Aputure LS C120d II

The 120d II earns its place in every package even when you have a 600d and 300d. It's the fixture you reach for when you need a kicker or rim light tucked behind a subject with minimal real estate — it's small, it's directional, and 135k lux at 1m means it punches way above its 180W draw. I use it as a hair light on interview setups, an accent on product work, or a motivated practical source inside a practical lamp housing. With a Fresnel on it, it throws tight enough to pop a background without spilling onto the subject.

We carry two 120d IIs and they're always both on the truck. Pair them as rim lights on either side of a subject, use one as a kicker and one as background light, or deploy them as LED substitutes for PAR cans in smaller spaces. The 18dB fan makes them genuinely dialogue-safe on set — something not every fixture in this wattage class can say. They pull 180W each, so you can run both off a single 20A circuit with plenty of overhead. Great for shooting in hotel rooms, offices, or other spaces where you can't mess with the building's power.

This is one of the easiest lights in our inventory to rig. The weight is manageable on a standard C-stand arm, the yoke locks positively, and the Bowens mount takes accessories without tools. If you're on a smaller production and this is the main light, use a light stand rather than a C-stand when weight is a concern — it's light enough that even a standard light stand handles it safely. Always run the power cable away from traffic paths and tie it off to the stand before running slack across the floor.

Kicker and rim lights in multi-fixture setups · Hair light on talent · Small-space key light (hotel rooms, offices, vehicles) · Product light on tabletop setups · Motivated accent source (inside practical lamp housing) · Background accent · Tight accent beam when paired with Fresnel