Buyers’ guide
Lighting
Microphones
Kenro LED Smart Ring Lite › £170 › kenro.co.uk
WIRELESS Rode Wireless Go II › £289 › rode.com
Why do vloggers love ring lights like the Kenro Smart Lite? Well, it’s because ring lights love vloggers – the shadowless glow created by these products is perfect for presenting to the camera while creating stunning circular catchlights. This 19in version from Kenro is best described as a bells-and-whistles version, with RGB LEDs enabling users to get creative and pick any colour they like. The colour temperature of this light stretches from 3200-7500K, and there’s also a 0-100% brightness control, so you can set up the amount of light with exact precision. Better still, the ring light connects via Bluetooth to your phone, so you can control it remotely, saving you getting up and down to make tweaks when you’re already on your mark.
The clue’s in the name – the Rode Wireless Go II is the go-to choice for vloggers seeking a wireless mic system. It consists of a receiver and two transmitter packs. The transmitters are microphones themselves, and come with tiny muffs to block out any unwanted wind noise, but they can also be connected up to optional lav mics for a more discreet solution. With two transmitters, you can mic up a guest when filming, and as the packs are wireless, users can move around the scene without being tied up by cables. The packs are rated to work up to 200m from the receiver (in line of sight) and are seriously lightweight, tipping the scales at a mere 30g for the transmitter and 32g for the receiver. The batteries are built in and can be recharged on the go via USB-C – perfect for hooking up to a power bank out on location. The USB connection even allows for the firmware to be updated, future-proofing the mics for years to come.
ON CAMERA Sennheiser MKE 400 › £169 › en-uk.sennheiser.com The MKE 400 is a pro-level directional shotgun mic that’s perfect for vloggers who want a lightweight, run-and-gun set- up without the hassle of wireless packs and lav mics. Connecting directly to the hotshoe on your camera, the MKE 400 benefits from the heritage of Sennheiser’s audio technology, with features such as integrated wind protection and an internal suspension mount – a critical feature as this will protect your footage from unwanted handling noise. Another crucial point of the design is the headphone port – not every camera (particularly smaller mirrorless models) offers a headphone output, making it difficult to know what quality your audio is until after recording. The MKE 400 will allow you to plug straight into the mic and monitor the audio input in real time. The Sennheiser also features a supercardioid polar pattern, which will isolate the audio coming from whatever is in front of the camera while rejecting noise from the background.
Nanlite Forza 60 › £217 › en.nanlite.com
Video monitor
The Forza 60 is best described as a small light that kicks out big illumination. It can be used on the go to deliver studio-quality light, which can be precisely refined both in terms of output and colour temperature. The fixture itself can be rigged up to a handle that also holds batteries, so is well-suited to a team with a crew member free to hold the light in place. Despite the professional-level power output of 18,820 lux, the size of the Forza 60 may surprise you – in fact it literally fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 830g, making it easy to transport between filming locations. The light can be further refined with modifications like beauty dishes, and for the more creative vlogger, it features a number of special effects that replicate the lighting from a TV, storm or even a faulty light bulb.
Atomos Ninja V+ › £629 › atomos.com
Let’s face facts, LCDs on cameras – even high-end ones – are still pretty small, usually around the three-inch mark. External monitors offer vloggers a much bigger screen, but the benefits don’t stop there. The Atomos range allows you to unleash higher-quality movie rates and the ability to view LUTs in real time – important for advanced vloggers who intend to grade their footage. Connecting to your camera via the HDMI port, the Ninja V+ supports resolution up to 8K, from cameras like the Sony A1 or Canon EOS R5, and also records formats like Apple ProRes Raw and Avid DNxHD. PN
32 Photography News | Issue 107
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