Nanlite

Technical Details

The Forza series includes COB lights from 60W to 720W with color temperatures from 2700K to 6500K and CRI values above 96. The PavoTube tube lights achieve TLCI values of 97 and offer RGB+WW color mixing with 36,000 color combinations. Nanlite's flagship Forza 720B delivers 74,500 lux at one meter with a reflector, weighing only 4.8 kg. The devices use V-Mount or Gold Mount batteries and offer DMX512 control as well as app control via Bluetooth.

History & Development

Nanlite was founded in 2016 by the Chinese company Nanguang, which had been producing lighting technology since 2010. In 2018, the company launched the first Forza series, establishing itself through aggressive pricing with high quality. In 2020, the PavoTube series was introduced, offering competitive alternatives to Astera tubes. The partnership with Bowens for light modifier compatibility in 2019 significantly accelerated market penetration.

Practical Use in Film

Nanlite lights are used in Netflix productions such as "The Crown" (Seasons 4-6), where PavoTubes were employed for background lighting. The compact Forza 300B is suitable for run-and-gun shoots and interview setups, while the Forza 720 serves as a daylight replacement through windows or for exterior shots. The quiet cooling allows for sound recording without interference, and the high battery capacity ensures several hours of shooting time without a power supply.

Comparison & Alternatives

Compared to Arri SkyPanel or Litepanels Gemini, Nanlite offers similar light quality at 30-50% lower costs. Against Aputure 300D/600D, Nanlite scores with integrated color temperature control without additional gels. The PavoTube series directly competes with Astera Titan Tubes, but achieves only 80% of the brightness at half the acquisition cost. Low-budget productions utilize Nanlite for its price-performance ratio, while high-end productions continue to rely on Arri or Kino Flo.