REVIEW – Whether or not you’re wanting so as to add somewhat or a whole lot of mild at your subsequent shoot, the Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100 Video Mild can provide the correct amount of illumination you want to your topic and is designed to reinforce your video or photograph expertise. With the CX100’s small dimension, not solely are you able to mount it on a lightweight stand or tripod, however you’ll be able to mount it onto your digicam as nicely. Plus, it’s compact sufficient for use handheld.
What’s it?
The Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100 is a compact and versatile video mild designed to reinforce filming for videographers, photographers, and content material creators alike by offering variable levels of illuminated mild. It’s moveable and highly effective sufficient for run-and-gun filming and studio use. It’s appropriate for each skilled and newbie use.
What’s included?
- CINEPEER CX100
- Diffuser Dome
- Mini Reflector
- Charging Cable
- Fast Begin Information
- Guarantee Card
Tech specs
Mild Operation Voltage DC 24V/PD ≥9V
PD Enter Energy ≥18W
Shade Temperature 2700K~6500K
Illuminance In 4300K/100% Brightness 3840 lux (1 meter)
Energy Provide Technique PD adapter/Energy adapter
Working Ambient Temperature -10℃~40℃
Battery PD Charging Time 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Battery QC Charging Time 4 Hours
Adapter Charging Time 3 Hours
Battery Sort-C Max Charging Energy 30W
Battery Runtime (most energy) 30 Minutes
Design and options
The CINEPEER CX100 video mild is a welcome addition to my videography and pictures setup as a result of its compact and moveable design makes it extremely perfect for each indoor studio work and outside run-and-gun taking pictures. I like the scale of this CX100 as a result of I really feel prefer it’s not too massive or too small for a lightweight resembling this. This mild will be simply connected to mild stands, tripods, growth poles, and different tools, offering nice flexibility when essential. As well as, the scale of the CX100 makes it straightforward to mount onto your nonetheless or video cameras.
There are two 1/4″ tripod screw holes on the underside of the video mild, every gap in a unique spot to present you some placement variation on mounting it. The CX100 can be appropriate to be used with a Bowen adapter so you should utilize different mild modifiers resembling a softbox, magnificence dishes, snoots, and extra. I actually like this characteristic as a result of it permits the CX100 to be versatile with different modifiers and equipment.
One of many standout options of the CX100 is its giant battery which acts as a grip deal with. Though I can admire the design issue, I did discover that it feels somewhat thick to carry. If the battery had extra of a slimer profile just like the wood facet deal with grips for DSLR and mirrorless cameras then I feel it will be extra ergonomic in your fingers. The difficulty appears to be the battery’s sq. blocky form and its clean end that makes it a bit difficult to grip at instances. Now, if there have been precise grooves to your fingers, or your thumb, then I feel that may assist considerably. I might go so far as saying that including a easy hand strap might be fairly useful, particularly if you happen to needed to carry the CX100 round for lengthy intervals of time. However which may be a stretch.
The CINEPEER CX100 comes with an built-in 4500 mAh battery, and based on Zhiyun’s web site, when absolutely charged, it could run at full energy and most brightness for a stable half-hour straight. When you dial down the facility a bit to round 80 watts, it retains going for about 42 minutes, and at 60 watts, you get round 57 minutes of use. This implies that decrease brightness ranges can lengthen your taking pictures time, permitting you to proceed taking pictures with out frequent recharging.
The CX100 battery will be charged utilizing both by a 24V DC enter or a USB-C PD (Energy Supply). And for the reason that CX100 makes use of PD energy, you should utilize a conveyable battery financial institution or charger which might present further juice when utilizing the CX100. By using PD charging, you will get sooner charging instances and longer working intervals with no need to cease and recharge. That is advantageous for these lengthy shoots or outside settings the place entry to energy shops could also be restricted. Though a USB-C cable is included within the field, sadly, it doesn’t include a 24V DC charger.
Maintain in thoughts that the battery isn’t detachable, so that you aren’t capable of swap out with any further batteries, which is a disgrace as a result of there might come instances while you don’t need or want the CX100 to be connected to a conveyable energy charger with any wires getting in the way in which.
The CINEPEER CX100 comes with a mini steel reflector and a mushy silicone diffusion dome, that are nice mild modifiers to have for the sort of video mild. Having these modifiers offer you some choices when utilizing the CX100. The reflector helps in successfully focusing and directing the sunshine output.
It might improve the depth of the sunshine, making it helpful for illuminating particular areas or topics. Plus, the steel materials makes the reflector sturdy sufficient to resist any tough therapy in a manufacturing studio, throughout journey, or in any unfamiliar atmosphere.
The silicone diffuser dome helps softens the CX100’s mild, lowering harsh shadows and making a extra pleasing and even illumination. That is particularly useful for close-up pictures or when a softer mild high quality is desired.
The steel reflector and diffusion dome let you alter the sunshine output high quality based on totally different taking pictures circumstances and artistic wants, from centered and intense lighting to mushy and subtle lighting.
The CX100 options an Superior DynaVort Cooling System™ with an FOC fan and a heatsink cooling designed to reinforce warmth dissipation, guaranteeing that the sunshine doesn’t overheat. To date, I haven’t had the fan activate whereas utilizing the CX100 since hasn’t reached the purpose of overheating throughout my time utilizing it. I take into account {that a} good factor, however it’s good peace of thoughts that the CX100 has this cooling system.
Efficiency
One factor I can say is that this mild is significantly brilliant, even at its lowest setting. Regardless of its small dimension, the CX100 can attain a most brightness of 3840 lux at one meter, guaranteeing enough and enough lighting.
I feel I might be capable of use this mild at a low setting for many of a shoot and never run down the battery. This manner, I might have an extended battery life in a single session and never have to fret about it operating out of energy. It’s simply that brilliant for a lightweight this dimension.
I actually just like the adjustable brightness and the adjustable coloration temperature vary from the CX100. Each permit me to attain the proper lighting that I want for various situations. The CX100 provides a coloration temperature vary from 2700K~6500K, permitting exact adjustment to match totally different lighting circumstances and obtain the specified temper that I’m going for.
On the facet of the CX100 are the 2 dialable knobs, one for brightness (0-100%) and the opposite for temperature (2.7K-6.5K). I really feel just like the knobs are proportionate to the scale of the CX100. I additionally like that the knobs are straightforward to get to and are proper at your fingertips. They’re in an ideal location for while you’re holding the sunshine with each fingers. Your proper hand grips the battery and you should utilize your left hand to make on the fly changes to the brightness and the colour temperature.
On the knobs, you’ll see the numbered settings for the (DIM) brightness and the (CCT) coloration temperature. So, it’s best to be capable of set them each pretty simply by dialing to the correct setting, or you’ll be able to simply eyeball the settings to your liking or particular wants. With this in thoughts, I might have appreciated an LCD on the CX100 for a extra correct studying for the dials. I feel this might have been useful if somebody have been utilizing two CX100 and have been attempting to match the settings. This manner, there could be no guessing in matching the 2 lights in brightness and temperature.
On the again and slightly below the knobs is the Energy button. To show CX100 on, press the Energy button as soon as, then press once more and maintain it. Additionally, if you happen to press the Energy button as soon as, it ought to provide the standing of the battery by the 4 LED lights on the again. I like this characteristic as a result of if you happen to’re like me, I wish to know the way a lot battery time I’ve left when I’m utilizing any of my gadgets. On a facet observe, I seen how responsive this button is, which is one thing to be appreciated.
What I like in regards to the Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100
- Vivid mild for its dimension
- Appropriate with mild modifiers
- Small and compact
What must be improved?
- Detachable battery
- LCD standing display
Closing ideas
The Zhiyun CX100 Video Mild makes it an excellent alternative for each professionals and amateurs who want dependable lighting for his or her pictures or video shoots. With its adjustable brightness and coloration temperature starting from 2700K to 6500K, it provides exact management over lighting circumstances, guaranteeing correct coloration illustration and brightness. The CX100’s compact dimension and light-weight design makes it very moveable, so it’s perfect for the run and gun taking pictures situations. Whether or not it’s used as a key mild, fill mild, or accent mild, the CINEPEER CX100 is an acceptable alternative for a variety of inventive photograph and video functions.
Even after this overview, I do know that I’ll be utilizing this CX100 for a number of upcoming photograph and video initiatives. So, this mild is certainly going to be in my gear bag.
Worth: $152.00
The place to purchase: Zhiyun CINEPEER CX100 and Amazon
Supply: The pattern of this product was offered free of charge by Zhiyun. Zhiyun didn’t have a ultimate say on the overview and didn’t preview the overview earlier than it was revealed.