Professional LED Fresnel light with continuous focusing, wireless control, and high color accuracy for film production.
The Zylight F8 is a high-performance LED Fresnel fixture designed as an LED-technology successor to traditional HMI Fresnels. It combines the classic features of a Fresnel light – such as continuous focusing and a variable beam angle between 16° and 70° – with modern features like wireless control (ZyLink), DMX control, IP54 water resistance, and passive or active cooling, depending on the model.
Zylight introduced the F8 in 2015 as the first in their Fresnel LED series, developed by the California-based company founded by Chuck Kulas. The fixture was a response to the growing demand for battery-powered LED Fresnels for location shoots. In 2018, it was updated to the F8-LED with improved color rendering, followed by the F8-200 variant in 2020 with 200 watts of power. The series quickly established itself as an alternative to traditional 650W tungsten Fresnels in documentary and independent productions.
The F8 is often used as a key light for interviews or as a fill light in medium shot sizes. Documentarians appreciate its quiet operation and battery compatibility for run-and-gun situations. The adjustable color temperature eliminates the need for CTB/CTO gels when mixing daylight and artificial light. The soft edge fall-off of the Fresnel system is suitable for natural-looking portrait lighting, while the spot mode allows for precise accent lighting.
Compared to the ARRI L7-C, the F8 offers true Fresnel characteristics instead of a panel look, but achieves only about 60% of the light output. The Aputure 120D II delivers more lumens but requires modifiers for soft light. Modern alternatives like the Aputure 60X or ARRI Orbiter offer higher output and advanced color features but are significantly more expensive. The F8 remains relevant for budget-conscious productions that want to combine classic Fresnel aesthetics with LED efficiency.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| LED Power | 100 W |
| Color Temperature | 3200 K (Tungsten) or 5600 K (Daylight) |
| CRI | 97 (3200 K) / 95 (5600 K) |
| TLCI | 95+ |
| Cooling | Passive (silent up to 80%) |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +45°C |
| Dimming | 0–100% stepless |
| Battery | 14.4 VDC (V-Mount, Gold-Mount) |
| Runtime (150 Wh Battery) | approx. 90 min |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (with Yoke) |
| Dimensions | 305 × 330 × 381 mm |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| LED Power | 200 W |
| Color Temperature | Bi-Color 2800–6000 K (stepless) |
| CRI | 98 (2800 K) / 96 (6000 K) |
| TLCI | 96+ |
| Cooling | Active (ultra-quiet fan, <20 dB) |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +45°C |
| Dimming | 0–100% stepless |
| Battery | 26 VDC or 2× 14.4 VDC |
| Runtime (2× 150 Wh Battery) | approx. 90 min |
| Weight | 4.65 kg (with Yoke) |
| Dimensions | 305 × 330 × 394 mm |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Optics | 8″ Schott Glass Fresnel Lens |
| Beam Angle | 16° – 70° (stepless) |
| Control | Local, ZyLink, DMX-512, App |
| Ingress Protection | IP54 |
| Housing | Aluminum (Die-cast) |
| Mount | Junior Pin (28 mm) |
| Lifespan | 50,000+ hours |
| Flicker-Free | up to 5,600 fps |
Ich setze das F8 gerne für Interviews ein, weil es mir die klassische Fresnel-Charakteristik mit weichen Schatten gibt, ohne dass ich mit heißen Tungsten-Lampen arbeiten muss. Die stufenlose Farbtemperatur-Anpassung spart mir Zeit beim Color-Matching mit vorhandenem Licht, und der lüfterlose Betrieb bis 80% ist perfekt für Tonaufnahmen.
Das F8 hilft mir dabei, schnell natürlich wirkende Lichtstimmungen zu schaffen, ohne großen technischen Aufwand zu betreiben. Die Möglichkeit, von warmem Kerzenlicht-Look bis zu kaltem Tageslicht zu wechseln, gibt mir mehr kreative Flexibilität bei der Entwicklung von Szenenatmosphären, besonders bei emotionalen Dialogszenen.
Ein F8 kostet etwa ein Drittel eines vergleichbaren ARRI-Geräts und reduziert meine Stromkosten erheblich – 95 Watt statt 650 Watt bedeutet längere Akkuzeiten und weniger Generatorbedarf bei Außendrehs. Die kompakte Bauweise spart Transportkosten und die Crew kann es ohne zusätzliche Grips handhaben.
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