot more light output.
There are some differences from behind, but hardly any in terms of operation. The only difference is that you can use the FX switch to create different light effects, which can then be controlled with the FX dial.
There is a display for the color temperature, but the LED light can only produce daylight with 5,600K. I assume that this display is only there for cost reasons, so that the BI lamps do not have a separate parts bar or assembly.
The Bluetooth symbol, however, indicates a change. The light can be controlled via a smartphone app. It’s convenient and easy, but the remote control that came with the SL60W is not compatible. That’s a shame, because the new RC-A6 is probably under €15 on Amazon, so you could have bought it at the same time.
The reflector
As already mentioned, the reflector of the SL100D also affects the light output.
The left picture was taken at 1/50 sec., while the right picture was taken at 1/160 sec. But the light effect of the reflector is also different, it is no longer quite as directed despite the higher light output, but the shadow looks unnatural.
The higher light output is less interesting, however, because you’re unlikely to use the lamp directly without light shapes.
Conclusion
I’m happy with the lamp. However, it suffers a little from the fan, which becomes audible at around 60-70% light output. Whether you can hear it on a video depends on the position of the microphone, of course. With my setup, it won’t be disturbing, because the fan noise goes to the back when the softbox is attached, while the microphone is facing forward.
ciao tuxoche
