Nanlite Forza 150B

Last Updated 15 hours ago

Overview

The “B” identifies variable white. It is a different model from the daylight Forza 150, and it is not an RGB fixture. The head weighs 1.56 kg before its power supply and modifiers, placing it between the very small Forza 60 class and larger remote-controller Forzas.

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Key specifications

Specification	Details
Fixture class	COB LED spotlight
Rated power	170 W
CCT / tint	2700–6500 K
Manufacturer colour metrics	Average CRI 96; TLCI 98; TM-30 Rf 93 / Rg 102
Dimming	0–100%
AC supply	100–240 V, 50/60 Hz through the specified power system
DC / battery interface	24 V DC, 7.5 A at the adapter input specification for the light
Accessory mount	Nanlite FM; compatible Bowens accessories through the correct adapter
Head dimensions	247 × 133 × 115 mm, excluding COB protective cap
Component weights	Head 1.56 kg; adapter 0.67 kg
Control	Onboard, 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth/NANLINK, wired DMX/RDM
Integrated CRMX	Not listed for this model

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• The compact FM head keeps dedicated small optics and a travel kit manageable.
• Variable white avoids changing correction gels for common warm/daylight settings.
• Wired DMX/RDM and NANLINK support more than local control.

Limitations

• A Bowens adapter adds bulk and does not guarantee support for a heavy modifier.
• White-light photometrics vary with CCT and the selected operating mode.
• The original model has no integrated CRMX receiver; small-head DMX adapters must be included where required.

Practical uses

The 150B can make a compact interview key through a softbox, a harder directional edge with its reflector, or a concentrated accent with the appropriate Fresnel. Its variable white is helpful for moving between practical tungsten interiors and daylight scenes without placing a conversion gel in front of the light for every change.

An FM head with a Bowens adapter offers access to two modifier systems, but the adapter adds leverage and clearance. Check the manufacturer’s compatibility and support requirements for a heavy softbox or optical attachment. A mount that physically accepts an accessory does not establish that every unsupported combination is suitable.

For small product work, choose the modifier for the shape of the reflection and shadow rather than the highest centre-lux number. A tight Fresnel or projector is useful for a controlled accent; a larger diffused source is usually more useful when the object needs a broad reflected highlight.

Setup	Working approach
Interview key	Use a compact FM softbox close to the subject and control spill; retain enough distance for comfortable framing.
Shaped accent	Use a manufacturer-approved Fresnel or projector for a controlled highlight, edge or background pattern.
Portable location	Select the supported battery arrangement and cooling mode before deciding the working level.

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Output and colour

The figures below come from Nanlite’s model-specific technical photometric table, at 5600 K. They are centre illuminance for the named optical setup, not total lumens, edge coverage or a prediction for a different softbox. Optional attachments are identified separately from the supplied reflector.

A focused attachment concentrates light into a smaller field. Its higher centre value does not establish that it illuminates a larger area or produces more total light. Measure the working area after diffusion, flags and colour/tint choices are in place.

Configuration at 5600 K	1 m	3 m
Bare head	5,121 lux	644 lux
Reflector	23,130 lux	2,078 lux
FL-11 Fresnel, spot	54,290 lux	5,721 lux
FL-11 Fresnel, flood	12,460 lux	1,444 lux

The documented CCT range and colour scores are listed above for this exact model. CRI, TLCI and TM-30 describe different aspects of colour reproduction; they do not make two lights with the same Kelvin setting spectrally identical. Check skin, textiles and product colours through the intended camera when mixing sources.

The fixture offers 0–100% dimming and built-in intensity effects. For a repeatable setup, record the output level, fan mode, optical attachment and colour or tint setting that the model provides. Check a fade and the camera’s intended frame rate/shutter combination before relying on a very low level or a fast effect.

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Power and batteries

The supplied power adapter takes 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz; the documented light input is 24 V DC, 7.5 A. A battery solution must provide the approved voltage, current and connector arrangement. A generic 14.4 V V-mount or NP-F battery is not a direct electrical substitute for that input simply because another Forza uses one.

Battery watt-hours describe stored energy; maximum discharge describes whether the pack can sustain the load. Both matter, as do the approved lead and connector. For planning, identify the power source and operating level rather than quoting one runtime for every colour, fan mode and battery condition.

Use the specified supply and interconnects, provide strain relief and keep the electronics ventilated. The quoted head mass excludes the complete cable, power and grip package. Check the label on the actual regional supply before circuit planning or substituting any component.

Control, cooling and camera operation

Control options include the onboard interface, Nanlite’s 2.4 GHz remote ecosystem, Bluetooth/NANLINK and wired DMX/RDM. NANLINK radio control is a different connection from LumenRadio CRMX; the manufacturer specifications do not list an integrated CRMX receiver.

Wired DMX/RDM requires the correct model-compatible adapter cable for the light’s control port; include that cable in a console-controlled package. Set the address and matching personality, terminate the final fixture in a wired run and test signal-loss behaviour before a cue-dependent take.

USB firmware updating and app features depend on the installed version. Match the manual and console profile to that version. On a used fixture, confirm app connection, wired control and firmware access rather than judging the control package only by a working local dimmer.

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Modifiers, rigging and the working package

Fan-off mode limits the maximum output to 20%. Nanlite’s approximately 20 dBA fan figure is a manufacturer claim; the microphone position, room and mounting can change audibility.

A fan-off choice trades available level for silence. Test it with the actual microphone and keep the thermal paths clear. Choose a different placement or operating level if the required output cannot be maintained in the selected cooling mode.

Check the COB window, accessory lock, yoke, tilt handle, connectors and supply lead. Try the intended reflector or optical attachment, inspect the beam for unexpected colour or uniformity problems, and confirm the mount locks positively. Protect the open head and electronics from moisture and conditions outside the matching manual; no general outdoor waterproof rating is established by the manufacturer specifications.

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Alternatives and related fixtures

The Forza 300B II offers a larger bi-colour package with a native Bowens mount and separate controller. The 150B is useful when the compact FM ecosystem and lower carrying weight suit the job. Its 170 W rating should not be described as the output or draw of a generic “150 W equivalent.”

Fixture	Choose it for
Forza 60C	Full colour in the compact FM system.
amaran COB 60x S	A compact bi-colour Bowens alternative with different control and power options.

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What people are saying

Andrew Murphy: a more powerful portable replacement for his 60B

In his Forza 150B review, Murphy says the small bi-colour head would replace his Forza 60B for portable location work. He values the additional output while retaining 14.8 V battery operation and covers FM optics, fan noise and power arrangements.

Owners: large softboxes change the balance

An owner in this 60B/150B mounting discussion reports difficulty supporting a 90 cm Light Dome II on the supplied adapter. They prefer the compact heads with dedicated FM modifiers or projection optics. Check the actual adapter and load rather than treating every Bowens softbox as a suitable match.

Videos

Gaffer & Gear 192: Forza 150B

Optical accessories, control and meter tests for the 150B.

Andrew Murphy: Forza 150B on location

A portable-lighting review covering power and practical use.

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Rental and used-fixture checks

Confirm the Forza 150B label, matching power hardware and all control leads. Inspect the emitter cover, FM latch, yoke and connector strain relief, then test the intended modifier, low-level fade and remote-control path. Run at the planned level until warm before assessing fan sound at the microphone.

Documentation and specifications

official product specifications and photometry and manufacturer operating manual.

Product photograph: Nanlite / Nanlite Japan official product photograph.

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