It’s an exciting time to be lighting for video, as LED fixtures continue to get smaller, more powerful, and more affordable. The kind of dramatic, punchy lighting that used to only exist on Hollywood sets is now available for just about anyone with a camera and a dream. But these advancements can also lead to choice paralysis, as countless companies unveil hundreds of new products in the LED lighting space every year. Deciding which fixtures are worth a spot on your next shoot can be a difficult task, so today we’re simplifying the process by shining a light on some of our favorite new products from this year. All these items are worth a look as you decide how to spice up your lighting game and take your cinematography to the next level.
Zhiyun MOLUS LED Monolights
These new COB lights were the talk of the industry this year, packing massive amounts of power into super portable packages. The G200 and G300 are my personal favorites, with incredibly small, lightweight rectangular-shaped units that can be tucked in tight corners and transported in a standard backpack. They have separate controller boxes that hang off the stand, while the B100, B200, B300, and B500 series are more of an all-in-one style with the controller and power supply built into the head. Wattage corresponds to the naming convention, so expect 100, 200, 300, or 500W out of these units.
The G series lights also feature a “Max Extreme” mode where you can overclock them to achieve higher outputs. We have never seen so much power come out of fixtures this size, and that’s a gamechanger for travel shoots, run and gun, documentary work, or anyone trying to get more creative with their lighting. Yes, they’re only bi-color for now, but flexibility and practicality far outshine any need for RGB. If you’re someone who’s tired of hauling large, heavy lights around, these MOLUS LEDs could forever change the way you work.
Aputure INFINIBAR LED Tubes
While we’re still waiting on the official launch of Aputure’s INFINIMAT system, their INFINIBAR offerings have changed the game for creative LED lighting. Coming in at one-, two-, and four-foot varietals, these bright and expandable LED tubes give you full RGB color control, precise Sidus Link app customization, and enough output for key, fill, rim, and accent lighting. As you’d expect from Aputure products, the quality control and CRI is top-of-class, and the lights can be linked together for endless possibilities, even coming in four and eight light kits for the 2’ and 4’ versions.
Tube lights have skyrocketed in popularity and regular usage for several years now, but finally having a pro-level option from Aputure means they’re now popping up on high-end sets. We’re seeing filmmakers build out creative shapes and designs by mixing and mounting INFINIBARs in countless unique scenarios, and 2025 should see them permanently change how filmmakers work. Pops of color on set, sweeping ceiling fixtures, and idiosyncratic car lighting is now pro forma, and we can’t wait to see where the INFINIBAR ecosystem goes from here.
Godox KNOWLED MG1200R
The MG1200Bi was one of our favorite lighting products last year, packing all the power of a huge HMI at a fraction of the draw. That meant less heat, less danger, and more possibilities, as suddenly a portable LED light can compete with the sun itself. Now the KNOWLED MG1200R is here to kick things up a notch, with everything you love from the MG1200Bi plus full RGB color control. That means filmmakers can get way more creative on set with a super bright beam of any color they can imagine. The light’s still IP54 rated, so it’s more than ready for studio and location use. Users can fine tune dimming in 0.1% increments along four different curves: linear, S-curve, exponential, and logarithmic.
Like its predecessor, the MG1200R’s G-mount makes it compatible with a wide range of Godox accessories, including soft boxes, reflectors, and a Fresnel attachment that can up its output to an astonishing 56,500 lux at 9.8'. Fourteen creative effects, multiple control methods, and adjustable color spaces are icing on the cake. Cooling is thankfully top notch as well, with adjustable fan settings and proprietary temperature management tech. If you need a ton of power at a reasonable size and price, plus the flexibility of RGB, the MG1200R is a no-brainer.
Nanlite PavoSlim 240B and 240C Panels
LED panels are a fantastic way to get soft, flattering light in smaller spaces where a big COB and diffusion simply won’t fit, but their Achilles heel has always been a comparatively low output. That weakness is now a thing of the past with Nanlite’s PavoSlim 240B (bi-color) and 240C (full RGB) panel lights. These panels can pump out almost 25,000 Lux at 3.3', while also folding in half for easy storage and transport. They’re thin and light while still being extremely color accurate. Control them with on-board dials or wirelessly via an app, Bluetooth, or CRMX, then throw on included diffusion material to get an even smoother roll-off.
Nanlite has really been stepping it up in recent years, and the PavoSlim line is the pinnacle of this innovation. Their passive cooling systems are virtually silent, control units include built-in V-Mount plates, and the fifteen built-in special effects can help the panels slot into any situation. Add in extremely attractive price points, and it’s no mystery why the PavoSlim’s are finding their way into countless grip trucks, studio set-ups, and filmmaker wish lists. The 240B and 240C are must-buys for anyone who wants the beautiful look of an LED panel without compromising on output.
LightBridge C-Move Diffusion Kit
The world of LED modifiers was a bit quieter in 2024, but LightBridge still managed to make waves with their C-Move + Kit. Back in 2017, LightBridge created a proprietary Cine Reflect Lighting System (CRLS) consisting of professional quality reflectors that can control and diffuse light while maintaining strength and color rendering. Sure, you can bounce a light off any old mirror or bounce board, but the CRLS system of Precision Reflectors caught on due to its lightweight build, easy set-up, and top-notch quality. These reflectors attach to any standard C-Stand with included mounting accessories and are graded for 97% reflectivity and 100% color rendering.
The C-Move + Kit includes five different diffusion grades in four sizes each, allowing for complete lighting control without the use of cumbersome flags or frames. Because they don’t generate heat, the reflectors can also be placed close to talent, props, and set dressing without any concern. Having so many different strengths and sizes in one portable kit means that gaffers, grips, and cinematographers can use them as a Swiss Army Knife for creative lighting set-ups in the studio or on-location. LightBridge is a known, respected name throughout the industry because of their quality and reliability, and the C-Move + Kit is an exciting step forward in making their tools more flexible and accessible for filmmakers of all stripes.
For more information about these new lights and accessories, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out their full product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to reply to your comments and questions.
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