DSLR VIDEO LIGHT REVIEW: W96 (Z96 “UPGRADE”)
WATCH AT THE HIGHEST QUALITY YOU CAN, YOUTUBE
KILLED THE QUALITY.
PLEASE NOTE: AFTER POSTING THIS ARTICLE ON CHEESYCAM IT HAS GENERATED TONS OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, THE MAKER / SELLER HAS WANT TO DO GOOD BY THOSE INVESTED, PLEASE READ THE COMMENT POSTED BELOW BY THE SELLER ON THE COMMENT SECTION.
THE SELLER HAS DONE GOOD BY ME AND OTHERS PLEASE CONTACT TONY AFTER READING THE COMMENT BELOW AT: tonyzhang1983@live.cn
This is my first ever video review of a product or of anything for that matter.
This review is of the much talked about but little known about W96.
An after market “UPGRADE” / downgrade of the original Z96 made by F&V which was a great little find made popular by Emm from Cheesycam.com
This “UPGRADE” is now made by a company named WANSEN DIGITAL which also makes a hybrid version of the same light that includes a built-in flash option for pictures, which I think is the reason why it makes that flash pop in the video when turned on.
The only “UPGRADE” I see on this unit is the LED battery power indicator and I’m not even sure how accurate that is…. Other than that its a DOWNGRADE in every way.
The LED cast a Green kind of hue, It gets warm right away to the touch which could lead to the unit getting hot over a period of time, and it also makes a a very low humming sound, you can hear it when brought up to the ear.
The ball head is just another throw away type… You should invest in a better one regardless of which model of video light you buy, the original Z96 ball head was worst I’ll admit that.
The toy water gun plastic body of this light is really a downgrade it squeaks to the touch all around. This thing will not take the abuse of traveling neither.
The original Z96 used to be at a great cost but demand has made it skyrocket and these new “UPGRADE” models are going the same route. They started at around $55 and are in the $80 to $110 area now.
I guess I can use it as a back-up for those times you need fill light somewhere but not as a main unit, Or just to keep in the shop for use as a camp light… The pop of flash when turned on will ruined your shot, it’s a very strong strobe pop!
All and all I am not too happy with the purchase of this version and will be investing back into a older model Z96 and I think you should too before everyone depletes the little inventory available..
UPDATE PLEASE READ THIS POST AFTER READING THE COMMENT BY THE SELLER BELOW
http://cheesycam.com/z96-upgrade-more-like-down-grade/#comments
Here is an original post from Cheesy Cam:
z96 clone or z96 upgrade?
Nuyoka & Co. 
Hi Dear photographer,
how are you!
thank you for your details review for the W96 LED light. especial for the LED light’s shorts comments….like the LED ligh camp, the holder ball, the appearance…and so on….
This is Tony from China. and take responsibility for this product.in my original image, we just want to sell it with lower price and to see how about the market’s feedback.it seems quality is much important than price, sorry for my previous wrong consciousness for this product, I will manage it soon.and make reimburse to my customer.
right now, I had taken below action for these question:
1. stopped sell this LED light on any website or wholesale.
2. reviewed your comments and is taking the actions on the details design again and even the appearance for the technics.
3. take the quality as the top urgent case for it, never the price.
4. any guy which purchased this LED light here before, if he didn’t satisfied with this LED light, just provide the item link to me which you purchased before, or your buyer ID, then I will resend the same Qty LED lights to the buyer with FREE after our review on it(in about 4 weeks) , make sure the real good quality W96 LED, I mean it. it’s my responsibility.
5. my email is: tonyzhang1983@live.cn, you have any question or complain on it, just send email to me, I do reply your question in 12 hours.
if you still have any question on it, please contact with me, your any questions are welcome!
Tony