The PH211 is the 75-watt member of the legendary PH-series photographic lamps, and the gentlest of the trio that includes the PH212 and PH213. Built for darkroom enlargers, these lamps carry an evenly frosted envelope that spreads light beautifully with no filament hot spot, a quality that made them a quiet favorite among gaffers for small china balls, delicate practicals, and any fixture where smooth, even glow matters more than raw power.
At 75 watts, the PH211 is the china ball bulb for intimate scenes, giving a small paper lantern a soft, flattering presence that can float just out of frame as a close-up fill or hang in frame as a warm decorative source. In table lamps and sconces, it delivers a level between the standard 60 and 100 watt household lamps with noticeably smoother output through shades, and its roughly 3050K tungsten color mixes cleanly with 3200K fixtures and warms sweetly on a dimmer. Because the PH-series envelope is compact for its output, it also fits fixtures where larger high-output lamps will not.
Like its bigger siblings, the PH211 prioritizes photographic quality over lamp life, so keep spares nearby. Many electricians simply stock all three PH wattages and swap between them as the DP dials in exactly how hot each lantern and practical should burn.
• ANSI code: PH211 photographic lamp
• Wattage: 75W at 115-125V
• Evenly frosted envelope with no filament hot spot
• Base: E26 medium screw, fits standard fixtures
• Color temperature: approximately 3050K warm tungsten
• Ideal for small china balls and delicate practicals
PH211 75-watt practical bulbs are available for purchase at Lightbulb Rentals' NYC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh locations, over the counter or added to any rental order with your lighting expendables. Stock a handful with your PH212s and PH213s and every paper lantern in the package becomes a tunable source from prep through the final day.
