The creative geniuses in Astera’s R&D department have been busy again. This time developing another completely cool and unique product – SolaBulb – the only bulb on the market with an inbuilt 15º – 50º zoom range that is optimized for maximum lux output.
The SolaBulb project first germinated when LunaBulb was being launched in June 2024, as the team was learning more about the huge potential of the LunaReflector to emulate the style and look of PAR bulbs. A SolaBulb prototype was quickly produced.
Astera’s head of product development, Ben Díaz, explained that it was soon realised that SolaBulb – a small, versatile, high-quality lightsource – was completely unique as a product. Ben highlighted that high-level innovation also comes with some risk, so he travelled to the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand with prototypes, meeting a range of lighting professionals to gather their feedback, both to improve the samples and to better understand SolaBulb’s true possibilities.
Excellent response in these territories plus additional user comments in recent months drove Astera to unveil this product at IBC (where the LunaBulb Accessory Kit was launched last year). SolaBulb is a zoomable LED bulb with 15º – 50º adjustable beam – giving both spotlight and wide-angle beam spreads – and a refined PAR20 fresnel lens. Equivalent to a 50W tungsten PAR bulb, the optical design gives this exceptionally handy luminaire a fabulous ‘architectural’ / scenic look with all the finesse and detail needed to light theatrical, corporate and film projects.
Features include high-quality light output with clean edges and a stunning, even beam, making it ideal for eye-lights, concealed backlights or background accenting and effects, but also a perfect tool to illuminate corporate spaces, luxury events, museums and catering at elegant dinners.
The fixture is powered by Astera’s unparalleled 5-colour Titan LED Engine which delivers outstanding CRI and the same performance and beam characteristics as larger luminaires like QuikSpot or QuikPunch … for continuity and complementing.
Power and simplicity combine in SolaBulb. The front barrel is rotatable to obtain the desired beam angle, and the fixture comes complete with a SolaSnoot that neatly attaches directly to the front of the barrel, eliminating light spill.
This unique luminaire allows filmmakers and event technicians to use spotlight ‘practicals’ for the very first time, while being 100% compatible with Astera’s well-known NYX Bulb setup procedures.
Robust and with fan-free operation, rigging the SolaBulb is easy. It is compatible with Astera’s battery driven PowerStation, which can be used as an external display or power supply, and the fixture’s housing includes two threads (1/4 inch and 3/8 inch) for attaching to baby pins, tripods and other mounting accessories.
When no other control is available, SolaBulb can be turned on or off via its onboard hardware button, or ‘blue mode’ can be activated for Bluetooth pairing or to easily apply different colour presets.
Onboard CRMX makes LumenRadio’s wireless DMX and RDM protocols available for seamless integration with lighting consoles plus tablet-based controllers such as Blackout. It also works with Astera IR WhiteRemote and FX Remote for tweaking colour temperatures and getting those perfect skin tones or dimming values, and is fully compatible with the Astera App.
The DMX patch can be swiftly configured using the Astera App, which offers full control over SolaBulb and other Astera fixtures that can be combined in the same smart ecosystem, offering all the same set-up features and real-time monitoring.
SolaBulb is perfect for any application from a table centrepiece to an elegant controllable downlighter on set, a mood enhancer for events or an architectural / environmental feature light. Gaffers, DoPs, lighting and set designers and event planners will all love the SolaBulb and its myriad possibilities.
With versatile attributes, including a zoomable fresnel lens, spot and wide-angle beam control, and Astera’s colour science, SolaBulb offers much more than any other bulbs. You can experience SolaBulb in action at Astera’s booth during IBC 2025. It is the latest in Astera’s hugely flexible Bulb family of products, which also includes the popular LunaBulb and the powerful NYX Bulb.
