NANLUX is a Chinese lighting brand whose parent company, NANGUANG, has been in the industry for more than 30 years offering lighting solutions for filmmakers. Not long ago, we reviewed the Evoke 2400B, a high output bi-color LED, and now they are returning with the FL-35E, a motorized fresnel lens for this lighting fixture. 

A powerful addition to the Evoke 2400B

The NANLUX FL-35E offers precise optical performance and beam angle control with a motorized adjustment function powered by the electronic contacts in the Nanlux’s NL mount of the Evoke 2400B. Once connected to the fixture, it can be controlled with a button on the lens or by the lamp head, the NANLINK App, a wired controller, or a DMX console. This flexibility is always helpful to perform in different lighting situations.

Like the Evoke 2400B, the FL-35E has an IP55 rating, which should protect the unit from dust and rain. This feature is expected in a lighting fixture like this one, which will be used in exteriors and challenging environments. 

In summary, the FL-35E adds control to the Evoke 2400B, creating a flexible combo for professional productions at a reasonable price considering the unit’s light output. 

Technical specs

• Beam Angle: 15°~46° 
• Compatible Product or Mount: NL mount lighting fixtures with electronic contacts 
• Product Size: 430.38 × 490.15 × 330.3mm / 16.94 × 16.94 × 13.00″ 
• Barndoor size: 525.61 × 399.21 × 39.15mm / 20.69 × 15.72 × 1.54″ 
• Trolley Case size: 600 × 400 × 520mm / 23.62 × 15.75 × 20.47″ 
• Product Weight: 10kg / 22.05lb 
• Barndoor: 2.3kg / 5.07lb 
• Trolley Case: 6kg / 13.23lb 
• IP Rating: IP55 
• Certification: CE, UKCA, RoHS, IP55

Price and availability 

The NANLUX FL-35E includes the central unit, the user manual, the barndoor, and a trolley case. The unit will be available soon at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1190 without VAT.

What do you think about the NANLUX FL-35E? Would you like to use it with the Evoke 2400B? Let us know in the comments section below!

Roughly a year ago, ZHIYUN released two compact bi-color LED lights from the MOLUS series – the G60 and X100. At last year’s NAB show in Las Vegas, we visited the ZHIYUN booth and had both of these lights further explained. Make sure to check out our video interview. Recently, the Chinese company released two new lights branded as CINEPEER. At first glance, these new compact LED fixtures have one thing in common – an affordable price tag. Let’s take a closer look at them.

ZHIYUN CINEPEER CX100 and CM25

The new CINEPEER CX100 looks almost identical to the MOLUS X100 from last year. The most visible differences are the absence of the control display at the back and perhaps the materials used on the chassis. The CM25, on the other hand, looks similar to the ZHIYUN FIVERAY M40 but does not offer such a strong light output.

Both new lights feature a bi-color design that can output white color temperature between 2700K and 6500K. For ease of use (and to reduce the cost), the lights feature a simple control system with two dials – color temperature and brightness settings. There is no control display.

ZHIYUN claims the CRI of the lights is around 96 (TLCI is around 97). The LED fixtures have a 1/4″ threaded hole for mounting.

CINEPEER CX100

The CX100 offers a maximum brightness of 3840 lux according to ZHIYUN (unfortunately without any information about the measuring distance). Just like the MOLUS X100, the light features a large cooling fan located right behind the LED emitter. ZHIYUN calls this cooling system “DynaVort active cooling”.

The light features ZHIYUN’s custom ZY mount that can take multiple modifiers offered by the company. Plus, ZHIYUN also offers a Bowens mount adapter. The whole fixture weighs 710g (without any modifier).

ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25

The CINEPEER CM25 looks more like a traditional pocket-sized LED panel. As the name implies, the light offers a 25W output (up to 3360 lux according to ZHIYUN, but again without any additional information on the measurements).

The CM25 weighs 232g. It features a total of 112 emitters. Thankfully, the light can be used while charging via the USB-C power delivery port. The light comes with a rubber diffuser.

Price and availability

Both CINEPEER CX100 and CM25 lights are available for purchase right now and the prices have been set as follows:

• CX100 costs $199 (around €209 including VAT in Europe)
• CM25 sells for $69 (around €79 including VAT in Europe)

The pricing already puts it in the affordable category in my opinion, but ZHIYUN offers an additional 25% discount on both lights until April 12, 2024, with the code CNP25TODD (available in the ZHIYUN store and on Amazon).

Do you use any of the existing ZHIYUN lights for your work? What do you think about the new CINEPEER fixtures? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.

As the practice of visual storytelling and filmmaking gains popularity, creators are looking to expand their creative toolbox. Lighting may be among the single most powerful tools in the filmmaker’s arsenal, and lighting manufacturers go out of their way to provide the evergrowing user base with products to fulfill their needs. In the last few years, we’ve seen several new manufacturers and products set on pushing the envelope of lighting possibilities. Making the fixture more compact is a major goal in this effort.

Build and ergonomics

The COLBOR Wonder fixture has a distinct, rectangular slate shape. With no accessory attached, the fixture is very thin, which makes for easy packing. A large fan surrounds the COB LED for efficient thermal management, and the included reflector is slitted to let the air flow through. The controls and power input are housed on the right side. Looking like a camera grip of sorts, it’s a bit thicker than the left side. A small LCD screen provides any vital indications, and a knob will let you change settings such as color temperature and power output. At the bottom right are the USB-C plug and the proprietary connection for future accessories. The fixture is mostly made of plastic with some metal parts around the mount and ports.

Battery life and power

The optional power grip will supply the 60W LED with almost one and a half hours of full-power operating time. The 100W LED will get about 60 minutes at full power, according to COLBOR. The power grip features a 99Wh battery, but the device is also compatible with USB-C PD (Power Delivery) accessories. This allows for ample powering solutions. There’s also the included AC adapter option.

Mounting and additional accessories

COLBOR Wonder LEDs are compatible with the relatively common Mini Bowens mount. This mount can be easily adapted to the widely available Bowens mount but do keep the weight of the attached accessory in mind to prevent any mount damage. This compact fixture is probably less robust than its non-Mini Bowens mount peers.

COLBOR will also equip the Wonder LED line with a travel light stand, a compact octagonal softbox, and a shoulder strap. An additional attachable power source is due soon but will be released after the rest of the line.

In the box

Each COLBOR Wonder unit comes included with a plum tail cable, power adapter (with wire lanyard), reflector, COB cover, and a silicone dome diffuser.

Who is it for

COLBOR Wonder LEDs are an excellent lighting solution for independent content creators, documentarists, small production companies, etc. Their compact size and power source flexibility make them ideal for grab-and-go projects, and they can fit inside various backpacks or carry-ons to minimize gear hauling.

Alternatives

The lighting market offers several compact lighting options, but the ZHIYUN MOLUS X100 is the first alternative that comes to mind. It seems as if COLBOR took a fair amount of design cues from the slate-shaped MOLUS X100, directly competing with it. COLBOR Wonder LEDs are significantly more affordable, even when the pricier RGB version is pitted against the bi-color MOLUS X100.

Price and availability

The bi-color 60W unit will be priced at $129, and its 100W sibling at $169. The 100W RGB version will cost $199. While the official launch date is to be determined, COLBOR representatives say that production is already underway.

What do you think of the new COLBOR Wonder lights? Let us know what your current go-to LED lights are!

The Quasar Science Rainbow 2 RGBX LED pixel tubes were introduced back in March 2022 in three different lengths: 2’/60cm, 4’/120cm, and 8’/240cm, with one single row of 10, 24 or 48 pixels, respectively. The company simultaneously introduced the Double Rainbow, available in 2’/60cm and 4’/120cm, that features two rows of pixels for 20 or 48 pixels. If you missed it, you can watch our review of the Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow here.

To rig the Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow, Quasar Science developed the Ossium ecosystem. The Ossium mounts consist of shells, banks, magnets, rotators, baby pins, etc. During the BSC Show in London, Quasar Science introduced a new rigging solution that could be handy for virtual production configurations: the Ossium Ladder Kit.

Quasar Science Ossium Ladder Kit – features

The Quasar Science Ossium Ladder Kit is a rigging solution for up to 16 Rainbow 2 RGBX LED tubes. Please note that it is also compatible with other T12-standard LED tubes, such as the Quasar Science Crossfades tubes, but you’ll need optional Ossium T12 tube clips.

The kit consists of 32 ladder brackets, four 8’/2.43m ladder cables, an adjustable lift bar, and a hex wrench set. The width of the Ossium Ladder Kit is adjustable to fit 2’/60cm, 4’/120cm, and 8’/240cm Rainbow 2 or Double Rainbow fixtures.

With a total height of 2.66m/105in and a weight of 8kg/17.6 lbs (without any fixture), the Ossium Ladder Kit is clearly designed for larger studios.

To adjust the position of the ladder bracket on the cables, all you have to do is unscrew one knob at the bottom of the bracket. Each LED tube attaches to the bracket via two 1/4″-20 screws.

Price and availability

The Quasar Science Ossium Ladder Kit is available now for $3,250.

For more information, please visit Quasar Science’s website.

What do you think about this rigging solution for the Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow RGBX LED tubes? Have you already shot with Quasar Science lights? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!

Before we start, if you have never heard of book lighting, let’s make a quick introduction. In a nutshell, book lighting consists of bouncing off a hard light to a bounce board and then diffusing the bounced light output via a diffusion panel or silk. This is a two-step modification of your hard source to create a very soft light with little shadows. Book lighting is usually well-suited when shooting interviews or close-ups, for example. The main difference between book lighting and cove lighting, the latest being one of Roger Deakins’ favorites, is that book lighting generally uses one fixture that goes through two layers of diffusion, so it is harder to control the light spill. In contrast, cove lighting uses multiple lights through one diffusion layer.

Back to our topic, book lighting usually requires quite a lot of gear, which equals extra time on set to set up the gear and more time/no easy or fast way if you need to make minor adjustments. After the recent release of the Snapbridge in partnership with Lightbridge, DoPchoice developed another unique lighting modifier: the SNAPBAG AIRGLOW.

DoPchoice SNAPBAG AIRGLOW – features

The DoPchoice SNAPBAG AIRGLOW is a lighting modifier compatible with 2×1 LED panels, including the ARRI Skypanel X21, ARRI S60, Creamsource Vortex8/Vortex8 Soft, Litepanels Gemini 2×1 etc.

The SNAPBAG AIRGLOW is quite a large lighting modifier that needs to be inflated with the included air pump. You can inflate/deflate the AIRGLOW while attached or detached from the light.

To attach the SNAPBAG AIRGLOW to your light, you only have to angle your light at 90°, put the modifier on top of your fixture, and attach the buckles.

The concept of the SNAPBAG AIRGLOW is different than a softbox. Indeed, with the SNAPBAG AIRGLOW, the light beam of the LED light hits a first back wall angled at 45° and then hits the front diffuser.

For the back wall, you have multiple choices of fabrics depending on the look you are after, including Ultra Bounce, Hard Silver, Bleached and Unbleached Muslin. At the front, you can add a Quarter, Half, or Magic Cloth. Furthermore, there is also a SNAPGRID 40° to control the light spill.

Price and availability

There is currently no information about the price or availability of the DoPchoice SNAPBAG AIRGLOW. However, it will be displayed at the BSC Expo in London this weekend, stand #133.

For more information, please visit DoPchoice’s website here.

What do you think about the SNAPBAG AIRGLOW? Do you often use the book lighting technique? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

We first saw the NANLITE PavoSlim LED panels during IBC 2023, and they were officially announced in November 2023. Four models are available:

• As their name suggests, the PavoSlim 60B (bi-color) and 60C (RGBWW) have a 60W output and measure 30cm x 30cm, also known as 1×1 panels.
• And the PavoSlim 120B (bi-color) and 120C (RGBWW) have a maximum output, you got it right, of 120W and a size of 60cm x 30cm or 2×1.

All lights are made out of rugged metal, they don’t have any fans, and all the light controls and power supply are located on an external ballast, but you can also adjust your light settings via a remote or the NANLINK App. If you missed it, you can watch our recent factory tour to learn more about how NANLITE fixtures are made.

If you want to expand the versatility of your PavoSlim LED lights, NANLITE recently launched two interesting accessories: a Dual-Panel coupler kit for the larger 120B/C panels and a magnetic base adapter for all models.

NANLITE PavoSlim 120B/C Dual-Panel coupler kit – features

The NANLITE PavoSlim 120B/C Dual-Panel coupler kit (codename: AS-DPC-PS120-KIT) consists of two different pieces: a small bar to create a 2×2 panel by attaching the LED panels horizontally and a larger piece that connects two panels vertically to create a 4×1 light source.

The PavoSlim panels are attached to the coupler using the same quick-release mechanism as the original clamp that comes with the fixtures.

The Dual-Panel coupler kit also includes two softboxes with egg crates, one for the 4×1 and one for the 2×2 configuration, as well as Standard and Lite diffusers in both sizes. All of that is packed in an included carrying case.

NANLITE PavoSlim magnetic base adapter – features

The NANLITE PavoSlim magnetic base adapter is a set of four magnets with a 1/4″-20 thread attached to each of the PavoSlim 60B/C and 120B/C back corners. The thread design makes attaching and removing the magnets from the fixture a quick, easy, and toolless process. Each magnet weighs 33g/1.16oz, so it shouldn’t add much to the light head when it comes to hanging it onto a metal surface.

Pricing and availability

The PavoSlim 120B/C Dual-Panel coupler kit retails for $279, while the magnetic base adapter is $14.90. All products are available now.

For more information, please visit NANLITE’s website here.

What do you think about these two new PavoSlim lighting accessories? Have you already added the PavoSlim to your lighting kit? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!

Unveiled back in 2019, the ARRI Orbiter was advertised as a “versatile, tuneable, and directional LED fixture” fuelled by a 6-color RGBACL engine. Throughout the years, ARRI has developed a series of Orbiter accessories and their portfolio now includes softboxes, light domes, barn doors, and proprietary optics.

Specifically, as part of their optical accessories, we find 25° and 35° projection optics, Open Face attachments (15°, 30°, and 60°), as well as a fully motorized Fresnel lens that can focus the Orbiter’s output into a 15° light beam. However, nothing compares to the newly-announced “Beam”. Let’s take a closer look!

ARRI Orbiter Beam – features

According to the German manufacturer, pairing the Orbiter with the new Beam attachment produces a laser-focused, parallel light beam (4°) whose output is comparable to that of an ARRI M18 HMI fixture, albeit with a narrower angle.

This means that the Beam optic can come in handy to reproduce strong, natural light sources – like the sun and moon. While you can choose to point the light directly at your subject to mimic the harsh midday sun, the Orbiter/Beam combo should also provide plenty of output to bounce it off surfaces for a softer look.

The optic consists of two independent parts, a reflector and a snoot. These can be separated for storage and the reflector could potentially be used in a standalone configuration, but ARRI strongly advises using both parts for maximum performance.

The Beam optic measures 57.3×54.8×54.8cm / 22.6×21.6×21.6”, weighs 5,9kg / 13lbs., and attaches to the front of the Orbiter via ARRI’s proprietary Quick Lighting Mount (QLM) system. This means that the light can automatically detect the accessory (this requires LiOS2 or later).

Price and availability

The new ARRI Orbiter Beam optic is now available to pre-order via ARRI’s website and will be on display at the upcoming BSC Expo in London. Currently, there’s no official pricing information, but we will update the article as soon as we find out.

For more information, please visit ARRI’s website here.

Have you ever used the ARRI Orbiter on set? What applications can you think of for this new Beam optic? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

New soft panels with RRGBBW color engine

The company will release two new soft panels, the Vortex8 Soft (V8S) with 650W and the Vortex4 Soft (V4S) with 325W output. These are high-output soft panels with an RRGBBW color engine, which, according to the manufacturer, improves color quality while maintaining high efficiency. The LED engine mixes two spectrums of red and blue LED with green and warm white for improved TLCI and CRI. The soft and widespread light should make them useful for situations like night exteriors or indoor shoots with limited space.

Both lights feature 48V DC power input making them portable when used with a battery, and are IP65 rated. 

Creamsource gives these technical specifications for the lights:

• Photometrics V8S: 58,200lumens. 2,340lux @ 3m (5600K, Open Face)
• Photometrics V4S: 29,100lumens. 1,180lux @ 3m (5600K, Open Face)
• Beam Angle: 110° (Half Peak Angle)

Vortex24 RGBW system

Another light announced by Creamsource is the Vortex24 RGBW system with 1950W of power and a 20° beam angle. It also uses the RRGBBW color engine but offers greater coverage and much higher intensity than the soft lights. The Vortex24 offers control and manipulation with 24 directional pixel zones. According to Creamsource, these zones are important for creating dynamic and nuanced light effects like fire and motion. 

The Vortex24 RGBW also features dual ethernet ports for simpler cabling when setting up a light array. The lights can be daisy-chained, reducing cables on set. 

Further technical specifications for the Vortex24:

• Photometrics: 90,000lumens. 27,560lux @ 3m (5600K, Naked)
• Beam Angle: 20° (Half Peak Angle)
• Weight & Size: 53.5kg / 117.9lb, 1333 x 971 x 258mm / 52.5” x 38.2” x 10.2” (including yoke)

Cream OS working in the background

The three new lights are working with the existing Cream OS, making integration into existing setups easy. 

“Our Vortex ecosystem is designed to be fuss-free, enabling filmmakers to concentrate on what they do best: creating.”

Creamsource CEO Tama Berkeljon

Pricing and availability

All three lights are available for pre-order on the Creamsource website and are expected to ship in the summer. The Vortex4 Soft retails at $2,299, the Vortex8 at $4,499, and the Vortex24 will come in at $16,499. 

Are you using Creamsource products? Are you looking forward to these new lights by the company? Let us know in the comments below!

iFootage continues expanding their lighting offer and positioning the company among the increasing amount of brands and options available. Last week, we covered the launch of the COB 40° Light Projector, and now they have released the Anglerfish SL1 200BNA, a new lightweight bi-color LED light. 

A lightweight fixture with accurate color rendition

The Anglerfish SL1 200BNA is a bicolor 230-watt with a color accuracy of 99 TLCI and a CRI of 98. Color accuracy is one of the main features we look for when using LED light since the difference between cheaper and more expensive models makes a difference, especially when trying to get accurate skin tones. Although LED light does not have the same full-color spectrum daylight has, brands and technology have advanced to a point that the difference is almost indistinguishable. The Anglerfish SL1 200BNA offers pretty good numbers in this respect. However, we recommend testing before you shoot, especially if you use different lighting brands.

The Anglerfish SL1 200BNA is a relatively lightweight fixture (1.76 kg), and it features a full Bowens mount, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of lighting accessories. Its bi-color range goes from 2700K to 6500K with a uniform lighting distribution, and the light output and color temperature can be fully adjusted through the Lumin+ app. Besides that, the Anglerfish SL1 200BNA includes four dimming curve presets to create different lighting atmospheres, and ten lighting presets simulating different lighting scenarios, like paparazzi, fireworks, lighting effects, strobe lights, etc.

Finally, the fixture features a cooling system with high-temperature alert and automatic heat protection, adjusting the fan speed to match the light’s temperature. 

List of specifications

• 230 Watts Power Output
• 38000 Lux with Reflector, 7800 Lux Bare Bulb at 1 Meter
• Full Bowens Mount
• 2700K to 6500K Color Temperature
• SSI-CIE D55: 84, SSI-CIE D27: 91, CRI: 98, TLCI: 99
• Durable Aluminum Alloy and Stainless Steel Build
• Flexible and Adaptable Design
• Compatible with COB 40° Light Projector

Price and availability 

The Anglerfish SL1 200BNA is now available for $369, and you can buy it on the iFootage website. The fixture comes with different accessories, like a Bowens reflector, a light spigot stud, a three-meter cable, etc.

For more information, please visit the iFootage product’s website.

What do you think about the Anglerfish SL1 200BNA? Would you give it a try and incorporate it into your lighting gear? Let us know in the comments below!

With the Evoke series, the Chinese lighting manufacturer NANLUX (a “pro-division” of NANLITE) offers several high-output COB lights. Roughly a year ago, my colleague Graham took a look at the NANLUX Evoke 1200B – a 1200W bi-color spotlight. As a part of his review (make sure to check it out in case you missed it), Graham also used the NANLUX FL-35YK Fresnel lens. This Fresnel is an updated version of the FL-35 Fresnel which, as Graham pointed out, was often too front-heavy. NANLUX reworked the mount and the new angled yoke improves the balance. Now, to offer a lightweight alternative, NANLUX announced the FL-28. Let’s take a quick look at the features and specs.

NANLUX FL-28 – lightweight Fresnel lens for Evoke COBs

As NANLUX simply puts it, the FL-28 is a lightweight and compact NL-mount Fresnel lens for Evoke series LED spotlights, designed specifically for the Evoke 900C, 1200, and 1200B models. Its weight of 3.86kg / 8.5 lbs (excluding barn doors) makes it 60% lighter than the existing FL-35YK Fresnel (10.84kg / 23.9 lbs). The NANLUX FL-28 beam angle can be adjusted from 17° to 43°.

When used with the Evoke 1200B LED spotlight, it can output up to 50,330 lux @3m (5600K, 17° beam angle). With the Evoke 900C, the FL-28 creates an output of 38,580 lux @3m (5600K, 17° beam angle).

Despite being much lighter, NANLUX claims it can still handle the heat of the maximum output of Evoke 1200W lights. When it comes to the most recent Evoke 2400B spotlight, the FL-28 will work with that fixture, but it will limit the output to roughly 50% to prevent heat damage to the Fresnel lens. This will result in a maximum reading of 25,610 lux @3m (5600K, 17° beam angle), according to NANLUX. The company promises to launch another new Fresnel lens specifically for the Evoke 2400B that will make full use of its higher output.

As mentioned, the NANLUX FL-28 uses the company’s NL mount system with communication pins, so the fixture will know which accessory is installed. This way, the FL-28 Fresnel can tell a 2400B fixture to operate at a maximum of 50%, to prevent melting.

Comparison with heavier FL-35YK

The existing NANLUX FL-35YK Fresnel will, according to NANLUX, remain available for users who require a larger degree of beam angle adjustment. The FL-35YK offers a glass lens and tighter 11° spot, and a wider 45° flood range (versus the 17° to 43° of the FL-28).

When both Fresnel lenses are set at a 30° beam angle, the output achieved by either Fresnel lens is similar:

• Evoke 900C with FL-35YK outputs 15,460 lux@3m (5600K, 30° beam angle)
• Evoke 900C with FL-28 outputs 14,990 lux@3m (5600K, 30° beam angle)

Price and availability

NANLUX FL-28 Fresnel lens will cost $690 and it will ship in February 2024. For reference, the larger and heavier FL-35YK currently sells for $1,075.

Do you use any of the NANLUX Evoke lights with a Fresnel lens attached? What do you think about the new FL-28 Fresnel? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.