2000W tungsten Fresnel spotlight with stepless focus from 10° to 60°; industry standard key light for film and television production.
Technical Details
The standard Blonde operates with a 2000W tungsten halogen lamp (type CP40 or FEL) at 220-240V. The 203mm diameter Fresnel lens system allows for continuous focusing between spot (10°) and flood (60°) positions. The die-cast aluminum housing typically weighs 8-12 kg and reaches operating temperatures of up to 400°C at the front. Modern variants such as the Arri 650 Plus or Ianiro Piccolo additionally offer DMX control and electronic dimming functions. Lamp life averages 75-200 hours depending on the manufacturer and dimming level.
History & Development
Mole-Richardson introduced the first commercial 2000W Fresnel series in 1946, after Hollywood studios demanded more powerful alternatives to the 1000W "Baby." Arri followed in 1962 with the legendary Arri 2K, which is still produced today. In the 1980s, manufacturers like Ianiro and Desisti revolutionized the design with improved ventilation systems and more precise focusing mechanisms. Since 2010, LED panels like the Litepanels Gemini have increasingly displaced classic Blondes, as they consume only 180W with comparable light output.
Practical Use in Film
Blondes serve as standard workhorses for key light and fill light in medium to large productions. Cinematographer Roger Deakins extensively used Arri 2K Blondes for the warm interior scenes in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017). Typical workflow: placement 3-5 meters from the subject, diffusion through 216 Lee or Opal Frost filters, control via dimmer board. Advantages: high light output, precise beam shaping, proven reliability. Disadvantages: high power consumption (9A at 230V), extreme heat generation, heavy cabling required.
Comparison & Alternatives
Blondes are positioned between 800W Redheads (too weak for large sets) and 5000W Seniors (too powerful for confined spaces). HMI daylight fixtures like the Arri M18 offer higher efficiency but require ballast units and more complex wiring. LED alternatives like the Aputure 600D deliver equivalent light output at 20% of the power consumption but cost four times as much to purchase. Kino Flo tubes are better suited for broad illumination but do not achieve the focusing capability of a Blonde.