When you want light that hits exactly where you need it; bright, focused, and clean, a normal softbox can feel too wide and soft, while a bare fixture often spills light everywhere or is too harsh. That’s where the NANLITE FE30 & BE55 Parallel Beam Reflectors come in.
These reflectors turn your lights into a narrow, powerful beam that travels farther without losing intensity. The FE30 works with FE‑mount or FM‑mount fixtures, while the larger BE55 fits BE‑ or Bowens‑mount lights up to 800 W. Both offer an 8° beam angle, a big output boost, and durable weather‑resistant construction, all in compact, easy-to-carry designs.
With the FE30 and BE55, your light becomes a precision tool. You can shape, aim, and control it like never before, giving your shots sharper focus, more drama, and a cinematic feel, no matter the space or distance. It’s lighting that doesn’t just illuminate; it tells a story.
How a Parallel Beam Works
Most reflectors, even deep ones, send light out in a cone shape, which spreads out quickly. That’s why your light looks weaker the further away it gets.
The Nanlite parallel beam design is special. Think of it like a perfectly curved optical mirror that catches every single ray of light from the LED chip and forces it to travel perfectly straight and parallel, like laser beams.
- The Result: The light travels much further with less drop-off. You get that long-throw capability needed for cinematography on big sets or outdoors.
- The Look: Because the light rays don’t cross, they hit your subject in a completely uniform way, creating razor-sharp shadows, the true mark of simulated natural light.
In-Depth Specs & Model Comparison (FE30 vs BE55)
| Spec | FE30 | BE55 |
|---|---|---|
| Beam Angle | 8° | 8° |
| Output Boost (manufacturer claim) | ~12× bare light | ~23× bare light |
| Size / Weight | ≈ 30 cm diameter / ≈ 1.38 kg | ≈ 55 cm diameter / ≈ 5.56 kg |
| Compatible Mounts | FE-mount / FM-mount fixtures | BE-mount / Bowens-mount fixtures (up to ~800W) |
| Weather Protection | IP66 rated | IP66 rated |
| Key Design Features | Internal grid + external snoot | Internal grid + external snoot |
Feature-Focused Details of the FE30 & BE55
8° Ultra-Narrow Beam Angle
The FE30 and BE55 reflectors push light in a narrow cone of about eight degrees. Because the beam is so narrow, the light doesn’t scatter wildly, it stays concentrated over distance. This means you can place your light farther from your subject, even hiding the stand off‑camera, yet still get bright, clear light on the subject. For creators and videographers, this is golden: you get crisp subject lighting with backgrounds falling away, creating more depth and drama in your shots.
Massive Output Increase With Matching Fixtures
These reflectors don’t just shape your light, they boost it. When you pair the FE30 with an FE‑mount or FM‑mount fixture (for instance a light like the NANLITE Evoke 150C), you can get up to around twelve times more light output than without the reflector. If you go for the BE55 and match it with a stronger BE‑mount or Bowens‑mount fixture (like NANLITE’s Evoke 600C), you could see around twenty‑three times the output of a bare light. What does this mean in real terms? Your light stays powerful and clear even from far away, making these reflectors excellent for large rooms, outdoor shoots, or situations where you can’t place lights close to the subject.
Lightweight & Mobile Design
The FE30 is small (about 30 cm wide) and light (around 1.4 kg), which means you can move it, set it up, or reposition it by yourself. It’s ideal for solo creators, small studios, or shoots where speed and flexibility matter. The BE55 is bigger (about 55 cm diameter) and heavier (roughly 5.6 kg), which gives stronger light but needs a sturdier stand and more careful rigging. In other words, with FE30 you get portability; with BE55 you get power. Choose based on whether you value ease or intensity.
Clear Front Cover for Long-Term Quality
Each reflector comes with a clear front cover that seals the light path. This simple feature protects the inside from dust, insects, and other debris that could build up over time, especially if you shoot outdoors or in dusty places. By keeping the optics clean, your beam stays sharp and consistent even after many shoots. That means less maintenance and better long‑term performance, great for creators working across different locations or weather conditions.
Better Beam Shape & Less Spill
Inside the reflectors are a built‑in grid and an attached snoot. Together, they guide the light into a neat, clean beam and prevent unwanted spill onto walls, floors, or unwanted objects. For anyone who cares about clean visuals, subject isolation, or controlling the mood of a scene, this feature makes a big difference. Instead of light bouncing everywhere, you get focused, intentional illumination exactly where you want it.
Built to Withstand the Location Ruggedness
Both reflectors are rated IP66, which means they are sealed against dust and can resist strong water jets, not just light rain, but serious sprays. If you shoot outdoors, in dusty urban areas, or in unpredictable weather, this makes them much more reliable than standard modifiers. The sealed design and protective cover help the reflectors stay in good shape, even in rugged conditions. Just remember: while the reflector is protected, your light fixture, cables, and stands still need proper care.
Compatible Mounts & Power Requirements
It’s important to match the reflector with the right light. The FE30 works with FE‑mount or FM‑mount fixtures. The BE55 works with BE‑mount or Bowens‑mount fixtures, and only those rated up to about 800 watts. If you mix up mounts or use a fixture with too much power, you might not get the benefits, and you could even risk damage. Always double‑check your light’s mount type and wattage before buying a reflector.
Pricing & Availability of the FE30 & BE55
As of now, the FE30 Parallel Beam Reflector sells for about US $225, and the BE55 sells for around US $665. Both are already shipping, but if you’re ordering from outside major markets (for example from Africa), you’ll want to include extra costs like shipping, taxes, or import fees in your budget. Also check if local dealers carry them, because accessory support (like stands, cables, and rigging gear) can make a big difference to your total cost and ease of use.
The FE30 is smaller (≈30 cm diameter) and lighter (~1.38 kg) and fits FE-mount/FM-mount fixtures. The BE55 is larger (≈55 cm diameter), weighs more (~5.56 kg) and is for BE-mount/Bowens mount lights up to ~800 W.
For FE30: FE-mount or FM-mount compatible fixtures (especially NANLITE’s Evoke 150C). For BE55: BE-mount or Bowens-mount lights ≤800W. Always check your fixture’s mount, power rating and whether the manufacturer lists compatibility.
Yes, because BE55 weighs around 5.5 kg (≈12lb) and has a large diameter, you’ll want a strong stand, sandbags/weights, and safety cable. For outdoor work especially consider wind loads and secure all gear.
Yes, both are rated IP66, meaning dust-tight and protected against strong water jets. That makes them well-suited for outdoor/location use. But remember: the modifier is just one part of the rig, stands, cables and power supply still need weather-proofing and safety precautions.
