Zhiyun CINEPEER CF100: 100W RGB stick light

Looking for the perfect portable lighting solution to elevate your video production? In this review, we examine the design, features, performance, and value of the Zhiyun CinePeer CF100 100W stick light, breaking down everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right tool for your setup.

Good lighting enhances the overall quality of your video, making it look more professional and visually appealing. Proper lighting helps the camera capture clear, sharp images with accurate colors, reducing graininess, especially in low-light conditions. Additionally, RGB lets you choose from millions of colors, allowing you to create certain moods or themes without additional filters. Furthermore, the CINEPEER CF100 has built-in effects like flashing, fading, or pulsing. This allows you to simulate various environments (e.g., police lights, candles, fire, lightning) and bring more depth to your scenes.

Zhiyun CINEPEER CF100 review

Disclosure: I received this light bar in a product review collaboration with Zhiyun. Although the product was free, all the opinions in this review remain mine.

Zhiyun’s new Cinepeer line is designed to balance performance and affordability, catering to users who seek dependable filmmaking gear the same features as the hefty price tag professional equipment. The product range includes gimbals and video lights, making it ideal for budget-conscious content creators. The Cinepeer video light series currently includes five models: CM15, CM25, C100, CF100, C100, and CX100.

The CF100 combo kit includes a USB charging cable, two-leaf barn doors, a white diffuser, and a storage bag.

At a glance

The CF100 is my first stick-type video light. Its design is similar to that of a handheld security scanner used in airports. The light stick measures 502*46*47mm and weighs 945 grams. The unit has two sections: the handler with power and controls and the light zone. Behind the 324 LED chips is the advanced DynaVort cooling system with six fans. At full power (Max Power Mode 4300K/100%), it can generate 2610 lux from a distance of 1 meter. Practically, it gives you the light power of 2610 candles, a 170W incandescent light, or a 35W LED lamp.

It comes with pre-installed foldable leaf barn doors that allow you to control and shape light. You can create sharp edges or soft shadows by manipulating the barn doors, adding depth and dimension to your subject. You can also use the white diffuser pouch to soften the light even more.

At the bottom, there is a standard 1/4-inch screw hole for the tripod mount. On the left of the handler are Type-C and DC charging ports. It has six internal 2600mAh batteries with a charging time between 3-3.30 hours.

The front panel has a status OLED screen and speed dial with four integrated buttons (DIM, HSI, FX, and MAX). The multifunctional power switch is in the center of the dial — long press to power on/off, double-tap for quick adjustments, or triple-tap to lock/unlock controls.

Zhiyun CINEPEER CF100: Light modes

In addition to the “standard” CCT, MAX, and HSI modes, it has seven FX modes (SOS, TV, Faulty Bulb, Candle, Lightning, Flame) and another eight extra lighting effect modes (Effect0-8). It has a brightness adjustment range of 0-100% for each mode.

• [CCT Mode Settings] Single-press the DIM button to access CCT mode. Press the DIM button again to switch to the color temperature/brightness option. Double-press the Power button or rotate the dial to adjust the chosen option. The color temperature adjustment range is 2700-6500K.
• [MAX Mode Setting] In CCT mode, press the MAX button once to enable MAX mode. When MAX mode is enabled, the default brightness is 100%, and the default color temperature is 4300K.
• [HSI Mode Settings] Single press the HSI button to switch to HSI mode. Press the HSI button again to switch to Hue/Saturation/Intensity settings. Double press the Power button/rotate the dial to adjust the chosen option:
  • Hue adjustment range: 0° -360°；
  • Saturation adjustment range: 0-100%；
  • Intensity adjustment range: 0-100%.

Price and Availability

The retail price for the CINEPEER CF100 Combo, including barn doors, diffuser, and storage bag, is $179 / €199 at the Zhiyun store. You can also order the CF100 and other Cinepeer affordable video lights from Amazon and other platforms.

CinePeer CF100: Key features

• [Hundred-watt Stick Light] The CINEPEER CF100 delivers high performance with its hundred-watt power, enabling photography enthusiasts to explore and harness their creative potential with light effortlessly. It features a one-press mode switch and an intuitive dial for fine-tuning settings. The light’s CCT standard mode achieves an illuminance of up to 1370 Lux, and the full-power mode can soar up to 2610 Lux.
• [Rich Lighting Effects] CF100 comes with six built-in lighting moods and seven lighting effects, offering precise manipulation of each LED’s on/off, brightness, and color. This enables the creation of unique lighting effects such as lightsaber glows, flowing color transitions, etc.
• [High-Power Full-Color RGB] ZHIYUN CF100 supports both HSI and RGB operation modes, providing nearly double the full-color output performance compared to similar products. This capability enables effective background illumination and vibrant color scene capture.
• [Fully Equipped Modifiers] A Diffuser, barn doors, and a portable carrying case can be added for portable and professional-grade light control. CF100 excels in various scenarios, such as live streaming, portrait close-ups, interviews, still-life photography, TV commercials, and VLOG creation.
• [Advanced Cooling Technology] ZHIYUN’s advanced DynaVort™ Cooling System that features fluid dynamics and a dynamic control algorithm enables the compact stick light to deliver exceptional high-brightness fill lighting capabilities.
• [Worry-free Charging] ZHIYUN CF100 supports three power supply options: built-in battery, DC, and PD, allowing simultaneous charging and usage. It features six 2600mAh batteries, providing over 1 hour of full-power runtime in CCT mode.

Zhiyun CINEPEER CF100: User experience

The CF100 is my first stick video light, and I found it suitable for fewer use cases than standard panel video lights. Stick lights are more intended for handheld operation; you can’t mount them on your camera, gimbal, or drone. Instead, I found it handy for creative lighting effects, accent lighting, or situations requiring a more directional or precise light source. The slim design makes them easier to position in tight spots or use for dynamic, handheld lighting, adding a unique, artistic element to your shoots.

I like the built-in multiple FX modes, but a desktop APP that would allow creating custom modes would be even nicer. Despite that, both CinePeer CX100 and CF100 are rated at 100W; I found the classic-shape Zhiyun video light much brighter.

Operating the CF100 through the speed dial is straightforward, but you can accidentally change the light mode if you don’t lock the controls. Another issue I found is that you can’t read the buttons in the dark without a backlight. Due to its form factor and weight, it is suitable for installation only on a tripod, but a remote control option would be welcomed in this scenario.

The DynaVort cooling system uses six fans and is very quiet, so you won’t have to worry about fan noise interfering with your audio. When tested outside in cold temperatures, it had not even started. The internal battery lasts from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the power you set.

CinePeer CF100 vs FiveRAY F100: Why pay more if you can spend less?

The CinePeer CF100 and the FiveRAY F100 are both 100W video light sticks, but they cater to slightly different audiences with distinct features and budgets. The CF100 is a budget-friendly choice, whereas the F100 boasts a refined design aimed at professionals.

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Since 2014, FirstQuadcopter has reviewed, thoroughly tested, and rated hundreds of products, including drones, gimbals, power stations, action cameras, 3D printers, video lights, and other high-tech gear to help you make better buying decisions. As always, if you found this review helpful, don’t forget to like, share, comment, and bookmark for more content like this!