NANLITE recently announced its new Projection Attachment for FM Mount with 18-36° Zoom Lens. As the name suggests, the Projection Attachment features an 18° to 36° beam angle for control over where light is focused. It is claimed to offer excellent edge control and a significant increase in the fixture’s illuminance.
The projection attachment utilizes NANLITE’S FM mount, making it compatible with the following fixtures:
- Forza 60 II
- Forza 60B II
- Forza 60C
- Forza 60CR
- Forza 150
- Forza 150B
- FS 60B
- FC 60B
- FC 120B
- FC 120C
Key features
- For Select FM Mount Fixtures
- 18 to 36° Beam Angle
- Optical System Increases Illumination
- 360° Rotatable Lens Barrel
- Compact & Lightweight
- Curved Yoke with 1-1/8″ & 5/8″
- Proprietary FM Mount
- Includes Gobo Holder & Four Gobos
- Includes Gel Frame
- Includes Carry Bag
Size & weight
The Projection Attachment weighs 9.22 lb / 4.18 kg. It comes with its own curved yoke with 1-1/8″ & 5/8″ compatibility.
You put the Projection Attachment directly onto a lightstand and then attach a fixture to the Projection Attachment.
Even when using it with a small-sized fixture such as the Forza 60C, you will need to use a reasonably sturdy light stand, and you will end up with quite a long configuration.
Build Quality
The NANLITE Projection Attachment for FM Mount with 18-36° Zoom Lens is made from high-thermal-conductivity aluminum alloy to efficiently dissipate heat and ensure stable performance during prolonged, high-output use. The Projection Attachment does get very hot, so you do need to take care when handling it. A carrying bag is also included.
The yoke enables the fixture to tilt significantly downward and mount on stands with either a junior receiver or a baby pin.
The lock-off lever on the yolk secures the light, and it won’t move or fall.
The overall build quality is good, and in line with other NANLITE Projection attachments, such as the Bowens Mount Projection Attachment 25°–45°.
There are two locking mechanisms on the Projection Attachment. One is for turning the main barrel, and the other is for extending or retracting the front of the barrel. These both lock down firmly, and you need to make sure the front is securely tightened if you have the light facing up or down, so it won’t accidentally move.
Above, you can see how far out the front of the barrel extends.
The leaf adjustments are reasonably robust and easy enough to move.
You can turn the front of the barrel to adjust the beam angle.
What can it do?
NANLITE claims that its high-precision optical design uses aspherical glass to achieve sharp edges. The aspherical optic minimizes aberrations and helps to achieve the excellent 97% beam uniformity and 96% CCT accuracy, with only 3% distortion (measured at 18° beam angle).
The advanced lens coating is also claimed to improve light transmission and aid color accuracy, ensuring minimal color shift. The matte black inner barrel reduces internal reflections and stray light for a sharper beam.
The built-in shutters are said to precisely shape the lighting area, while the gel frame slot allows for easy gel insertion. The kit includes a proprietary-sized gobo holder and four gobos, as well as a universal M-size gobo holder for broader compatibility. Like the existing FM Mount Projection Attachment with 10°/19°/36° Lens (PJ-FMM-10/19/36), it is compatible with the optional 18-blade iris diaphragm (PJ-FMM-AI).
The Projection Attachment for FM Mount with 18-36° Zoom Lens features a 360° rotatable lens barrel that enables zooming without removing any gobos or shutters. It also enables users to transition from tight to medium beam angles with a simple rotation of the zoom ring.
The gobo holder slides into the Projection Attachment pretty easily. It is also easy to remove, as the tab you pull up sits above the leaf tab. The built-in gobo holder accepts standard M-size patterns
Four M-size gobos are included, with two optional NANLITE gobo sets available. The holder also supports a wide range of third-party M-size gobos readily available on the market.
The included gel frame allows for quick and easy gel insertion. You simply loosen the top retaining part of the gel frame receptor, then put in the gel frame and tighten it back down.
I would have liked to have seen NANLITE include an aperture blade like they do with the Bowens Mount Projection Attachment 25°–45°. The aperture blade reduces stray light and improves beam edge quality. I found it made a big difference when using the Bowens Mount Projection Attachment 25°–45° when it came to creating clean edges.
Real World Use
You can use a Projection Attachment for a wide range of different lighting applications.
Its ability to focus or defocus light and create patterns opens up a lot of possibilities.
By defocusing the light and using the included gobos, you can create various looks.
You can also put precise light onto objects without any spill, which can also be very handy.
You can use the gobos to create patterns or help to break up light. By adjusting the intensity of the light and focusing or defocusing the light, it gives you a lot of creative possibilities.
Even if I put the light outside and then punched it into a room, there was plenty of output, even when using a small-sized, low-power draw fixture like the Forza 60C.
I did find there was some small color fringing on the edges when you focused the light using the Forza 60C.
Price & Availability
The NANLITE Projection Attachment for FM Mount with 18-36° Zoom Lens is now available for $589 USD.
Conclusion
The NANLITE Projection Attachment for FM Mount with 18-36° Zoom Lens works as advertised, and it provides good results. It is a nice addition to any of the compatible NANLITE FM mount fixtures if you need to control and focus light.
