In this article I’ll list the six best powerful LED spotlights for cinematography.
To be in this comparison an LED spotlight must fulfill the following:
- Must have a power draw of about 300-500 Watts.
- Must have an open LED chip design, with a mount to adapt various accessories. In other words, it should be versatile, not a one-trick poney.
- Must ideally be bi-color, and RGB is an extra. However, having RGB features reduces the power output.
- Have good color reproduction.
Why 300 Watts?
I’ve found, in the field, that a 200 Watt light is decent when paired with a softbox or bounced, etc., for a medium-sized shot. A 300 Watt light or above is more versatile and useful as a cinematography light.
I’ve used 300 Watt LEDs to simulate moonlight with a sensitive camera, so this is a great size to have for the working cinematographer.
Here’s my list, not in ascending order of price:
1 Nanlite FC300B Bi-Color
This is the cheapest LED spotlight in this list. I own the 200 Watt version and it has worked well for me for over three years. The light output is fantastic.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 350 W |
| Temperature range | 2700 to 6500K |
| RGB | No |
| Dimming | 0 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 11,210 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m 37,340 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Photometrics @3200K | 10,627 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m 34,150 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 3.7 kg |
| Battery Option? | No |
| Effects | CCT loop, INT loop, flash, pulse, storm, TV, paparazzi, candle/fire, bad bulb, firework, explosion, and welding |
| Mount | Bowens S |
| Power Unit | Yes |
The Nanlite FC300B can also be controlled remotely using a smartphone via Bluetooth with the Nanlink app, or via an optional transmitter and remote control. Supports DMX too.
The light also offers smart fan modes to quieten the unit during sound recording. If you don’t want RGB, and are on a tight budget, a couple of Nanlite FC300B lights will do the trick!
2 Godox SL300R RGB
Godox is another low budget brand I have no hesitation recommending. I’ve used the SL-200W and the SL-60W often, and they have delivered great results for years so I have no hesitation in recommending this.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 300 W |
| Temperature range | 2500 to 10,000K |
| RGB | Yes |
| Dimming | 0 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 43,300 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Photometrics @3200K | N/A |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 2.77 kg |
| Battery Option? | No |
| Effects | RGB cycle, party, flash, lightning, cloud, broken bulb, TV, candle, fire, fireworks, explosion, welding, police car, and SOS |
| Mount | Bowens S |
| Power Unit | No |
This light too, has a fan as well as a passive cooling system with silent mode for noise-free sound recording. Just like the Nanlite, you get wireless and DMX control.
What you’re getting for the extra price is an RGB mode and a higher color range. And, the power unit isn’t that big.
3 amaran 300c RGB
Amaran is the low budget range of the Aputure lineup, as far as I know. Along with Nanlite and Godox, Aputure is also one of the best low budget brands in the market, and they always have their own twist on things.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 360 W |
| Temperature range | 2500 to 7500K |
| RGB | Yes |
| Dimming | 0 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 26,580 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Photometrics @3200K | 21,390 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 3.52 kg |
| Battery Option? | Yes, 48 VDC at 7.5 A |
| Effects | Paparazzi, fireworks, lightning, faulty bulb, TV, pulsing, strobe, explosion, and fire |
| Mount | Bowens S |
| Power Unit | Yes |
The amaran delivers less light output than the Godox, but you get a battery option instead. Dimming is step-less, and Aputure claims the light is highly color accurate, up to 90% of colors within Rec.2020.
Its silent active cooling system allows it to be used for sound recording. Another plus for the light is its relatively small size. Aputure provides a large number of accessories for the light.
Now we move on to the big boys of this list.
4 K 5600 Lighting Joker 300 LED
The K5600 Joker HMIs are industry legends, and you can be sure you can use all those accessories with the Joker 300 LED.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 300 W |
| Temperature range | 2700 to 6500K |
| RGB | No |
| Dimming | 1 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 16,125 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m |
| Photometrics @3200K | 12,000 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 3.6 kg + Ballast (N/A) |
| Battery Option? | No |
| Effects | No |
| Mount | Proprietary |
| Power Unit | Additional purchase |
The major selling point is that you’re going to get a tough light that can withstand heavy rental use. The other benefit is you can adapt decades worth of Joker accessories with this light. Is that a good enough bargain for you? You decide.
5 HIVE LIGHTING Super Hornet 575-C
The Hive Hornet 575-C has been around for a while, and it is the first light on this list to be at the higher end of our power draw spectrum.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 600 W |
| Temperature range | 1650 to 19,500K |
| RGB | Yes |
| Dimming | 0 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 6777 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m |
| Photometrics @3200K | N/A |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 6 kg |
| Battery Option? | Yes, 48 VDC |
| Effects | Yes |
| Mount | Profoto |
| Power Unit | Yes |
I haven’t used a Hive Lighting product but they claim the Hornet 575-C uses red, amber, lime, cyan, blue, green, and sapphire LEDs instead of the traditional 3-color system to achieve a high CRI/TLCI of 98/97 to render colors faithfully.
The color temperature range is amazing as well. The Hornet looks like great bang for your buck, especially if you’re planning to pair it with Profoto modifiers.
6 ARRI Orbiter
You can’t make a list of spotlights without considering the new Arri Orbiter. It’s a different class of animal.
Here are the important specs:
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Power Draw | 500 W |
| Temperature range | 2000 to 20,000K |
| RGB | Yes |
| Dimming | 0 to 100% |
| Photometrics @5600K | 58,000 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Photometrics @3200K | 44,700 Lux at 3.3′ / 1 m (with Reflector) |
| Total Weight (all incl.) | 15 kg |
| Battery Option? | Yes, 48 to 52 VDC, Rechargeable |
| Effects | Yes |
| Mount | ARRI QLM |
| Power Unit | Yes |
The Orbiter can operate in temperatures of -20 to 45°C. As usual, Arri throws everything and the kitchen sink at their products. The light is designed to do everything, everywhere, and for everyone. I should copyright this!
According to Arri, the:
…190-LED array is capable of creating hard shadows with defined edges. The Orbiter’s engine is 76 times smaller than an ARRI L10 Fresnel but has a greater output while drawing the same amount of power.
It is also the heaviest light in this list. The accessories and modifiers are bound to be large and heavy as well.
What the Orbiter has another ace up its sleeve. Sensors:
The Orbiter has an integrated suite of sensors. An ambient color sensor recreates shifts in both color and intensity in your surroundings.
Its 3-axis accelerometer senses the Orbiter’s pan, tilt, and roll, and that metadata can be used in future applications for placement optimization and effects production.
It also includes a magnetometer that offers true global direction, an ambient light sensor that will automatically dim your optional control panel’s display, and a heat sensor that ensures safe operation at any temperature.
That’s it for my comparison! What do you think?
