The Molus X60 (and the Molus X60 RGB) are COB (Chip-on-board) lights from Zhiyun, a well-established designer and producer of LED lights. Not like conventional flash weapons, the greatest LED lights are ‘at all times on’ throughout a shoot relatively than being triggered to sync with the digital camera’s shutter. This makes them appropriate for capturing each well-lit stills and video clips. As with flash weapons, an off-camera LED mild can emphasize the form and type of a mannequin’s face to create a three-dimensional portrait (relatively than the flat-lit two-dimensional look produced by an on-camera flash). An LED will also be used to fill in harsh shadows brought on by a key mild such because the solar.
The important thing distinction between the 2 Molus X60 lights is their means to emit colour. The X60 can produce a variety of various colour temperatures between a heat 2500K to a cool 6500K. The marginally dearer X60 RGB boasts the identical colour temperature vary output, however it’s also possible to modify its hue and saturation to provide a variety of gel-like colours. The RGB model additionally boats a wider vary of animated lighting presets that contain colour (corresponding to Disco or Hue Loop).
On the time of writing the Molus X60/X60 RBG is the newest in Zhiyun’s complete Molus vary. The bulkier and heavier Molus G200 that I reviewed again in 2023 is designed for mains-powered studio shoots, whereas the newer battery (or energy financial institution) powered X60 vary gives robust key or fill mild sources in any location, but is sufficiently small to slot in your equipment bag.
The padded and foam-lined circumstances allow you to move the X60 lamps safely – although additionally they ship with a lighter carry bag if you wish to pack the lights in your digital camera backpack with out the bulkier circumstances. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
The usual Molus X60 prices $199 / £163. It’s comparable in dimension and form to the equally specced SmallRig RC 60B – however that moveable handheld LED prices slightly bit extra, making the X60 a extra interesting LED for these on a finances. The X60 RGB prices round $50 / £40 greater than the X60, nevertheless it’s properly price paying slightly additional to benefit from the RGB model’s big selection of hues and color-based animated video results.
Zhiyun Molus X60: Design & Dealing with
The RGB model (under proper) is usually silver in color whereas the usual model of the X60 is black. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
Each the Molus X60 and the X60 RGB lights match properly into the palm of your hand, and though their our bodies really feel predominantly plastic they’re reassuringly heavy as a consequence of a recessed steel grid and a steel fan protector that allow the DynaVort cooling system to dissipate warmth.
When you clip the equally sized battery to every LED you possibly can nonetheless carry it comfortably in a single hand, although the batteries are heavier than the lights. The X60 RGB and its battery are silver in colour, whereas the X60 model’s lamp and battery are largely black.
Each variations of the X60 ship in an identically sized padded and branded Zhiyun equipment bag that has foam partitions to separate and retailer the equipped mains energy cable and a mini reflector with a diffusion dome for a softer mild supply. The carry circumstances will be cumbersome (particularly if you wish to match two mild kits inside your digital camera bag), so Zhiyun provides a smaller mesh bag to move your LED and battery.
The battery clips on rapidly and simply and it’s also possible to simply connect and detach the reflector with a twist and click on. This makes the LEDs very quick to rig and de-rig.
The clip-on battery unit is about the identical dimension because the LED and powers the LED for as much as 50 minutes. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
The DynaVort cooling system is highly effective sufficient to maintain the LED good and funky and quiet sufficient to not intrude with dialogue when at a distance. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
Most Zhiyun LEDs within the Molus vary (such because the mighty Molus G500 studio mild – evaluate coming quickly) have two plastic management dials. The X60 LEDs aren’t any exception. One dial lets you modify brightness, whereas the opposite adjustments properties corresponding to colour temperature. On the X60 RGB model, the second dial additionally lets you modify properties corresponding to Hue and Saturation in an effort to add artistic washes of colour to your topic.
The dials double up as buttons that you may press to decide on animated modes to reinforce video clips (corresponding to Disco or Fireworks on the RGB mannequin), or summon less complicated animated results on the X60 corresponding to Lightning or Dangerous Bulb. The animated results on the X60 fluctuate between a colour temperature vary of 2500K – 6500K, however for a wider vary of color-related results just remember to purchase the X60 RGB mannequin (and it’s solely round $50 / £40 greater than the usual X60 model).
The equipped rubber diffuser permits to to forged a tender and flattering key mild in your topic. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
Zhiyun Molus X60: Efficiency
To check the Zhiyun Molus X60 and the X60 RGB I took each lights with me on a mannequin shoot. Regardless of pretty sunny climate for a lot of the week, there was a 70% assure of rain on the day of the shoot, so I relocated to the gloomy (however dry) walkways of London’s Barbican middle.
I take pleasure in taking pictures within the Barbican because the curves and contours of the concrete brutalist structure distinction properly with a posing mannequin. Nevertheless, on a dismal day and in darkish corridors my iPhone 15 Professional Max can battle to seize a non-grainy movement blur-free shot. For that purpose, I used to be delighted to take the 2 highly effective (but moveable) X60 LED lights with me. Each X60s had a 1/4” thread so I used to be capable of mount then on mini tripods and level them on the mannequin.
A gust of wind did knock one of many lamps over when it was mounted on a Joby GorillaPod, however the LED was undamaged. (I additionally dropped an LED on a later studio shoot from a meter in top however once more it was sturdy sufficient to hold on shining).
The 60W output of each lights was greater than shiny sufficient to forged loads of mild on my mannequin for each shut up portraits and ‘strike a pose’ lengthy pictures. The equipment’s equipped rubber diffusion dome enabled me so as to add a tender and flattering modeling key mild to the topic’s face, whereas the second X60 mild stuffed in harsh shadows or acted as a backlight to assist the mannequin stand out from darkish backgrounds.
The RGB model of the Molus X60 particularly was very helpful as I may dial in artistic colour hues to enhance or distinction with present coloured mild sources on location. With the ability to dial in a variety of colour temperatures with the usual Molus X60 enabled me to enhance the chilly daylight, or add a hotter hue to counteract the boring climate.
The X60 RGB model’s means to emit gel-like colors provides ambiance and enhances different mild sources in your location, in addition to emphasising the contours of our mannequin’s face. Mannequin: @layal.official. (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
The X60’s 60W output enabled us so as to add artistic key lighting to the gloomiest places. Because of this the iPhone sourced pictures have been sharp and comparatively grain free (in contrast with low mild pictures that didn’t have additional mild too assist out the iPhone). Mannequin: @layal.official (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
Though I wasn’t taking pictures a lot video I set the Molus X60 RGB to Disco mode. This emitted biking bursts of various colours and as my mannequin modified her pose each few seconds this was a fast approach to seize a variety of poses that includes totally different colour hues (relatively than having to dial in numerous colours manually).
The LEDs are saved cool utilizing a DynaVort cooling system. Up shut I may hear the followers whirring, however because the lights are robust sufficient to shoot a ‘speaking head’ from a distance any whirring sounds must be negligible. I wasn’t conscious of any fan noise on location as I used to be focussing on taking pictures stills anyway. I had the mannequin booked for a two-hour shoot so the LEDs’ 50-minute battery life may have been a problem. Nevertheless, we turned the lamps off when transferring between a number of places so there was loads of energy when it was required.
I additionally used one of many Molus X60s after I was reviewing the bigger Zhiyun Molus B500 in a TV Studio (evaluate coming quickly). Many of the studio’s home lights have been on low, however the small Molus X60 acted as an efficient key mild to light up me and the G500 as I demonstrated its options.
The ZY Vega app can set off a speedy change in LED colors (on the RGB X60) which is nice for rapidly capturing a variety of artistic lighting appears. Mannequin: @layal.official (Picture credit score: George Cairns / Digital Digital camera World)
Zhiyun Molus X60: Verdict
If it’s important to depend on obtainable mild when on a shoot then you definitely’re restricted in your compositional selections. By having a robust but moveable key or fill mild such because the Zhiyun Molus X60 (or X60 RGB) in your equipment bag you possibly can add convey out the form and type of your mannequin’s face to create way more skilled trying portraits. The RGB model of the X60 additionally lets you add artistic washes of colour to alter the temper and ambiance of your portraits.
Videographers will even benefit from the animated results produced by each lights, however we strongly urge you to spend slightly extra and get the 6 additional colour results on the RGB model, particularly in the event you shoot dramas and want a police automobile to look (off digital camera)!
I’ve shot the identical mannequin in the identical location twice earlier than however the high quality of my pictures was elevated to a brand new degree due to the addition of the Zhiyun Molus X60 and X60 RGB LEDs.
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Options
The extra color management choices of the RGB mannequin give it the sting over the usual model.
★★★★★
Design
Each lights take pleasure in a compact design mixed with simple to regulate buttons and dials.
★★★★☆
Efficiency
The X60’s are simple to move but pack a robust punch.
★★★★★
Worth
Each lights are moderately priced however for slightly additional you possibly can benefit from the color choices on the RGB model.
★★★★★
✅ Purchase this if…
Each variations of the Molus x60 are light-weight and moveable.
Each variations emit a powerful key or fill mild supply.
🚫 Do not buy this if…
Don’t purchase the usual X60 model of you have to change color hue.
You must shoot by way of battery for greater than 50 minutes.
