question for Zylight Z90 owners

Charles Papert · February 14th, 2012, 09:20 AM

I haven't noted the whine issue, but I also tend to use the Z90 as an accent light thus rarely near mikes. The IS3 doesn't whine.

The accessory holder is a little tricky to learn how to take on and off, but I rarely need to do this. Still, I haven't had a problem when I have had to remove.

Comparing the Zylight to the other units mentioned is somewhat irrelevant (in terms of the multi-colored shadows). It's an RGB LED, the others are not. They serve different purposes and have different functions--specifically, the Zylight has far more features, being able to create color washes and having adjustable control over the green/magenta spectrum, as well as remote operation of all functions. Comparing it to a 1x1 Litepanel makes no sense (more useful to do so with the Zylight IS3 as they are similar in size and function). Comparing to the Dedo Ledzilla is more sensible, but again, very different functionality.

If your requirements are an small unit that delivers 3200 or 5600 color temperature, there are numerous other options that may be better suited. If you need to be able to dial anywhere between those two, there are fewer options, but they are still out there. If you need the specific abilities of an RGB LED, then I believe the Zylight is it in this form factor.

Charles Papert · February 15th, 2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

I actually used the original Lowel Lights (later called the K5, now the L-light) for a tricky setup in a living room that required ceiling mounted hard lights for a period look with quick rigging. We gaff-taped the plates to the ceiling and used halogen screw in bulbs. Worked great. It's in this week's "Key & Peele", I'll post a link if Comedy Central releases that sketch online.

Weird to quote myself, but here's that link: Key & Peele: Das Negros

David Aronson · February 15th, 2012, 09:59 PM

I use my Zylight on camera a couple inches from the on camera shotgun. The only whining I hear is from the talent because it's "Too bright". The Zylight is completely silent.

A tip, the little soft boxes from AB Ultralights fit perfectly over the barndoors on the Z90. Once I figured that out, I didn't hear any more whining.

Philip Fass · February 16th, 2012, 08:11 AM

David,

Thanks. Is this the one you mean?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/226876-REG/Anton_Bauer_UL_SOFT_BOX_UL_SB_SoftBox.html

David Aronson · February 17th, 2012, 12:20 AM

Yup! That's the one. I bought mine a long time ago so I forgot how expensive they were. I may have gotten it off of ebay. If you have an Ultralight already, use the softbox off of it. If you don't, It's not worth buying an expensive one made for high heat incandescent.

On a similar topic, a friend of mine went 100% LED and fluorescent last year. For diffusion, he uses regular parchment paper for baking. It's $6 a roll vs. $60

Philip Fass · February 17th, 2012, 08:37 AM

Yes, I'd asked about parchment in a previous post. Worth experimenting with, since I already have a roll. I figured I'd try wrapping one or two layers around the barn doors

Charles Papert · February 24th, 2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

I actually used the original Lowel Lights (later called the K5, now the L-light) for a tricky setup in a living room that required ceiling mounted hard lights for a period look with quick rigging. We gaff-taped the plates to the ceiling and used halogen screw in bulbs. Worked great. It's in this week's "Key & Peele", I'll post a link if Comedy Central releases that sketch online.

Here's that sketch: Key & Peele: Das Negros

Philip Fass · February 29th, 2012, 04:47 PM

Interesting, I have a Z90 on backorder. The Zylight folks tell me there's a "worldwide shortage" of the kind of LCD they use. I wonder why.

Jon Roemer · April 28th, 2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

I haven't noted the whine issue, but I also tend to use the Z90 as an accent light thus rarely near mikes. The IS3 doesn't whine.

The accessory holder is a little tricky to learn how to take on and off, but I rarely need to do this. Still, I haven't had a problem when I have had to remove.

Comparing the Zylight to the other units mentioned is somewhat irrelevant (in terms of the multi-colored shadows). It's an RGB LED, the others are not. They serve different purposes and have different functions--specifically, the Zylight has far more features, being able to create color washes and having adjustable control over the green/magenta spectrum, as well as remote operation of all functions. Comparing it to a 1x1 Litepanel makes no sense (more useful to do so with the Zylight IS3 as they are similar in size and function). Comparing to the Dedo Ledzilla is more sensible, but again, very different functionality.

If your requirements are an small unit that delivers 3200 or 5600 color temperature, there are numerous other options that may be better suited. If you need to be able to dial anywhere between those two, there are fewer options, but they are still out there. If you need the specific abilities of an RGB LED, then I believe the Zylight is it in this form factor.

I just joined DVInfo.net and came across this and post above that links to some comments I had made elsewhere. So, I thought I'd chime in.

The thought process here was pretty simple, as a still photographer transitioning into video at a client's request, I was looking to come up with a small light kit which would allow me to film some interviews. I wasn't looking to over power ambient light but work with it. IOW, use my color meter to match my small kit to existing light in terms of color temp.

I bought the Z90's based on web reviews and it seemed like a good way to go, sort of strobist in approach (e.g. similar to using speedlites for a still portrait instead of bringing out my Profotos.)

I did have the problems I list in that post -> the high pitched whine emitted by the lights as well the accessory adapter being impossibly tight to put or take off.

I knew going in that the Z90 would probably have multicolored shadows (if used with no diffusion.)

Zylight was extremely responsive to my post and I heard from them immediately. They did say, at that time, that the accessory adapter had been recently updated to make it tighter but they might have gone too tight. I'm sure it's been fixed since then.

As far as comparing the Z90s to Litepanel 1x1s - I wasn't really doing that. After returning the Z90's I spent some time at Abel Cine's showroom and it quickly became clear to me that the 1x1's were a much better fit for me and for what I was doing. I have three 1x1's and couldn't be happier. They get a ton of use on video as well as still shoots. I've got v-mount batteries and they are great with that setup. I also cut my own filters to expand on Litepanel's tungsten & diffusion filter pack, adding primarily fluorescent greens, so I can match just about any interior light.

I can see how Z90s would be the answer in some situations.

Charles Papert · April 28th, 2012, 09:52 AM

I have a couple of 1x1's spec'd in all of my electric packages (I like the Bicolors) because they are quick, handy, small and can be battery powered.

I had a great use for the Zylights recently where I had to duplicate the look of The Bachelor, which uses splashes of deep saturated color in the background for accents. I had several RGB theatrical broad lights that we lobbed around the set but occasionally I'd need something more delicate or shapeable closer to the action and the Z90 with barndoors was very handy...I could just dial it in to exactly match the color of the theatrical units.

Les Wilson · July 3rd, 2012, 06:36 AM

I just received a new Z90 from B&H and there is no whine. With the softbox on, there is no color fringing. With it off, there is fringing starting at about 24" between the subject and the surface where the shadow falls.

Les Wilson · July 3rd, 2012, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Aronson

Yup! That's the one. I bought mine a long time ago so I forgot how expensive they were. I may have gotten it off of ebay. If you have an Ultralight already, use the softbox off of it.

How are you attaching the Anton Bauer softbox to the Z90? I have the frame tabs stuck in the Z90 fins but that's hokey and not going to survive being mobile.

David Aronson · July 4th, 2012, 02:47 AM

I take to fabric part of the softbox off and put it over the barndoors of the z90
Since reading this post, my z90 has started making a weird high pitched noise too. It only happens when it's plugged into my camera through a d-tap running at 14.4V. It doesn't happen when running off of external power. I'm using dionic 90s and a panisonic HPX2000. It's not very loud, but it can be heard if the light is placed near the mic.

February 14th, 2012, 09:20 AM	#16
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners I haven't noted the whine issue, but I also tend to use the Z90 as an accent light thus rarely near mikes. The IS3 doesn't whine. The accessory holder is a little tricky to learn how to take on and off, but I rarely need to do this. Still, I haven't had a problem when I have had to remove. Comparing the Zylight to the other units mentioned is somewhat irrelevant (in terms of the multi-colored shadows). It's an RGB LED, the others are not. They serve different purposes and have different functions--specifically, the Zylight has far more features, being able to create color washes and having adjustable control over the green/magenta spectrum, as well as remote operation of all functions. Comparing it to a 1x1 Litepanel makes no sense (more useful to do so with the Zylight IS3 as they are similar in size and function). Comparing to the Dedo Ledzilla is more sensible, but again, very different functionality. If your requirements are an small unit that delivers 3200 or 5600 color temperature, there are numerous other options that may be better suited. If you need to be able to dial anywhere between those two, there are fewer options, but they are still out there. If you need the specific abilities of an RGB LED, then I believe the Zylight is it in this form factor. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 15th, 2012, 09:59 PM	#18
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners I use my Zylight on camera a couple inches from the on camera shotgun. The only whining I hear is from the talent because it's "Too bright". The Zylight is completely silent. A tip, the little soft boxes from AB Ultralights fit perfectly over the barndoors on the Z90. Once I figured that out, I didn't hear any more whining.

February 16th, 2012, 08:11 AM	#19
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners David, Thanks. Is this the one you mean? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/226876-REG/Anton_Bauer_UL_SOFT_BOX_UL_SB_SoftBox.html

February 17th, 2012, 12:20 AM	#20
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners Yup! That's the one. I bought mine a long time ago so I forgot how expensive they were. I may have gotten it off of ebay. If you have an Ultralight already, use the softbox off of it. If you don't, It's not worth buying an expensive one made for high heat incandescent. On a similar topic, a friend of mine went 100% LED and fluorescent last year. For diffusion, he uses regular parchment paper for baking. It's $6 a roll vs. $60

February 17th, 2012, 08:37 AM	#21
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners Yes, I'd asked about parchment in a previous post. Worth experimenting with, since I already have a roll. I figured I'd try wrapping one or two layers around the barn doors

February 29th, 2012, 04:47 PM	#23
Philip Fass Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Charlotte, VT Posts: 397	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners Interesting, I have a Z90 on backorder. The Zylight folks tell me there's a "worldwide shortage" of the kind of LCD they use. I wonder why.

April 28th, 2012, 09:52 AM	#25
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners I have a couple of 1x1's spec'd in all of my electric packages (I like the Bicolors) because they are quick, handy, small and can be battery powered. I had a great use for the Zylights recently where I had to duplicate the look of The Bachelor, which uses splashes of deep saturated color in the background for accents. I had several RGB theatrical broad lights that we lobbed around the set but occasionally I'd need something more delicate or shapeable closer to the action and the Z90 with barndoors was very handy...I could just dial it in to exactly match the color of the theatrical units. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 3rd, 2012, 06:36 AM	#26
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners I just received a new Z90 from B&H and there is no whine. With the softbox on, there is no color fringing. With it off, there is fringing starting at about 24" between the subject and the surface where the shadow falls.

July 4th, 2012, 02:47 AM	#28
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: question for Zylight Z90 owners I take to fabric part of the softbox off and put it over the barndoors of the z90 Since reading this post, my z90 has started making a weird high pitched noise too. It only happens when it's plugged into my camera through a d-tap running at 14.4V. It doesn't happen when running off of external power. I'm using dionic 90s and a panisonic HPX2000. It's not very loud, but it can be heard if the light is placed near the mic.