Colbor CF5 for Photographers and Videographers: A Practical Review
The Colbor CF5 is a compact portable fog machine designed for photographers, videographers and content creators. It produces an impressive amount of fog for its size, comes with some genuinely useful accessories and makes adding atmosphere to a shoot surprisingly easy. It is not something I would use on every job, but for product photography, stylised portraits and more cinematic video work, it can be a very handy creative tool.
There are certain bits of photography and video equipment that you buy because you absolutely need them, and there are others that exist mainly to give you another creative option. The Colbor CF5 definitely falls into the second category.
A portable fog machine is hardly going to be the first thing I recommend buying when you start building a photography or videography kit. However, once you have the important stuff covered, something like the CF5 can be a surprisingly useful way of introducing a bit more atmosphere, depth and drama into otherwise fairly straightforward scenes.
That is really where I think the Colbor CF5 makes sense.
It is compact, relatively budget-friendly and requires very little effort to create an effect that can make quite a significant difference to the final image or video. For product photography, stylised portraits, interviews, B-roll and certain documentary-style sequences, I can absolutely see it earning a place in the kit bag.
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What is the Colbor CF5?
The Colbor CF5, also known as the CineFlare CF5, is a small battery-powered fog machine aimed primarily at photographers, filmmakers and other visual creators.
Despite its relatively compact dimensions, COLBOR rates the machine at 40W and gives you control over both the intensity and speed of the smoke output. The two controls combine to provide 25 different smoke-density settings. There is also an adjustable magnetic fan, an RGB light, remote operation and several accessories designed to change the way the fog is dispersed, one of the things I like most about the CF5.
It is not simply a case of pressing a button and getting a huge uncontrolled blast of smoke. You have quite a lot of scope to change how the effect looks depending on what you are trying to achieve.
There is even a Master Mode that lets you control the duration of the smoke, the interval between bursts and the number of repetitions. You Probably will not need that level of control every time you use it, but it is nice to have.
A surprisingly decent amount of fog
The main question with any compact fog machine is fairly obvious: does it actually produce enough fog to be useful?
In the case of the Colbor CF5, I would say yes.
For something this small, there is a decent amount of output. You are obviously not buying this to fill a huge venue with theatrical smoke, but that is not really what it is designed for either.
For a tabletop product setup, a portrait scene or a relatively contained video location, it is capable of adding a noticeable amount of atmosphere without having to bring along a large mains-powered fog machine.
In many situations, I think less is actually more anyway.
A little bit of fog drifting through a beam of light can be much more effective than completely filling a room. It can help separate a subject from the background, emphasise lighting and give the scene a sense of depth that simply was not there before.
That is also why it works particularly well alongside interesting lighting. If cinematic photography is something you are interested in, this ties in nicely with some of the ideas in my guide to creating cinematic-looking photographs.
The accessories make it far more useful
Another strong point is what you can actually do with the supplied kit.
COLBOR includes a magnetic fan and RGB light alongside various tubes, adapters and a flexible pipe. There is also a remote, which the manufacturer rates for operation at up to 10 metres. Accessories like these are what turn the CF5 from a bit of a novelty into something genuinely useful.
The fan gives you some control over where and how quickly the fog moves. The tubing and different nozzle options make it easier to put the effect in a specific part of your scene rather than simply pointing the machine towards the subject and hoping for the best.
The RGB element is an interesting addition too.
I am not sure I would use coloured light directly on the fog for every shoot, particularly when I already have separate lighting available, but it gives you another option when you are working quickly or deliberately trying to create something more stylised.
Source: YouTube - Herman Huang
Colbor CF5 for product photography
Product photography is probably one of my favourite potential uses for the Colbor CF5.
You generally have a lot of control over a product photography setup. The camera is fixed, the lighting is controlled and the subject is not going anywhere.
That gives you time to introduce small amounts of fog and see exactly how it interacts with your lighting.
For certain products, it can immediately change the mood.
Imagine something like a bottle, a piece of technology, sports equipment or another product where you want something slightly darker and more dramatic. A carefully positioned bit of fog behind or around the product can give your lighting something to interact with and add depth to the background.
The supplied accessories are particularly useful here because you can direct the fog into a relatively small area.
You do not necessarily need the entire room filled with smoke. Sometimes you just want a little movement behind the product or a layer close to the surface it is sitting on.
Obviously, this style will not suit every commercial brief. Plenty of product photography needs to be bright, accurate and clean.
However, when the brief allows something more creative, the CF5 gives you another tool to work with.
Using the CF5 for portraits
Portrait photography is another obvious use.
Fog can be brilliant for adding separation and atmosphere, particularly when combined with backlighting or coloured lights.
For a more stylised portrait shoot, I can see the Colbor CF5 being really effective.
It is small enough that you can position it fairly precisely, and being battery powered means you are not immediately worrying about running extension leads around the set.
Again, restraint is important.
I would rather start with a tiny amount and gradually build the effect than fire clouds of fog into every frame. The idea is generally to enhance the photograph rather than make the fog itself the subject.
Used carefully, though, it can transform a relatively simple setup into something that feels considerably more cinematic.
Using the Colbor CF5 for video
I probably find the CF5 even more interesting for video.
There is something about subtle movement in the atmosphere that works incredibly well on camera.
For an interview, for example, adding a little haze into the background can help practical lights and other light sources become more visible. It can introduce depth without necessarily making the shot look like somebody has deliberately turned on a smoke machine.
For documentary-style shoots, music content, short promotional videos and cinematic B-roll, you can obviously push things further when the style calls for it.
The remote also becomes useful here.
Rather than constantly walking back to the fog machine, you can position it where you want it and trigger the effect more easily while working around the camera.
For brands producing regular photo and video material, it is exactly the sort of relatively simple technique that can help create a few more distinctive shots within a wider social media content shoot.
One important warning: use it carefully
This is probably the most important part of the review.
The Colbor CF5 is not a toy.
You are dealing with a device that heats liquid to produce fog, and you absolutely need to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before using it.
COLBOR's own guidance tells users to ensure the chamber contains sufficient liquid, particularly when first setting up the machine. The company says dry burning can damage the chamber and may result in weak or unstable smoke, a burnt smell or even flame bursts. The CF5 also incorporates an automatic overheat protection system on current versions. Read the supplied user guide properly rather than treating it as something you can immediately fill, switch on and start waving around.
Be aware of your surroundings. Think about what is above, below and immediately in front of the machine. Keep it away from anything that could present a fire risk and make sure the location itself is suitable for fog effects before you start.
You also need to consider smoke detectors, alarms, venue restrictions and the other people working around you.
On a commercial job, I would always rather have a slightly less dramatic shot than create an unnecessary safety problem.
Source: YouTube - Nightowl
It can be a little messy
Another thing worth knowing is that I have noticed the CF5 can occasionally splatter slightly.
That can leave some residue from the fog liquid around the immediate area.
I suspect this is not unique to this particular machine, although I have not used enough competing portable foggers to make a fair direct comparison.
Either way, it is something to be aware of.
I would be particularly cautious around valuable products, clothing, delicate surfaces, camera equipment or anything else where residue could become an issue.
Think about where you are positioning the nozzle and do a test before firing it directly towards something important.
For product work in particular, that little bit of preparation is worthwhile.
Is it something I would use on every shoot?
Definitely not.
And I actually think that is important to say.
Creative effects stop feeling particularly creative if you force them into absolutely everything.
There are plenty of photography and videography jobs where fog would be completely inappropriate. A straightforward corporate headshot, documentary event coverage or clean commercial product image probably does not need artificial atmosphere drifting through the frame.
The Colbor CF5 makes sense when the visual style suits it.
That could be a moody portrait, a dramatic product photograph, an interview with more cinematic lighting or a piece of branded video content where you deliberately want something with a little more visual impact.
For those situations, having a compact fogger available can be extremely useful.
For everything else, it can stay in the bag.
Is the Colbor CF5 good value?
This is probably one of the bigger attractions for me.
Portable fog machines are a fairly specialist bit of equipment. Unless your particular style relies heavily on atmospheric effects, you may struggle to justify spending a huge amount of money on one.
The Colbor CF5 sits at a more budget-friendly level while still giving you a good amount of fog output and a surprisingly comprehensive selection of accessories.
That makes the proposition quite appealing.
You do not need to use it on every shoot for it to be worthwhile. If it helps you create a handful of stronger images or gives you an extra option when a video scene needs something more, it has done its job.
I think that is a healthier way of looking at equipment like this than convincing yourself it suddenly needs to become part of every production.
Colbor CF5 review: final thoughts
I like the Colbor CF5.
It is one of those slightly unusual tools that can have a much bigger impact on a shot than its size would suggest.
The amount of fog it produces is impressive enough for the smaller-scale photography and video work I would realistically use it for, while the fan, remote and different attachments give you plenty of scope to experiment.
I particularly like it for product photography, stylised portraits and more cinematic video setups.
It is also relatively straightforward to introduce into an existing lighting setup. You can produce a fairly dramatic change to the atmosphere of a scene without completely rebuilding everything around it.
There are caveats.
You need to use it carefully and follow the instructions. The occasional splatter and residue mean I would think twice about positioning it too close to anything delicate. And this is definitely a specialist creative tool rather than something every photographer or videographer desperately needs.
But that is perfectly fine.
Used on the right shoot, the Colbor CF5 is a practical and relatively affordable way to add some extra atmosphere and drama without a huge amount of effort.
And sometimes, that little bit of atmosphere is exactly what a scene needs.
🔴 FAQ’s
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Yes. I think the Colbor CF5 is particularly well suited to product photography and stylised portrait photography. Fog can add depth, make lighting more visible and help create a more cinematic atmosphere.
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Yes. It can work particularly well for cinematic interviews, branded content, music videos, documentary-style sequences and B-roll. Subtle fog or haze can add depth and make background lighting much more noticeable.
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It needs to be treated sensibly and used in accordance with COLBOR's instructions. In particular, you should avoid allowing the chamber to run too low because dry burning can damage it and potentially cause unstable output or flame bursts. You should also consider smoke detectors, venue rules, ventilation and anything potentially flammable around your shooting area. (COLBOR) the Colbor CF5 leave residue?
In my experience, it can occasionally splatter slightly and leave some residue from the fog liquid. I would therefore test your setup first and avoid placing the output extremely close to delicate products, surfaces or equipment.
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I think it makes most sense for photographers, videographers and content creators who occasionally want a more dramatic or cinematic look. Product photographers, portrait photographers and filmmakers working on stylised interviews or branded content are probably going to get the most from it.
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About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK/US are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
The Colbor CF5 is a compact portable fog machine designed for photographers, videographers and content creators. It produces an impressive amount of fog for its size, comes with some genuinely useful accessories and makes adding atmosphere to a shoot surprisingly easy. It is not something I would use on every job, but for product photography, stylised portraits and more cinematic video work, it can be a very handy creative tool.