Chimera Lighting
Chimera Lighting is a US-based, Colorado-headquartered manufacturer founded in 1980 that designs and handcrafts collapsible fabric lightbanks, softboxes, speed rings, and modifiers for film, video, and still photography professionals, sold direct, through rental houses, and via ARRI distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersErie, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Chimera Lighting does
Chimera Lighting is a privately held American manufacturer founded in 1980 by photographer Gary Regester and mountaineering engineer Tom Frost, headquartered in Frederick, Colorado. The company designs, sews, and assembles a comprehensive portfolio of fabric light-modification products for the film, video, and still photography industries at a single Colorado facility, with materials sourced and produced in the United States.
Its core technology is the collapsible fabric Lightbank, invented in 1980 and continuously iterated with proprietary Speed Ring mounting systems that allow a single lightbank to attach to a broad range of fixtures. The portfolio spans softboxes (Super Pro X, Pro II, Video Pro Plus, OctaPlus, Octa Beauty, F2X Overhead, TECH, Daylite, Quartz), frameless POP Banks for panel-style LEDs, honeycomb grids and Lighttools fabric egg crates including the patented ez[POP] tensioning system, lanterns, panel frames, tube-style LED modifiers (TubePro), and continuous-light fixtures (Triolet, Birdcage). A wholly-owned subsidiary, Dinkum Systems, provides flexible mounting accessories.
Chimera sells primarily direct-to-consumer through chimeralighting.com, by phone, and by email, supplemented by a global network of production rental houses and an exclusive distribution arrangement with ARRI for Orbiter and SkyPanel accessories. Pricing spans from approximately $5 for grip accessories to over $15,500 for large-format F2X overhead lightbanks, with a 5-year warranty on lightbanks, speed rings, and light-control accessories. The company has 40+ years of brand presence in production rental channels and supports over 20 lighting fixture brands including ARRI, Aputure, Profoto, Nanlite, Creamsource, Litepanels, and Broncolor through dedicated speed-ring and lightbank integrations.
Chimera Lighting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chimera Lighting
- Legal name
- Chimera
- Website
- https://chimeralighting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Chimera Lighting is a US-based, Colorado-headquartered manufacturer founded in 1980 that designs and handcrafts collapsible fabric lightbanks, softboxes, speed rings, and modifiers for film, video, and still photography professionals, sold direct, through rental houses, and via ARRI distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chimera Lighting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Film and Photography Lighting Equipment
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights) (IMAGAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lighting & Studio Equipment Retail (Flash, Continuous, Modifiers, Backdrops) (CRACAHAF)
Keywords
Where Chimera Lighting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erie
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chimera Lighting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Lightbanks and Softboxes: One-time purchase of physical light modification products including Lightbanks, softboxes, octabanks, and POP banks. Products range from compact modifiers to large overhead systems.
- Hardware Sales - Speed Rings and Mounts: One-time purchase of speed rings, adapters, and mounting hardware that connect Lightbanks to various lighting fixtures.
- Hardware Sales - Grids and Light Control: One-time purchase of honeycomb grids, fabric egg crates, barn doors, and other light control accessories.
- Hardware Sales - Panel Frames and Grip: One-time purchase of aluminum panel frames, grip equipment, booms, stand adapters, and accessories for professional lighting setups.
- Replacement Parts: One-time purchase of replacement parts including egg crates, grids, butterflies, lantern components, speed ring parts, and fabric screens.
- Rental Services: F2X overhead Lightbanks are available for rental directly from Chimera and through rental houses worldwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Softboxes & Lightbanks - $109 to $15,517 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Grids - $118 to $1,531 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Speed Rings - $13 to $693 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Panel Frames & Kits - $187 to $2,635 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hardware & Grip - $5 to $195 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ARRI Products - Not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Chimera Lighting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chimera Lighting designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted collapsible fabric Lightbanks, softboxes, POP Banks, speed rings, grids, panel frames, lanterns, and light fixtures for professional film, video, and still photography productions. All products are sewn and assembled at the company's Colorado, USA headquarters using US-sourced materials, and are compatible with over 20 leading lighting fixture brands through the proprietary Speed Ring mounting system.
Product overview
Chimera Lighting is a manufacturer of professional lighting control products for film, video, and photography. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Colorado, USA, the company produces a comprehensive portfolio of handcrafted light modification equipment. The core product lines include Softboxes and Lightbanks (featuring Super Pro X, Pro II, Video Pro Plus, OctaPlus, Octa Beauty, F2X Overhead, TECH Lightbanks, Daylite, and Quartz series), POP Banks for LED panels, Grids and Egg Crates including Lighttools fabric grids and ez[POP] products, Panel Frames, Speed Rings in multiple configurations (Poly, Metal, Quick Release, OctaPlus), Lanterns (standard and Pancake), and light fixtures (Triolet, Birdcage, Mogul Socket). Supporting products include Hardware and Grip equipment, TubePro lightbanks for tube-style LEDs, and Dinkum Systems flexible mounting solutions. All products are designed, sewn, and assembled at their Colorado headquarters with a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dinkum Systems: Flexible arms, clamps, lens shades, and microphone holders designed for filmmakers and photographers. As part of the Chimera family, Dinkum products provide reliable and adaptable solutions for dynamic shoot demands.
Products and services
- Softboxes & Lightbanks
- POP Banks
- Pro Series OctaPlus
- OctaPlus
- Octa Beauty
- F2X Overhead Lightbank
- TECH Lightbanks
- Video Pro Plus
- Daylite Junior
- Daylite Standard & Senior
- Quartz Lightbanks
- Super Pro X
- Pro II
- Grids & Egg Crates
- ez[POP] Soft Egg Crates
- Panel Frames
- Speed Rings
- Hardware & Grip
- Birdcage Lanterns
- Panel Lantern
- Triolet
- Birdcage
- TubePro
- Lighttools Fabric Grids
- Dinkum Systems
- Replacement Parts
Quantifiable outcome
- Products remain in production rental use even after decades of use
Companies that use Chimera Lighting
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Chimera Lighting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Chimera Lighting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- LiteGearcorePartnership to create the Panel Lantern and F3 products. The Panel Lantern merges LiteGear's advanced LED technology with Chimera's proven Lightbank durability and performance. F3 provides overhead lighting solutions for large-scale productions.
- LighttoolscoreLighttools' soft fabric grids and ez[POP] Soft Egg Crates are sold through Chimera. These grids provide precision light control by focusing light where needed while minimizing spill. The ez[POP] design features a built-in tensioning frame for quick, perfect setups.
- Dinkum SystemscoreDinkum Systems offers flexible arms, clamps, lens shades, and microphone holders for filmmakers and photographers. As part of the Chimera family, Dinkum products provide reliable and adaptable solutions to meet dynamic demands of shoots.
- ARRIcoreChimera produces extensive product line for ARRI SkyPanel (S30, S60, S120, S360, X21, X23) and Orbiter fixtures. Products include Lightbanks, POP Banks, Lanterns, and grids. SkyPanel accessories sold exclusively through ARRI distribution.
- AputurecoreChimera produces light modification products for Aputure fixtures including Nova P300C, Amaran line, and LS 600d. Products include POP Banks and various Lightbanks designed for Aputure's LED fixtures.
- ProfotoChimera offers speed ring inserts and adapters compatible with Profoto strobe systems, enabling Profoto users to mount Chimera Lightbanks on their equipment.
- Nanlite and NanluxcoreChimera produces light modification products for Nanlite and Nanlux LED fixtures including Forza fixtures and electronic speed rings designed specifically for Nanlux electronics.
- CreamsourcecoreChimera produces Lightbanks, Lanterns, and grids for Creamsource Vortex series fixtures (Vortex4, Vortex8, Vortex24, and Micro), as well as speed rings for Creamsource Space X.
- LitepanelscoreChimera produces POP Banks and Lightbanks for Litepanels Astra fixtures and other 1x1 LED panels, providing soft light modification for Litepanels users.
- BroncolorcoreChimera offers speed rings compatible with Broncolor flash systems including Pulso, Flashman, Primo, and HMI fixtures, enabling Broncolor users to utilize Chimera Lightbanks.
- Various Lighting ManufacturerscoreChimera supports over 20 lighting brands including Amaran, ETC, Fiilex, Lupo, Nila, Cineo Lighting, and more through compatible speed rings and Lightbank products.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chimera Lighting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Westcott: Long-established US manufacturer of softboxes, umbrellas, and lighting modifiers for professional and prosumer photographers and videographers. Overlaps Chimera on octa softboxes, beauty dishes, and quick-setup modifiers.
- Lighttools: Manufacturer of soft fabric grids and egg crates — Chimera's technology partner for the ez[POP] Soft Egg Crate line. Competes directly with Chimera's rigid honeycomb grids and Lighttools grids are also sold through Chimera's site, making it a partner-competitor.
- DoPchoice: Direct competitor headquartered in Germany/US that makes Snapbags, Snapgrids, and octagonal light modifiers for the same professional film and photography market. Most head-to-head rival to Chimera in softbox and light-modifier form factors.
- Matthews: Industry-standard grip and lighting support equipment maker (C-stands, booms, flags, frames). Chimera's Hardware & Grip line — including ActionPod, clamps, and stand adapters — directly overlaps Matthews' grip accessories for film/photo productions.
Broad incumbents
- Profoto: Swedish premium flash and continuous lighting manufacturer that also makes its own softboxes, OCF beauty dishes, and umbrellas. Competes with Chimera on modifier form factors (Profoto OCF Softgrid vs. Chimera ez[POP]) while Chimera sells speed rings compatible with Profoto strobes.
- ARRI: German premium lighting fixture maker (SkyPanel, Orbiter, L-series) and Chimera's exclusive distribution partner for Orbiter and SkyPanel modifier accessories. Chimera is deeply intertwined with ARRI's flagship panel products and is the default modifier ecosystem for ARRI users.
- Litepanels: Vitec-owned LED panel lighting manufacturer whose Astra and Gemini fixtures are supported by Chimera POP Banks and Lightbanks. Competes with Chimera's fixture partners (Aputure, ARRI) at the light source level while Chimera modifies its output.
- Broncolor: Swiss premium flash and HMI lighting manufacturer (Pulso, Primo, Flashman) for which Chimera sells compatible speed rings. Broncolor also makes its own P-soft and octa modifiers, making it an incumbent competitor-modifier producer in the same premium segment.
Emerging players
- Nanlite / Nanlux: LED lighting brands whose Forza and PavoTube fixtures are supported by Chimera lightbanks and speed rings. Growing rapidly in film/TV production and a key Chimera partnership as the LED ecosystem expands.
- Aputure: Fast-growing LED lighting manufacturer (LS 600d, Nova P300c, Amaran line) that Chimera produces dedicated POP Banks and Lightbanks for. Aputure is rapidly moving upmarket and could increasingly compete with Chimera on built-in/affordable modifier solutions.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Chimera Lighting social profiles
Digital presenceChimera Lighting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chimera Lighting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Chimera Lighting subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Chimera Lighting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chimera Lighting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chimera Lighting
What does Chimera Lighting do?
Chimera Lighting designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted collapsible fabric Lightbanks, softboxes, POP Banks, speed rings, grids, panel frames, lanterns, and light fixtures for professional film, video, and still photography productions. All products are sewn and assembled at the company's Colorado, USA headquarters using US-sourced materials, and are compatible with over 20 leading lighting fixture brands through the proprietary Speed Ring mounting system.
Is Chimera Lighting a public or private company?
Chimera Lighting is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Chimera Lighting founded?
Chimera Lighting was founded in 1980. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Chimera Lighting based?
Chimera Lighting is headquartered in Erie, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chimera Lighting make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Lightbanks and Softboxes are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales - Speed Rings and Mounts, hardware Sales - Grids and Light Control, hardware Sales - Panel Frames and Grip, replacement Parts and rental Services.
Who are Chimera Lighting's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Westcott, Lighttools, DoPchoice and Matthews. Broad incumbents are Profoto, ARRI, Litepanels and Broncolor. Emerging players are Nanlite / Nanlux and Aputure.
Does Chimera Lighting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chimera Lighting.
What industry is Chimera Lighting in?
Chimera Lighting's product category is Professional Film and Photography Lighting Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAIAK, Specialty & Task/Workstation Lighting (Inspection/task lights, cleanroom/food-grade, portable work lights), with a secondary code of CRACAHAF, Lighting & Studio Equipment Retail (Flash, Continuous, Modifiers, Backdrops). Its NAICS code is 33513 and its SIC code is 3640.