bob bates

Mark- I am a fan of both Arri M series lights and Jokerbug's and I've tested the Joker 1600 zoom. I own Arri M1.8 & M40 and wanted to add the 1600zoom to my package as well. At this time, I have not purchased one, I'm sticking to the Arri M1.8 because I already own it and it's easier for me to continue down that same road of having the same equipment; ballast, head feeders and scrims. The Joker 1600 zoom is a very nice light and sounds like it will fit your needs very well. The benefit that might serve well for you is how compact it all is in it's case. I come from a production company background and know the importance of trying to load into a vehicle or moving around a factory or office building quickly. One other great thing about the Joker's is they are backed by K5600 which I've had GREAT customer service with in the past. Good customer service goes a long way in my book. If I have any issues at all, I know I can reach out to someone there and they will take care of me, mail me a replacement part or service my fixture(s). disclaimer: I do not work at k5600, just a proud owner of their products.

I'm a fan of the M series lights and own a few, M1.8 & M40. I wanted to LOVE the M8 like I do the others in the series. BUT, here are my thoughts. I was in the market for an 800w light so I compared the two, tested them both. The M8, while a very nice light, is not as versatile as the Joker 800 bug or zoom. The K5600 Jokerbug 800 Zoom is a lensless competitor to the M8. Here are the reasons I chose to purchase the Joker 800 Zoom over the M8; Joker has a smaller head feeder and ballast, bother lighter. Joker can be converted into a Jo-Leko configuration. Joker fits nicely into their white case, same size case as the 200 & 400 fixtures. I recommend testing the M8 and seeing if it fits your needs. best, bob