Ahead of IBC 2023, German manufacturer ARRI introduced a new model in their class-leading SkyPanel series, called SkyPanel X. This new 2×1 RGBACL full-color fixture aims at multiplying (hence the “X” name) the set of features of its predecessors. We couldn’t help but stop by the company’s booth for a hands-on look. Since its launch back in 2015, the ARRI SkyPanel series has been the most likely choice for many pro cinematographers around the world. These fixtures are so famous for their high-quality output, reliability, and durability that it’s almost hard to imagine that ARRI could improve on them. Well, the new SkyPanel X is here and is clearly the result of a huge engineering effort. We already reported on ARRI’s new fixture in great detail in a previous article. You can check it out here. Still, on the show floor at IBC 2023, we met Ben Diaz from ARRI for a quick “fresher up”. ARRI SkyPanel X Soft. Image credit: CineD ARRI SkyPanel X – features Let’s start by first explaining why it took ARRI almost a decade to launch a whole new SkyPanel model. According to Ben, besides the technological challenges of improving the already excellent SkyPanel S60-C, the company wanted to protect the investment of its customers, particularly rental houses. Hence, they didn’t want to update their product line by small bits only one year later but rather wait until the time was right to launch a completely redesigned, ground-breaking light. The new SkyPanel X is a...
Published By: CineD - Monday, 18 September, 2023