First test
RiBLAuraMVL1 &MVL2 PRICE: £24.90&£34.90 RiBL is a new name in the photo accessory market. Among its first products is this pair of compact, versatile and good-value LED lights – ideal for fill-in, macro, or to help focusing and composing in the dark
UKDIGITAL.CO.UK
SPECS MVL1 › Price £24.90
› In the box Lamp, mini tripod, micro USB to USB-C charging cable, manual › Output 5W, 800 lumens › Lamp type 66 LEDs (33 white, 33 yellow) › Colour temperature rating 2500-6500K › CRI 95+ › Battery life 2-10 hours › Battery Rechargeable built-in lithium 2000mAh › Mount Coldshoe, 1/4in screw thread › Dimensions (wxhxd) 78x91.5x26mm › Weight 104g MVL2 › Price £34.90 › In the box Lamp, suction clamp, micro USB to USB-C charging cable, clip-on diffuser, manual › Output 6W, 850 lumens › Lamp type 69 LEDs (37 white, 32 yellow) › Colour temperature rating 2500-6500K › CRI 95+ › Battery life 2-10 hours › Battery Rechargeable built-in lithium 2000mAh › Mount Coldshoe, 1/4in screw thread › Dimensions (wxhxd) 70x82x26mm › Weight 98g › Contact ukdigital.co.uk
FLEXIBILITY The RiBL Aura
MVL1 (far left) and MVL2 are compact, rechargeable LED lights that can be used stand-alone or on-camera
TURNING POINT The provision of a coldshoe and 1/4in screw thread gives options when it comes to mounting the lights on a camera or tripod/ball head
A SMALL LED light in the camera bag is a must-have accessory, whatever sort of photography you indulge in. These nicely priced lights from accessory newbie RiBL could be just the ticket. Both are small and light, have a dimmable output, and the colour temperature can be adjusted in a 2500-6500K range – a great feature at this price point. Charging is via a USB-C port – no mains plug is supplied – so just insert into any powered USB port or powerbank. To fit the lights, there’s a coldshoe – as well as a 1/4in screw thread – so they can be slipped on to the camera’s accessory shot or mounted on a tripod or ball head. The pricier MVL2 is the more powerful of the lights by one watt (50 lumens), so the difference is negligible, but they do offer different design features. The MVL2 has a fixed head, comes with clip-on diffuser, has three accessory shoes to add more
lights, and has a suction clamp. By comparison, the MVL1 is in a tilting mount with a mini tripod. Both units have charge indicators ( four red LEDs) and colour temperature/output control dials. Apart from an on/off button, that’s your lot for controls. I tested the lights for capacity, with both set to a mid-colour temperature (so white and yellow LEDs were running) and fully charged. At full output, the MVL2 went for 107 minutes before running out of energy. With the MVL1 at minimum output, I got a time of 11 hours before expiration. Of course, lights are not generally used in this continuous way, but at least this gives an indication of working capacity. It took 166 minutes to complete a full recharge of the depleted MVL2 via a mains plug. These are small lights, but surprisingly powerful and handy when used within their limitations. I had the MVL2 fixed on the hotshoe of my Nikon Z 7 at an organised photo event, and being able to add extra light to the low-light scene was undoubtedly handy. As with all light, the inverse square law is the factor here, so if you shoot from more than two metres away, any impact is minimal. But if you use the light at closer range, that is when you enjoy the benefit. These neat little units are also very well suited to vlogging, macro and people image making. WC
WARMGLOW The main light was an industrial lamp (placed camera left, about three metres from the subject), and the inset was taken with this lamp only, but with the camera-mounted MVL2 at full power. With a low colour temperature set for warmth, you can see the fill-in effect of the extra light. The MVL2’s warmth and illumination of the hat shadow has improved the shot greatly. Camera-to-subject distance was about two metres. The exposure was 1/160sec at f/2.5, ISO 400, shot on a Nikon Z 7 with a 35mm f/1.8 lens. This is a photo of re-enactor, Simon Westwood, taken at a TimeLine Event at Didcot Railway Centre: timelineevents.org
PROS Portable, coldshoe and screw fittings, colour range, capacity, robust, swivel mount (MVL1) CONS Nothing Verdict The RiBL Aura MVL1 and MVL2 both performed really well, and these prices are impressive value considering they have colour-adjustable output. My favourite is the MVL1, because it comes with a mini tripod, and the tiltable head gives that extra flexbility for macro shooting. At these prices, though, it’s worth considering getting one of each, then you have the best of both worlds. Highly recommended.
SHED SOME LIGHT A white clip-in diffuser comes with the MVL2 if you prefer a softer light. However, this does mean a slight loss of intensity
40 Photography News | Issue 89
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