As I have diversified my lighting collection, I have become a fan of RGB LED lights, and own some small ones that I find useful for a variety of applications. I’ve used them for product photography, portrait rim lighting, adding atmosphere to a scene, planting inside a lampshade as an adjustable color temperature "practical" for video and more.
When I came across the Weeylite WE-9, it occurred to me that it could add some features my other RGB lights didn’t offer. While its color capabilities are very similar to smaller, rectangular lights I already use, and each of them offers special effects, the WE-9R’s larger size and its ring shape offer additional possibilities, particularly as a background color element for videos. But an additional bonus is that I can let my teenage granddaughters use it to create photos and videos for social media.
The WE-9’s controls are quite intuitive and easy to use. I had no trouble operating it, right out of the box. The easy-to-read LCD screen clearly shows what you are controlling and what the settings are. Besides the push-button On/Off, there is a Mode button, plus a rotary control with a Selector button in the middle of it. The Mode button allows you to access what Weeylite calls Color Temperature Mode, Color Light Mode, Free Adjustment Mode and Scenario (Scene) Mode. Use the button in the center of the rotary control to select items within that Mode, and use the rotary control to adjust the light value.
Perhaps my favorite feature is the WE-9’s compatibility with both the Weeylite cell phone remote control APP, a free download, and their handy little RC-11 remote control, which is available as an option from Amazon. I have already been using both of these controls for my Weeylite Ninja 200 and Ninja 400 LED COB lights. With either the APP or the RC-11, I can assign each light its own Channel and Group. That gives me full, independent wireless control of each light. That’s a huge advantage over my pocket-size RGB lights that I have to go to, pick them up, change their function and then re-position. At times, accessing them and replacing them can be a real hassle. Plus, of course, there is no way to change their function while recording a video, if they are in the scene.
As with other ring lights, a cold shoe mount is integrated into the inside lower perimeter of the ring. This will accommodate the supplied short gooseneck, with its adjustable phone clamp. All pretty standard stuff for ring lights.
A 1/4-inch-20 (photography standard) female thread on the bottom of the ring makes it compatible with all sorts of tripods, light stands and accessories designed for photography/video.
Also included is a table-top tripod that will hold the base of the ring 3 3/4" above a surface or, with the supplied 2-stage extension added, 9”-13" in the air. Each tripod leg is terminated in a rubber tip that adds friction and, accordingly, a bit more stability. Plus, Weeylite has supplied a very solid metal ball mount. Add that and the base of the ring can be elevated to nearly 15". Fold the legs down, and they become a handle, and the whole stand turns into a selfie stick! The ball mount, tripod and 2-stage extension may, of course, be used with other small, lightweight photo gear if desired. For example, I find that the tripod works great to support my DJI Osmo Pocket in it’s WiFi adapter base. Additionally, the short gooseneck/phone clamp combo has a 1/4"-20 female thread at the bottom of its hot/cold shoe mount, so may be used separately from the ring light, mounted on the ball mount, the supplied table stand or most any camera support hardware.
Another feature Weeylite got right is that the WE-9 includes a built-in rechargeable battery, which may be charged from an external power source (not included) using the supplied USB C type cable. Additionally, the WE-9 control surface offers up a USB 5V output port that allows the WE-9 to be used as a power bank for charging other devices, most often, one would assume, a cell phone.
If that weren’t enough features, the WE-9 includes a tiny Bluetooth remote shutter control to wirelessly trigger your phone to take photos, or to start and stop video recording. This “Remote Shutter” operates with either iOS or Android operating systems. And, while it’s Owner’s Manual lists specific models of six phone brands, it paired via Bluetooth quickly and effortlessly to my LG phone, which was not listed. The Remote Shutter comes with a replaceable CR2032 button battery, which should give months of use before needing to be replaced. The unit is very small, so could easily get lost. That may account for the manufacturer’s decision to provide it in pink, making it easy to spot. It is also equipped with a molded-in ring for attaching a lanyard or, perhaps, a ribbon to hang around the user’s neck, or to make it easier to store and find.
In almost every case, when I select gear to use in my photography or video production, I look for reasonably rugged construction that can handle life on the road, including occasional accidents along the way. I wouldn’t consider the WE-9 to be designed with that in mind. Plastic is used extensively, including for the majority of the tripod parts. That said, this is not a product that I would ever likely take out of the house, so I don’t see a need for more rugged construction. The weakest links I see might be the point at which the tripod legs are hinged, and the lanyard attachment loop on the Remote Shutter. Used as intended, neither should be a problem, however.
I’m a big believer in shopping for value: i.e., lots of bang for the buck! All I have to do is look at the long list of performance, control and ergonomic features built into the WE-9, stack that up against the modest price I paid for it, and I have to call this fun, versatile light a great value.