Professional tungsten light fixture providing 12 kilowatts of warm illumination for studio production.
Technical Details
The T12 operates with a 12kW halogen-metal halide lamp at 220V and achieves a color temperature of 3200K. The anodized aluminum housing measures 90 x 70 x 80 cm with a weight of 45 kg without a stand. The Fresnel lens can be adjusted between spot and flood positions via a mechanical gear system. The reflector is made of highly reflective, coated glass. 63-amp CEE connectors are required for operation. Available variants include the T12 Plus with improved ventilation and the T12 SE (Special Edition) with extended barndoor mounts.
History & Development
Arri introduced the T12 in 1987 as the successor to the T10 series, developed by chief engineer Klaus Eder at the Munich facility. The spotlight quickly established itself as a standard for major film productions and television studios. In 1995, the revised T12 Plus version followed with optimized cooling and reduced operating noise. In 2003, Arri expanded its range with modern LED panels, but the T12 remains relevant for special applications where high light output with a warm color spectrum is required.
Practical Application in Film
Cinematographer Roger Deakins used T12 units for the night scenes in "Skyfall" (2012) to ensure lighting for large outdoor sets. The spotlights are particularly suitable for daylight fill through windows, bounce light over large diffusers, and as key lighting in studios with high ceilings. The stepless focus allows for precise light shaping without filter changes. Disadvantages include high power consumption, heat generation of up to 80°C on the housing, and the weight, which requires at least a heavy-duty stand.
Comparison & Alternatives
In contrast to the smaller T5 (5kW), the T12 offers triple the light output with a proportionally larger beam angle. Modern LED alternatives such as the Arri SkyPanel S360-C achieve similar light levels with lower power consumption and variable color temperature, but cannot achieve the pinpoint intensity of the T12. HMI lights like the Arri M90 produce more lumens at the same power but require electronic ballasts. The T12 remains unrivaled in applications requiring warm, continuous light with high intensity.