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Get the Most Out of Your Lighting Fixtures with Optima's Floor Stand

By BulbAmerica Editor

Though you may be used to seeing your PAR cans hanging above your head, it doesn’t mean they have to be. Optima’s Floor PAR Can Stand allows you to get more out of your PAR cans or other lighting effect units. By mounting the yoke of your PAR can or other lighting effect fixtures to the stand, and then securing it using the provided bolt and hexagonal nuts, you can experience your lighting in a whole new way. By floor mounting your PAR can, you can provide your stage or other event with the benefits of the smooth and even light of your PAR cans in a wall-washing, up-lighting, or accent lighting capacity. The mounting stand is a useful tool for all production houses and churches, but it is especially handy for smaller or traveling venues and DJs that are looking to maximize their lighting options while using a minimum of lighting fixtures.

Optima’s floor lighting stand will fit PAR 36, PAR38, PAR46, PAR56, PAR64 cans and will support any fixture under 15lbs. Its steel construction and simple design make this stand extremely durable and great for being taken on the road. Get more out of your PAR cans and other lighting by getting an Optima floor stand, your audience will thank you for it!

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | lighting, lights, par can, par36, par38, par46, par56, par64, stage | 0 comments | Read more

Followspots: Make Your Performance Stand Out Today

By BulbAmerica Editor

The followspot is an essential light fixture to any theatre or church’s lighting arsenal. The followspot is crucial to directing the attention of the audience and emphasizing certain actions and characters. Today, followspots are technologically advanced and come with numerous options and features which can seem intimidating and bewildering. This article will serve as a guide to followspots that will hopefully help you make an educated decision regarding which followspot is right for you. One of the most important specifications you will want to pay attention to in selecting a followspot is the throw distance, or the distance that the follow spot should be from the stage in order to provide an optimal spot. To determine what throw distance you need, you measure the distance from where the follow spot will be situated to the stage, or area on stage, where followspot illumination will take place. Generally, for small venues such as small churches and theaters, a follow spot with a throw of 25ft to 100ft is sufficient. Time Square Lighting’s 410FS has this throw rating and is ideal for smaller venues. Larger venues will generally require a follow spot with a throw distance of 200ft or more.Time Square Lighting’s MOON 1200 is ideal in larger venues with substantial distances between the spot and the stage.

Throw distance is not the only specification you will want to pay attention to when choosing a followspot. The point of the followspot is to highlight a certain character or action onstage against whatever else is taking place, this means that the spot of light must stand out against whatever other light, if any, is present on stage. You therefore must ensure that you select a followspot that can support a lamp that will be powerful enough to cut through the light provided by your existing lighting system. You’ll also generally want to have a sense of how bright you want your spot to be. To determine how powerful a lamp you’ll need, you should look for center beam candle power (CBCP) or foot-candle (lm/ft2) specs rather than wattage. This is because followspots and lighting system fixtures (PAR cans, Fresnels,Ellipsoidals, etc.) use different bulb types. Followspots typically use some type of high intensity discharge (HID) bulb whereas a PAR Can or ellipsoidal may use a incandescent, halogen, or even LED bulb. Comparing the wattages of different bulb types would therefore prove misleading. CBCP, which measures the intensity of the light in a specific direction at the center of the beam, and foot-candles, which is the measure of the amount of light that falls upon a surface, are the most helpful measures and should be consulted.

Lastly, followspots come with many features which may determine your followspot depending on your lighting demands. Some followspots come with effects like gobos, dichroic color filters, iris adjustment, blackouts (dousers), and dampers. Manufactures like Chauvet also offer automated follow spots, which use DMX512 protocol and connectivity to control its panning, tilting, color, etc. with a controller. Whatever specifications you need, BulbAmerica has a comprehensive line of followspots and has one to suit your demands. Check us out right now!

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | Ellipsoidals, followspots, lighting, lights, stage | 0 comments | Read more

PAR Cans, Fresnels, and Ellipsoidals, Oh My!: A Guide to Stage Lighting Fixtures

By BulbAmerica Editor

When selecting luminaires for your stage, theatre, or concert venue you are immediately confronted with choosing between three essential fixtures: the PAR can, Fresnel, and Ellipsoidal. Though many websites and magazine articles will tell you that these fixtures are important, few will tell you how they differ and in what applications they are best used. The PAR can is probably the most recognized fixture in theatre lighting. Its parabolic shape and metal housing make it a common sight hanging from a truss system in a theatre. LED PAR cans are also becoming common. PAR cans are known for their intense beams, and if used with a colored gel, deep and saturated colors. PAR cans are used when flat light with soft edges is required. The wide variety of PAR can beam types available make the PAR can’s application in the theatre production very versatile.

The Fresnel is often rectangular and is distinguished by its unique lens and interior track for the bulb. The Fresnel lens consists of a series of concentric circles on the lens’ exterior to allow the light it transmits to travel further. The inside, or back of the lens is pebbled to aid in collecting the emitted light and focusing it. Inside the Fresnel can, the bulb is mounted on a track that slides back and forth, allowing you to change the bulb’s distance from the lens. This feature enables you to change the beam angle from a more spotted beam as the bulb is toward the back of the can to a flooded beam as the bulb is near the lens at the front of the can. Like the PAR can, the Fresnel’s beam is soft-edged. The Fresnel does not have as a large a throw however, and is used in the theatre primarily for general illumination where beam shape is not important and backlighting.

The ellipsoidal, or ERS or Leko, is another common theatre light source. Ellipsoidals have a well-defined beam of light that is focusable using the can’s focus knobs and adjustable barrel to adjust the beam edge. Ellipsoidals often feature a gel frame and template slot for gobos, making it a versatile lighting choice for spotting and the placement of discrete patterns on stage. There are many choices for ellipsoidal bulbs so you have many options for beam angles and many options regarding where in theatre you will position your Ellipsoidal. There are also a number of LED and plasma Ellipsoidals currently manufactured and surely more will appear on the market as alternative bulb types to the incandescent are developed.

Hopefully this guide has shined some light on the differences between PAR cans, Fresnels, and Ellipsoidals and will help you make an informed decision regarding your own lighting system. As usual, contact our experts or add your questions to the comment box of this article if you have any. Good luck!

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | Ellipsoidals, gel sheet, lighting, lights, png, stage | 0 comments | Read more

A Lighting Guide for Your Church on the Go

By BulbAmerica Editor

In the July issue of Church Production Magazine, Greg Persinger wrote on the increasing trend of “mobile campus” churches. These mobile churches require the same excellent lighting as traditional churches but require their lighting systems to be easily transportable. Devising a proper system for a mobile lighting system can be both intimidating and challenging, but hopefully this article will provide you with some ideas on how to get your mobile lighting system rolling. Selecting what you will mount your lighting system on is one of the first decisions you will have to make. In order to decide whether you need a tripod stand or a truss system you will need to figure out how many and what size par cans, ellipsoidals, pin spots, etc. you require for your service. Tripod stands typically come in 9-ft or 10-ft spans with a 30lbs and 100lbs maximum weight load respectively. If your lighting needs exceed the limitations of these stands, then a truss system is most likely for you. In addition to being to bear more weight, trusses come with the added benefit of being able to fly lightweight speakers. Truss systems come in non-crank or crank-up versions. They typically have 10-ft spans with maximum loads of 200lbs to 300lbs. The truss systems themselves weigh around 85lbs.

Another crucial decision you will need to make will regard what type of par cans and other types of lighting you will want to use. The heart of your lighting system will be a combination of PAR cans and/or ellipsoidal lights. For your par cans you will need to select a par can size and bulb and choose an appropriate beam type and wattage for your specific space. LED par cans should be seriously considered for your mobile lighting set up. Their energy efficiency will reduce the amount you need. Furthermore, LED par cans have on board dimmers, lighting effects, and color changing abilities which will cut down on the number of dimmer packs, gels and other hardware you would otherwise need. The durability of LEDs makes them ideal for regular transportation. LED par cans are often weatherproof in case you want to bring your worship service out of doors. BulbAmerica sells PAR can packages to help you assemble an appropriate lighting system and choose the specifications that are right for you. Ellipsoidal lights feature an ellipsoidal reflector and often a series of lenses, a lens train, an adjustable barrel for focus, a gel frame, and a slot for gobos.

In order to dim and control your lighting you will need a dimmer pack and a control console. Portable dimmer packs, like those made by Optima, feature an easy to use LCD display and will enable you to control your lighting. You will also need a controller. Controllers can be extremely complex and deserve an article unto themselves, luckily we have one on our blog (see “Taking Control of Your Lighting System”). You’ll want to choose a controller that has controls that will be intuitive and easy to use by the light operator, whether that means selecting a controller that uses primarily sliders or a more computer-like interface. You may want to choose a controller that can save your lighting settings and scenes either on the controller’s hardrive or externally on a thumbdrive or CD. No matter what features you end up choosing, you must ensure that your controller is compact and durable enough to survive constant transportation.

Of course you may have more questions than this article is capable of answering. You should always consult an expert rather than make a decision with limited information. Though your church venue may be temporary, the high quality of your worship service should not be. Our experts would be more than willing to field your questions either through email or over the phone. Safe travels!

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | Ellipsoidal, led, lighting, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

Elation's ELAR TRI EX Flood LED: An Innovative Outdoor Lighting Solution

By BulbAmerica Editor

Elation Professional is typically known for its quality stage and DJ lighting products, however Elation’s new ELAR series LED products feature innovative LED lighting solutions for all sorts of architectural lighting applications. One of my favorite ELAR line products is the ELAR EX TRI Flood LED RGB. The 60w TRI Flood features 15 3w Tri-color LEDs and a 40˚beam angle, which makes the TRI Flood a great choice for color washes. With an IP65 rating and durable die cast aluminum housing, the TRI Flood can withstand the elements and provide you with consistent flood lighting no matter what the weather. This unique outdoor flood unit can be operated in numerous modes, making it very versatile. The TRI Flood can be operated using a DMX controller or can be controlled with the optional remote and IR control set up. Foregoing control altogether is also an option, simply set the TRI Flood to run according to its own internal built-in programs or auto mode and you set this unit and forget it.

Elation’s ELAR EX TRI Flood LED RGB is a truly unique outdoor flood unit. Check out or selection of Elation’s other products in addition to our other outdoor LED products, you won’t be disappointed! As usual, leave a comment or question on our blog or Facebook or call us at 1-877-622-0897.

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | color, led, lighting, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

Elation's ELAR EXFLOOD: A Powerful LED Wash

By BulbAmerica Editor

As LEDs continue to prove themselves in architectural lighting applications, LED wash units continue to multiply. In this article I am going to help you separate the wheat from the chaff and direct your attention to Elation’s ELAR EXFLOOD LED wash unit, an LED wash unit that pacts a brilliant punch. The EXFLOOD is a high output LED color changer, powered by 216 LEDs with a 40˚ beam angle for perfect wall washes. The IP65 rated EXFLOOD features a die-cast aluminum housing to make this unit extremely durable. Controllable via stand alone or a DMX controller, the EXFLOOD lends itself to either architectural applications or theatrical applications. Built in strobing and 0-100% dimming gives you a great deal of versatility in crafting the light right for you. The 10lb EXFLOOD is light and compact enough for easy transportation, making it ideal if you design events and are constantly moving your lighting around. Elation’s ELAR EXFLOOD is a great choice for outdoor architectural or entertainment wall washes. It’s formidable light and nearly infinite color capabilities make a stand out performer.

BulbAmerica has the EXFLOOD and many of Elation’s other products in stock and ready to ship today, so check out what we have to offer. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment or question on our blog or Facebook or call us at 1-877-622-0897.

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | color, led, lighting, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

Chauvet's ColoRADO 6 LED Washes Out the Competition

By BulbAmerica Editor

Chauvet has entered the outdoor lighting ring with their IP66 rated ColoRADO 6 wash unit and has served a veritable KO to its opponents. The 149w ColoRADO 6 features 108 one-watt LEDs, each rated at 50,000hrs each, to give the fixture its powerful light. The ColoRADO 6 is perfect for both architectural and entertainment applications. The flicker free functioning of this unit also allows it function perfectly in film and video broadcasting applications. By choosing to control the ColoRAO 6 in a stand alone mode via its on board LED controls you can leave it alone to illuminate the side of a building or a wall. Or, opt to use a controller and control your ColoRADO 6 in 3, 4, 9, or 12 channel modes. By using the dimmer and strobe features, you can introduce dynamic lighting into your wall washing, these features can all be controlled through a password protected LED display on board the ColoRADO 6 itself or via a DMX controller.

Chauvet has outfitted the Colorado 6 with two features to its sturdy construction that make it easy to use. One is that multiple ColoRADO 6 units can be easily interlocked to create a blinder, wall, or strip light effects. Secondly, the intelligently designed ColoRADO 6 can be easily rotated to adjust the angle at which it shines by using two easy to use knobs on either end of the luminaire.

BulbAmerica has ColoRADO 6 units in stock so act now and get yours today! We also stock a wide range of Chauvet’s other products to get your lighting looking great. As usual, leave comments or questions on our blog or Facebook, or give us a call at 1-877-622-0897 with any other further inquires.

By Victor Lopez | 24 November, 2014 | color, led, lighting, lights, outdoor | 0 comments | Read more

Griven's Gobo Projectors Sends Your Logo on the Go

By BulbAmerica Editor

For outdoor projectors and color changers, there is simply no match for Griven. Griven’s gobo projectors, like their outdoor color changers, search lights, and promotional projectors are unmatched in their quality, power, and durability. The Goboclip, Gobostorm, and Gobostorm Plus gobo projectors will project your logo with unmatched brilliance will give your business the attention it deserves. Griven’s Goboclip MK3, Gobostorm, and Gobostorm Plus represent the cream of the gobo projector crop, in this article I will go through some of the key features that make Griven’s gobo projectors great.

The Goboclip comes ready to brave the elements with an IP rating of 65 and a compact and light weight aluminum with a scratch resistant grey coating that allows the Goboclip to remain inconspicuous. The 200w Goboclip uses either a 150w CDM-SA/T 150 metal halide lamp or a 150w HSD 150 metal halide lamp. There are two main differences between these two lamps, the CDM-SA/T150 has an output of 12,900lm and a color temperature 4,200K while the HSD lamp has a slightly lower light output at 12,000lm but has a cooler color temperature at 7,000K. The Goboclip zoom and focus can be adjusted manually, thus allowing you to change the beam angle from anywhere between 19° and 30°. The Goboclip can be controlled in a stand alone mode by using the electronic display at the back of the projector, or it can be used with a DMX controller. The Goboclip is designed so you can be as flexible as you want not only with regard to adjustable beam angle and method of control, but also regarding changing your glass or metal gobos. With the removal of two screws, the entire front of the projector lifts up, allowing you to easily swap in and out gobos and dichroic filters to get your projection perfect.

The 750w Gobostorm is the bigger sibling of the Goboclip. The Gobostorm uses either an MSD or MSR 575w metal halide lamp to ensure that the image being projected can been clearly and at substantial distances. The MSD 575 features a light output of 42,000lm and a color temperature of 6,000K compared to the MSR 575’s 49,000lm output and 7,200K color temperature. The MSD however, has a signficatnly longer life hour rating at 3,000hrs compared to the MSR’s 1,000 life hour rating. The Gobostorm features even more optical variability than the Goboclip with a manually adjustable beam angle of between 10° and 20° via the zoom and focus adjustment. The Gobostorm features the same IP65 rating and die cast aluminum exterior, but also an advanced convection cool system to keep the projector working its best. The Gobostorm shares with the Goboclip its control options as well as convenient and easy access for changing its dichroic filters and gobos. In addition to all of the features of the Gobostorm, the Gobostorm plus has a series on board effects including a mechanical dimmer, a strobe, and special effects (three prisms, five prisms, distortion and frost filters).

The Goboclip and Gobostorm series are among the best outdoor gobo projectors available. Their versatility and durability make them an unbeatable tool for outdoor promotions. BulbAmerica has all of Griven gobo projectors plus more! Check it out.