This $200 Light Panel Turned My Basement Into a Video Studio

I have been making videos for a long time. I have created technical videos, news videos, movies and all kinds of other video-centric content. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is how lighting plays an important role in all video production. Too little, too harsh, or the wrong color of light can actually go against your goal of creating beautiful content.

Too: Best Lights for Streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok

To that end, I’ve tried many different types of lighting and have found LEDs to be my friend. One of the lights I use that really stands out most for my personal video production needs Nanlite Compaq 68B, This stunning LED panel delivers pro-level studio lighting that is diffused, color accurate and requires little to no setup. Attach the light to a stand, plug it in, turn it on, make a quick color adjustment (from warm to cool between 3200K-5600K), and you’re ready to shoot.

ZDNET Recommends

Nanlite Compaq 68B

if you are looking for Meant to illuminate your video content, you can’t go wrong with this bi-color LED panel.

The Compaq 68B delivers a lot of light for the cost but very little heat and noise. In fact, I have my Compaq 68B hanging from the very low ceiling of my film studio (which is, really, just part of my basement) about 3 feet from my mic and the light doesn’t even register sound. I can even stand in front of a light for long periods of time and feel zero heat coming off the device.

Nanlite Compaq 68b Specifications

If you want to get your video lighting right, you need the full specs on this light.

• CRI: 95
• TLCI: 93
• Color Temperature (Kelvin): 3200K-5600K
• Lumen Output 3200K: 5684
• Lumen Output 5600K: 5684
• Dimming: 0-100%
• DMX Control: No
• Height: 22.3″
• Length 13.8″
• Width: 3.5″
• Weight: 4.4 lbs
• Warranty: Limited 2 year warranty (extendable up to a total of 3 years with online registration)

For lux/foot candles, it looks like this:

• @ 1m 3200K 2263Lux / 210.2fc
• @ 1m 5600K 2245 lux / 208.5 fc
• @ 2m 3200K 554Lux / 51.4fc
• @ 2m 5600K 554Lux / 51.4fc
• @ 3m 3200K 248Lux / 23fc
• @ 3m 5600K 245Lux / 22.7fc

I use my Nanlight Compaq 68B as a key light for my tech and youtube video and have found that this – in conjunction with other fill lights – gives me all the light I need (even in a very dark basement). Most of my videos are shot with the neonlight at about 33% intensity. I could bounce it full if needed but it would be so bright it would wash me out.

The Nanlite Compac 68B includes a mounting bracket that can be used with most stands and tilts for better lighting. Keep in mind, however, that the 68B’s weight and height require a fairly sturdy stand. I have seen the light falling during the shooting of a film when a cameraman barely hit the stand. Since then, the light has either been mounted on a hanger from the ceiling in my basement or, when used on location, a heavy duty stand. I was lucky when the light fell that it didn’t crash-land on the floor, otherwise, it probably would have lost the gravity test.

But do not think that this light is too much for your video blog. Although the price, let’s say, may be slightly higher than a Neer Light PanelThe increased production you get with this light is worth every penny. I have tried lighting the video with a small LED panel. Typically it will take roughly four smaller LED panels to output a single Nanlight 68B LED light box.

Case in point: Where I used to work with four NeVar panels for key and fill, and two LED tubes for background lighting, I now only use Nanlite Compaq 68B, a small NanoLight 24B to fill in, and two LED tubes to illuminate the background. I have to work with two low lights and I am getting a lot of light.

Too: Ubuntu Studio is the perfect operating system for creators

There are two caveats to using the Nanlite 68B. The first is that it doesn’t have a battery option. This means you will always need a power source for the light. The other caveat is that there is no way to use the Compaq 68B without diffusion. This isn’t such a big deal as it would be a rare occasion when you would want to use harsh lighting for video production. If you did, you can always go with the Niever option (as they have removable filters).

I can’t speak enough about this light. If you’re starting video content production (or simply looking to significantly improve your current lighting setup), don’t skimp on your lighting and you may find that the results are far better than you expected.