Arri dual-source luminaire combining HMI and tungsten lamps for mixed-color lighting. Delivers 32,000 lumens at 5600K (HMI) and 28,000 lumens at 3200K (Fresnel) with independent focus control.
The system operates with two separate ballasts: an electronic 2000W ballast for the HMI component and a standard dimmer for the tungsten portion. The HMI side delivers 32,000 lumens at 5600K, while the Fresnel achieves 28,000 lumens at 3200K. The yoke mount weighs 18.5 kg and requires a class 3 heavy-duty stand. Both lamps can be focused independently: the HMI from a 12° to 55° beam angle, and the Fresnel from 8° to 65°. Power consumption is a maximum of 3.2 kW at 220V operation.
Arri developed the Mombo Combo in 1987 in response to the complex lighting requirements in mixed-light situations. Cinematographer Sven Nykvist first used the system during the filming of "Pelle the Conqueror" (1987) to achieve seamless day-night transitions. In 1994, the Mombo Combo Plus followed with improved cooling and DMX control. Since 2003, Arri has integrated LED modules as a third light source, and in 2019, full electronic control via app was added.
Roger Deakins extensively used the Mombo Combo on "Skyfall" (2012) for the scenes in the Shanghai skyscraper to simultaneously simulate warm interior light and cool exterior light. The system is particularly suitable for complex interiors with window light or mixed-light situations in office buildings. The workflow requires precise pre-planning of color temperature balance and separate filtering of both components. Disadvantage: The high weight limits mobile use, and the power consumption requires 32A connections.
Unlike classic Kino Flo-Banks with separate daylight/tungsten tubes, the Mombo Combo offers pinpoint light control. Modern LED panels like the Arri SkyPanel S360-C are increasingly replacing HMI/tungsten combinations with stepless color temperature adjustment from 2800K to 10,000K. For budget productions, gaffers often use two separate 1K Redheads with CTB/CTO filtering as a cost-effective alternative, but they sacrifice the precise mechanical coupling and uniform light characteristic of the Mombo solution.
Ich schätze die präzise Kontrolle über beide Farbtemperaturen in einem Mount – das spart mir ständiges Umbauen bei Mischlicht-Setups. Die unabhängige Fokussierung beider Brenner ermöglicht subtile Lichtmodellierung, allerdings erfordert die Leistung von 3,2 kW saubere Stromversorgung und das Gewicht limitiert flexible Positionierung erheblich.
Die Mombo Combo gibt mir die kreative Freiheit, emotionale Farbtemperatur-Shifts in einer einzigen Einstellung zu realisieren – von warmem, intimem Tungsten zu kühlem, distanziertem Tageslicht. Ich kann psychologische Übergänge visuell unterstützen, ohne auf Schnitt oder Kamerabewegung angewiesen zu sein, was besonders bei langen Dialogsequenzen dramaturgisch wertvoll ist.
Mit 850€ Tagesmiete plus separater Gaffer für die Bedienung ist die Mombo Combo eine teure Lösung, die sich nur bei komplexen Mischlicht-Situationen rechtfertigt. Der 18,5kg-Mount erfordert zusätzliche Grip-Ausrüstung und verlängert Setup-Zeiten um etwa 30 Minuten pro Position – moderne LED-Alternativen sind kosteneffizienter und schneller einsatzbereit.
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Mombo Combo"?
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