Honeycomb-patterned light modifier made from black aluminum that narrows the beam angle and prevents lateral spill on spots.
Technical Details
Standard honeycomb grids have cell sizes ranging from 6mm to 25mm in diameter with cell depths from 12mm to 50mm. The beam angles vary depending on the geometry: 40° grids with 12mm cell depth for soft control, 20° grids with 25mm depth for medium control, and 10° grids with 40mm+ depth for sharp light control. The cells are made of matte black anodized aluminum or heat-resistant ABS plastic. Mounting is done via standardized filter frames or magnetic mounts. Light loss typically ranges from 0.5-1.5 stops depending on the grid density.
History & Development
Honeycomb grids originated in the 1940s in Hollywood studios in response to the need for precise light control in black and white films. Mole-Richardson developed the first standardized grids in 1947 for their 2K and 5K Fresnel spotlights. In the 1960s, Chimera established the modular grid system for softboxes. Since the 1990s, CNC-milled precision grids made from aircraft aluminum have enabled tolerances under 0.1mm. LED technology led to temperature-neutral plastic grids with integrated color correction starting in 2010.
Practical Use in Film
Cinematographer Roger Deakins extensively used 20° grids in "Blade Runner 2049" for controlled light strips in interiors. Emmanuel Lubezki employed 10° grids in "The Revenant" to simulate natural daylight through treetops. In portrait shots, 40° grids create the classic "beauty light" effect without light falloff on the background. In multi-camera setups, grids prevent lens flares from stray light from adjacent fixtures. The workflow requires precise positioning, as even a 15cm deviation can miss the desired light circle.
Comparison & Alternatives
Barn doors offer coarser light control but without the soft edge of grids. Snoots create sharper circles, but without gradation. Fresnel lenses alone create wider, less controlled beams. Modern projection fixtures like the Arri SkyPanel with iris control are increasingly replacing grid setups for complex light shapes. LED panels with digital beam control offer stepless beam angles from 6°-80°, but do not achieve the organic light quality of analog honeycomb systems.