ARRI 5/8" Half & Full Scrims

The ARRI 6-5/8" Half and Full Scrims (often referred to when discussing ARRI's 6-5/8 inch accessory line) are essential lighting modifiers designed to precisely control light intensity on professional film and photography sets. Dropped directly into the front accessory slot of compatible lamp heads—most notably the ARRI 650W Tungsten Fresnel, Arrisun 2, and the L5-C LED—these heat-resistant wire mesh screens reduce the light output of the fixture without altering its color temperature or the core shape of the beam. This allows gaffers to dim the output of a light mechanically, which is especially critical when dealing with tungsten fixtures that shift toward a warmer color temperature if dimmed electronically.

The availability of both "full" and "half" variations provides granular control over scene exposure. Full scrims reduce the intensity of the entire light beam evenly, while half scrims feature mesh covering only one half of the metal ring, leaving the other side completely open. This open-sided design allows cinematographers to knock down light on a specific area of the frame—such as a brightly lit background or an actor's white shirt—while leaving the subject's face fully illuminated. To maintain speed on a fast-paced set, the rims are color-coded in green (single) and red (double) so lighting technicians can instantly grab the exact modifier they need.