As more exhibitions open their doors, a diverse group of individuals, including photography enthusiasts, professional photographers, comic exhibition aficionados, and self-media content creators, are increasingly focusing on the importance of stick light lighting. This attention is not just limited to product and model photography at the events but also extends to the journey to and from these exhibitions. They recognize that effective lighting plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of their subjects, whether it’s a meticulously designed product or an animated model. This growing awareness reflects a deeper appreciation of the art of photography and its nuances, as they continue to explore and innovate in their respective fields. Zhiyun recently introduced the Zhiyun FIVERAY V60 stick light, a revolutionary product that has an exquisite appearance and outstanding performance. 
The Zhiyun FIVERAY V60 proves to be suitable for a range of professional applications, from team battles in TVC and MV productions to capturing Portrait short films, car short films, wedding short films, and more. It also caters to the needs of travel photography and flat picture shooting. This light not only meets the requirements of professional photographers but also provides enthusiasts with a fresh and innovative choice.
Inside the Box
The FIVERAY V60 not only boasts impressive features but also includes a convenient storage bag right in the box. This storage bag, specifically designed for the light rod’s size and portability, effectively safeguards it against bumps and scratches during transport. Additionally, for added convenience, you can easily slip the light rod into your backpack, making it an ideal choice for on-the-go scenarios.
Moreover, the storage bag’s generous size is a significant advantage. It comfortably houses transformers and various accessories, and even features a mesh compartment for other small items. This aspect is particularly beneficial for those handling multiple equipment pieces. However, if you’re a solo shooter, wearing the light stick might be a more practical option, offering greater flexibility and ease of use during your shoots. This blend of convenience and functionality makes the FIVERAY V60 an excellent choice for both amateur and professional photographers alike.
Design and Build
Zhiyun Fiveray V60 showcases a deceptively simple design. Yet, it’s the subtle details that truly enhance its appeal. Transitioning from the boxy look of its predecessor, this second-generation stick light adopts a more rounded structure and embraces a chic design language.
At the heart of the Zhiyun Fiveray V60, you’ll find six state-of-the-art FOC variable frequency fans. These fans, integrated seamlessly into the lamp’s body, utilize the advanced MARK II electronic back-pressure cooling system inspired by fluid mechanics. Interestingly, before Zhiyun unveiled this lighting marvel, their heat dissipation patents had already sparked curiosity on patent publication websites. Each innovative leap in their heat dissipation technology significantly improves the performance of their high-power fill lights, ensuring unparalleled stability.
Peeking at the bottom of the lamp bead panel reveals a curious “03” logo. We’re inclined to speculate that this marks the third installment in Zhiyun Fiveray’s stick light series, following the FR100C and F100 models.
Beneath the cooling fans lie metal fins, ingeniously designed to expand the heat dissipation area. This design not only enhances airflow within the lamp but also ensures smoother heat dispersion. Conveniently located on the right side are the USB-C and DC IN interfaces, simplifying charging and enabling overclocking through the power input.
On one side of the lamp, Zhiyun introduces two user-friendly knobs: the CCT color temperature adjustment and the DIM brightness control. Both knobs are versatile, supporting both rotation and pressing actions, and are unrestricted in their design.
Opposite these controls, you’ll find the power on/off buttons along with the MAX overclocking button. The power button’s design, sensitive to both short and long presses, ingeniously prevents accidental activation of the light.
Zhiyun hasn’t overlooked light control accessories either. These accessories are fully adjustable, allowing users to modify the light angle as needed, and they are compatible with the grille.
The bare Zhiyun Fiveray V60 light is impressively lightweight, tipping the scales at just under 900 grams. Even when fully equipped with light control accessories, the total weight hovers around a manageable 1,000 grams. This lightweight design ensures that during extended shooting sessions, it remains comfortable and easy to handle.
Performance Testing
Examining the Zhiyun Fiveray V60 product model reveals that this stick light boasts a standard power of 60 watts, with a surprising twist. Moreover, when powered by PD/DC, it unlocks the capability to overclock up to a formidable 100 watts. Eagerly, we conducted tests to gauge the illumination at a cozy distance of 40 cm, exploring both regular and MAX modes across three distinct color temperatures: 2700K, 5600K, and 6500K.
Delving into the data from these six sets, it’s clear that the lamp’s illumination remains impressively robust at this range. Particularly noteworthy is the performance in overclocking mode, where it soars to a luminous 15890Lux at 5600K. Although the peak brightness is attainable at 4300K in overclocking mode, our practical experience suggests that such a mid-range color temperature is infrequently utilized. Therefore, we maintained our focus on testing the illumination with the three standard color temperatures, faithfully capturing a more commonly encountered usage scenario.
Testing Heat Dissipation
Every LED lamp contends with heat as its adversary. The emission of light results in the generation of heat. Achieving efficient heat dissipation is crucial, and a robust heat dissipation system is the key.
To expedite the removal of heat from the body, we employ FOC variable frequency fans. These fans can dynamically adjust wind pressure at the microsecond level, effectively straightening the internal airflow.
During the heat dissipation test, temperature measurements are taken from three key points: the lamp panel, the side of the light, and the grip, all while the lamp operates in overclocking mode.
Analyzing the temperatures at these locations reveals that the lamp bead panel and the side heat dissipation outlet exhibit relatively high temperatures, hovering around 50 degrees. It is advisable to avoid touching the panel part of the stick lamp when in overclocking mode, as it becomes notably warm. Instead, holding the handle is recommended, where the temperature remains a comfortable 33 degrees.
In situations where manual contact is necessary during usage, it is best to grasp the handle for a more comfortable and secure experience.
Function Test
Zhiyun’s Fiveray V60 actively enhances your visual storytelling with its six dynamic lighting effect modes: SOS, TV, bad light bulb, candle, lightning, and flame. Additionally, it boasts a music mode for added ambiance. Although it lacks RGB support, which might make the special effects seem somewhat less vibrant, the V60 still manages to inject a dose of creativity into various scenes. It effectively adds a unique touch, bringing scenes to life with its array of effects.
Battery
Harnessing high power naturally leads to increased power consumption. Imagine powering up the Zhiyun Fiveray V60 to its maximum capacity of 60W; this results in an actual battery life of approximately 20 minutes. Interestingly, recharging it back to full capacity requires just one and a half hours. For those planning extended usage, it’s wise to have a PD fast-charging device at hand.
The key to ensuring uninterrupted operation lies in utilizing power supply equipment compliant with the charging protocol. This includes not only power banks that support this protocol but also the option of directly tapping into a DC IN power source. With these strategies, maintaining optimal battery life becomes a seamless part of the experience.
Verdict
Firstly, its impressive power is a game-changer. When paired with light control accessories in overclocking mode, it delivers a main light-level effect that rivals traditional point light sources. Moreover, its powerful electronic back pressure cooling system guarantees long-term light stability, a crucial factor in scenarios like constant product photography lighting. Another key feature is its weight. Weighing less than 900 grams and boasting a built-in battery, its compact design allows for placement in otherwise inaccessible spots, opening up new opportunities for creative lighting and shadow play. The Zhiyun Fiveray V60 became a cornerstone of our product photography, noticeably elevating our work’s quality.
Before diving in, we conducted a preliminary color reproduction test using a Delta color card. It’s common knowledge that camera color processing can be biased, but the impact of lighting TLCI and CRI on color reproduction is just as significant. The Zhiyun Fiveray V60, with its TLCI of ≥98 and CRI of ≥96, offers outstanding color accuracy.
This is where the Zhiyun Fiveray V60 shines. We equip it with light control accessories and meticulously adjust the light source angle to avoid any unwanted warm light casting on the subjects and background. Its role as a top light in product display is pivotal, illuminating the display area with a bright, focused light.
For long-term projects, this stick light’s compatibility with a DC power supply is a lifesaver. Coupled with its superb heat dissipation structure, it remains effortlessly manageable, even in the demanding environment of non-stop product photography.
Final words
Many people have long perceived stick lights merely as supplementary light sources. Ultimately, their luminous power has been deemed insufficient to serve as the primary light source. Nevertheless, the Zhiyun Fiveray V60 stick light breaks this mold, boasting an impressive overclocked luminous power of 100W. Additionally, it supports various light control accessories, expanding its range of applications. This versatile device, when coupled with Zhiyun’s stabilizer, transforms into a comprehensive picture stabilization and fill light system for mobile shooting. This innovation facilitates the creation of visually captivating images with a richer array of audio-visual expressions.
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