Tube Lights for Photography & Video

Tube lights are slim, versatile LED fixtures for photography, filmmaking, video production and creative studio lighting. Their long illuminated surface produces soft, even light that can wrap around faces, products and sets, while the narrow form makes them easy to hide in tight spaces or place within the frame as a practical light. Explore compact handheld models, full-length RGBWW pixel tubes and multi-light kits for location or studio work.

Why choose an LED tube light?

An LED tube light combines a broad, diffused light source with a lightweight linear design. It can be used as a soft key or fill light, a coloured accent, a background effect or a visible part of the scene. Tube lights are especially useful for interviews, music videos, product photography, automotive shoots, livestream sets, virtual production and any setup where a conventional panel or COB light would be difficult to position.

Nanlite PavoTube comparison: which LED tube light should you choose?

Nanlite PavoTubes can add a subtle highlight to a product, create a colourful studio background or become part of the scene itself. With C, CP, X and XR models in different sizes, choosing the right tube means looking beyond its length.

Start with three questions: How much space do you need to light? Do you want moving colour effects within the tube? How will you control your lights?

Our starting recommendation is the PavoTube II 15C or 30C for everyday lighting, the II X series for pixel effects, and the II XR series when you also need built-in CRMX wireless control. Compact 6-series tubes suit smaller spaces, while the slim T8-7X is particularly useful as a visible lighting element. PROtog stocks the full PavoTube range and accessories, so you can build a complete setup around your shoot.

PavoTube models at a glance

The applications below are our buying recommendations. Sizes are approximate metric length classes, not exact overall dimensions; check the individual product specifications when planning cases, mounting or confined spaces.

PavoTube II 15C and 30C: everyday lighting

The PavoTube II C models suit controllable white light, saturated colour and familiar lighting effects without needing separate sections of the tube to display different colours. Choose the 15C for portability and placement behind a monitor, beside a desk or just outside the frame. Choose the 30C for longer product reflections, vertical highlights beside a presenter or a visible strip of colour in the background.

The II C range also supports professional workflows, including NANLINK app control and wired DMX/RDM. No CRMX does not mean no DMX. For a first tube-light kit, compare a pair of II 15Cs with a pair of II 30Cs and choose the size you can position effectively in your shooting space.

PavoTube II X versus XR: wireless control

The PavoTube II 15X, 30X and 60X offer pixel control, allowing separate sections to produce different colours and animated patterns. The corresponding 15XR, 30XR and 60XR add built-in LumenRadio CRMX for receiving wireless DMX from a compatible transmitter or production-control system.

If you already own X-series tubes, they remain useful. For a new production kit, choose XR if CRMX is part of your workflow now or a realistic next step. If you mainly adjust lights individually or through NANLINK, compare the available X and XR kits against your budget. A compatible CRMX transmitter is still required to send control signals; a phone's Bluetooth connection is not a CRMX system.

What do pixel effects actually do?

A conventional colour tube changes colour or flashes as a whole. A pixel tube can show different colours along its length and move those colours through the tube, creating travelling highlights, animated backgrounds and visible patterns. The PavoTube II 30XR has 16 controllable pixel zones. Pixel zones and effect presets are different specifications: 10 pixel effects does not mean 10 pixels.

For a steady background colour, pixel control may add little to your daily work. When the tube features prominently in the frame, it can become a significant creative tool.

Choosing between 15, 30 and 60 sizes

• 15-size tubes (approximately 60 cm): easier to transport and hide in smaller sets.
• 30-size tubes (approximately 1.2 m): a useful balance for studio backgrounds, longer product highlights and visible practical lighting.
• 60-size tubes (approximately 2.4 m): suited to large sets and long continuous lighting elements, with greater transport and support requirements.

A longer tube is not automatically the right key light. Position, distance and subject size affect the result. For interviews, a tube can work well close to the subject, while a larger soft source may suit broader facial coverage or greater working distance.

PavoTube II 6C, 6CP and 6XR: compact lights with different priorities

The compact PavoTubes fit inside shelving, behind props, around tabletop sets and in other places where a larger tube would be awkward. The 6C is a straightforward choice for simple accents and portable colour. The 6CP adds a larger battery, stronger mounting magnets, NFC-assisted Bluetooth pairing and a physical power switch. Its NANLINK group effects should not be confused with separate pixel zones inside each tube.

The 6XR adds pixel effects, CRMX and DMX/RDM capability for small lights that need to participate in a larger controlled setup. Choose the 6CP for general compact lighting and the 6XR when pixel effects or production control justify the upgrade.

PavoTube T8-7X: slim tubes for visible lighting designs

The T8-7X combines a slim format with pixel effects. Consider it for graphic lines behind a performer, repeated tubes across a background or lightweight handheld lighting. It supports NANLINK control and wired DMX/RDM through the specified optional adapter. Use mounting clips designed for the T8-7X rather than assuming larger-tube clips will fit. Assess output separately if your main purpose is illuminating a subject from a distance.

Check the generation, not just 15C or 30C

PavoTube 15C and PavoTube II 15C are different generations. Read the complete model name when comparing listings. The II generation changes controls, charging, diffusion and connectivity. If you are expanding an existing kit, tell us which generation you own so we can check control and accessory compatibility.

Choosing the right tube light

Size and output

Short tube lights are convenient for handheld work, tabletop photography and discreet placement. Approximately 60 cm and 1.2 m tubes provide more output and a longer reflection across people, vehicles and products. Approximately 2.4 m models can create large graphic highlights or illuminate wider sets. Compare output, beam characteristics and working distance as well as physical length.

White light and colour modes

Bi-colour and RGBWW tube lights let you match warm interiors, daylight or mixed lighting conditions while maintaining accurate skin tones. Full-colour modes can produce saturated colours without gels, and many models include HSI, gel and lighting-effect modes. Pixel-capable tube lights divide the fixture into independently controlled sections for animated chases, gradients and other programmed effects.

Power and runtime

Many portable tube lights include an internal rechargeable battery, making them quick to deploy without visible cables. Larger fixtures and extended shoots may benefit from mains power, external battery options or multi-light charging solutions. Check the stated runtime at your expected brightness and colour setting, as battery life varies with output and operating mode.

Control options

Depending on the model, control may be available from onboard buttons, a mobile app, DMX, wireless DMX or LumenRadio CRMX. App control is useful for small crews and fast colour changes, while wired or wireless DMX suits larger sets where several fixtures need to be grouped, addressed and cued precisely. Confirm the control features of the individual product before ordering.

Tube light kits for production

Single-light kits are ideal for adding a portable fill or accent. Two- and four-light kits make it easier to build symmetrical backgrounds, light groups of people or create matching effects across a set. Larger production kits may include charging equipment and protective cases for transport. Choose the kit size that suits both your creative setup and the way your crew travels.

Mounting and shaping tube lights

Tube lights can be handheld, placed on the floor, suspended safely or mounted to stands and grip equipment using compatible clips, holders and brackets. Barn doors, grids and waterproof housings can provide additional control or protection where supported. Always use accessories specified for the tube’s diameter and weight, secure overhead fixtures with an appropriate safety attachment and keep mounting hardware within its rated load.

Build your PavoTube accessory kit

Browse PavoTube holders and mounting options and match holders, clips, floor stands and clamps to the exact tube model. Compatible PavoTube grids and barndoors help keep light off backgrounds, lenses or nearby subjects. For long sessions, browse PavoTube power supplies, battery options and cables and confirm the voltage, connector and model compatibility before ordering. Plan safe cable routing. Check charging-case compatibility separately from storage-case compatibility: a carrying case, hard case and charging case serve different purposes, and similar-looking kits can include different mounting or power accessories. Browse PavoTube cases and case-equipped kits and check the listed contents before ordering.

Shop the PavoTube tube lights, kits and accessories range online, using the model links above to find options for your setup. Check the exact model and generation stated on each accessory listing. Need help confirming compatibility? Call 03 8822 2248 for advice.

Tube lights for photography and video

For portraiture and interviews, place a tube close to the subject for a soft edge or use it as a hair light behind the subject. In product photography, the long source creates clean highlights on bottles, polished surfaces and curved objects. For video, RGB and pixel effects can add depth to backgrounds, motivate colour from within a scene or create repeatable animated looks. Multiple tubes can also be arranged into geometric patterns for music videos, events and branded content.

Shop Tube Lights at PROtog

Browse tube lights from specialist lighting brands including Nanlite, with options for solo creators, photographers, filmmakers and professional production crews. Compare size, colour engine, pixel effects, battery runtime, control methods and kit contents to find the right lighting setup. For compatible power, bags, mounting hardware and light-shaping tools, explore our Lighting Accessories and Studio & Gripping ranges.

Tube Lights FAQs

Are tube lights suitable for lighting faces?

Yes. The long diffused surface can create flattering, even illumination, particularly when positioned close to the subject. For a more neutral result, select a white-light setting that matches the surrounding light and check the fixture’s colour-accuracy specifications.

What is the difference between RGBWW and pixel tube lights?

RGBWW describes a colour engine that combines coloured LEDs with dedicated warm- and cool-white LEDs. Pixel control allows separate sections of the tube to display different colours or brightness levels at the same time. A tube light may offer both features, but availability varies by model.

Can tube lights run without mains power?

Many models include an internal battery, while others support external batteries or require an AC power supply. Review the product specifications for battery type, charging time and expected runtime before planning a location shoot.

Can tube lights appear in the shot?

Yes. Their clean linear shape and full-colour capability make them popular as in-frame practical lights. Position and brightness should still be balanced for the camera exposure, and any mounted fixture must be secured safely.