Learning About HMI and Plasma Lights

Plasma lights combine the daylight balance of HMIs with the energy efficiency of LED lights to create a powerful light source that's perfect for photography and film. With a color balance that matches daylight, HMI lights are best suited for video lighting. While they produce almost the same lumens per watt as tungsten lights, they don’t produce as much heat, making them a friendlier option.

Why Use Plasma Lights?

Depending on the fixtures, plasma lights are up to eight times more efficient than tungsten lights. This means they consume less power and don't produce any heat. These lights also last for thousands of hours while still maintaining their color temperature. For high-speed photography, choose plasma lights, as they're flicker-free. While plasma bulbs are small, they produce very powerful light that you can use to create the best shadows. This allows you to explore your creativity and create unique lighting for your photography or film.

Why Use HMI Lights?

These lights run cooler and use less power than traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights. They have a color temperature rating of about 5600K, which makes them suitable for daylight shooting. They also have the highest light output, making them suitable for a range of commercial lighting applications.

HMI and Plasma Light Head Types

Floodlights produce broad-beamed, high-intensity light suitable for illuminating large spaces. Spotlights cast narrow light that concentrates on a particular area, making it easier to control. Fresnel lights use special lenses to cast illumination over an area. They produce wide, soft-edged beams of light, which most people use as top lights or backlights.

Take a look at B&H Photo and Video's large selection of HMI and plasma lights to find the right lighting for you needs, whether you're shooting photographs indoors or out or you're a professional videographer.