I currently own both the Nanlite Forza 60 and the FS150. The reason why I want to compare the two, is both are entry level lights from Nanlite, one from the Forza models line and the other from the FS. While the FS150 cost less than the Forza 60, I would like to see why one would choose the one over the other. At the time of review the price of the Forza 60 is significantly more than the FS-150.
The power output obviously is very different, one being a 60W and the other 150w output. From my own use and test, the output of the forza 60 at 100% equals 30% output on the FS-150. But FS-150 at full power is more than double the power as using just shutter speeds, the correct exposure with forza 60 I had to use a shutter of 1/1250, but with Fs-150 needed shutter 1/2500 while the rest of the settings were the same. Looking at the quality of the light, I can notice the shadows from FS150 being a tad softer but also cast multiple shadows, this is due to the SMD led it got, while forza 60 with COB led is a bit harder and has cleaner looking shadows. But at night or with closed curtains both of the lights are very usable, but when it is sunny and you want to have to level with bright sun from outside the windows, there is a huge difference.
Both are far too weak when diffused so I am going to show you a test of just using the reflector on the light only. I exposed the camera to the window so nothing was over exposed and then placed the lights. First at 1.5 meters distance , the FS-150 is definitely still usable, but Forza60 at the same distance isn’t really bright enough for this use.
Then I place both lights at 90cm which the FS-150 is clearly giving enough output, but the Forza 60 still is a tad under exposed.
I had to place the forza60 at 60cm from the subject to get a bright enough image, which honestly is not how you should light anyone. And FS-150 at that distance totally overpowers the light outside and almost overblown the head.
But a more proper way of lighting this shot would be using both lights and using the FS150 as the main key light and placing the forza60 in the back for a nice rim or edge light. Even though the output of the Forza 60 isn’t a lot it still works very well for nice edge light even in very sunny conditions.
If we look at the price and the output, the Nanlite fs150 is a no-brainer to choose, but there are more things we should talk about.
One of the major advantages of the Forza 60 is mainly its size and weight, making it ideal to travel with, but also mounting it on an arm without needing a lot of counter weights. Also next to powering it with the normal power brick, you can also use v-mount batteries or Sony NPF batteries, making it very useful at remote locations.
While the FS-150 is bigger, it fits nicely into my Tenba trolley and I can still bring it to locations if needed. However you cannot power it with v-mount or sony npf at remote locations.
However, most of my jobs which would require a very bright light at remote locations, would likely rent either the 720B or nanlux evoke 1200 for those jobs, as the fs150 isn’t really that bright for outdoor use.
In my opinion the FS-150 you get more value for your money as being brighter means you can use it in more brighter lighting conditions. But if you often film at remote locations at night or locations that are often dark then the forza 60 would be very usable. However I don’t regret buying the forza 60 as I bought it way before the FS-150 came out and filmed a lot of things and short films with it.
