Last Updated 3 months ago
Definition
Chimera is a U.S.-based lighting company best known for manufacturing high-quality collapsible softboxes, lightbanks, and diffusion accessories used in film, television, and photography. Founded in Boulder, Colorado in the 1980s, Chimera has become one of the most trusted names in soft lighting, synonymous with durability, portability, and beautifully diffused light.
The company’s flagship products—often referred to simply as “Chimeras”—attach to a wide range of lights, transforming hard, directional sources into soft, flattering illumination.
Purpose and Use
Chimera softboxes are designed to soften and control light from fixtures such as Fresnels, HMIs, LEDs, and strobes. They are a staple in lighting setups where a natural, diffused quality is needed—especially for interviews, close-ups, and beauty work.
Key benefits include:
- Soft, even output: Reduces harsh shadows and contrast.
- Portable design: Collapsible frames make setup and teardown fast.
- Compatibility: Works with most major light brands through speed rings and adapters.
- Durability: Built to withstand on-set wear and heat from powerful sources.
Common Types of Chimera Products
- Lightbanks / Softboxes: Fabric enclosures that diffuse light, available in sizes from small “XXS” to large studio banks.
- OctaPlus Series: Octagonal softboxes that produce round catchlights for portrait and beauty lighting.
- Quartz Banks: Heat-resistant versions for tungsten and HMI fixtures.
- Speed Rings: Metal mounting adapters that connect the softbox to different lampheads.
- F2 / F3 Overhead Systems: Modular fabric lighting systems used for large-scale diffusion.
On-Set Applications
Chimeras are frequently used for:
- Key lighting for interviews or dialogue scenes.
- Soft overheads in studio or stage environments.
- Bounced or diffused light in controlled interior setups.
- Lighting talent evenly during green screen or product shoots.
Their portability and modular design make them a go-to tool for gaffers, cinematographers, and photographers alike.
Why It Matters
Chimera helped standardize soft lighting in modern production. Before their introduction, achieving controlled soft light often required bulky diffusion frames or makeshift rigs. The Chimera’s compact, reliable design brought professional-quality diffusion to any set, influencing nearly every softbox design that followed.
Related Terms
- [Softbox] ? A collapsible modifier that diffuses light for softer shadows.
- [Diffusion] ? Material that scatters light to reduce contrast and hardness.
- [Key Light] ? The primary light source illuminating a subject.