SmallRig RM 03 Macro Photo LED Light review - flexible lighting for close-ups on a budget

Home / Reviews / Accessories / SmallRig RM 03 Macro Photo LED Light review – flexible lighting for close-ups on a budget

Amateur Photographer verdict

The SmallRig RM 03 is a versatile light for close-up photography that comes with a useful set of accessories. The flexible arm allows creative lighting, but can be difficult to position precisely.

Pros

Excellent range of supplied accessories
Flexible arm enables creative lighting angles
Compact and easy to carry

Cons

Limited output in bright conditions
Can be fiddly to position precisely
No RGB colour mixing or hue control

Good lighting is often the difference between an ordinary macro image and one that reveals texture, depth and detail. The SmallRig RM 03 Macro Photo LED Light is designed specifically for close-up photography, providing a compact light source that can be positioned precisely where it’s needed.

SmallRig RM 03 Macro Photo LED Light at a glance:

$49.99 / £49
5 light colours: Red, Green, Blue, Cold White and Warm White
Flexible 39cm spring arm
3W maximum output
2000mAh rechargeable battery
Supplied with diffuser, spotlight, barndoor and projection slides
Website: smallrig.com

The RM 03 combines an aluminium alloy handle housing a 2000mAh rechargeable battery with a flexible 39cm arm and compact LED head. SmallRig claims the internal spring mechanism can withstand more than 1,000 bends without losing its shape, and it certainly feels robust enough for regular use. The flexible arm makes it easy to direct light into awkward positions around flowers, fungi, insects, miniatures and other small subjects.

Operation is simple. Two buttons control power, brightness and colour selection. Brightness is adjusted through five levels from 20% to 100%, but there’s no indication of the selected setting, which means it’s easy to lose track of where you are in the sequence. The colour button cycles through red, green, blue, cold white and warm white illumination.

While the RM 03 offers coloured lighting, it isn’t a true RGB light because there’s no colour mixing or hue adjustment.

SmallRig RM 03 mounted to railings. — The light is controlled using two buttons, and a sturdy mounting clip is supplied. Image credit: Angela Nicholson

A diffuser, four-leaf barndoor, spotlight attachment and ten projection slides (gobos) are supplied. These accessories make it possible to shape and control the light very effectively. The diffuser softens the illumination while the spotlight and gobos are useful for creating more dramatic effects or directing attention to specific details.

SmallRig RM 03 kit contents — The kit comes complete with an extensive array of mounting accessories and light modifiers. Image credit: Angela Nicholson

SmallRig RM 03 Macro Photo LED Light key features

Flexible Positioning: The long spring arm bends into almost any shape for easy lighting control
Creative Effects: Projection slides or gobos, coloured LEDs and light modifiers expand creative possibilities
Compact Light Source: The small lamp head can be positioned close to tiny subjects
Multiple Mounting Options: Use the clamp, cold shoe adapter or ground stake, or a tripod depending on the location
Weather Resistant: IP54-rated construction helps protect against dust and splashes

SmallRig RM 03 in use

In practical use, the biggest challenge is positioning the light accurately. The gooseneck is reasonably stiff, but its weight can cause whatever it’s mounted on to move or rotate. The supplied ground spike can twist in softer ground or tip slightly, causing the beam to drift away from the subject. I found a small tabletop tripod, such as the Manfrotto Pixi, provided much more stable support.

SmallRig RM 03 LED macro light in use with ground spike — The light in use with the supplied ground spike. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Mounting the RM 03 in a camera’s hot shoe can also be a little fiddly unless the camera is tripod-mounted. When shooting handheld, I found it easiest to support the lens while hooking a finger around the light to hold it in place.

With a maximum output of just 3W, the RM 03 isn’t super-bright. It’s best suited to close-range work in shade, on overcast days or during the darker months of the year. It won’t fill deep shadows in bright sunshine, but used close to the subject it provides subtle, controllable illumination without overwhelming delicate details.

SmallRig RM 03 with barn doors. Image credit: Angela Nicholson

SmallRig RM 03 with diffuser. Image credit: Angela Nicholson

SmallRig RM 03 with spotlight attachment. Image credit: Angela Nicholson

Kit options

SmallRig sells the RM 03 in several kit configurations. One option costs $157.50 (approximately £118) and includes two lights, two stands and two mini tripods. This should provide sturdier support than the supplied ground spikes, although I haven’t had the opportunity to test that particular set-up.

SmallRig RM 03: Our Verdict

The SmallRig RM 03 is a clever lighting tool aimed squarely at macro photographers. Its flexible arm and extensive accessory kit make it possible to create lighting effects that would be difficult with conventional LED panels, while its compact size makes it easy to carry.

The modest output and occasional positioning frustrations mean it won’t suit every situation. But for photographing fungi, plants, insects, miniatures and collectibles it can be a very useful addition to your kit, particularly when paired with a small tabletop tripod.