ARRI M8

Last Updated 15 hours ago

Overview

The complete package requires an approved lamp, compatible electronic ballast and head cable. “Lens-less” describes the absence of beam-spreading converter lenses; the required UV-protection glass and safety enclosure remain essential. The M8 is not a direct-to-mains 800 W incandescent light.

Key specifications

Specification	Details
Lamp class	Only the approved 800 W/SE metal-halide type
Lamp base	G22
Optical design	Open-face MAX faceted reflector with required protective glass
Focus range	15–60°
Nominal daylight colour	Approximately 5600 K; actual lamp and operating condition govern measured colour
Head weight	Approximately 8.4 kg in the July 2025 poster
Packed weight	Approximately 10.7 kg
Poster dimensions, including flange	476 × 350 × 319 mm
Mount	28 mm / 1⅛-inch junior spigot
Listed ballast options	EB MAX 1.8 or EB 575/800 HS, correctly configured for the M8
Accessory sizes	230 mm / 245 mm
Protection	Class I protective earth; IP23
Maximum ambient / surface temperature	45°C / 150°C
Permitted tilt	Up to 90° upward or downward
Clearances in poster	3.5 m to illuminated surfaces; 0.5 m around the head

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

• A hard daylight source supports throw, bounce and large diffusion.
• Matched ballast options support production control.

Limitations

• Lamp, reflector or lens and ballast must be specified as a complete system.
• High-speed performance depends on the actual lamp, ballast mode and camera test.

Practical uses

The M8 is the compact end of the M-Series. A hard daylight head of this size can create a small sun direction, pick out an architectural feature, add an edge from a distance or feed a modest bounce. Its focused field is useful when a broad soft panel would spill into too much of a location.

The focus knob changes the field continuously without a separate spread-lens set. That reduces the number of fragile optical accessories needed for a coverage change. It does not make the head a profile projector: barn doors can control spill, but a sharply focused window image requires a different optical or external shaping arrangement.

Setup	Working approach
Window or exterior push	Choose beam coverage and throw before calculating the required circuit and rig.
Large diffusion	Meter the useful lit area after diffusion and allow for transmission loss.

Back to contents

Output and colour

The M-Series poster lists these M8 readings and diameters. They describe the specified discharge head and focus positions, not a softbox or a different lamp wattage. Narrow focus produces more centre intensity by concentrating the field.

Focus	At 5 m: centre / diameter	At 10 m: centre / diameter
Spot, 15°	16,200 lux / 1.3 m	4,050 lux / 2.6 m
Medium, 40°	3,020 lux / 3.6 m	755 lux / 7.3 m
Flood, 60°	1,600 lux / 5.8 m	400 lux / 11.6 m

Back to contents

Power and batteries

Use the specific approved 800 W lamp. A compatible-looking G22 base alone is not proof that another discharge or tungsten lamp is suitable. Arc position, electrical characteristics, power and UV requirements all matter. Confirm the lamp code, head and ballast compatibility before an operating test.

ARRI lists the EB MAX 1.8 and EB 575/800 HS families for the M8. A multi-wattage ballast still needs the correct operating configuration. The lamp’s nominal operating voltage is separate from the ballast’s mains input; do not connect the head directly to a household outlet or ordinary tungsten dimmer.

The model datasheet identifies compatible international-connector head cables in ARRI’s 575–1800 W family. Use the approved cable and permitted extension arrangement, rather than treating connector similarity as unlimited compatibility. Include the ballast, cable and local supply connector when specifying a rental package.

Control, cooling and camera operation

The M8 can be used in a high-speed system when paired with the suitable ballast and lamp. The head name alone does not identify the operating frequency, available modes or camera result. Check the ballast model, selected frequency, lamp condition and the intended shutter/frame-rate combination.

A discharge system’s ballast adjustment is not the same as LED dimming from zero to one hundred percent. Use the documented ballast range and appropriate scrims or other approved light control when needed. Allow the lamp to reach a stable condition before judging colour and exposure, and avoid making a hot-restrike promise for an unidentified old lamp/ballast combination.

Back to contents

Modifiers, rigging and the working package

The M8 uses the documented 230/245 mm accessory family, including appropriate barn doors, scrims, snoot, spill ring and compatible lightbank hardware. An accessory should fit its intended slot and be positively retained. Check whether the kit has the clear or frosted protective-glass arrangement relevant to the planned beam.

Removing converter lenses is a normal PAR workflow; removing the M8’s required UV-protection glass is not. Inspect that glass and the front-door safety arrangement, and never bypass an interlock. Disconnect the head as instructed and allow cooling before lamp work; ignition voltage and hot discharge lamps require the proper service procedure.

The poster specifies 3.5 m to an illuminated surface and 0.5 m around the head, with a 45°C maximum ambient and 150°C maximum surface temperature. Those are meaningful planning limits for a small location. Keep ventilation clear and follow the actual unit’s label and instructions.

Use support rated for the head, accessories and cable load, plus appropriate secondary retention for overhead use. IP23 is the head’s protection classification; it does not make every ballast, mains plug and cable junction suitable for unrestricted rain exposure. Plan the complete electrical package and weather protection.

Back to contents

Alternatives and related fixtures

Inspect reflector condition, protective glass, lamp holder, door latch/interlock, focus mechanism, yoke, spigot and electrical connectors. Test the ballast and head cable as part of the system after their electrical condition is established. A cheap head without the right ballast, approved lamp or sound cable is not a complete working bargain.

A daylight LED may simplify dimming, battery use and colour stability, while another discharge head may provide more output at a different beam size. Compare complete systems at the required field and throw. The M8’s useful combination is a compact 800 W discharge head, adjustable MAX reflector and existing professional ballast/accessory infrastructure.

Fixture	Choose it for
ARRI M-Series	Compare the exact lamp class, reflector and compatible ballast.
High-output LED spotlight	A different power, dimming and modifier system; compare coverage as well as centre lux.

Back to contents

What people are saying

Mike Wagner: the compact M-Series head

ARRI’s Mike Wagner introduces the 800 W M8 as the smallest M-Series head using MAX reflector technology. This is a manufacturer product explanation rather than a measured comparison. View the source.

Videos

ARRI M8: family guide

A demonstration or system guide; use the exact model’s lamp and ballast documentation.

Back to contents

Rental and used-fixture checks

Check the exact model and revision, complete power package, mounting hardware and control leads. Inspect lamp holders, protective glass and ballast connections. Test the intended operating level, fade and camera settings before rigging.

Documentation and specifications

Official M8 page, M8 datasheet, M8 operating instructions and M-Series technical poster.

Product photograph: ARRI official product photograph.

Back to contents

Browse Arri lights · HMI lights · all equipment.