Creamsource has announced its new C3, a 3000W full-color LED Fresnel, which is the first fixture in a new product line. The C3 is fundamentally different from a lot of other options on the market, as it was designed as a dedicated Fresnel, and not a point-source light with an attachment.
The C3 was designed to be very familiar to a classic Fresnel, but with a lot of upgrades and enhancements under the hood, including a proprietary optical design and advanced thermal management. It’s IP65-rated with an integrated power supply, and it features the same rugged build quality and attention to colour accuracy and consistency as the Vortex series.
Key features
- Seven-Color BCGLARD LED Engine
- Fixed Lens
- Beam Angle: 18-60°
- Superior Shadow Quality
- Creamsource Color Management System
- Web GUI & FrameSync
- High-Speed Shooting Capability
- Liquid Cooling
- IP65-Rated for All-Weather Reliability
- LNX Allows Fixture Arrays
According to Creamsource, the fixture has been in development for more than four years. There have been a lot of prototypes, and most importantly, feedback from testers in the field.
Rather than starting with an all-purpose fixture and adding a Fresnel attachment, the C3 was purpose-built as a self-contained Fresnel. The reason behind this was to come up with an accurate representation of an old-school Fresnel when it comes to the field of light, the quality of the shadows, and the way the light focuses. Optics, power, cooling, and rigging all followed on from that decision.
The optical system has been tuned around beam uniformity, a smooth roll-off, minimal color fringing, and crisp shadow quality. The Fresnel lens itself remains fixed in its position, with spot-to-flood movement happening inside the unit from 18° to 60°, all of which can be controlled either via DMX or manually by an avionic speed control paddle.
“We want people to have options. Sometimes the right tool is a panel, sometimes it’s a Fresnel. Versatility is great, but there’s also something to be said for knowing exactly what you’re building and why. We make lights. What DPs and gaffers do with them is far more interesting.”
Tama Berkeljon, CEO of Creamsource
The C3 draws 3000W, which Creamsorece claims delivers on average 10,000 lux at 10m / 32.81′ in full spot and 1,500 lux at 10m / 32.81′ in full flood. That amount of power comes with a lot of heat that has to be managed. The C3’s advanced thermal management system is claimed to maintain a delta of no more than 5°C from point to point on the light engine.
A newly designed 7-color BCGLARD ( blue, cyan, green, lime, amber, red, and deep red) engine delivers full-color control, extending the native Vortex gamut by 20% and covering over 92% of Rec. 2020. Like Vortex, it runs Creamsource Color Management System (CCMS) for accuracy and consistency across fixtures.
The fixture body is wrapped in a cage designed to be grabbed, handled, and rigged, while LNX forms the building block for joining fixtures together into larger C3 arrays. According to Creamsource, the square Fresnel lens minimises gaps and shadowing between emitting areas when fixtures are combined, all helping to reduce the diffusion required on arrays.
Above, you can see some of the accessories that will be available.
To mark the launch of C3, Creamsource made a new short film with director Arden Tse and cinematographer Luo Pan, ASC, CNSC, that was shot on 35mm.
Pricing & Availability
The Creamsource C3 starts at $18,800 USD, and it will be available to order beginning November 2026, with first shipments expected in Q2 2027.
The light is backed by Creamsource’s five-year warranty and real customer service (not chatbots) on the other end of the line when you need them.
If you are attending IBC next week, you will be able to see the C3 at Hall 12, Stand G50.
