Suppose filmmaking and the usual idea of sunshine, digital camera, motion comes into play, however whereas digital camera expertise and motion or particular results on movie have developed rather a lot, the identical can’t be mentioned for easy lighting. Though it types one of many essential components of images and videography, particularly with the rising recognition of content material creation in at present’s world, using gentle has not modified, besides that getting the fitting lights for the job can nonetheless be a problem .
Whether or not it is making movies to your social media platforms, an internet video assembly through Zoom, and even having knowledgeable picture shoot, poor lighting can damage an in any other case good picture. It’s right here Zhiyuna model identified prominently within the gimbal market, provides an answer with a pair of latest chip-on-board (COB) LED lights, Molus G60 and Molus X100.
If the Molus sequence does not ring a bell, it is a pun on Extra Lux, which it greater than lives as much as. You will be amazed on the sheer quantity of brightness these lights provide, with the X100 and G60 offering as much as 3,881 lux and a couple of,376 lux brightness respectively, and much more when the included reflector is fitted (extra on that later).
Wait, so what’s a lux and the way does it examine to a lumen, which is what most individuals are acquainted with in terms of measuring brightness? Properly, the quantity of sunshine (lumen) will be sharp, e.g. on a flashlight, however in images or videography, the sunshine have to be forged over a bigger space for the digital camera to seize balanced lighting. Thus, gentle depth is measured when it comes to lumens per sq. foot (footcandles) or lumens per sq. meter (lux).
And if their luxurious does not tickle your fancy, their dimension will, as they’re each compact sufficient to slot in your bag alongside together with your digital camera and equipment. This can be a key function that leaves one with out the excuse of getting to lug round heavy lighting gear to report ever once more.
The Molus G60 measures simply 90.6 X 67 X 66.95 mm, which is sufficiently small to slot in the palm of your hand. In the meantime, the X100 is barely barely bigger at 144.5 X 94 X 36.1mm, however works high quality for illuminating a bigger room.
With 100W of energy, the X100 is Zhiyun’s strongest gentle up to now. It has a retro, dark-toned aesthetic, weighs 385 grams and exudes a premium really feel as a consequence of its strong plastic and metallic parts such because the heatsink and fan grill. The dimensions and mass is what you’d count on from a lightweight that delivers 100W, a outcome not typically seen on such a compact type issue. The Molus X100 delivers 3,881 lux with out a reflector and as much as 17,317 lux with the reflector hooked up. The sunshine provides dimming from 0 to 100% and a CCT (Correlated Shade Temperature) vary of two,700 to six,500 Kelvin (Okay) that may be adjusted manually with the 2 buttons on the left. All these changes will be seen on the LCD display subsequent to the fan.
Given their transportable type issue and spectacular gentle output, you’d count on these lights to pack loads of warmth, too. However throughout a number of real-world exams, together with knowledgeable picture shoot by native photographer Barry Seah with a surprising bike and a devilishly stunning mannequin (yours really), it proved in any other case, with the X100 and G60 dealing with the duties with no issues. A part of the magic will be attributed to Zhiyun’s use of assorted cooling applied sciences, such because the DynaVort Cooling System, which makes use of gyroscope-modeling heatsinks and field-oriented management (FOC) followers. Merely put, the lights include clever controls to forestall overheating.
In our picture shoot, the brightness degree was saved at a snug 40 to 50 %, with the digital camera dealing with the remainder of the publicity settings. Taking the Molus X100 Professional equipment out for a spin yielded optimistic outcomes, with the sunshine being barely heat to the contact, nothing that may induce a knee drop. As talked about, the DynaVort cooling system kicks in sometimes to forestall overheating and preserve the followers whisper quiet.
On paper, the Molus X100 has a TV Gentle Consistency Index (TLCI) of 97 and a Shade Rendering Index (CRI) of 95, but it surely’s laborious to find out how effectively it will probably reproduce colours to the bare eye. Matching the colour temperature of the sunshine to the white stability on the digital camera proved to be a straightforward affair, an evaluation that may please the extra skilled cinematographers. One other excellent news – the lights are additionally flicker-free.
Because the depth may be very robust, there might be extra of a focus in the direction of the middle of the place the sunshine shines. Nevertheless, with a delicate field hooked up, the depth of the sunshine adjustments fully, permitting it to diffuse and unfold, giving a extra even and delicate gentle.
Zhiyun has additionally added two quarter inch threads on the principle unit to permit customers to make use of totally different tripods and even selfie sticks to mount the sunshine together with the beforehand talked about Bowens Mount Adapter, permitting them to make use of different gentle modifiers that they already proprietor.
Then we’ve the smaller Molus G60 cousin, the smallest COB gentle up to now. It’s much more compact than the X100, has a most energy of 60W and follows the identical coloration temperature vary of three,200 to six,500 Kelvin (Okay). As with coloration accuracy, it has a excessive CRI index of 95 and a barely increased TCLI score of 97, guaranteeing colours are precisely reproduced.
The G60 is really spectacular with its compact and small type issue, equal to the dimensions of a Rubik’s dice. With a flashy total look harking back to Wheatley from the sport Portal 2. It rocks handbook dimming and CCT dials, and an LED display. A fast click on on the dimming settings cycle via zero, 50 and 100%. Every soar of the CCT dial will increase the CCT ranges to preset values of two,700K, 5,500K and 6,500K, with the sunshine providing a most brightness of seven,960 lux (examined at 5,600K on one meter with reflector).
Powering the G60 is straightforward: customers can both use the AC adapter or a suitable USB-C energy financial institution with PD quick charging.
As talked about, the G60 can also be suitable with ZY-mounted gentle modifiers, with the usual equipment providing a diffuser together with the reflector. An included Bowens Mount Adapter can be utilized for those who already personal third-party Bowens-mount gentle modifiers, which is a giant plus.
For what it is price, the G60 serves its objective effectively. Having one gentle is not sufficient for many conditions, however this piece of kit works competently sufficient as a complementary gentle, as seen by its highlighting of sure motorbike elements within the photos beneath.
The star of the present right here is Barry Seah, knowledgeable photographer who captures bikes, their homeowners and their tales. He goes by Motorgrapher, so examine him out.
What we wish to obtain is a macho man badass vibe, which requires a extra high-contrast, grunge-style look, as this enhances the muscle definition on the mannequin (look rigorously – it is there. Someplace.), whereas exhibiting off the bike’s capabilities ahead. . The tough half about lighting up the bike is that we do not wish to gentle up areas just like the battery, mirrors and wiring – we wish to spotlight the issues we love and conceal the unimportant. So on this case we targeted on the tank, cylinders, headlight and naturally the wheels.
We used a pair of G60 items and an X100 for this scene. The X100 with a dome diffuser on the fitting aspect offers the gradual drop to the entrance of the bike, the topic’s face and arms (have a look at these triceps). A G60 unit hooked up with the mini reflector and a desk stand stand low to the ground aimed on the bike’s cylinder to present it some highlights. Lastly, we aimed a G60 hooked up with the mini-softbox equipment subsequent to the X100 to intensify the rear of the bike.
Indoor lighting conditions are the place the G60 shines brightest (pun meant). Zhiyun has actually made it straightforward to arrange the sunshine with out taking on an excessive amount of area, so actions like stay streaming, on-line conferences and movies with speaking heads profit essentially the most from its type issue.
What’s additionally cool is the truth that you possibly can connect totally different gentle modifiers to those lights, which incorporates Zhiyun’s personal gentle modifier ecosystem (ZY mount) like its personal Mini Reflector that comes out of the field with its customary equipment. Chip in an extra S$80 and the package deal comes full with an extra Mini Softbox, handheld tripod, storage bag and a Bowens Mount Adapter, enabling skilled strobists, photographers and videographers to carry out a extra complete vary of sunshine shaping of their equipment.
On S$530 and S$300, Molus X100 (Combo Kits) and G60 (Customary Equipment) are priced for comfort, and Zhiyun made the fitting alternative in terms of making these lights ultra-portable, providing a handful of battery and direct energy choices. First, there’s the Grip battery within the Molus X100 Combo Equipment, which provides ease of use: take away the rubber door sales space on the fitting aspect, expose the contact factors, insert the Grip battery and increase, it turns into a transportable powerhouse with out extra wires or cables, good for out of doors shoots the place energy could be a laborious commodity to return by.
You can even plug within the included AC adapter for all-day energy or select the extra distinctive possibility of utilizing a PD fast cost USB Energy Financial institution that helps nine-volt watts. The Grip Battery fared finest when it comes to portability, packing loads of energy for an excellent two to a few hours of recording. Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that this solely lasts about half-hour at full brightness, with quick charging taking about 2 hours and 24 minutes to succeed in 100%.
A bonus function right here is the Zhiyun Vega app, made solely presently for the Molus X100 and G60 gadgets. This neat little app works fairly effectively when paired with the latter through Bluetooth, letting you alter dimming and CCT remotely. As well as, the app permits the colour temperature of the sunshine to match a scene utilizing a smartphone digital camera. It additionally has assist for Bluetooth mesh management and boasts a connection to a number of X100 gadgets, linking them collectively and syncing the settings with out having to undergo gradual and sophisticated setups manually, superb for a one-man crew.
With the Molus X100 and G60, Zhiyun presents a flexible pair of properly wrapped items appropriate for many conditions the place lighting could make or break your content material. Whether or not it is run-and-gun footage, out of doors images, or just elevating your Zoom conferences with some skilled lighting, the Zhiyun Molus X100 and G60 can do all of it and extra.
Take a look at our picture gallery to see extra Zhiyun X100 and G60 in motion!
Beer, bikes and barbecue, 3 of Zacky’s favourite issues. He could appear to be a gnarly, badass biker on the skin, however a mild delicate nerdy teddy bear on the within.
