@@davidherring Good news! I just purchased the Iris Creator Kit today. I think it is a pretty good kit to add to a content creator toolkit. I am interested in hearing your perspective now that Hobolite is rebranding itself as Harlowe.
Yeah, I went a little crazy when they first came out so I have three avants, one pro, and 2 minis. I definitely like the power of the minis, but have had to plug them in to keep them running for longer shoots, which isn’t I deal with the cables that it comes with because they’re pretty short more for charging then running them continuously I also had trouble with the mini soft box, but it sounds like they’re gonna send me an updated version. And I did melt an avant- color gel. But I shoot for other videographers as well and they always request that I bring the pro with the aputure 90cm lantern. Has enough power to really light up the place with really nice soft light.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with them, though I admit the set up time isn’t super fast with all the components, but I think that’s pretty par for the course. I am kind of eyeing the mini Max and an avant Max because just being able to mount a V mount directly to the back of either light would be super convenient and give me much better run times if I had my choice, I’d probably trade the minis in for the mini max’s.
Oh one point about the pro is I wish it had dual side tightening because I do find I really have to crank it to get it to stay put with the big lantern on it.
I have two Profoto A2s and one A10, but also planning to dabble in video, and thinking of getting a continuous light or two to go along. Have thought about Hobo lights. One of photographer buddies swears by them.
Awesome and informative!! Can I ask what your recommendation is for a first timer? I take outdoors photo shoots but sometimes traveling from place to place with gear is annoying, you happen to know the smallest setup that would render soft light similar to your main light?
I’d say the Mini is a great starter light but also you may find it’s all you need! Look at the Creator Kit because it has some really practical accessories.
Hi Dave, thank you for your reviews. I need a light for a group photo indoors. Do you think the Hobolite Iris will do the job? I love how compact it is. Your advice is welcome.
I’d say the best all around light they make is the Avant. Add a soft box and you can stream or do whatever you want. If portability was an issue, go with the mini max.
One of the things that I struggle with a lot shooting with Leica cameras is that there aren't a lot of good TTL or automatic lights out there and I usually just end up skipping using lighting altogether for photography. Do you know if there are any portable video lights that you might consider using when shooting photography for portraits?
I use these all the time. The Hobolite Mini is especially portable and the battery life is fantastic. These are constant lights (not flash) but allow you to shape and build a scene anywhere. Grab a stand and you can really do anything you want for hours at a time in any location out of your backpack.
I use the godox ad200 pro for single speedlight portraits. They make transmitters/triggers for a wide range of cameras, and I have one for my Sony A7 IV, and another for my Leica Q2 Monochrom. Planning on getting a second flash for expanded portrait lighting options. Check it out 🤙
@3c3c3c sure. 1) A company innovates and invests in a community. 2) Someone takes advantage of lax laws and recreates that project with lesser quality but a similar look and sells it for a quick $$ with no intent to stand behind it. 3) Consumers spend their $$ on said cheap knockoff, thus furthering the problem of IP theft or brand confusion (see Amazon). 4) Now we arrive at your comment, eagerly awaiting this process that hurts the system, deceives people, and provides a cheap non-warrantied product likely made without regard for ethical manufacturing. But you do you.✌🏼
@@davidherring very few people can afford what amounts to a glorified led light in a “fancy” box, assembled probably in China from parts, wait for it: made in China😂😂 Its not about community when you are trying to rip off the said community with overpriced LED lights. And in the end you cry about IP theft while the product in question is copying all of the design characteristics from Hasselblad😂 Also, a big red flag is the company in question is paying large sums of money to photography influencers to push their product to clueless consumers thinking they will get something extra, I repeat myself, an LED light in a fancy box 😂 Usually not for it, but I wholeheartedly support this product getting a knockoff, but thats just my opinion! Hope you got paid for this!😂😂
Maybe for future videos if you put your Osmo in manual so that we can truly see the difference in light without it automatically compensating that would probably be more demonstrative of what you’re trying to show.
@@davidherring no worries video was really great to see the newer lights…I like the 40w being able to work directly with v mount batteries. Because I have found the mini to be a little awkward for longer shoots because of the internal battery.
Thanks for having this content posted. I wanted to see the comparisons. I love the elegance of Hobolite. Hopefully I can get one for Christmas.
Awesome! Which light are you considering?
@@davidherring Good news! I just purchased the Iris Creator Kit today. I think it is a pretty good kit to add to a content creator toolkit. I am interested in hearing your perspective now that Hobolite is rebranding itself as Harlowe.
Dude - lovely video and thanks for showing some practical real time shots
Thank you!
I thought those Hobolits were Hasselblads in the thumbnail
They look just like one!
Yeah, I went a little crazy when they first came out so I have three avants, one pro, and 2 minis. I definitely like the power of the minis, but have had to plug them in to keep them running for longer shoots, which isn’t I deal with the cables that it comes with because they’re pretty short more for charging then running them continuously I also had trouble with the mini soft box, but it sounds like they’re gonna send me an updated version. And I did melt an avant- color gel. But I shoot for other videographers as well and they always request that I bring the pro with the aputure 90cm lantern. Has enough power to really light up the place with really nice soft light.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with them, though I admit the set up time isn’t super fast with all the components, but I think that’s pretty par for the course. I am kind of eyeing the mini Max and an avant Max because just being able to mount a V mount directly to the back of either light would be super convenient and give me much better run times if I had my choice, I’d probably trade the minis in for the mini max’s.
Oh one point about the pro is I wish it had dual side tightening because I do find I really have to crank it to get it to stay put with the big lantern on it.
Thanks for sharing!
I have two Profoto A2s and one A10, but also planning to dabble in video, and thinking of getting a continuous light or two to go along. Have thought about Hobo lights. One of photographer buddies swears by them.
They're really a great product!
Awesome video of the Hobolite range. Coveting every one now!
Thank you!
Awesome and informative!! Can I ask what your recommendation is for a first timer? I take outdoors photo shoots but sometimes traveling from place to place with gear is annoying, you happen to know the smallest setup that would render soft light similar to your main light?
I’d say the Mini is a great starter light but also you may find it’s all you need! Look at the Creator Kit because it has some really practical accessories.
Hi Dave, thank you for your reviews. I need a light for a group photo indoors. Do you think the Hobolite Iris will do the job? I love how compact it is. Your advice is welcome.
I think the iris is too small for something like this. Give the mini a try!
Thank you:)
the design look cool ,may i know what is the material of the light ? it look like plastic ?
Leather, metal, and a screen (prob some form of plastic, but it’s no different than any other tech screen).
Great video! Very informative
Thank you!
My Leica SF -40 flash was $500. Looks like a good value.
Definitely!
Those are some awesome lights! Wow! I hope you got your eyesight back! Haha!
Haha yes they are! Also I’m ok!
@@davidherring awesome! Keep up the great videos Dave! Hope you had a great weekend!
I thought only the PRO took the bowens mount. Are you sure the Avant has the bowens as well. Thanks,
It’s via an up-fit accessory: www.hobolite.com/products/avant-bowens-mount-adaptor
@@davidherring Thank you
Which is better for streaming🎉
I’d say the best all around light they make is the Avant. Add a soft box and you can stream or do whatever you want. If portability was an issue, go with the mini max.
One of the things that I struggle with a lot shooting with Leica cameras is that there aren't a lot of good TTL or automatic lights out there and I usually just end up skipping using lighting altogether for photography. Do you know if there are any portable video lights that you might consider using when shooting photography for portraits?
I use these all the time. The Hobolite Mini is especially portable and the battery life is fantastic. These are constant lights (not flash) but allow you to shape and build a scene anywhere. Grab a stand and you can really do anything you want for hours at a time in any location out of your backpack.
I use the godox ad200 pro for single speedlight portraits. They make transmitters/triggers for a wide range of cameras, and I have one for my Sony A7 IV, and another for my Leica Q2 Monochrom. Planning on getting a second flash for expanded portrait lighting options. Check it out 🤙
Have you tried to use the pro powered by the vmount batteries? I wonder how long the batteries will last in powering 300w
I haven’t, but the batteries are massive.
Cant wait for the elves in Shenzen make the exact same thing for 100€ ✨
I have a lot of problems with this comment.
@@davidherring lets unpack here, shall we?
@3c3c3c sure. 1) A company innovates and invests in a community. 2) Someone takes advantage of lax laws and recreates that project with lesser quality but a similar look and sells it for a quick $$ with no intent to stand behind it. 3) Consumers spend their $$ on said cheap knockoff, thus furthering the problem of IP theft or brand confusion (see Amazon). 4) Now we arrive at your comment, eagerly awaiting this process that hurts the system, deceives people, and provides a cheap non-warrantied product likely made without regard for ethical manufacturing.
But you do you.✌🏼
@@davidherring very few people can afford what amounts to a glorified led light in a “fancy” box, assembled probably in China from parts, wait for it: made in China😂😂
Its not about community when you are trying to rip off the said community with overpriced LED lights. And in the end you cry about IP theft while the product in question is copying all of the design characteristics from Hasselblad😂
Also, a big red flag is the company in question is paying large sums of money to photography influencers to push their product to clueless consumers thinking they will get something extra, I repeat myself, an LED light in a fancy box 😂
Usually not for it, but I wholeheartedly support this product getting a knockoff, but thats just my opinion!
Hope you got paid for this!😂😂
Would a 20W light with a diffuser of some kind in front be enough in a room say the size of yours for some indoor shots for instagram?
100%. If you see any videos where I’m not in my usual spot, like my last video called Street View, that is exactly what you’re seeing.
Maybe for future videos if you put your Osmo in manual so that we can truly see the difference in light without it automatically compensating that would probably be more demonstrative of what you’re trying to show.
This was shot on a Sony A7SIII and was manual the whole time.
I thought you were using your osmo showing the power of the pro but it auto exposure corrected so change wasn’t as dramatic as could have been.
@whiterock1865 ah yes, sorry I thought you were referring to the main camera.
@@davidherring no worries video was really great to see the newer lights…I like the 40w being able to work directly with v mount batteries. Because I have found the mini to be a little awkward for longer shoots because of the internal battery.
They're beautiful lights...the most beautiful lights out there but the price to performance is absurd.
Value and price are subjective.
Man those lights look soooooo sexy
They’re really beautiful