ARRI M18 HMI

The ARRI M18 is a compact, high-output 1,800 W daylight HMI lamphead from the ARRI M-Series. It combines the True Blue design with ARRIMAX lens-less MAX reflector technology, producing an open-face fixture that is similar in size to a 1,200 W PAR lamphead but delivers around 70% higher light output. Beam focus is adjustable from 15° to 58° without the need for separate spread lenses, which keeps the kit simple on set while still giving you useful flexibility for punchy backlight, strong window pushes, or broader coverage through diffusion. The M18 is designed for 1,800 W single-ended metal halide (HMI) lamps and can also be run with 1,200 W single-ended lamps using compatible 1,200 W ballasts. Correlated colour temperature is specified at 6,000 K, making it a reliable choice for daylight looks and mixing with ambient daylight. For UK production work, the power requirements are practical. ARRI quotes a draw of less than 13 A at 230 V, so with the correct ballast the M18 is well suited to locations and venues where you want strong daylight output without complex power distribution. The lamphead is IP23 rated and uses the True Blue Cross-Cooling system for safe operation across tilt angles, with a robust tilt lock designed to hold position even with larger soft modifiers. In film, TV and commercial production, ARRI M18 hire is a strong option when you need convincing “sunlight” through windows, big backlight, or a hard source to push through diffusion. For high-end corporate and branded content, it comes into its own in larger spaces such as atriums, glass offices, warehouses and outdoor terraces where smaller fixtures can struggle against ambient conditions.