Among the most consequential variables to consider in photography or videography is quite simply, light. It can, therefore, be pretty challenging to take good photos and videos when you don't have a good light source. Or, if you were thinking of capturing good photos or recording videos under nice sunlight, but the weather gods have turned against you. However, perhaps iFootage's daylight studio lights might help.

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The iFootage SL1 220DN is a part of their Anglerfish series, marking a line of daylight-balanced, COB LED lights that are designed to best emulate natural sunlight. As I've countless times experienced before, not all studio lights are created equal! Some are better than others when it comes to faking sunlight within a studio or enclosed room. Meanwhile, others make it quite obvious that it's an artificial light source.

PLEASE NOTE: I WAS SENT THIS ITEM FOR REVIEW BUT NO OTHER PAYMENT OR CONTROL WAS EXCHANGED FOR PUBLISHING THIS UNBIASED REVIEW

On the bright side (pun intended), the iFootage SL1 220DN is on the better end of the spectrum - arguably, it's one of the best studio lights that money can buy. It's aimed at both photography and videography pros alike. On the surface, the SL1 220DN aims to deliver industry-leading color accuracy and versatility in your studio, or on-location scenarios. In practice, it works wonders at replicating a true-to-life light source.

With its highly controlled blue light frequency and ability to match the color temperature of daylight, the iFootage SL1 220DN can emulate actual daylight and sunlight in your studio effortlessly and reliably. Plus, it even offers a vast array of distinct lighting effects, easy transportability, and is built like a tank. Yet, can the iFootage SL1 220DN outweigh all other options, as the only studio light you'll really ever need?

What Makes The iFootage SL1 220DN So Unique Among Studio Lights?

But, first off, let's first take a closer look at what makes this iFootage SL1 220DN so distinct in the market. Its most noteworthy feature is the SL1 220DN's supreme color accuracy, which boasts a near-perfect color fidelity. In fact, on the Color Rendering Index (CRI), the iFootage SL1 220DN scores a high 98, which shows its ability to handily recreate true-to-life colors, as well as emulate actual daylight and sunlight.

Speaking of, the SL1 220DN even offers a variety of lighting effects like fireworks and strobes, which could be pretty handy if you're trying to set a unique scene and tune the lighting accordingly. On top of that, the SL1 220DN also has four dimming curve options for much more granular, accurate, and creative lighting control. Again, there's an abundance of versatility with how you can set the lighting for your needs.

It's not like it's even that chunky, either. The iFootage SL1 220DN is decently compact and lightweight for a studio light. It comes with a really nice, padded carrying case for easy transportation, which makes this ideal for photogs who need to ferry it around between location shoots. You don't need to baby it, as well. The SL1 220DN is well-built and robust, given that it's constructed from a durable aluminum alloy.

Furthermore, it's fairly easy to use and intuitive for calibrating and adjusting the light itself. The iFootage SL1 220DN has some large twist knobs for angle adjustments, in addition to tweaking the light source. It’s able to work reliably for a long time, to boot. The SL1 220DN comes with a passive cooling system, hence, making sure that this giant studio light is cool, even under prolonged operation, and without excess noise.

Is There Anything You Should Consider With The iFootage SL1 220DN?

With that being said, there are a couple of things that you need to take into account before setting up the SL1 220DN. First off, about that cooling system... Yes, it's pretty quiet, and the internal fans don't add that noise, bleeding into the environment. Nonetheless, there's still a tiny hint of sound. Thus, you need to take this into consideration for ultra-quiet environments, or if you're recording very sensitive audio clips.

Although, the SL1 220DN makes up for it with its wide-ranging compatibility with third-party accessories. The iFootage SL1 220DN is fitted onto a Bowens mount, which makes it adaptable with a diverse array of modifiers. This could easily further expand its versatility. With this, you can make better use of its massive power output. That light source on the iFootage SL1 220DN has a 220-watt output (hence, its name).

It's worth bearing in mind that iFootage also offers other, similar studio lights in its Anglerfish series that have a lower output, if 220 watts is too much or a bit overkill for your use case. Regardless, the SL1 220DN here could easily output and provide 42,000 lux of light at one meter, using the provided reflector. Seeing that this light source is fixed at 5,600 Kelvin, it thus matches the right color temperature of daylight.

With a convincingly natural sunlight look, it's perfect for shoots that require a natural, outdoorsy look for your images and videos. And, for those times when you need to quickly adjust the angle or light, there's a handy OLED display on the back of the unit. With those aforementioned knobs that I noted earlier, you're able to make easy adjustments on-the-fly, and have integration for DMX connectors for pro setups.

What Are The Best Aspects Of The iFootage SL1 220DN?

If you're on the fence about getting the iFootage SL1 220DN, here are some of the upsides and best things about it that make it well worth considering if you're shopping around for studio lights...

Superior Color Accuracy - The SL1 220DN's color accuracy is, once again, its standout feature. With a lot of testing done and high-tech spectrometer data to back this up, iFootage is deservedly proud of this fact. It's the perfect match for folks who value natural lighting in their shoots. This helps with cutting down time on post-production edits to fix the lighting, which is a situation that I'm all too familiar with. Moreover, on the day of the shoot itself, you can guarantee a more naturally lit background, with true-to-life skin tones, and casting more accurate and balanced color outputs.
Quiet Operation - While I mentioned earlier that the internal fans helping to cool the iFootage SL1 220DN do emit at least a bit of noise, this is fairly normal. If anything, there are studio lights out there that can emit much harsher and more unpleasant fan noise. Comparatively, the SL1 220DN is far quieter, almost a whisper-quiet sound, even when the fans are ramping up its internals are getting toastier. That'll come in quite handy for more noise-sensitive environments. Still, do be wary that there's still some noise.
Robust Construction - Another aspect of the SL1 220DN that I really like is its build quality. The design and engineering here are superb, making sure that it can withstand the rigors of constant and frequent use. Even the knobs on the rear of the device for auxiliary adjustments are tactile, with a solid feel to them. I'm more confident in the SL1 220DN's reliability and longevity the more I use it. On top of that, it's quite a bit more portable than some other studio lights as well, so you could more easily carry it around from one shoot to another.
High Power Output - Given its peak brightness of 42,000 lux at 1 meter, the iFootage SL1 220DN is more than capable of illuminating large areas, which is fantastic for bigger studios and outdoor environments. Moreover, with the extensive dimming controls, it'll ensure more precise lighting adjustments for various shooting scenarios without color shifts. What's more, remember that the SL1 220DN maintains a consistent color temperature of 5600K. This is crucial for any video and photo work to ensure that your lighting does not fluctuate much during shooting.

Are There Any Downsides With The iFootage SL1 220DN?

Still, nothing is ever perfect, and while there's a lot about iFootage's SL1 220DN that I really like, there are some downsides and flaws that you need to know before adding it to your shopping list...

Limited Power Supply - When you need to whip out the SL1 220DN and use it, it could be powered off the included power cord. Sounds easy enough, right? However, using it directly from the power cord will only allow you to use a fraction of the light's true capability. If you want to leverage its full brightness, it can only be done if you - 1) use a 100W (at least) USB-C cable, and 2) attach an external battery pack or your V-mount battery. Doing the latter two can now supply enough power to the SL1 220DN. Still, it's good to know that, if your batteries are running low on charge, you can readily plug in a USB-C battery bank to keep it topped up.
Missing U-Mount Stand - Unlike its higher-powered (and costlier) siblings in the iFootage Anglerfish line-up of studio lights, the SL1 220DN lacks a U-mount stand. This could've otherwise offered more flexibility in positioning the light. Speaking of mounts, remember that Bowens mount I mentioned earlier? Well, it's not included in the package, and it's sold as an optional accessory (at least, this was the case for most of the folks who bought the SL1 220DN). So, that's a bummer. But, if you are getting a Bowens mount from iFootage, do be careful to buy the right Bowens mount, as they also sell mini Bowens mount for the SL1 220DN's smaller siblings.
App Connectivity Issues - Although you can control the iFootage SL1 220DN from the auxiliary knobs and switches on the rear of the unit, you could also do this wirelessly. The SL1 220DN could be paired with an accompanying app from iFootage, called 'Lumin'. This gives you easy access to wireless controls, which is great for accessibility and simply makes it easier to fiddle around with. Unfortunately, this mobile app is liable to suffer from inconsistent connectivity to the light itself, as well as its general performance, which can be rather subpar at times.

How Much Does The iFootage SL1 220DN Cost (And Is It Worth It)?

The iFootage SL1 220DN is priced at $429. At this price point, it's positioned quite competitively in the oft-saturated studio lights market. Alas, as I mentioned earlier, $429 is a suggestive price, as you will need to shell out a bit more for additional accessories, like the Bowens mount. The latter of which would add quite a bit more value and functionality to the SL1 220DN, and depending on your needs, it might be essential.

When you compare the iFootage SL1 220DN to similar studio LED lights, such as the Godox UL150, the SL1 220DN shows far superior color accuracy. Additionally, it's able to control its blue light frequency in a way that outclasses most other studio lights that I've had the chance to work with. This is crucial for emulating true-to-life daylight and creating a scene that showcases more natural and convincing sunlight.

When looking at price-to-performance, the iFootage SL1 220DN is an incredibly attractive proposition. It's an even greater deal given the high color accuracy and build quality. iFootage has something special here, emerging as a strong contender in the LED studio light market, with exceptional color fidelity, ease of use, and solid construction. Naturally, the SL1 220DN is not without its fair share of faults to be wary of.

The usability of the accompanying mobile app for wireless controls needs a bit more time in the oven. Yet, it's not made any better given that you'll need to invest even more for its optional accessories, such as the Bowens mount and (really nice) battery grip. Still, I've gotten around those faults thus far, and as a whole, the iFootage SL1 220DN is a worthy investment for professionals looking for reliable studio lighting.

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About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.

REVIEW: iFootage SL1 220DN Video Light