Based on professional film set experiences, CineGEN^® has created lights with a hemispherical light modifier at their core - the Helio™ 60 softbox. Most of the reflector's surface is replaced with diffusing fabric in this softbox. This changes how the light propagates and, as a result, how it illuminates. The Helio™ softboxes create extensive, soft areas of light that are gentler than classic octaboxes of the same power. The light has an omnidirectional distribution (360°), with a large relative size for the light source. The height of these lights allows you to use the ceiling as a natural reflector.

The light from the SoftTop™ Lanterns perfectly complements lighting in deeper scenes. Often, especially in amateur video, we see a frame with the foreground well-lit (usually a face) and the background underexposed (the interior of a room). Placing the SoftTop™ Lanterns in the background allows you to simultaneously light up the background and emphasize the foreground through contour lighting (hairlight, three-point lighting, movie look).

Adding the SoftTop™ Lanterns improves the tonal dynamics of your image, thereby increasing its quality (and indirectly boosting throughput when recording digitally), allowing you to use lower sensitivities and enhancing plasticity and color accuracy (color fidelity).

The Helio™ is a surprisingly effective adaptation of professional spherical softboxes. Its genius and simplicity lie in utilizing an existing, proven solution - the integrated octagonal softbox - to create a modifier with the properties of a completely different fixture: a spherical softbox. As a result, you get a professional light at a price that's unattainable with classic construction. The lamp's assembly is also simple, just like unfolding a studio umbrella, saving you valuable time. The diffusing fabric provides good light dispersion while only slightly reducing brightness.

The Helio™ 60 has a classic E27 bulb fitting and a socket for mounting on a lighting stand (the vast majority of studio stands will fit). You can use low-temperature photo fluorescent tubes or LED bulbs in the softbox (closed fixture).

The SoftTop™ Lanterns set already includes appropriately matched bulbs and studio stands.

The bulbs used in these lights are specialized fluorescent tubes for photographic and video applications. PureLight bulbs have a standardized color temperature of 5500K (neutral). The tube generates light with an ideal color for photographic and video use - it doesn't introduce any color bias. Thanks to its natural color rendering, this bulb is perfect for photographers working under constant lighting conditions. Using constant lighting allows you to model the light faster and better predict the final result in your photos. Its low power consumption means you can use this bulb both in open fixtures and partially closed ones (softboxes, diffusers, octaboxes). The generated luminous flux, achieved after about 90 seconds of operation, is 5000 lumens, which corresponds approximately to a 400W halogen bulb. PureLight series bulbs are characterized by high parameter repeatability (luminous flux and color rendering index).

These studio and outdoor, three-section lighting stands have a maximum height of 210cm and a working height of 200 cm. They feature comfortable section clamps and a 16mm studio head with a universal 1/4" thread. These stands are designed to work with small and medium lights as well as lighting sets. They perform excellently when configured with flashlights, constant lights, softboxes, and halogen lamps. Their compact dimensions after folding have been reduced by using a telescopic folding mechanism, thus not limiting their wide range of operation (ranging from 78 to 210 cm, adjustable smoothly to any height) or the universality of applications. The leg spread (from foot to foot) is 75cm.

These stands allow you to use the SoftTop™ Lanterns lights in most situations encountered in a home studio setting. Their height allows framing from sitting positions up to wide shots of an entire room.

Lighting a frame is the most important factor that separates professionals from amateurs. To succeed in these video-dominated times, we must observe our competition and learn to evaluate images in the best productions. Paying attention to details shows that you take your work seriously and respect your viewers. Introducing lighting for deeper scenes provides a subtle change in the image that distinguishes professional productions from amateur ones.

Skilful use of studio lights allows equipment to operate under optimal conditions, focuses the viewer's attention on the message conveyed, and creates an impression of wide reach and great popularity.

Remember that the art of filming and photography involves creating a more visually appealing reality within the frame. The greater art is achieving television studio effects in home settings. CineGEN softboxes, including the SoftTop™ Lantern series, are affordably priced lights whose skilful use will enchant viewers and defeat competition.

• The SoftTop™ Lanterns lights were designed as a complementary light source. When used as the main light, ensure that it doesn't shine directly onto the lens (by using a lens hood).
• Creative effects can be achieved by carefully using lights with different color temperatures.
• In narrow frames, these lights are a source of contour lighting that gives your image depth.