The camera accessory I recommend to most people isn’t a tripod or a microphone.

ZDNET Key Points

• The SmallRig RT 25 Camera The fluorescent tube is definitely worth $180.
• Great build quality and lighting performance… just awesome.
• This tube light is also extremely versatile thanks to the additional mounting points.

Fluorescent lighting has become a trend in the creative space over the past few years. Many of our favorite music videos include some level of fluorescent lighting implementation to help create an engaging scene. This has led to many manufacturers creating fluorescent lighting for the creative market. Some are good. Some are not so good.

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SmallRig recently introduced me to the RT 25 tube, a handheld rig with mounting options and a number of features that will enhance any creative’s scene, whether it’s video or stills. I’m familiar with SmallRig’s camera accessories, having used quite a few of their lanterns and rigs, but I wasn’t as familiar with their lighting SKUs. Let’s take a look at the RT 25 tube.

Quality in design, construction and features

The SmallRig RT 25 is a pretty well-designed tube. The build quality is a combination of high-quality composite plastic and metal. It has a number of mounting points for use on a light stand or stand. The mounts are ¼-20 or ⅜ — you’ll be hard-pressed to find a way to mount this tube.

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The interface is simple: there is a conventional power switch, a mode button, a settings button, and a control dial, which can also be clicked to help you navigate the menu system. The SmallRig RT 25 comes with a handle that is quite ergonomic and comfortable to hold. In addition to providing comfort, it also contains a battery to wirelessly power the tube light.

The build quality also includes ports for the barn doors to lock into, giving you simple lighting control for your scene. The barn doors are easy to attach and detach, but don’t let them fool you into thinking they’ll accidentally come apart. Well done. The IP54 rating means you can use the tube in light rain, thanks to its splash-proof protection.

Like most lights these days, you’ll get some special effects from the RT 25, but that doesn’t mean anything if it can’t act as a reliable light source for daylight or the regular tungsten lighting you’d use on sets these days. To SmallRig’s credit, the RT 25 does a great job with light quality and has no performance issues like flickering or overheating the chassis.

Power and battery

Using the RT 25 on set will give you some freedom in terms of battery life. When fully charged, the battery grip is rated to give you two hours of battery life. I haven’t been able to push it to its limits yet, but that’s a reasonable and realistic number based on the 3,100 mAh rating.

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You can also power the RT 25 via USB-C. Just plug in your favorite portable power source and keep shooting. This is the perfect scenario if you’re a creator with multiple V-mount batteries that offer USB-C PD output. You can mount a tube light to the light stand and also mount a V-mount battery to the light stand for continuous lighting as long as your V-mount battery can handle it.

Pros and cons of RT 25

I can’t praise SmallRig enough for the build quality of this tube light. It feels great and can handle accidental drops. I haven’t dropped it, but I don’t feel nervous about dropping it either.

SmallRig also thoughtfully added mounting points on the back and top of the tube. If you’re looking for an edge light, you can mount the RT 25 on a stand next to your subject. Looking for a fill or hair light? Well, mount it lower in front of your subject or up on a C-stand behind your subject.

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To counterbalance my glowing praise, I have to point out areas where it could be improved. Yes, the battery life is great, but I wish the internal battery could power the light independently, so there was no need for a USB-C power source or battery grip. Just plug it in and power it up. SmallRig told me that my wish was possible, but in my testing, I was unable to run the RT 25 without a USB-C power source or battery grip.

I also don’t like the UI that doesn’t allow for some sort of interaction with a mobile app. If you’re a solo photographer like me, having to constantly change and adjust settings on any light source on a stand or tripod can be a bit annoying. Having access to a mobile app makes this much more efficient on set. At the very least, give me the option to adjust brightness or color temperature on the fly.

Finally, I wish SmallRig provided a larger font size and more helpful information in the manual. I learned more from trial and error than trying to read the supplied manual or online instructions.

ZDNET Buying Advice

The SmallRig RT 25 Camera The model with the battery grip is $180. That’s a pretty good price for an incredibly solid grip for your photography or videography. The build quality alone is worth its weight in gold.