LED RGB Light Tubes: An Illumination

RGB Light Tubes are a staple for many modern photographers, offering a wealth of creativity and style that a standard strobe light or it’s gel accessories may not. Not only can RGB light tubes add colour to your shots, but it can also add lighting effects or change the tone or mood of your photography based on the colour and the theme. Whether you’re looking for a retro neon-light effect, or to light a futuristic Blader Runner-esque scene, LED RGB Light Tubes are here to help.

So, what kind of options are available on the market? We’ve put together a short guide on the RGB Light Tubes that we provide and laid out the differences between each one so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Why RGB Tube Lights?

Tube Lights are a great addition to any photography set. Not only are they versatile, offering different lighting temperatures and brightness, but their main selling point is their portability. They’re easy to maneuver and can be taken to location sets without having to pack away large, cumbersome stands, flashes, and gels. Being RGB, they also offer a full range of 36,000 colours, meaning you can choose the exact shade you need. Depending on the effect you want them to have on your photography they can be used in many different ways.

1. The PiXAPRO Rainbow Series

Our own brand PiXAPRO RGB Rainbow Light Tube is a great addition to any photographer’s kit. The tube offers 320° degrees of diffused light, and comes in 3 sizes: 60cm, 90cm and 120cm. These tubes are popular due to their affordability, and their function as a decorative item as well as for photography use, as they work well in gaming rooms, as well as in the backgrounds of online videos such as for YouTube or TikTok. You can either set them to one consistent colour or set them to effects such as rainbow, which puts multiple colours on at once, rather than a flashing setting which would flash one colour at a time.

The Rainbow Tube also has the option of being used with a Base Stand, which means they can be easily stood behind a subject without needing to be held, or alternatively they can be suspended above your set.

Rainbow Series 320-Degree RGB LED Light Tube

2. The GODOX TL30 and TL60

The Godox TL30 and TL60 are another option on the market. These lights offer 180 degrees of coverage, and offer bi-colour lighting, with colour temperature ranging between 2700K and 6500K, and built-in magnets making it easy to attach to magnetic surfaces. The TL30 and TL60 also feature a screw thread in the bottom of the handle to attach it to light stands, booms, or tripods.

Due to their high CRI and TLCI ratings, these lights are also suitable for professional and broadcast use, and they can also be easily controlled via Bluetooth with the Godox Light smartphone app up to a 30m distance, negating the need for a separate remote! However the Godox RC-A6 2.4GHz Remote Control can also be purchased separately.

The TL30 is a compact 30cm in length, meaning it fits easily into backpacks, while the TL60 is 60cm, and supports DMX control, which enables you to control a single unit or multiple units from a control console. The TL60 also has the option to be mains-powered to accommodate for longer shoots.

3. GODOX LC500R

Similar to its predecessor, the LC500, the Godox LC500R is a handheld LED light with a 180 degree range, but now offers the addition of RGB lighting. A primary difference between the LC500R and other RGB tube lights is its built-in Music Mode, a setting that reacts to any music playing in its vicinity by changing the hues and the brightness in time to the beat, making it great for music videos.

The removable barn-doors included with this light tube also help direct the light to give you more control. Like the TL Series, the LC500R can be used with the RC-A6 2.4GHz Remote Control, which enables you to control up to six groups of lights in up to 32 channels!

Final Words

RGB Light Tubes are a great portable alternative to carrying around flashes and gels when you’re on the move, and there are a range of options to suit your projects. So, whether you need a real-time reactive music mode or you need to shoot in the pouring rain, we have a light tube available for you to help add some colour to your shots! We've also added a handy table at the bottom to help you compare the lights mention. 

If you need any advice on these lights or you aren’t sure which one would be best for you, feel free to get in touch with us at info@essentialphoto.co.uk and a member of our team will be able to assist you!