Today we are looking at the latest tube light from SmallRig and their first product in this highly contested category, the SmallRig RT25 which includes several interesting and unique features.
Intro
RGB tube lights make up one of the most diverse categories of video lighting, and the SmallRig RT25 is one of the latest innovations, combining elements not often seen in one single tube light. So, is it an all-in-one tube light or a capable, packable travel light? Yes, and yes. For handheld tasks that require weather resistance, and a bit more power than most handheld tube lights, the RT25 is unmatched anywhere near its price point, but two limitations will leave some users wanting more. Let’s figure this out.
The Smallrig RT25 tube light
Concept
At first glance, the built-in nato rail with multiple mounting points, dual USB-C power/charging ports, a robust battery handle, and detachable barn doors for shaping light, make the RT25 look like the next all-purpose RGB, so one question we wanted to answer is whether it can handle different lighting roles well enough to be a creator’s first or even second choice for an all-purpose light that can go places most other lights can’t. Alternatively, who was it meant for if it wasn’t meant to be a multi-purpose tool?
In the Box
The RT25 arrives in a custom-fitting black case constructed with what is likely diamond ripstop nylon or polyester fabric. There’s also a 6.5’/202 cm USB-C cable and a wrist lanyard.
Build and Design
The light without the battery measures 420.0 x 46.2 x 45.3mm / 16.5 x 1.8 x 1.8 in., and the battery grip is 179.8 x 46.8 x 46.2mm / 7.0 x 1.84 x 1.81 in.
The weight of the light is 534g / 18.83oz, and the battery grip is 466g / 12.97 oz. Assembled, that’s 599.8 x 93.0 x 91.5, and 900g / 31.8oz. The fact that the light can be externally powered translates to a lighter overall kit when using a power source like a USB-C power bank or a modern V-mount that can power multiple devices.
The handle and the part of the light where the handle connects are made of durable plastic, and the handle has a smooth grip silicone-like surface where the fingers land. Big hands will still leave some room on this grip, as it is both large in length, at 7 and ⅛ in. / 18cm., and diameter, at 1 and ⅝ in. / 4.2 cm. Given the relatively hefty weight of the RT25 at 1.2lb / 534g without the handle and 2lb / 900g with the handle attached, this might make this light difficult to hold for long periods.
Because of the metal construction, if you did drop this light, its odds of survival might be higher than most tube lights, and the IP54 rating is made possible in part by this aluminum chassis housing, which along with the overall tight construction, achieves the rating. According to the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), an IP54 rating indicates “dust protection” and “protection against splashing water”.
For those who still get anxious about exposing our gear to the elements, this can practically translate to less stress shooting in threatening weather conditions and dusty locations. While this light can’t be immersed in a pool or left out in the pouring rain, you won’t have to worry about it permanently shorting out from a single drop of water. The only RGB tube light under $300 (almost twice the cost of the RT25) with the same or a higher IP rating we were able to find on the B&H website was the DigitalFoto Limited P200, a much smaller light. Achieving this IP54 rating was clearly a key design consideration, and it makes sense that someone would try to make a more capable weather-resistant light as there’s virtually no competition in this niche.
Most of the key features are built into the aluminum chassis of the RT25; these are two mounting points that each contain a 3/8″-16 hole with Arri locator pin holes and two 1/4”-20 threaded holes, one on either side of each 3/8″-16. This makes mounting the light reliably at different angles easier to achieve than with many other tube lights.
There’s also a 1/4″-20 screw hole on the top of the light and another at the bottom of the handle. There’s one USB-C port in the chassis for powering the unit and a second on the handle for charging the battery, which can draw up to 35 watts.
The light is capable of using 25 watts at its maximum setting and with no need for a fan. We noticed that the light never overheated during our testing; the battery always exhausted first. The removable barn doors are plastic, and the way they attach to the light is executed well with a pair of push buttons that activate plastic inserts that easily click into slots in the chassis, making the experience frustration-free.
Multiple ways of mounting
Controls
The fact that there is no remote or smartphone app functionality is disappointing (especially given the fact that SmallRig does have an app that supports some of its other lights). Because of the shape of this light and its multiple mounting options, it’s a solid option for a studio hair light, practical, or lighting a web meeting, but without being able to control it remotely, it’s potentially less convenient and less efficient for non-handheld scenarios. Consequently, this light’s main strengths reside in handheld workflows, so it makes sense to make the controls easy to find and use.
The user interface is displayed on a 2 x 1cm. monochromatic LCD screen. There are two buttons, for mode and set, and next to those is a multi-function knob or what some people might think of as a control wheel with a button in the center, and we thought it should be enough, but we found ourselves having to look at the menu a lot to know what we were doing. More dedicated controls with tactile feedback would enable blind operation, which we think would make a handheld light more competitive, especially when fast adjustment is required.
A dedicated preset toggle button would be helpful, and maybe even adding a small dial to control which parameter is being adjusted, intensity, saturation, white balance, green/magenta. Add tactile feedback to different positions of the dial and you’ll have a tube light that can be operated by touch alone. If the next version incorporates more buttons like this and maybe even a little trigger built into the grip it could be the best handheld tube light ever.
The program for this particular tube light is robust, with a few more adjustable settings than I expected overall and for each lighting mode. The main modes are CCT, HSI, FX, GEL, and PRESETS. Within FX, there is Party, Fireworks, Cop Car, Color Flash, SOS, Paparazzi, Lightning, Fault Bulb, TV, Breath, Flame, Blast, Welding, INT Cycle, Color Cycle, CCT Cycle. Intensity and speed can be adjusted in all the effects, and there is always an option to adjust hue, color, or white balance.
The light can go all the way from 2500K to 10,000K which is pretty impressive and you do have green and magenta tint control which is very welcome as well and not common enough on relatively affordable tube lights.
The upper right of the LCD screen displays the battery percentage in a traditional four-bar icon, and the amount of time remaining at the current intensity setting is also shown whenever the battery is powered and attached. A slight wrinkle here is that the time remaining is displayed in hours and decimals rather than hours and minutes, which would be more intuitive for most people (what is 1.7 hours?!).
In an initial test, the battery lasted 1 hour and 11 minutes in CCT mode at 5600k and 100% intensity, far from the 2 hours SmallRig says the unit can sustain. This was in an open cabinet in an air-conditioned room but it was typical for how I would probably use the light in the background of a shot. On a second attempt, I tried a more open spot with a direct breeze from an air conditioner, and the battery was exhausted after 1 hour and 30 minutes. Recharging the battery took 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Controls – requires a learning curve
Test Results
As always we ran the light through our normal set of tests using the Sekoni C800 spectrometer at two distances and you can see the full results below:
Results for the RT25 at 3200K @1m 100%:
- Color temperature: 3205K.
- Output: 569 Lux.
- CRI: 96 (R9 – 93.2; R12 – 88.1).
- TLCI: 98.
- TM-30 RF: 95; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 85.
Results for the RT25 at 5600K @1m 100%:
- Color temperature: 5417K.
- Output: 646 Lux.
- CRI: 97.1 (R9 – 91.4; R12 – 82.1).
- TLCI: 99.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 74.
Results for the RT25 at 5600K @30cm 100%:
- Color temperature: 5466K.
- Output: 5740 Lux.
- CRI: 97 (R9 – 90.9; R12 – 81.8).
- TLCI: 99.
- TM-30 RF: 94; TM-30 Rg – 102.
- SSI: 74.
- Results for the RT25 at RGB blue @1m 100% (Output: 92.1 Lux)
- Results for the RT25 at RGB green @1m 100% (Output: 265 Lux)
- Results for the RT25 at RGB blue @1m 100% (Output: 162 Lux)
Conclusion
For those who don’t yet own a single tube light, we can comfortably recommend the RT25. For creators looking for professional color-accurate tube light that will stand up to moderate abuse. Solo operators may not like the lack of remote control, but the light is still arguably the largest, most durable, highly color-accurate, handheld tube light on the market today, and the fact that it can handle so many routine tasks makes it appealing both for studio and on the go work.
RGB mode
Pricing
The SmallRig RT25 comes with a battery grip for $179 or on its own for $119. It can be purchased on the SmallRig website as well as on Amazon and B&H.
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