The Colortran Mini-Lite 10 is a highly portable and durable tungsten halogen studio light designed for professional use in film, television, and still photography, especially in location shooting scenarios.

The Colortran Mini-Lite 10 is a compact and versatile tungsten halogen studio light that was widely used in professional film, television, and portable studio setups. Its key selling points were its lightweight and durable design, built with an aluminum housing that weighs less than 6 pounds and is under 3 inches deep when the barndoors are closed, making it exceptionally portable for location work. This design was a major advantage for crews needing to transport equipment easily and set up in confined spaces. The fixture accommodates a wide range of double-ended tungsten halogen lamps up to 1000W, offering flexibility for different lighting needs. The inclusion of a one-piece specular reflector and an integral four-leaf barndoor assembly provides users with excellent control over the beam, ensuring sharp cutoffs and even light distribution, a critical feature for achieving specific lighting effects in professional environments.

The lighting instrument's robust construction and thoughtful engineering made it a reliable workhorse in the industry for many years. The heavy-duty sockets were designed for improved cooling and increased lamp life, crucial for demanding, continuous operation environments. The Mini-Lite 10's optical system is centered around a specular reflector and easily accessible socket assembly for quick lamp replacements without special tools. For mounting, it typically features a heavy steel yoke with a C-clamp, allowing it to be securely attached to pipes up to 2 inches in diameter, or a stand model with a combo stud for use with various stands. While primarily an AC-powered fixture, its versatility with different lamp wattages and operating voltages (120V/240V AC/DC options) meant it could be adapted to various power sources on location.

Despite its age and the eventual shift to newer lighting technologies, the Colortran Mini-Lite 10 remains a sought-after piece of used equipment in many production circles, primarily due to its high build quality, dependable performance, and affordability on the used market. Reviewers and users often praise the quality of light it produces and the durable, all-metal body. Finding replacement parts or specific compatible stands can be a minor challenge today due to the brand's less common status compared to current market leaders, but its core functionality as a powerful, controllable, and compact lighting solution ensures its lasting relevance in budget-conscious or vintage production kits. The primary safety consideration noted by some users is the open-face design on certain models, which requires the use of a safety cable to prevent injury in case of a bulb shatter.