US manufacturer of LED fixtures: F8 Fresnel with 400W/20,000 lumens, Pro Panel for soft light, flicker-free to 1000fps, DMX-512 and V-Mount compatible.
Technical Details
The Zylight series includes panel lights (Z90/Z200), Fresnel spots (F8-200/F8-400), and area lights (Pro-Panel). The flagship F8-400 delivers 400 watts with 20,000 lumens of luminous flux and weighs 6.8 kg. All models feature DMX-512 control, local controls, and wireless connectivity via the ZyLink protocol. The LED chips have an operational lifespan of 50,000 hours at a constant color temperature. Power is supplied either via 90-240V AC or V-Mount/Gold-Mount battery systems.
History & Development
Zylight LLC was founded by Chuck Ringuette in 2009 in Shelton, Connecticut, after previous work at Arri and other lighting manufacturers. The first F8 LED Fresnel was launched in 2011 and quickly established itself through flicker-free light for high-speed shooting. In 2014, the Pro-Panel series for soft light applications followed, and in 2017, the compact Z-series for mobile productions. In 2019, Ringuette expanded the portfolio with the IS3c point light sources, offering 300,000 lux illuminance.
Practical Use in Film
DoP Roger Deakins used Zylight F8 Fresnels on "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) for precise light control in interior scenes. The flicker-free LEDs enabled slow-motion shots up to 1000fps without exposure artifacts. Typical workflow: basic lighting with Pro-Panels for soft fill light, accent lighting with F8 spots using barn doors and color gels. Advantage: Low heat development allows close positioning to actors, constant color temperature eliminates correction filters. Disadvantage: Higher acquisition costs than tungsten alternatives.
Comparison & Alternatives
Zylight competes with Arri SkyPanel, Kino Flo Celeb, and Litepanels Gemini as premium LED solutions. Distinction from Arri: Zylight focuses on classic Fresnel characteristics rather than panel design. More affordable alternatives like Aputure or Godox offer similar specs with lower build quality. For budget productions, modern bi-color LEDs are increasingly replacing classic tungsten/HMI setups, while high-end productions prefer Zylight for critical color work.