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Chimera Pancake Lantern with Skirt (Large, Full Diffusion)

BH #CHLPLBSL • MFR #1870
15 reviews
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Chimera Pancake Lantern with Skirt (Large, Full Diffusion)
Key Features
  • Creates Soft 180° Light Source
  • Diameter: 48"
  • Depth: 19"
  • Full Diffusion Cloth
Create a soft 180° light source ideal for overhead lighting with the large Pancake Lantern from Chimera. This model measures 48" in diameter with a depth of 19" and has a flat top that makes it easy to place near a ceiling. Also, this model has a full diffusion cloth and comes with a skirt that features adjustable zippers and touch-tab fasteners so it can be rolled up for control over the light's spread. This lantern is designed for fixtures with wide beam angles or bare-bulb lights and it has a heat-resistant construction that permits the use of lights up to 2000W. Additionally, it comes with a zippered storage sack and it works with a range of separately available speed rings for attaching to your lights.
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Chimera Pancake Lantern Overview

Create a soft 180° light source ideal for overhead lighting with the large Pancake Lantern from Chimera. This model measures 48" in diameter with a depth of 19" and has a flat top that makes it easy to place near a ceiling. Also, this model has a full diffusion cloth and comes with a skirt that features adjustable zippers and touch-tab fasteners so it can be rolled up for control over the light's spread. This lantern is designed for fixtures with wide beam angles or bare-bulb lights and it has a heat-resistant construction that permits the use of lights up to 2000W. Additionally, it comes with a zippered storage sack and it works with a range of separately available speed rings for attaching to your lights.

UPC: 845077018707

Chimera Pancake Lantern Specs

Key Specs
Item Type
48" Lantern Softbox (Rounded Shape)
Interior Color
White
Light Compatibility
Requires Bracket/Speed Ring (Not Included)
Accepts Grids
No
Item Type
48" Lantern Softbox (Rounded Shape)
Interior Color
White
Light Compatibility
Requires Bracket/Speed Ring (Not Included)
Quick Open Type
No
Accepts Grids
No
Maximum Wattage
2000 W
Removable Front Face
No
Interior Baffle
Yes
Light Loss/Gain
No
Materials
Fabric
Dimensions
ø: 48 x H: 19" / ø: 122 x H: 48 cm
Packaging Info
Package Weight
5.3 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
39.8 x 6.35 x 6.1"

Chimera Pancake Lantern Reviews

Great shallow depth lantern.

By Daniel
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-10-20

Overall I really love this, but two things... firstly I saw in another review that they were glad they went with the larger lantern because is barely reaches 4'. I think the 4' is diagonal, not long edge, so it is not really 4' and secondly, you get the impression that it fits any speed ring, and B & H lists several. But it did not fit any that I already had, and one was a speed ring recommended by B & H. You absolutely need to use the Chimera speed ring from Chimera with the spring loaded tabs. Most of the generic ones the holes are too small for the rods.

Chimear pancake is the right tool for 2 person interviews

By Alan
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2017-06-05

I usually use a China ball and photo flood bulbs set between the subjects just overhead to one side. This saves the need for two separate key sources. China balls and photo flood fixtures are cheap to buy but the down side is photo floods have a short and unpredictable life spans. Always need several available. And it's not always easy to color balance to the rest of the environment since the daylight bulbs burn no where near real daylight Kelvin. But more importantly I worry a photo flood could burst within the China ball, sending hot glass in harms way. I once had a 500w photo flood explode. Fortunately no one was hurt but the potential was there. Could be the bulb was old or been handled without gloved protection. Oils from skin can eat into the glass and make a weak point under hot pressure. All this to say I wanted a safer yet versatile solution. I had been renting the Chimear pancake then decided to buy. I own some E39 fluorescent bulbs 12 inches long so I found a Chimear triolet fixture that takes E39, E26 and 2 pin adapter for 650w tungsten lamps. A pretty versatile fixture for daylight and tungsten lighting at much higher output than the China ball. Thus more options shooting with windows in the background. As usual, the Chimear products are quite good in build quality, priced as such. Originally, I had bought the preferred small pancake but it was too swallow in depth to house the E39 lamp, which was key to me, so I exchanged for the medium lantern. It is the perfect size for the lamps I wish to use but a little larger than ideal when interviewees are very close together. I back them up for best lighting. Obviously, a more expensive solution then a China ball but cheaper than a law suit.

See any errors on this page?

question

Is it really not possible to use a 500 watt bulb in this one?
Asked by: Jon Michael P.
Unfortunately, Chimera does not recommend a 500 watt tungsten lamp to be placed inside of this Pancake Lantern due to the excessive amount of heat that it will give off.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

What's the cheapest speedring with a 1/4-20 that works with this?
Asked by: Brandon
Chimera makes speed rings with a 1/4 thread to that can accept the poles of this lantern. However, the correct model depends on the light being used with it.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2018-08-27

what is the approximate angle degree?

what is the approximate angle degree?
Asked by: Yuval
The Chimera Pancake Lantern Softbox - Large - 48" (120cm) Diameter does not have a specific angle. It is a lantern softbox. It projects the light almost 180 degrees.
Answered by: Rob K
Date published: 2024-09-18

question

which lights fixtures does this fit? is there a certain size fixture diameter?
Asked by: Anonymous
Many lights can fit on to the Pancake Lantern Softbox. All that is needed is the correct speedring if one is available.The softbox in general is a regular 4 pole softbox. If you do have a specific light in mind it is best you contact us direct via chat or phone.
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2018-08-27

Hi, I"m getting confused about which Triolet ...

Hi, I"m getting confused about which Triolet speed ring to get for the Chimera pancake lantern (BH #CHLPLBSM • MFR #1865). Is it this one ? (BH #CHT2POP • MFR #9950OP). The pancake seems to have 4 pins - but these are "Octo" speed rings. Thanks
Asked by: William
You can still use the Chimera Triolet Flood Light with Octaplus Speed Ring (120 VAC), B&H # CHT2POP in 4 rod points only with this Lantern.
Answered by: Kirk R
Date published: 2019-11-06

is it compatible with Apurture 300D II? If so, ...

is it compatible with Apurture 300D II? If so, how?
Asked by: Yuval
To use the Chimera Pancake Lantern with Skirt (Medium, Full Diffusion) with the Aputure LS C300d II you need this speedring, BH #CHSRQRBSS (https://bhpho.to/3BiBnK4).
Answered by: Rob K
Date published: 2024-09-16

question

Can you use with Lowel Omni?
Asked by: Scott
You could use this lantern with a Lowel Omni and the Chimera Speed Ring for Lowel Omni Light (Aluminum) B&H # CHSRLOL. However, the lantern works at its full potential when using a bare tube lighting fixture such as the Chimera Triolet Flood Light with Quick Release Speed Ring (120VAC) B&H # CHT2P. Please see the following images below for reference.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2018-08-27

Does it come with a light fixture where you can ...

Does it come with a light fixture where you can fix a bulb in it or is it just a softbox?
Asked by: Sanket
This is only the softbox.
Answered by: Reuben K
Date published: 2021-01-06
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