LensVid Talk 50 – DIY Ultra Bright LED, Huge Stream Deck, Sony Authenticity for Video and More LensVid Talk

Welcome to the 50th episode of LensVid Talk! Today, we are looking at several major releases in the world of video production and photography gear, including a new portable dolly from Edelkrone, Apple’s latest M5 hardware, and some very interesting lighting solutions from Amaran and Godox.

This episode was recorded in mid-April 2026

SmallRig RM 03 Macro LED upcoming Review

Before we move over to the news, we wanted to share a few words about an upcoming review that we are currently working on that involves the SmallRig RM 03 macro LED unit. This gooseneck style light is extremely affordable but very practical, especially when it comes to shooting close up, macro, insects, etc.

The unit comes in a kit with a number of really useful accessories, including barn doors, a diffuser, a tiny projection unit, and some really small gobos. It is not very powerful, but for small objects it can be enough, especially as it can change between several colors (not exactly true RGB, but still useful).

Pricing for a single unit is set at $45 and around $95 for a set of two.

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Edelkrone DollyONE v2

Edelkrone has updated its ultra-portable motion control system with the DollyONE v2. This wider version is designed to work as a standalone tabletop dolly or to carry a full tripod setup.

  • Key Feature: Features a manual path-learning mode where you can physically move the unit by hand to set your desired path.

  • Control: Fully compatible with the Edelkrone app ecosystem.

  • Price: $1,200.

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DIY Perks 1500W COB Project

The DIY community continues to push boundaries with a new 1500W COB LED project from one of our favorite do-it-yourself users on YouTube – DIY Perks. This build features built-in batteries, a full metal design with water cooling, as well as a wide and extremely powerful beam angle (enough to light some pretty large hills in the middle of the night).

Watch the full video on the DIY Perks YT channel.

New Apple Gear: M5 Chips and Studio Displays

Apple has refreshed its lineup with the next generation of silicon:

  • MacBook Pro: Now available with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.

  • MacBook Air: Updated to the M5 chip.

  • Studio Displays: New Studio Display and Studio Display XDR models have been announced, offering improved brightness and contrast performance.

Amaran Halo Series

Aputure’s Amaran brand introduced the Halo Series, a lineup of high-output Bi-Color COB lights ranging from 60W to 600W.

  • Comparison: Unlike the RGB-capable RAY series, the Halo focuses on affordable, high-quality Bi-Color performance.

  • Price: The 600W version is priced approximately $200 less than the comparable 600W RAY model, aimed at creators looking for low-noise, budget-friendly power (pricing of the Halo series on Amazon).

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Elgato Stream Deck XL+

The new Stream Deck XL+ expands the deck’s physical control capabilities. It features 36 customizable LCD buttons, 6 rotary knobs for tactile adjustments, and a touch screen divided into 6 interactive areas.

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RØDECaster Video CORE

Rode has released a streamlined version of its video switcher called the RØDECaster Video CORE. It offers the same internal processing as the “S” model but removes the physical buttons to reduce the footprint and cost.

  • Control: Can be operated via PC/Mac software or through the RØDECaster Pro II.

  • Price: $600 (a $200 saving over the “S” model).

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Godox Litewafer UP150R RGB

Godox is expanding its panel lineup with the UP150R Litewafer series (announced back in late 2025 and now reaching the market). These are ultra-thin, rigid 180W RGB panels that can be configured in various arrays (1×2, 2×2, 1×4), both vertically and horizontally.

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Manfrotto ONE Photo Tripod

The popular ONE tripod system now has a dedicated Photo version. This Aluminum-only model uses the same leg-locking mechanism as the video version but skips the built-in leveling base and quick-lock head exchange to keep the price down.

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Tascam DR-40XP Portable Recorder

Tascam’s latest handheld recorder, the DR-40XP, brings 32-bit float recording to a compact form factor. It features dual XLR inputs, two built-in mics, and supports microSDXC with up to 18 hours of battery life.

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Aputure Spotlight Mount II

Aputure has overhauled its professional projector system. The Spotlight Mount II supports lights up to 800W and features interchangeable lenses (19°, 26°, 36°, and 50°). It is designed to work with both metal and glass gobos for precise pattern and color projection.

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Rosco Slideys

A clever new grip accessory, Rosco Slideys allows you to repurpose unused flags and frames. These units slide onto existing frames to quickly add Muslin (bleached/unbleached), silver/gold reflectors, or Chroma Key backgrounds.

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Sony Camera Verify for Video

Sony has expanded its “Camera Authenticity Solution” to include video files. Previously limited to stills, cameras like the a1 II, a9 III, a7R V, FX3, and FX30 can now generate authenticated video files to ensure content hasn’t been tampered with. Support for the upcoming A7 V is also expected.

You can check out more LensVid exclusive articles and reviews on the following link.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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