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NiLa or Hexolux?

Joseph Seuferling

Joseph Seuferling

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I'm sizing up these two LED light brands, looking for a solid daylight 3 light set. I had a small amount of hands on time with the Hexolux, which seem to be very versitile. The Nila Varsa and Zaila look good to me as well. Anyone have a favorite?
 
The Nila's are AMAZING lights....waterproof, drop proof, their almost like pelican cases themselves. Course they are a bit more expensive.

The Hexolux are great lights as well. I think you have a bit more control over the beam pattern of these over the Nila's, since it's more like a fresnel.

I don't think you could go wrong with either brand. If you need something punchier, go the Nila route.
 
Thanks, Chris! The waterproof-ness of the Nila's really appeal to me. I did an 8 hr outdoor shoot last week where it started raining. I pulled out some cheap chinese led panels I've had forever and they performed like champs, with no cover, in torrential, pouring rain. The CRI of course, sucks, but I was able to avoid disaster. Now, if I had some good lights that can stand that sort of abuse, I would indeed be pleased!
 
I was also considering Nila's or Hexolux. But what is of importance to me is also portability, which is the whole reason for going LED.

I found the Zylight F8 to be the best option of all these 3. Because of the design, beam control, V mount on back and ofc HANDLES! Did I mention the design? ITS TINY & Weatherproof!

Although I only plan on purchasing one unit due to its price. But one can go far with just one when being creative!

The main selling point I see with the hexolux is being able to stack them together creating one very strong lightsource, but at what cost?

I would love to hear everyone else's point of view regarding these lights, as they're all great in their own ways :D
 
This one is a tough one in reality. Both are quality products from what I can tell. I played with a couple Hexolux's, but I've actually used NiLA's lights a few times. Those things are built to use. Zylight is pretty nice too.

One thing I'm into is hard light and decent output, so take that into consideration here.

I'm making some choices on kitting out some more quality LED gear. I did a fair amount of testing. There was even a moment where I was designing my own lights, but that has crashed and burned due to things well outside of my control.

Right now I'm leaning towards the NiLA's because I don't think I can break them. I think you can get 3 Varsas into a decent sized case as well.
 
The answer depends on what you value most in a quality light (all here can agree these two lights produce quality lights). Personally, I value versatility most. Hexolux, imho, are more versatile because of its lens design a la fresnel where you can change the angles, size of beam, etc. Some like power, others durability-what do you value the most?
 
Marcos Montenegro said:
Some like power, others durability-what do you value the most?
Click to expand...

Big agree here. I have a set of Fotodiox 200W LED fresnels. The more I light, the more I favor fresnels. However, these are larger than your average LED light, but the output is higher than the lights we're talking about here.

The NiLA's utilize a "holographic" filter to direct the light at various angles. Not as precise as a fresnel, but in terms of even spread and control it does the job.

Gah. Lighting. Always the hardest decisions.
 
Zylight feels twice as heavy as the Hex 7. Pete at Hex has found way to make a durable head at reduced weight, which for me is important as I am going for a six light kit and want as light a light as possible that still functions like a studio unit.
 
I need to eventually get some lights for higher frame rate (96FPS) table top work or outside fill light, that would be competing with the sun. When I compare Foot Candle specs from both the Hexolux and Nilas (Varsa or Boxer), they don't even seem to be able to touch the FC specs of the k5600 Joker 200 or 400. Anyone have any real work experience doing high frame rate stuff with these LED lights or using them outdoors for portraits?
 
Andy Roberts said:
I need to eventually get some lights for higher frame rate (96FPS) table top work or outside fill light, that would be competing with the sun. When I compare Foot Candle specs from both the Hexolux and Nilas (Varsa or Boxer), they don't even seem to be able to touch the FC specs of the k5600 Joker 200 or 400. Anyone have any real work experience doing high frame rate stuff with these LED lights or using them outdoors for portraits?
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It's not just about the available foot candles of power - it's about focusing that power exactly where you want it that determines the ultimate power and efficiency of a lighting source. Hexolux has great focusing features. See it here: https://vimeo.com/87642264
 
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I love fresnels as well. The toughness of the Nila's are a big plus, but the versitility of Hexolux has kind of one me over.
I hadn't considered the Zylight. It seems to be well designed. Does anyone know how the Hexolux fairs in rain?
 
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I do not believe Hexolux is weatherproof. The benefit is rather low weight due to this. Correct me if I am wrong!
 
Any opinions on buying Nila/Hexolux vs used Arri lights?
 
Zeb B said:
It's not just about the available foot candles of power - it's about focusing that power exactly where you want it that determines the ultimate power and efficiency of a lighting source. Hexolux has great focusing features. See it here: https://vimeo.com/87642264
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Yes, I watched that video in its entirety. Still, my question remains: have any of you done high frame rate stuff with these LED lights or used them outdoors for portraits?
 
Andy Roberts said:
Yes, I watched that video in its entirety. Still, my question remains: have any of you done high frame rate stuff with these LED lights or used them outdoors for portraits?
Click to expand...

Pete stated they are flicker free to like 100,000 fps or some crazy number. RED's wee 96fps will be no issue. The light power vs the Sun is all about how big of a circle you concentrate the Hexolux to and many other factors. If I have time I'll shoot something and post when I get me lites next week.
 
Zeb B said:
Pete stated they are flicker free to like 100,000 fps or some crazy number. RED's wee 96fps will be no issue. The light power vs the Sun is all about how big of a circle you concentrate the Hexolux to and many other factors. If I have time I'll shoot something and post when I get me lites next week.
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Thanks Zeb. I'm not concerned about flicker. I assume flicker-free and trust the claims. I'm talking about the light needed when the shutter is at 1/192 (or higher) vs. 1/48. There was a high speed food shoot someone posted once and they were using three 2K tungsten lights. High speed needs lots of light and I'm just wondering if either the Varsa or the D7 provide enough.

And this is the kind of sample I'm looking for in terms of outdoor lighting...
outdoor.jpg
 
@Andy
Hexolux is working on a "4K" light that will be better suited for this style of lighting where you need raw horsepower. Probably 3 months out.
 
Zeb B said:
@Andy
Hexolux is working on a "4K" light that will be better suited for this style of lighting where you need raw horsepower. Probably 3 months out.
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That's helpful to know. I really like their product... from what I can see in your video and another interview I saw with him.
 
They're going to do a KickStarter for the 4K . . . I'll see if I can swing some RED Lovin swag for us current owners and other RED Users
 
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