SMALLRIG RT25 RGB Tube Light Stick Kit, 25W RGBWW Led Light Wand, IP54 Waterproof, Handheld Light Bar, CRI96+, TLCI98+, 2500-10000K, for Photography, w 45Wh Battery Handle & Barndoor 4342

I'm a hobbyist so it's taken a little while to get around to finding a use for this light wand, but once I got it charged up and started playing about with it, I was already thinking of 10 more things I can use it for. It's an exciting little light to use as it's so easy to manipulate and play with.I've been through the settings and you get the regular (although slightly limited compared to other lights) flashing modes like police, fireworks, lightning etc. I don't ever have a use for those but they'd no doubt be good for video in a studio setting.The real benefits of this light for me are not only the static light output but also the barn doors to position and dampen the light, so you can really control the effect, shadows and really dramatise your images.The battery handle is pretty much an essential part of this kit but the light can be powered by anything via USB-C. One problem I did have is that the battery handle would only take about 3W despite being plugged into a 140W fast charger. It didn't start charging quicker until I randomly decided to use the USB-C port on the light itself, at which point the battery handle charged faster. That doesn't seem right to me considering the battery handle is a separate accessory.The biggest pain point though is the price. This is a very expensive light indeed. I feel for some of the things I'd want to use it for you'd need two lights and that would be prohibitively expensive as a hobbyist - but then this is a profesional bit of kit, for professionals who make money from their work.

It's crazy how Smallrig manage to pack so much power into such a small form factor whilst ensuring that all the functions one would need from a light aren't compromised by this., well perhaps app control would be nice but I can forgive this omission given it does everything else so well.Control is pretty intuitive, first time out my wife who, whilst being a photographer, avoids having anything to do with lighting with a passion picked it up convinced it was a lightsaber, a couple of minutes later some of her lighting aversion had been shed as she declared that all lights should be this portable and easy to use.Whilst the battery handle does charge quickly and gives a couple of hours of shoot time, the possibility of connecting V mount batteries is still a very welcome addition, I frequently shoot 'off grid' so to speak and this dress me from having to always have a power station available, depending on the shoot that is.Mounting options are varies as would be expected from a company whose origins were in providing rigging and build quality is what I have grown to expect from Smallrig.Now a kit bag staple and I may have to acquire a couple more

I regularly shoot video/stills in both studio and location settings. A portable light source which can be used in the studio while being sufficiently compact to carry to remote locations can be very useful. This SMALLRIG RT25 is supplied with a carry case, charging cable, handle with internal power source and instructions.It is sufficiently lightweight to be easily transported in its' storage case and can be used in conjunction with the power handle or connected to an alternative power source including V battery or high capacity power bank enabling it to be used in remote areas for an extended period of time. The battery handle has a USB-C port for charging with a weather resistant cover while the light also has a covered USB-C port for connecting a suitable alternative power source. The handle is a twist fit onto the light and has integrated connections to enable it to operate with the light without the need for any cables.The top of the light and the bottom of the handle both have 1/4" threads enabling it to be easily mounted onto a tripod or lighting stand. An arca rail is also present along the length of the rear of the light providing the option to attach a V battery plate or mount the light if using an arca clamp.The user interface is easily navigated by using a scroll wheel and buttons in conjunction with a display which clearly shows the setting which is being used. It has a range of useful pre-sets and modes which can used as they are or modified to suit the user's requirements. On arrival the battery handle required a complete charge which took around three hours and it is worth bearing in mind that it does get quite warm during the charging process.The front of the light has a pair of barn doors which extend along the entire length of area which illuminates when the light is in use. They enable the user to tailor the spread of light which is nicely diffused with reasonably soft edges to shadows. The barn doors are easy to remove and re-attach to the light as required.It is rated in the listing as being IP54 Waterproof and having recently used it outdoors in light rain I did not encounter any issues with it and simply gave it a wipe over with cloth prior to packing away and left it to sit with the case open to completely dry out when I arrived back home.Having used a number of SMALLRIG products over the years this light is in my opinion designed and built to the same high standard as the other SMALLRIG items I have used previously. I find it very easy to use to the extent that I am able to fully concentrate on operating my camera and don't have to worry about the lighting beyond changing the settings to suit what I am working on.In summary I am really impressed by this SMALLRIG RT25 video/photography tube light and have no hesitation in recommending it.