For years, I struggled with inconsistent and bulky lighting solutions for my video projects, especially when shooting on location. Trying to capture high-quality footage often meant compromising on light quality or portability, forcing me to choose between a professional look and the ability to work efficiently in different environments. The lack of a reliable, mobile lighting source wasn’t just inconvenient; it limited creative possibilities and added significant time and complexity to shoots, ultimately impacting the final output and potentially costing valuable time and resources. Finding something lightweight, powerful, and versatile, like the SMALLRIG RC 100B COB Video Light, would have made a world of difference back then.
- Ultra-Portable and Lightweight: The RC 100B is a compact, dimmable continuous light, perfect for on-the-go photography and video production. Constructed from aircraft aluminum, it's a mere 700 grams...
- Outstanding Color Rendering: The SmallRig RC 100B COB video light boasts a 2700K-6500K color temperature range and impressive illumination of 4,610 lux (bare, at 1m/5600K) and 20,100 lux (with hyper...
- Versatile Power Options: The RC 100B light features unique interface design that supports various charging methods. For wireless charging, it's compatible with V-mount batteries and NP-F970 batteries....
Factors to Consider Before Investing in a Video Light
Video lights are essential tools for creators looking to control their lighting environment, ensuring subjects are well-lit, colours are accurate, and the overall mood of a shot is precisely what they intend. Without adequate lighting, footage can appear flat, noisy in low light, and lack the polished look required for professional-grade content. Anyone involved in videography, photography, streaming, or content creation – from hobbyists to seasoned professionals – could benefit from a quality video light.
The ideal customer often needs something portable for varied locations, powerful enough to make a difference, and versatile in terms of colour temperature and control. Someone who *only* shoots in a controlled studio might need less portability, potentially opting for larger, AC-powered lights. However, even then, flexibility is often appreciated.
Before you buy, think about:
* Portability: Will you be shooting on the go? Size, weight, and power options (battery vs. AC) are crucial.
* Brightness: How much power (measured in Watts or Lux) do you need for your typical shooting scenarios?
* Colour Accuracy: Look for high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) and TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) ratings to ensure natural skin tones and vibrant colours.
* Colour Temperature: Do you need bi-colour (adjustable warm/cool tones) or RGB (full colour spectrum)? Bi-colour is great for matching existing light or setting a mood.
* Power Options: Battery compatibility (V-mount, NP-F, built-in, USB-C) and AC power options.
* Control: Onboard controls, app control, DMX compatibility.
* Mounting: Standard light stand mount? Modifier mount (Bowens, proprietary)?
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Introducing the SMALLRIG RC 100B
The SMALLRIG RC 100B COB Video Light is a compact, bi-colour LED light designed to deliver powerful, high-quality illumination in a remarkably small package. It promises professional-grade light output and colour accuracy with exceptional portability. When you purchase the RC 100B, you typically receive the light unit itself, a mini reflector, a grip handle, an NP-F 970 battery plate adapter, and a user manual. Unlike some larger studio lights or even previous generations of more cumbersome portable lights, the RC 100B focuses on being a genuinely mobile solution, often compared favourably to lights twice its size in terms of handling and setup speed, although perhaps not matching the sheer output of high-end, larger COB lights. This specific SmallRig video light is particularly well-suited for mobile content creators, interview setups, product photography, or anyone needing a versatile key, fill, or accent light that’s easy to transport and power in diverse locations. It might not be the primary light for a large film set requiring massive output, but for smaller, dynamic productions, it’s a strong contender.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Extremely portable and lightweight (only 700g)
* Excellent colour accuracy (CRI 97+, TLCI 98+)
* Versatile bi-colour temperature range (2700K-6500K)
* Multiple power options (V-mount, NP-F via adapter, USB-C PD)
* Quiet cooling fan operation
* Convenient App and onboard control
Cons:
* AC power adapter not included
* Proprietary modifier mount requires an additional adapter for standard Bowens modifiers
* NP-F battery plate limits light output to 60W
* No carrying case included in the standard package
Key SMALLRIG RC 100B Features & Benefits
Having used the SMALLRIG RC 100B for some time now, I can confidently speak to how its features translate into real-world benefits during shoots. This little light has become an indispensable part of my kit for several reasons.
Ultra-Portable and Lightweight Design
The first thing you notice about the SMALLRIG RC 100B is its size and weight. At just 700 grams and measuring only 115x95x95mm, it truly fits in the palm of your hand. Constructed from aircraft aluminum, it feels robust yet incredibly light. My experience with this has been revolutionary for on-location shooting. I can easily pack it in a small backpack alongside my camera gear without adding significant bulk. This means I’m much more likely to bring it with me, even on spontaneous shoots. Holding it with the included grip handle feels balanced and comfortable, making it viable for handheld lighting effects or quick adjustments without needing a stand. Its portability ensures I can set up and tear down lighting quickly, which is essential when working in public spaces or tight timelines. The sheer convenience of having a powerful light source this small cannot be overstated; it genuinely enables a level of mobility I hadn’t had before with larger lights.
Outstanding Colour Rendering and Bi-Colour Range
The colour quality produced by the SMALLRIG RC 100B COB Video Light is genuinely impressive for its size and price point. With a high CRI of 97+ and TLCI of 98+, it excels at rendering colours accurately. In practice, this means skin tones look natural and vibrant, and colours in clothing or sets appear true to life, minimizing the need for extensive colour correction in post-production. The bi-colour capability, adjustable from 2700K (warm, tungsten-like) to 6500K (cool, daylight-like), is incredibly useful. I frequently use this feature to match the ambient light of a location, blend the light source seamlessly into a scene, or deliberately create a specific mood, like a warm, inviting glow or a cool, crisp look. This flexibility saves time on set and ensures a more professional result directly out of the camera. The output is bright too; 4,610 lux bare at 1m (5600K) is substantial for a light this small, and with the mini reflector, it jumps to 20,100 lux at 1m (5600K), which is more than enough for key or fill light in many situations, especially portraits or interviews.
Versatile Power Options
One of the most significant benefits of the RC 100B video light is its array of power options, making it incredibly adaptable to different shooting scenarios. It supports V-mount batteries, which are common in professional video production and offer long run times. It also comes with a removable plate to use widely available Sony NP-F style batteries. Crucially, it features a USB-C port that supports PD (Power Delivery) fast charging. This USB-C option is a game-changer for lightweight travel. I can power the light directly from a high-capacity PD power bank, eliminating the need for specific AC adapters or bulky V-mounts on shorter trips. This flexibility means I’m never caught without a power source, whether I’m near an outlet, have a stack of NP-F batteries, a V-mount, or just a powerful USB-C power bank. It’s important to note, as experienced users discover, that NP-F batteries limit the light’s output to around 60W, and USB-C PD requires a source capable of outputting over 100W to reach full 100W power, otherwise, it will also operate at reduced wattage. For full power portability, a suitable V-mount battery is the best route.
Innovative Power Interface & Battery Plates
Beyond just offering multiple power types, the physical interface for powering the SMALLRIG RC 100B is cleverly designed. The unique rear interface allows for direct mounting of a compatible V-mount battery (SmallRig recommends those over 98Wh, 120W+ output). This direct mount keeps the setup clean and compact when using a V-mount. The included removable NP-F battery plate is also well-executed, allowing two NP-F batteries to be used simultaneously, offering a more widely accessible battery option, albeit at a reduced power output. This dual NP-F setup is excellent for situations where ultimate brightness isn’t needed, like fill light or low-light accenting, and you already own several NP-F batteries for other gear. The presence of a dedicated barrel power input is also noted, although the proprietary adapter is sold separately, which is a minor downside for mains power unless you use a compatible USB-C PD adapter instead.
Multiple Control Modes (App & Onboard)
Controlling the RC 100B is straightforward thanks to both onboard controls and app integration. The 1.3-inch LCD color screen on the back provides clear information on brightness, colour temperature, battery status, and effects. The two large dials double as buttons and allow for intuitive adjustment of parameters. One dial controls mode selection (basic CCT or special effects) and intensity (0-100%). The other adjusts colour temperature and wireless channel. For remote control, the SmallRig GOGO app connects via Bluetooth. This is incredibly convenient when the light is placed high on a stand or in a hard-to-reach spot. I can fine-tune brightness and colour temperature, activate special effects (like lightning, paparazzi, candle, etc.), and even control groups of SmallRig lights all from my phone. The combination of tactile onboard controls and a robust app makes operating the SmallRig light flexible and efficient on set.
Noiseless Cooling Fan
A common problem with powerful COB LED lights is fan noise, which can easily ruin audio recordings. The SMALLRIG RC 100B addresses this with intelligent temperature control and a quiet cooling fan. SmallRig states the noise is about 26dB at 1 meter during normal operation, and even lower, around 18dB, in ECO mode (which likely reduces output slightly). My personal experience confirms this; the fan is remarkably quiet. When recording video with a microphone placed a few feet away from the light, the fan noise is practically inaudible, certainly not distracting. This is a massive benefit for interview setups or any scenario where clean audio is critical, eliminating the need for bulky sound dampening around the light or extensive audio clean-up in post.
Included Accessories (Handle, Reflector, NP-F Plate)
The package includes several useful accessories right out of the box. The grip handle makes handholding the RC 100B very practical. The mini reflector helps focus the light and boost output, which is particularly useful for key light or punching through ambient light. As mentioned, the NP-F 970 battery plate is a valuable addition, providing an alternative to V-mounts if you have those batteries readily available. While a carrying case and AC adapter are notable omissions (requiring separate purchase), the included accessories ensure you can start using the light effectively for basic setups involving portability and standard battery types right away.
It’s worth mentioning the light modifier mount. It’s proprietary, not the standard Bowens mount. This means the included mini reflector is designed for this mount, and if you want to use other modifiers like softboxes or diffusers, you’ll need to purchase SmallRig’s specific modifiers or their dedicated Bowens mount adapter. While the adapter adds an extra piece and cost, having the option to use standard Bowens modifiers eventually is good, even if it requires an extra purchase. The proprietary mount itself is compact, contributing to the light’s small size, which is a fair trade-off for many mobile shooters.
What Users Are Saying
I’ve looked online at feedback from other creators who have used the SMALLRIG RC 100B, and overall, the sentiment is quite positive, echoing many of my own findings. People frequently praise its surprisingly powerful output for such a small and lightweight unit, highlighting its portability as a key advantage for shoots outside of a traditional studio. The accurate colour rendering and adjustable colour temperature are also often mentioned as strong points, allowing for versatile use in different environments. Users appreciate the multiple power options, particularly the convenience of USB-C PD and V-mount compatibility, although some note the limitation to 60W when using NP-F batteries. The quiet fan operation receives positive comments, being crucial for video recording. While the absence of an AC adapter and the proprietary modifier mount requiring a separate Bowens adapter are common points of criticism, many users feel the pros outweigh these cons, especially given the unit’s performance and competitive positioning. There were a few initial reports of units malfunctioning, like shutting off or failing to power on, but positive interactions with SmallRig’s customer service, often resulting in replacements, suggest these might be isolated issues or early production glitches that the company stands behind.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a content creator who frequently shoots outside of a dedicated studio space, you know the challenge of getting good light on the go. Poor lighting can drastically reduce the quality of your videos, making them look unprofessional and less engaging. The SMALLRIG RC 100B COB Video Light offers an excellent solution to this problem. Its combination of ultra-portability, versatile power options, and high-quality, bi-colour output makes it a compelling choice. It’s lightweight enough to handhold or mount on a small stand anywhere, can be powered by various common batteries or even a PD power bank, and provides accurate, adjustable light that will significantly enhance your production value. While you might need to factor in purchasing an AC adapter or a Bowens adapter if you plan on using mains power or standard modifiers extensively, the core performance and portability of this SmallRig video light are undeniable. For anyone looking to elevate their mobile videography or photography without being weighed down by heavy gear, this light is absolutely worth considering. To learn more and check it out for yourself, Click here.
Last update on 2025-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API