Brian T. Young
September 22nd, 2006, 07:27 AM
i just received my zylight last week. it took about a month to get - they're on the front edge of getting these shipped. so far, i'm impressed. i have mine mounted on camera (i built an arm that extends out from the threaded handle position) and its very easy to get off of the camera when needed.
i've only had the need to use it once so far - in an airport off-the-shoulder interview - and it worked well. the thing that makes it very useful is the infinately variable color temp. the dimmer as well. litepanels are one color - and not dimmable. a little more 'punch' would be great, but isn't that always the case?
my plan is to keep it mounted as an on-camera light, but with the accessories (ac supply and other mounting options) in one of my light kits to use it as a back/background light in sit-down interview situations.
so far, only one real concern - the zylight has a small 'status' led that is constantly lit if power is available to the light. i understand the idea here, but since my betacam sits for extended periods with the battery on it, i'm not keen about something always drawing power. now - yes...its a small led, but my point stands.
my work-around is in the fact that my pvv-3 deck does not have a switchable dc-out spigot. i modified my anton bauer gold mount plate by replacing the 'automatique' switch with an on/off switch that controls the power tap.
power to the zylight as well as my wireless rx's can then be shut off with one switch - which kills any potential power drain. i wouldn't need this modification on a D600, etc as they have a 12v switched output. now the zylight status light is actually a 'plus' for me as its a visual reminder that my power tap output is still 'hot'.....but, all things being equal, i'd rather the zylight do away with the status light....
(btw...the 'automatique' switch is simply pulled from the mounting hole, and pushed aside inside of the anton plate. i broke the + connection to the power tap and put a similar sized switch in line. it can all be put back to stock very easily...)
i've only had the need to use it once so far - in an airport off-the-shoulder interview - and it worked well. the thing that makes it very useful is the infinately variable color temp. the dimmer as well. litepanels are one color - and not dimmable. a little more 'punch' would be great, but isn't that always the case?
my plan is to keep it mounted as an on-camera light, but with the accessories (ac supply and other mounting options) in one of my light kits to use it as a back/background light in sit-down interview situations.
so far, only one real concern - the zylight has a small 'status' led that is constantly lit if power is available to the light. i understand the idea here, but since my betacam sits for extended periods with the battery on it, i'm not keen about something always drawing power. now - yes...its a small led, but my point stands.
my work-around is in the fact that my pvv-3 deck does not have a switchable dc-out spigot. i modified my anton bauer gold mount plate by replacing the 'automatique' switch with an on/off switch that controls the power tap.
power to the zylight as well as my wireless rx's can then be shut off with one switch - which kills any potential power drain. i wouldn't need this modification on a D600, etc as they have a 12v switched output. now the zylight status light is actually a 'plus' for me as its a visual reminder that my power tap output is still 'hot'.....but, all things being equal, i'd rather the zylight do away with the status light....
(btw...the 'automatique' switch is simply pulled from the mounting hole, and pushed aside inside of the anton plate. i broke the + connection to the power tap and put a similar sized switch in line. it can all be put back to stock very easily...)