K5600 Alpha: 18kW xenon spotlight by K5600 with 9-inch Fresnel lens and continuously variable spot-to-flood adjustment (15°–60°), producing 50,000 lux at 3m.
Technical Details
The Alpha operates with an 18,000-watt Xenon short-arc lamp powered by an electronic ballast. The optical system consists of a 9-inch Fresnel lens system with stepless spot-flood adjustment from 15° to 60°. The fixture achieves an illuminance of 50,000 lux at 3 meters distance in spot mode. The cooling system uses a quiet axial fan and maintains the operating temperature below 80°C. The product family also includes the Alpha 9 (9kW) and Alpha 12 (12kW) variants.
History & Development
K5600 Lighting introduced the Alpha series in 2003, after the French company had been developing HMI fixtures since 1985. The Xenon technology was intended to eliminate the disadvantages of conventional HMI lamps, particularly color shift over their lifespan and flicker during high-speed shooting. In 2008, the revised Alpha 18K+ followed with an improved ballast and higher efficiency. In 2015, K5600 expanded the portfolio with LED hybrid versions, combining Xenon quality with LED flexibility.
Practical Use in Film
The Alpha 18K serves as the key light source for major productions or as a powerful fill light for exterior shots. Cinematographers use it for daylight shooting in studios, where its high light output is diffused or bounced. For "Blade Runner 2049," Roger Deakins used K5600 fixtures for the high-contrast interior scenes. The constant color temperature allows for seamless color matching with other daylight sources. The drawback lies in the high power consumption of 20kW, including the ballast, and the necessary 32A power supply.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to ARRI M-series HMI fixtures, the Alpha offers more stable color rendering and less flicker, but costs approximately 40% more. LED panels like the ARRI SkyPanel S360-C achieve similar light output with lower power consumption but cannot fully replicate the light quality of Xenon discharge lamps. Modern alternatives include the ARRI Alpha series (independent of K5600) or LED walls, which are increasingly replacing Alpha fixtures on virtual production sets.