The PH213 is the heavyweight of the practical bulb family, a 250-watt frosted A21 photographic lamp that packs serious output into a bulb that still fits a standard household socket. Built originally for photo enlargers, its evenly frosted envelope and compact size have made it the film industry's favorite lamp for hot china balls, hero practicals, and any fixture that needs to genuinely light actors rather than just glow in the background.
Inside a paper lantern, a PH213 turns the lantern into a proper soft key, bright enough to carry a close-up on its own while keeping that wraparound china ball quality DPs love. In a table lamp or sconce, it gives the gaffer room to dim way down on a hand squeezer and still have a working source, picking up a pleasing warm shift as it dims. The roughly 3050K tungsten output blends cleanly with 3200K fixtures across the set. Compared to its sibling the PH212, the PH213 delivers noticeably more punch in exchange for more heat and shorter lamp life, so give it breathing room in enclosed fixtures, keep it off the paper, and always stock spares.
At 250 watts from a medium base, this is about as much light as you can pull out of a standard practical socket, which is exactly why electricians never load in without a box of them.
• ANSI code: PH213 photographic lamp
• Wattage: 250W at 120V
• Bulb shape: A21 with even frosted envelope
• Base: E26 medium screw, fits standard fixtures
• Color temperature: approximately 3050K warm tungsten
• Top choice for bright china balls and hero practicals
• Runs hot; allow ventilation and keep spares on hand
PH213 250-watt practical bulbs are in stock for purchase at Lightbulb Rentals' NYC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh locations and can be added to any rental order alongside your lighting package.
