Large HMI fixture starting at 12kW, used for daylight-balanced illumination of expansive exterior areas.
Technical Details
Standard Dinos operate with 5K, 10K, or 20K tungsten lamps at a color temperature of 3,200 K. The Fresnel lens allows for spot-flood adjustment between a 10° and 60° beam angle. The luminous flux is approximately 90,000 lumens for 5K models and reaches 350,000 lumens for 20K units. Power consumption ranges from 21-83 amperes, necessitating CEE high-power connectors or separate generators. Modern HMI Dinos with 6K or 12K daylight lamps (5,600 K) achieve comparable light output with lower power consumption.
History & Development
The first large-scale film lights emerged in Hollywood in the 1920s as studios transitioned to larger productions. Mole-Richardson developed the first commercial 10K spotlight in 1927. ARRI introduced the T-series in 1982, which became an industry standard. With Osram's HMI technology from 1969 onwards, more efficient daylight Dinos were developed, displacing tungsten models for exterior shoots starting in the 1980s. LED Dinos, such as the ARRI SkyPanel S360, have been revolutionizing the industry since 2016 with variable color temperature and reduced power consumption.
Practical Application in Film
For "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), Roger Deakins used HMI Dinos to simulate daylight on interior sets. For "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), Freddie Young employed 20K Tungsten Dinos as fill light against the harsh desert sun. In television studios, 5K Dinos are standard equipment for talk shows and magazines. The typical workflow requires a 30-45 minute warm-up time for tungsten lamps to reach full light output, whereas HMI Dinos are ready immediately but require ballasts.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to smaller 2K fixtures, Dinos offer triple the light output but require correspondingly more infrastructure. LED panels like SkyPanel or LitePanel are increasingly replacing traditional Dinos due to lower heat generation and energy consumption. Space Lights serve as a soft alternative for broad illumination, while Dinos provide directional light. For exterior shoots, modern 2K HMI arrays compete with traditional 12K Dinos through better portability and comparable light output.