800W HMI

Overview

"800W HMI" refers not to a single lamp, but to a wattage class of daylight-balanced HMI (Hydrargyrum Medium-arc Iodide, a metal halide discharge lamp) fixtures. These units provide color-stable, daylight-balanced light (around 5600 K, up to 6000 K depending on the lamp) with significantly higher light output and lower power consumption than tungsten lights of comparable brightness. The 800-watt head is one of the most popular HMI sizes for mobile sets, interiors, interviews, and ENG because it combines high output in a case-friendly format with moderate power requirements.

Common examples in this class include:

• K5600 Joker-Bug 800 / Joker2 800 – PAR fixture with a beam reflector and set of interchangeable lenses; according to the manufacturer, its light output is comparable to a 4000W tungsten/quartz fixture, drawing only around 11 A.
• ARRI M8 – lensless Fresnel/PAR hybrid with MAX reflector; the 800W version achieves a light output close to a 1200W Fresnel/PAR (with lens), focusable from 15° to 60°. According to ARRI, the M8 head is exclusively designed for the 800W lamp (no 575W operation). The often-encountered designation "575/800W" refers to the dual-wattage ballast, which can power separate 575W heads or the M8 at 800W – not the M8 head itself.
• K5600 Alpha 800 – convertible fixture (Fresnel / Open-Eye), 5600 K, with an electronic ballast.

Technical Specifications

Values vary depending on the model and lamp. The following data are from manufacturers or rental houses and are exemplary:

Lamps in this class are typically single-ended (often G22 socket). In addition to daylight versions (~5600–6000 K), there are also warm white 800W HMI lamps around 3200 K – for example, the OSRAM HMI Studio 800 W (G22). This is a quartz HMI metal halide lamp (not a ceramic/CDM lamp) that mimics tungsten color temperature, combining HMI efficiency with a warm light character. HMI lamps are ignited with high voltage and always require an electronic or magnetic ballast; electronic ballasts with high frequencies (e.g., 1000 Hz) enable flicker-free shooting at high frame rates.

Set Usage

The 800W HMI is a workhorse for daylight-balanced tasks where power or space is limited: fill light indoors, window matching to daylight, interview and documentary lighting, and small bounce and diffusion setups. Due to its high efficiency, it can often be powered from a standard household outlet, where a tungsten fixture of equal brightness would overload the circuit. PAR variants like the Joker-Bug, with their interchangeable lenses, are suitable for everything from hard spots to soft area lighting; the ARRI M8 provides a clean, even beam with a sharp shadow.

Practical Tips:

• HMI lamps emit strong UV radiation – do not operate without an intact protective lens/glass (UV and splinter hazard).
• Allow hot lamps to cool before moving; many heads require a hot-restrike-capable ballast for immediate re-ignition.
• For high-speed shooting, ensure flicker-free/square-wave ballasts and appropriate frequency.
• Over their lifespan, HMI lamps tend to shift slightly towards green/blue – plan for color correction and, if necessary, minus-green filters.