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POCKET-FRIENDLY The NEEWER Basics line is designed with both cost-effectiveness and performance in mind
T he days when using LED lighting meant hauling heavy monoblocs and bulky batteries are rapidly disappearing. Advances in COB LED technology have shrunk fixtures dramatically, and NEEWER has taken that trend a step further with the FS60B. At first glance it’s difficult to believe this really is a fully featured 60W COB light. It looks very different to the norm – more like a portable radio, original Walkman or perhaps a portable hard drive in both size and form. At just 150x89x33mm and 298g, this bicolour light will happily disappear into the corner of a bag or into a tight space on-set. Despite its size, the FS60B claims 34,300 lux at one metre when fitted with the supplied reflector and our test using a Sekonic Spectrometer C-800 shows this is no exaggeration. The FS60B is built around a bicolour COB engine covering 2700-6500K, with brightness adjustable from 0-100%, a choice of three lighting modes and four dimming curves. Colour accuracy is rated at CRI 96+ and TLCI 98+. Our tests with the Sekonic and an LIT DUO 1 colour meter showed that, without any reflector, WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH NEEWER FS60B
the actual colour temperature was around 40-90K cooler than the setting on the dial, and the tint was towards green, but only slightly. For a light that costs just £120/$110, that’s particularly impressive. Especially as it was very consistent right across the intensity range and colour temperature range. SMALL BUT SERIOUS Despite its unusual form factor, the FS60B feels well engineered. Controls are straightforward, with one dial on the rear panel altering colour temperature and the other intensity. There’s a lot to be said for simple, obvious controls. The intelligent cooling system deserves praise too. In standard mode the fan is barely noticeable, while silent mode makes it suitable for interview work where microphone placement is close to the fixture. Output isn’t comparable with a 300W or 600W fixture, but that isn’t the point. Used as a key light for interviews, product work or tabletop filming, the FS60B delivers ample illumination. In smaller studios it can light a presenter through diffusion, while on location it works as a fill or accent light. Being able to mount it in hard-to- access areas mean it’s best to control BELLS AND WHISTLES The NEEWER Studio App (right) gives you more creative freedom, enabling adjustment of settings such as brightness and colour temperature
it via the free NEEWER Studio App. This is also simple to use, and allows you to access not only the intensity, colour temperature and dimming curve but 12 scene effects such as lightning or TV screen and 11 simulated light sources such as tungsten, halogen, sunlight and HMI. You can also use it to specify lighting in groups for larger set-ups. Of course, it’s the accessories that make any system usable, and thankfully NEEWER’s FS60B is part of an ecosystem of lightweight, inexpensive and portable add-ons. The head comes supplied with a small reflector and basic rubber dome diffuser, but for £50 the optional NS68P 12-inch octagonal softbox is handy. It uses NEEWER’s own Mini Mount system and pops open almost instantly. Twin diffusion panels produce pleasantly soft light, while the supplied soft grid tightens beam spread for more controlled lighting. Despite its compact size, it creates flattering illumination for interviews and talking-head content.
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