Last Updated 22 hours ago
Overview
The De Sisti Piccoletto F is a miniature fixed-white Fresnel with an 80mm glass lens. It suits close hair lights, tabletop accents and camera positions in very small studios where a larger head is difficult to place.
Manufacturer product photograph. Select the image to enlarge.
The F is the fixed-white DMX version. The local-only FA and phase-dimmed DIM are different Piccoletto variants; check the suffix before ordering or patching.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Source / LED power | 30W LED Fresnel |
| Wall-power consumption | 32W at 230V; 35W at 120V |
| Colour versions | Separate T 3,200K or D 5,600K models |
| Lens | 80mm borosilicate glass Fresnel |
| AC supply | 90–250V, 50/60Hz |
| Controls | Local dimming and 5-pin DMX in/out |
| Dimming | 1-channel 8-bit dimmer in the F version |
| Colour-rendering reference | T: CRI 97 / TLCI 96; D: CRI 96 / TLCI 97 |
| Cooling | Temperature-regulated active cooling |
| Weight with yoke | 0.95kg head with yoke; separate supply 0.32kg |
| Protection | IP20 in the model-specific datasheet |
Source: model-specific manufacturer datasheet. The F, FA and DIM are separate control variants. This entry’s main specifications refer to the F.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Small housing and an 80mm Fresnel lens fit close accent positions.
- A genuine focus mechanism gives more beam control than a bare miniature LED.
- The fixed-white F offers a simple wired DMX dimmer.
Limitations
- Limited power makes distance, diffusion and saturated colour important exposure constraints.
- The small lens remains a hard source at normal working distances.
- Control suffixes and power arrangements vary; a similar housing does not establish compatibility.
Practical uses
| Setup | Working approach |
|---|---|
| Studio key | Start near flood and set the angle on the face before tightening the beam. Check forehead and chin levels separately; a strong centre reading can hide an uneven key. |
| Hair light or edge | Place the beam behind the subject, then use the barndoors and a separate flag to keep spill off the lens. Allow for the subject’s movement rather than cutting only for the stand-in. |
| Bounce or diffusion | Flood enough to fill the chosen surface. Meter after the bounce or diffusion and leave working room between the head, frame and subject. |
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 Piccoletto F should be assessed at the working distance and with its intended accessories. Spot increases centre intensity while reducing coverage; a flood reading describes a different setup.
The T and D versions produce different fixed white points. Order the version that suits the package, then compare it with practicals and neighbouring fixtures on the production camera. Dimming an LED does not produce the same warm shift as dimming a tungsten filament.
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
Power to the LED is 30W; wall consumption is 32W at 230V; 35W at 120V. The published head weight and separate supply weight are listed independently. Confirm whether the hired version uses the external supply or a track arrangement, and include the correct mains and data leads.
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
The F has DMX dimming. FA uses local potentiometer control, while DIM is the phase-dimmed version. Do not connect an F or VW to a dimmer output on the assumption that all Piccoletto variants share the DIM electronics.
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
Use accessories made for the 80mm lens-size family and check the retaining latch. Lens diameter is not the same measurement as the barndoor ring or scrim diameter. Standard De Sisti barndoors, colour frames and scrims must be matched by part number.
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 Piccoletto VW | The 30W tunable-white Piccoletto: 2,800–6,600K instead of a fixed T or D white point. |
| De Sisti Piccoletto Color | The 35W Color version adds hue and saturation control. |
| De Sisti F4.7 Lite | A larger 120mm fanless Fresnel when an 80mm miniature is too small for the job. |
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.
- Optics and focus: inspect the glass, guard and reflector; run focus through its full travel at several tilt angles. Check that the front door and barndoor lock close securely.
- 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.