Why So Many Moving Lights?

[Tyler]

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[len]

Might be what's available, or what fits in the grid from either a weight, size, or electrical capacity perspective.

[Footer]

Throw distance, speed, prisms effects, macro effects, physical size, cost... There are plenty of reasons to choose certain fixtures for certain areas/purposes. Sometimes you need something with a high output and a far throw that doesn't need to move fast, sometimes you need something small and compact that can throw light around fast but don't need a huge output. Other times you need a zoomable fixture with shutters and CMY. The list goes on... other times you have X to spend and need Y fixtures, so you divide and see what you end up with.

[Foxinabox10]

Also, don't think that they were necessarily bought all at once. They might have bought a few to begin with and then when they went shopping again, they found something that fit their needs better, so they bought those then.

[PadawanGeek]

Originally Posted by Foxinabox10

Also, don't think that they were necessarily bought all at once. They might have bought a few to begin with and then when they went shopping again, they found something that fit their needs better, so they bought those then.

They could also be rented.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by PadawanGeek

They could also be rented.

Not on a cruise ship... very rarely do installs rent lights.

[PadawanGeek]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Not on a cruise ship... very rarely do installs rent lights.

Oh, I wasn't thinking cruise ship. Usually I don't associate boats and stage lighting.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Throw distance, speed, prisms effects, macro effects, physical size, cost... There are plenty of reasons to choose certain fixtures for certain areas/purposes. Sometimes you need something with a high output and a far throw that doesn't need to move fast, sometimes you need something small and compact that can throw light around fast but don't need a huge output. Other times you need a zoomable fixture with shutters and CMY. The list goes on... other times you have X to spend and need Y fixtures, so you divide and see what you end up with.

4TW.

Also Tyler about half the lights you mentioned aren't "spot" lights, but wash lights. Whcih are generally cheaper as they have less moving parts.

[gafftaper]

I think it's primarily a combination of "use the right tool for the right job" and cost.

Don't flame me on this these are rough prices...
Mac 2k's $15k
Mac 700's $10k
Mac 600's and 550's $5k-$7k

If a Mac700 has everything you need for the specific purpose you don't need to spend the extra $5k for a Mac 2k? There's no reason to get a Mac2k or a 700 if you don't need CMY for a specific effect, you can get by with the 600's and 550's instead. So budget vs. effect needed plays a huge role.

Also if you get into the specific details of what each can do it quickly becomes like asking the question why do you need Fresnels, Elliposidals, and PAR's. The difference between a Wash and a Spot is a huge difference. There's also a big difference in Lamp intensity. Then you add things like single or double gobo rotation, CMY or filters, animation wheel, shutters... they are all very different.

The real challenge is being the person with the skills to design the show and know which specific instruments you need for which effect. That takes talent.

[soundlight]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

There's no reason to get a Mac2k or a 700 if you don't need CMY for a specific effect, you can get by with the 600's and 550's instead. So budget vs. effect needed plays a huge role.

The MAC600 has CMY. It's one of the older CMY fixtures. It's been an industry standard for what is termed as "forever" in the modern automated lighting industry. It's a great wash fixture and still regularly goes out on tours.