GVM Double Sided Mini Bi-color/RGB LED video Light, P/N GVM 7SM
- Usable for both video and still photography.
- 7 watts
- Kelvin – 2700 – 6500K, CRI rating of 97
- Full spectrum RGB color
- 0-100% dimmability
- Packed in a hard case with dense foam separating the components.
- Thick nylon case with zipper included when taking this product on the road.
- USB type C rechargeable (approx. 2 hours to fully charge)
- Approx. 1.5 hours of battery life in constant use.
- Weight 8.8 oz. each
The best price is available at the GVM factory direct website for $159.00 (2 light kits): https://gvmled.com/product/gvm-7sm-mini-led-on-camera-bi-color-rgb-double-sided-video-light/
After purchasing (2) of these light kits from B & H for about $199.00 I saw the discount GVM direct offered. I contacted B&H and they immediately credited me the $40.00 difference. You go B&H!
PHOTOGRAPHED WITH: Sony Nex 7, 24.3 mp, mirrorless camera and a Sony Carl Zeiss E -24mm F1.8, APS-C lens at the equiv. of 36mm
IMAGE with interior of box/components sitting on top of closed GVM box: 3.2 sec’s, f 4.0, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE, Direct camera mounted fill flash (-7).
IMAGE with the video light mounted to the Sony Camera: 1/4 sec., f 8.0, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE. Camera mounted fill flash bounced off the ceiling (-7).
IMAGE showing (2) video lights. One RGB blue the other 6500K: 1/4 sec., f6.3, ISO 100, MANUAL MODE. Camera mounted fill flash bounced off the ceiling (-7).
Summary:
I was very pleased with these lights as they nicely complemented my studio lighting setup. They are extremely solidly built. Unfortunately one of my lights fell about 3.5′ to the floor and there wasn’t a mark on it. The lights continued to perform flawlessly. These GVM mini lights dial in the color accuracy with tremendous ease and accuracy. They emit a nice deep color.
They can be used on the included mounting brackets as self standing units for the table top. They can be used on top of a light stand with the included hardware and allow for angles. They can also be stood on their side without any mounting brackets to put them at table top level.
I find they are best suited for smaller still life photography and macro work. In fact with macro work this is sometimes all I need. They are a little too weak for larger table top shots because you have to pull them back too far from the subject matter but remember they are just 7 watts. Don’t be discouraged by that because you’ll find plenty of opportunity to use these if you do studio work, particularly with smaller objects. In the proper scenario, as previously stated, they are useful as main lights, fill lights, backlights or lighting a backdrop.
I don’t shoot video, at least not as of yet, so I can’t comment on their use for that purpose but I suspect they work pretty well in that application. Of course it depends on what aperture you’re using as to how much power is needed to light the scene. Remember they are marketed as “video lights”. They are probably useful for vloggers but again I have no personal experience there.
For us photographers I give these a 4.5. I would have given them a 5.0 if they were made with about 15 watts but it is what it is and it’s quite a value by which you’ll get considerable mileage from.
Jay
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