Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: LED par cans

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stageman 2
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Player

Joined: 8/20/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13

Topic: LED par cans
Posted: 12/21/08 at 9:37pm

We are about to do an upgrade to our lighting system and are considering using some LED Par 46 cans. Does anyone have any input as to the suitability of these lights for theatrical use? The color change possibilities are interesting. Will this eliminate the use of gels?

Les Liss
Fine Arts, County of Effingham
info@effinghamface.com
www.effinghamface.com

Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

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tblan
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Joined: 8/10/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 36

Posted: 1/13/09 at 12:18am

It depends exactly what you are going for in the grand scheme. The color temperature of the LED units is significantly different than a conventional fixture and will look kind of strange if used in conjunction with conventionals. The lights, however, look wonderful with movers (since they are closer in color temp) and do eliminate the need for gel. I have never used the Par 46's so I can't speak for their effectiveness or longevity, but have had great results with colorblasts and colorblazes.

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David McCall
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Joined: 1/28/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 299

Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:04pm

The light output of LED PARs is much lower than conventional PARs.

They don't have punch and you are very limited in terms of spread.

The available color spectrum is made up of very narrow spikes so many colors in your sets and costumes will not be reproduced properly.

If you want colors to be reproduced accurately (especially flesh tones) you will need to combine them with some conventional lights.

The human eye will interpret the color mixing on a neutral surface just fine and the saturation is quite wonderful.

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stageman 2
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Joined: 8/20/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13

Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:58pm

Thanks all for the advice. I have decided that the only way to go about this is to rent some fixtures. I'll post the results. Smile

Les Liss
Fine Arts, County of Effingham
info@effinghamface.com
www.effinghamface.com

Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

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Lights and Sound
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Lights and Sound

Author	Message
stageman 2 Player Joined: 8/20/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Topic: LED par cans Posted: 12/21/08 at 9:37pm
	We are about to do an upgrade to our lighting system and are considering using some LED Par 46 cans. Does anyone have any input as to the suitability of these lights for theatrical use? The color change possibilities are interesting. Will this eliminate the use of gels?
	Les Liss Fine Arts, County of Effingham info@effinghamface.com www.effinghamface.com Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.

	IP Logged

tblan Lead Joined: 8/10/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Posted: 1/13/09 at 12:18am
	It depends exactly what you are going for in the grand scheme. The color temperature of the LED units is significantly different than a conventional fixture and will look kind of strange if used in conjunction with conventionals. The lights, however, look wonderful with movers (since they are closer in color temp) and do eliminate the need for gel. I have never used the Par 46's so I can't speak for their effectiveness or longevity, but have had great results with colorblasts and colorblazes.
	IP Logged

David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:04pm
	The light output of LED PARs is much lower than conventional PARs. They don't have punch and you are very limited in terms of spread. The available color spectrum is made up of very narrow spikes so many colors in your sets and costumes will not be reproduced properly. If you want colors to be reproduced accurately (especially flesh tones) you will need to combine them with some conventional lights. The human eye will interpret the color mixing on a neutral surface just fine and the saturation is quite wonderful.
	IP Logged

stageman 2 Player Joined: 8/20/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:58pm
	Thanks all for the advice. I have decided that the only way to go about this is to rent some fixtures. I'll post the results.
	Les Liss Fine Arts, County of Effingham info@effinghamface.com www.effinghamface.com Always be yourself because the ones that matter don't care and the ones that care don't matter.
	IP Logged

Topic: LED par cans( Topic Closed)