Ulanzi, Lume Cube & Litra Torch Mini Cube Lights

Rather than just review, this video just groups all three into a group and I show how they work outside! Yes, outside as a fill in light.

I actually do this a lot in my own personal videos and really does make for a better picture. Especially with mini cameras like the GoPro or Osmo Action or Pocket.

These cameras have tiny sensors and don't really have a fantastic dynamic range in their picture which means that it is too easy to blow out highlights. So I underexpose slightly, always keeping an eye on the bright areas and trying not to blow them out and then light up the darker areas in order to reduce the contrast range.

These lights aren't brilliantly bright though. Perfectly good indoors but outdoors, I hold them in my other hand while filming in order to get them close to the subject. The result is that highlights remain intact and the dark areas are slightly raised, giving you a better chance of raising them even more without raising the grain in post.

That's where these cube lights are really handy. they are extremely portable and I normally keep one in my pocket when out filming.

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Cameras used to film this video

Lighting used when not using the Cube lights

[iancraig]

Rather than just a review of three cube lights, I put this together to show how they can help with contrast range outdoors, and put a little twinkle in your eyes. Very often makes for a better look outdoors; even with a GoPro which actually (like all mini cameras) doesn’t have a fantastic contrast range and even worse, has a tendency to blow out highlights.

You guys in sunny countries possibly don’t have the same problems as us in the UK. Lighting is often greeny/grey/blue when filtered through thick cloud and everything looks drab. So I waited for a terrible day to make part of this video, just to show that a light can help, even if it’s a low powered one like these three.

[WhoIsSerafin]

This the kind of review I’ve been looking for to use these outside for photography

[WORTHITORNOT]

Nice video Ian ! I have the Ulanzi cube and it’s been a solid performer for over a year now

[lendavidhart]

Ian, thank you for the information, it was useful, this can be expensive learning on your own, so it's nice to listen to experience!

[BasicFilmmaker]

Nice video Ian. I was surprised at how these added some nice light to your face outside.

[lensmanonline]

Great comparison Ian I must admit that I haven't got any form of extra lighting, these small cube lights work really well, looking forward to the panel light reviews.
Stay safe best wishes Jon

[merijn]

Hi this time: 3 little sugar cubes.
Awesome

[DavidHarry]

Alright Ian. How cool is that slow strobe for gauging difference? It's those little things, attention to detail, that quite often make the difference in a purchase. Great video. Cheers, Dave.

[radug]

Thanks for the info. I totally understand why you intend to transition towards ´vloggy´ :) style videos, but these honest reviews are highly appreciated.
Switching to another topic, I could not take my eyes from that lens cover on your GoPro. What sort of rig do you have there?

[bgomz]

Love the sound of that microphone! What microphone is that? Also, did you do any post-processing on the audio recording?