Last Updated 1 day ago
Overview
The De Sisti SoftLED 8XL is a 400W fixed-white studio softlight in the large XL range. It is intended for broad lighting positions where the emitting area is as important as raw level, including larger keys, fill and overhead soft coverage.
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The SoftLED 8XL is a substantial fixture. Its support, accessory load and access requirements need to be budgeted alongside power and transport; it should not be treated as a small 1×1 panel.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Source / LED power | 400W LED softlight |
| Wall-power consumption | 450W at 230V; 460W at 120V |
| Colour versions | Separate fixed-white versions: T 3,200K or D 5,600K |
| AC supply | 90–250V, 50/60Hz |
| Controls | Local dimming and 5-pin DMX in/out |
| Dimming | 0–100%; fixed-white datasheet: 1-channel 8-bit or 2-channel 16-bit |
| Colour-rendering reference | CRI 96; TLCI 96 |
| Cooling | Temperature-managed heat dissipation |
| Weight with yoke | 19.8kg MO; 22.1kg PO |
| Protection | IP20 standard version |
Source: model-specific manufacturer datasheet. Specifications here describe the fixed-white T/D models. The separately specified Vari-White and VW+C versions have different colour control and DMX personalities.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- A broad emitting surface supports close soft keys without adding a separate softbox.
- Direct local control and a wired DMX route suit a permanent studio or a repeatable rental setup.
- A self-contained AC package reduces the number of separate boxes at the lighting position.
Limitations
- A soft panel cannot reproduce the tight, focusable beam of a Fresnel or profile.
- Head weight, accessory weight and access for focus need to be included in the rig.
- The listed standard version needs a protected operating position; do not transfer a different version’s weather rating to this head.
Practical uses
| Setup | Working approach |
|---|---|
| Presenter key | Bring the emitting surface close enough to create the intended softness, then feather it across the face. A grid or flag can hold the background level down. |
| Two-person interview | Check both seats and the centre position before setting the ratio. A wide panel is useful only if the faces sit within a consistent portion of its field. |
| Fill or toplight | Set the fill from the camera position. Keep spill away from the background and check eyes, glasses and the top of the frame for reflections. |
During a relight, keep a record of position, tilt, focus or accessory setting and dimmer level. That makes a repeat setup more useful than a Kelvin value or console percentage on its own.
Output and colour
The SoftLED 8XL should be assessed at the working distance and with its intended accessories. A honeycomb, intensifier or additional diffusion changes both coverage and the usable level on a face.
These fixed-white models are supplied for a tungsten or daylight white point. They should not be confused with SoftLED Vari-White or VW+C. Before mixing hired heads, compare their full labels and camera match rather than relying on the front housing alone.
The manufacturer photometric charts provide the source measurements. Compare beam and field angles separately and keep CCT, distance and front accessories with any recorded lux value.
For high-speed work, test the actual camera, shutter and dimmer level. Check low-level fades and a short recorded clip before relying on a general flicker-free claim.
Power and batteries
The published wall-power figure is 450W at 230V; 460W at 120V; the 400W LED rating describes power to the light engine. Size the circuit from the input figure and the complete connected package. The standard AC supply accepts 90–250V at 50/60Hz.
Do not assume that an AC studio head accepts a camera battery. For mobile operation, use the manufacturer-approved supply arrangement for that exact version; an AC inverter also needs adequate continuous rating and runtime.
Power pass-through is limited by the connectors, cable, circuit and manufacturer instructions. Plan the total downstream load rather than daisy-chaining by the number of heads alone.
Controls, dimming and cooling
Set the address and personality before patching the console. A fixed-white dimmer, a Vari-White fixture and a VW+C colour fixture need different personalities; matching the housing name is not enough. Test blackout, a slow fade and power restoration with the working console.
Run the fixture to operating temperature and listen from the microphone position. A quiet fan beside the head can still be audible to a close microphone; include the warm fixture in the sound check.
Modifiers and rigging
Match honeycombs, intensifiers, barndoors and diffusion to the exact panel size. An XL or Lite designation can change the housing and accessory fit even where LED power looks similar.
Use the supplied mounting arrangement and a support rated for the complete head and accessories. Lock the yoke after aiming, secure cables without loading the connectors and add an independent safety when the unit is suspended. Keep access to the accessory latch and controls.
Related guides: lighting types and accessories and modifiers.
Alternatives and related fixtures
| Fixture | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| De Sisti SoftLED 8 | The 360W standard-format model, with lower published head weight and a different source shape. |
| De Sisti SoftLED 2XL | A smaller 180W XL option when the large 8XL is unnecessary. |
Browse the De Sisti range or search all lighting equipment.
Videos and industry coverage
De Sisti’s lighting demonstrations show the manufacturer’s Fresnel and colour-light workflows. Check the named model in each demonstration before applying a feature to a rental head.
Rental and used-fixture checks
- Identity: read the full model label, including T, D, VW, VW+C, Lite, HP and any weather-rated suffix. Match the label to the supplied datasheet and console personality.
- Front surface and accessories: look for cracks, yellowing, uneven illumination or a damaged diffusion surface. Fit the actual grid or intensifier and check all retaining points.
- Mechanical condition: load the yoke with the intended accessories, inspect the mounting point and cable strain relief, and confirm that tilt holds without excessive force.
- Electronics: warm the fixture, check colour across the working dimmer range and test local and remote control. Compare neighbouring heads on camera before committing to a matched set.
- Complete package: include power and data leads, adapters, accessories, cases and replacement-part availability in the rental or used-purchase decision.