Creamsource C3: a 3000W LED Fresnel built for the long haul

Creamsource C3 is a 3000W full‑colour LED Fresnel designed for cinematography and large‑scale production work, delivering point‑source contrast, tunable beam control and IP65 protection in a road‑ready package. The C3 brings a bespoke Fresnel optical design, a 7‑colour BCGLARD engine and advanced thermal management tuned for stable on‑set performance.

The Creamsource C3 was developed as a purpose‑built Fresnel rather than as a panel with an add‑on attachment. That intent shows in its beam shaping, shadow definition and internal spot‑to‑flood zoom mechanics, which move between an 18° spot and a 60° flood while keeping the Fresnel lens fixed in place.

Creamsource C3: highlights and use

The Creamsource C3 is aimed at cinematographers, rental houses and lighting departments that need a high‑power, colour‑accurate point source for controlled contrast, crisp shadows and large arrays. It extends Creamsource’s Vortex colour space by about 20%, covers over 92% of Rec. 2020 and runs the company’s Colour Management System for fixture‑to‑fixture consistency.

Optics, colour and performance

The C3’s optical system is tuned for beam uniformity, minimal colour fringing and a smooth roll‑off from center to edge. Its 18°–60° internal zoom gives tight spot output for distance work and wide flood for broader coverage. The fixture delivers approximately 10,000 lux at 10 m in full spot and about 1,500 lux at 10 m in full flood.

Design, cooling and rigging

Creamsource designed C3 around thermal reliability and serviceability. A mixed approach to liquid cooling and heat distribution keeps the light engine within a 5°C delta from point to point. The exterior cage doubles as a handling and rigging structure; LNX features let users ganging units into arrays with reduced shadow gaps thanks to the square Fresnel element.

“We want people to have options,” said Tama Berkeljon, CEO of Creamsource. “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.”

Control, connectivity and high speed

Creamsource C3 supports on‑board control and DMX over standard 5‑pin XLR, integrated LumenRadio TimoTwo with BLE, 2× etherCON and USB. A high‑speed mode yields flicker‑free operation beyond 5,000 fps for high‑frame‑rate capture. The unit also includes a sync input for camera shutter triggering.

Pricing, availability & resources

The Creamsource C3 is announced at IBC2026 and carries a manufacturer starting price of $18,800 USD. The product was announced 8 September 2026. The C3 is available now — available now / order today at FilmTools — and Creamsource is showing the fixture at IBC (Hall 12, Stand G50). For manufacturer details and the short film that accompanied the launch, see the Creamsource product page at https://creamsource.com/product/c3/.

About Creamsource: Since 2005, Creamsource has created durable, high‑performance lighting solutions for modern filmmaking, working closely with cinematographers, gaffers and rental partners to build fixtures used across high‑end productions.