Amaran 60X is the goat! The fact that it has a built-in Bowens mount and is still pretty dang, portable is why I went with it. I’ve been using it since it came out for small productions and weddings. This thing has been through it all. I’ve had gas knock it over on light stands During receptions, and the thing still looks brand new. One time a guest even knocked it into a piece of cake 🤣🤣🤣. Pretty much all of my lights are from Aperture at this point (other than a few) and having all your lights in one ecosystem is really nice especially with the Sidus link app. I’ve used both the zhiyun x100 and g40 and liked both lights however the x100 with all the added adapters was a no go for me and it really isn’t that portable if you want to bring the kit. For most professional workflows I think that aperture 60X will fit in better especially if you already have NPF/V-mount batteries.
Finally someone compared the actual light emission instead of the usual BS about these zhiyun lights. Thanks. This is real help if one is about to buy them
I’ve used the Amaran 60x for 18 months and it’s stood the test of time. The included Bowens mount and v-mount plate make it immediately more useful than the Zhiyun lights. I know photographers who handhold it while shooting. Trying to rig a ISB-C battery is janky and unreliable. The stand mount is solid metal and is very had zero issues with holding a 24” softbox. My only complaint is it threads into the bottom which means it can come unscrewed.
The thread has 2 securing pins on either side. You just need to use a "baby pin" (the metal screw-on shaft) fitted with such locating/securing pins. When screwed-on, it shall not come off. This is the same system used on the best magic arms, the ones you can actually lock, because the locating/securing pins positions are standard now (brought by Arri, if my memory's right).
The Amaran 60x is still extremely portable. I can stuff multiple of them into my photo backpack. The fact that you can use the 60x with v-mount and NPF Batteries is amazing. I often use it with the Aputure Handheld handle attached on the bottom and the Aputure Mini Dome 2. Definitely my favourite light to carry around all day on a shoot.
Thanks for this. I have a Zhiyun whose menu I didn't like. I needed something that I could mount a softbox on and and like you said, if you have to add a Bowens mount then it becomes much clunkier. For $265 I got the Amaran 60xs and a softbox. I like the NPF adapter since I have those batteries already. It's not that big considering you can mount stuff easily. I like the adapter but for travel I'll just be putting it on a tiny light stand. The menu is dead simple so I like that. The X100/G60 are tiny until you want to use a softbox. Good to see all the configurations here. It really helped me make my decision.
Really great comparison. Not sure why it took RU-vid a month to recommend me this haha. I do like our Amaran 60x’s, they just about squeeze into a lens slot although the separate battery plate can be a bit annoying and some v-locks the bowens Mount gets in the way of the d-tap. I’m tempted to pick up the x100 because of its extra power, size and most importantly USB PD. I’m not sure why every device under 100w can’t be powered by that now days as it’s so useful. The G60 would be really good if only they could have fitted an umbrella mount to the light itself. It could have been an awesome ultra compact solution, unfortunately that mount looks pretty big and slightly defeats the point.
Great video Mark, I’ve seen some hate and some love for these lights but no one explained better than you 👏🏼✨ it would depend a lot of your needs, not just how bright the lights are 👌🏼 I personally love portability so I think I’ll spend the extra money for the Molus x100 with the battery
13:56 only if you take zero accessories for the x100 like the bowens mount. I’m sticking with the 60x but I almost grabbed the zhiyun x100 after trying out a friends at a wedding. It’s definitely a cool concept but I really like having the built in bowens for when I need a modifier. One exception to this, though, is if you shoot with umbrellas. If you shoot with umbrellas, then the x100 would probably be the go to aside from price But if you if you use bowens at all stick with the cheaper more flexible (as far as power options) 60x
13:45... yes, but you compare the volume of a light fixture with an integrated Bowens ( = large) mount with a light fixture fitted with a non-Bowens ( = really smaller) mount that requires an adapter to use all (Bowens-mount type) light-modifiers.
Great video, I am beginning to start my documentary filmmaking journey and looking to get my first light that I can use as a Key in different scenarios, i.e., inside interviews, and outside interviews, during the daytime and evenings. I am aware that overpowering sun in a day requires a minimum 600W but as a documentary filmmaker, could you suggest one or two lights that will be able to get me pleasant results if not always be able to overpower the sun or have perfect window exposure while having skin at 40-50 IRE? As of right now, I only own Zhiyun Fiveray 40W. Your help will be greatly appreciated. I am looking at spending 500-600 CAD.
Finaly a review with light output readings and not adjectives. I suggest you give the camera settings when doing light tests as well as distance from light to subject
If you want to power the Molus, you have to have a powerful external battery and that will run you at least 150 bucks. I've found that the battery that comes with it is a great idea, but only gets you about 30 min full go, and its not easy to get extra ones.
I had not decided to buy Amaran or Zhiyun for a while. Which one fits me and meet my needs. This video is one of the best review i have ever watched so far. It is very useful for me Thanks Mark!
the zhiyun is crap, is not the brightest light, there are full reviews showing all these lights side by side and the Zhiyun X100 is a full step lower than the Amaran 60 and that one the double the price... and with battery and softbox is not small, just expensive and dark..
Those videos are inaccurate. I used an actual lux based light meter to give real results in this video. One stop would he 1/2 the light, which is not what is happening at all, using a photography light meter does not work for accurate measurement. If you want real numbers for brightness and size comparison, they are all in this video.
One thing I don't quite understand about the Zhiyun lights is that, while small is good- most high quality light modifiers are massive! They need to be in order to create nice diffuse light. Unless you are needing to stack the lights together on a single flag, or use them as practicals, the margin of return for smaller actual lights drops off a cliff.
Yes, in that sort of key light roll, I think they add the most value used in run and gun, or "content creation" setups, when you might use them bounced off a ceiling or as a supplemental light to natural light. If your primary use is a 90cm softbox, then yes, less value.
These are meant for portability, traveling, etc. If you need a light for large modifiers why would you ever buy one of these when for the same price you get more powerful studio lights. These are meant for the small softboxes. The fact that the Zhiyuns have the Bowens mount adapters is just a perk but not intended primary purpose.
great and very neutral review! I will go for the Amaran 60x. Furthermore, your lighting and camera setting of your review was phantastic, it charmed my eyes.
As a wedding videographer I bought Last year the Godox ml60bi instead the amaran. I liked more the form factor of the amaran but the Godox ml60 bi in 100% i ged 1.30 to almost 2 hour’s without 2 8800 npf batteries. For meeting it’s important to get 1.30 with 2 npfs. I doubt The newzihyun lights last so long.
Best review on youtube for those popular lights, love the real life tests! I wanted more power then my Amaran 60d - but it seems that the 100x would be just slightly more powerful then 60d (but it is quite a bit more powerful then 60s thou...)
Hi Mark, I have a Amaran 60x (first version). I would like to buy another light. Should I buy another 60x or a 60xs? Are they going to work well if both used on same subject?
Thanks for sharing that. I will include that in a future videos. Maybe I didn't run the Amaran with enough power to crank up the fan, they were all pretty quiet to me. The G60 and X100 are dead quiet.
There is a very interesting and cheaper light than all of these, it has the same power as the Amaran Amaran 60 light, it is the Colborn Cl60, it is small and weighs only 500g
recently ordered it but i got the Daylight variant since i don't use warm light to film my videos anyway. hopefully, it will be alright when i get it. :D
Why does no one speak about the light output at lowest setting. The portability becomes useless if you need to carry a separate light with a LOWER low output setting. If doing a shoot with both moody and bright scenes, the lowest output also becomes important.
@@markwiemels thank you! I ordered the x100 and the amaran so I can compare. Appreciate all you do for the community with your tests and videos. Sending positive energy!!
Following up I was thinking this is kind of like light resolution. Lux high vs lux low. Because I think some brands make their 1% crazy bright just so people go “omg look insanely bright even at 1%”… which is actually a terrible trait for a light. While maybe unrealistic from a electronic board perspective, an ideal light would output approximately 1% of the lux it does at that light temp at 100%…. I can’t imagine throwing the x100, for example, to boost the light thrown onto a wall in the back or a dark scene that we’ve lit with a practical.
Chinese tip: "Zhiyun" is pronounced, at least in Beijing-dialect Mandarin, as if the first syllable Z-H-I is the first syllable of "Journey" or "Jersey" - Jer-yoon.
@@markwiemels I ended up buying the Zhiyun G60 for yet another reason. My studio setup is in our living room, and I needed something that wouldn't make the room look like a garage studio. The G60 is cute enough to leave setup 24/7, and the space still feels inviting for everyone else.
As a wedding photographer/videographer I have the Amaran 60x. Aputure LS 60x then moved to Stella Reflex S then moved to the Zhiyun Molus X100, F100 and M40... I'd have to say that Aputure/Amaran has a lot of catching up to do...
Very useful content, Mark! Thank you. I'm light shopping now and your review really helps. I think this video has the lowest "sort of" count per minute of all. Kudos! BTW - When is a door, not a door? (Nice affect.) Ask any 5-year-old. Hahahahahaha
