Arrisun VS Arri Fresnel

[King Cheung]

Dear All,
I am wondering the difference between Arrisun PAR and Arri Fresnel compact, both HMI. It seems that somehow Arrisun is still kind of open face but with different lenses, and Arri Fresnel comes with a glass in the front. Am I right? Please do kindly correct me.
Then in terms of functions, what are the differences? Is it Arrisun brighter? Then what is the advantage of the glass of Arri Fresnel?
Please do give me your first hand experience.
Thanks.
King

 

[Ariel Weiss]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/102982-REG/Arri_512365_Arrisun_12_Plus_HMI.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664968-REG/Arri_518500_M18_HMI_Lamphead_110_220VAC.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583781-REG/Arri_Compact_1200_Watt_HMI.html

Actually, now you have not only two but three types to compare as shown above. The m18 can be fitted with 1200w bulb so a direct comparison is possible. so, what does each one?

Fresnel has the most quality light, sharp and even which make it possible for use as direct light when needed such as through the window, slot of unclosed door etc. It has the widest range from spot to flood
but at the cost of output, it is half as bright as a par.

Par is great for output but with poor light quality which leads to use almost always through diffusion or bounce (exept for large night exterior or when used from far away so it gets sharper anyway) It has lenses but rather limited range from spot to flood even with full set of lenses (about 8-40 degrees)

And the new folk, the m18 (babymax) is open face, so there is no light loss for lens which lead to greater output by 70% more than par. Great? yes but it can't be spotted for more than 20 deg. (it is 20-60)
and light quality is not as good as fresnel. so:

For quality light as hard source choose fresnel.
For great output but with no real spot chose m18.
For great output and spotting ability choose par.
You might want to look at source 4 joker bug which does it all (but it is 800w)

 

[King Cheung]

Thanks a lot. It is a great information!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/102982-REG/Arri_512365_Arrisun_12_Plus_HMI.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/664968-REG/Arri_518500_M18_HMI_Lamphead_110_220VAC.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583781-REG/Arri_Compact_1200_Watt_HMI.html

Actually, now you have not only two but three types to compare as shown above. The m18 can be fitted with 1200w bulb so a direct comparison is possible. so, what does each one?

Fresnel has the most quality light, sharp and even which make it possible for use as direct light when needed such as through the window, slot of unclosed door etc. It has the widest range from spot to flood
but at the cost of output, it is half as bright as a par.

Par is great for output but with poor light quality which leads to use almost always through diffusion or bounce (exept for large night exterior or when used from far away so it gets sharper anyway) It has lenses but rather limited range from spot to flood even with full set of lenses (about 8-40 degrees)

And the new folk, the m18 (babymax) is open face, so there is no light loss for lens which lead to greater output by 70% more than par. Great? yes but it can't be spotted for more than 20 deg. (it is 20-60)
and light quality is not as good as fresnel. so:

For quality light as hard source choose fresnel.
For great output but with no real spot chose m18.
For great output and spotting ability choose par.
You might want to look at source 4 joker bug which does it all (but it is 800w)

 

[Paul Hudson]

Pars are also more efficient than fresnels.

 

[Mark Collins]

I'd go with a par everytime over a fresnel. The reason being that should I so choose, I can make that par a fresnel if I want to.

The Arri M18's, though good heads, are not rented very often. They draw about 20 amps worth of power, which is fine if you're off a generator truck and have stepped down properly to a dief box, but not so fine if you're running off wall power.

Arri lights in general are just awesome. There's a reason they're one of the most popular lights. An efficient design, lightweight and with good ventilation, make them ideal. Much better than Moles.

 

[D Fuller]

I'd go with a par everytime over a fresnel. The reason being that should I so choose, I can make that par a fresnel if I want to.

How can you make a PAR into a fresnel?

 

[Scott H.]

How can you make a PAR into a fresnel?

With a drop-in lens. Though unlike a regular Fresnel, it will usually not focus like a dedicated Fresnel.

In production parlance, a PAR is not the same as an open-face (though some PAR's, like K5600, are technically open-faced). Anyway, I, too, prefer PAR's for HMI's. Unless you can have as much of anything as you want. The PAR is simple and efficient, with a specially designed reflector which results in more light output than a Fresnel. You use them with lens kits, dropping in different types of lenses to shape the beam. Fresnel, spot, wide, medium, etc.

All HMI's that I own are PAR's. In all of my tungsten lighting, none of my Mole or Arri fixtures are PAR's (though I do own Source 4 PAR's).

 

[Adam Eden]

Go the ARRI MAX 18k thats is AWESOME. Can't get much better than that!

 

[Nick Gardner]

I'd go with a par everytime over a fresnel. The reason being that should I so choose, I can make that par a fresnel if I want to.

I wouldn't totaly discount fresnels. I'll take a Fresnel over a par every time ;-) Lighting with big fresnels is not done so much anymore because they are heavy and big, and need guys. A par is a lot more work grip wise to be usable. You can put a 6k HMI fresnel next to the camera, flood it out, turn it on, and you are done. with a par, you would at least need a 4x4 frame of diffusion to smooth out the hotspot, and then it's not a hard light anymore. Pars are great for long reach and for bounces. I love big 24" fresnels, you can't beat them. The first generation arri HMIs were replacing brute arcs. the quality that you get out of such a large lens is unique. It's such a large source that it's not as hard as you'd think, but it's very easy to cut, and very very smooth.

Nick

 

[Rob Ruffo]

We have a Big Eye from K5600 (who make Joker Bugs) best of both worlds - also awesome is a joker with a Source 4 - cleanest shadows ever and self-flagging.

for teh price I prefer Jokers - and we've never had a need for more than 800watts in Montreal daylight.

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

We have both PAR and Fresnel HMIs. In general, I much prefer the Fresnels, as the quality of the light more than makes up for any shortcomings with respect to light output. We generally just use our PARs for bouncing or firing through diffusion or, especially, for shafts through windows. Our Fresnels can be used for anything and are just plain easier to control.

Of the lights you can find on Ebay, we prefer the DeSistis, as most of theirs have no fans in their ballasts, which makes a HUGE difference for audio recording.

Stephen