Altman 3.5Q-MT Glass Gobo

[DCATTechie]

Can the altman 3.5Q-MT's throw glass/dichoric as well as steel gobos?

[Grog12]

My first answer (and non sarcastic answer) would be no. Namely because I don't think there's a Glass gobo holder made for it.

My second answer (and sarcastic answer) would be I'm sure it could throw it if only it had little arms!!!!

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by DCATTechie

Can the altman 3.5Q-MT's throw glass/dichoric as well as steel gobos?

While a glass gobo might fit in the Altman holder, the optics of the 3.5Q ERS are such that the detail of a glass pattern will probably be lost, thus providing no advantage over a steel pattern. If you need the resolution of glass, use a SourceFour™ or SourceFour Jr.™.

[ship]

In general if a gobo is at the gate, the 3.5Q in pattern holder can project it given the pattern holder can sufficiently mount the gobo. Smaller size pattern but no doubt already known. Not aware of any glass pattern holders for that line of fixture but for a one time use, such crappy pattern holders no doubt will sufficiently hold a glass gobo.

Might want to pad the edges of the gobo with fiberglass electrical tape so as to prevent mis-shaped pattern holder wearing on those edges that might crack on it with use. Otherwise, I cannot see a problem beyond the lamp. What type of lamp would you intend to project with if not GLC?

Going TP-22/ G-9.5 lamp base in the fixture for such an efficient lamp of course would require changing the lamp base socket and already assuming in what is in use that the EVR type lamp is one of the least efficient lamps on the market (noting you saying "MC" in the 3.5Q note. Hmm, glass gobo with a EVR.. could do it but why bother - filament wont project the pattern very efficiently.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by ship

...What type of lamp would you intend to project with if not GLC? ...

ship, you're not advocating using a 575 watt lamp in a fixture that's U.L. and c.U.L. listed for 500 watts, are you?

Originally Posted by ship

...Going TP-22/ G-9.5 lamp base in the fixture for such an efficient lamp of course would require changing the lamp base socket and already assuming in what is in use that the EVR type lamp is one of the least efficient lamps on the market (noting you saying "MC" in the 3.5Q note. Hmm, glass gobo with a EVR.. could do it but why bother - filament wont project the pattern very efficiently.

Standard socket in this fixture is TP22-type "Altman BPS-1200 medium two-pin, axially mounted with blinder/heat shield, tool free relamping" and most common lamp is 500w EHD, (unfortunately, a member of the despised "FEL-family").

Here's the link to the cutsheet on Altman's site.

[ship]

Ah' you attempt to catch me at something... but in discussions direct with Altman engineers about the 575w lamp including and specific to the HPR lamp I have a bit of the advantage. (Read into well past postings about my favorite fixture.)

On the other hand, no that fixture in not currently rated for that lamp especially given the MT version is all that is now available - really crappy lamp, did I mention this? Engineering wise and in my own use for years, the 575w/115v lamp, plus Altman for the TP-22 version of it was on the cusp of getting recognized but than that version of the fixture got discontinued... This no doubt in part due to having to pay for a new UL listing.

Officially, yes your warranty and UL listing plus insurance is void in going TP-22 with a 575w/115v lamp. On the other hand, a 3.5Q as I have stated many times over in the years that does out punch the S-4 Leko given a HPR lamp or should be fine in competition with it given a GLC lamp is what I state and is very valid.

Never tried a pattern projection with either lamp thus a grey area with me but I expect the GLC will do so better. On the other hand yep, just as with any other 360Q type fixture, the 3.5Q fixture does just as well with the GLA, GLC and HPR lamps. Been there, done that - my first 575w/115v lamp in use in this fixture type was one sent to me back in 1992 by Robert Altman himself for use in my 3.5Q fixtures. Seems I sent a snail mail letter to the company and he called me in my dorm room in apologizing for not sending out the parts I requested on time but they were busy at the time in coming to market with the HX-600 lamp and its fixture thus put all else asside.

He sent me extra lenses etc in parts above and beyond my origional order following the phone call and convesation student to industry leader, plus this pre-market lamp so I would as just some college punk see the difference. Yep, it was amazing at the time for a 3.5Q or even 360Q for a lamp given the college I went to at the time of the early S-4 Leko already on order was limited to only ten of them that year given supply/production ability.

Had that early - very early HX-600 lamp been literally given away at the time when the S-4 Leko been at that point still hard to get, the 360Q might still have a place in the market overall as primary fixture. This much less the platform of the HPR been designed around a GLC instead of FLK (HX-600) lamp, and come to market sooner it also might still be a mainstay lamp and fixture.

Water undre the bridge now but still as concept, the 575w/115v lamp is not officially rated for that discontinued type of light fixture you are correct in. On the other hand, it is a proper lamp for the fixture Altman knows about in recognizing not in publication but for the use of for the most part thats not advertised and has at least been by me in use inside that fixture type for what is it 15 years now without problems.

Yea, the EHD is old school, HPR and GLC plus GLA lamps for the 3.5Q fixtures I would advise and advise without adverse effects observed during a long term study of the lamps in the fixture.

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by DCATTechie

Can the altman 3.5Q-MT's throw glass/dichoric as well as steel gobos?

No.

The glass will shatter due to heat, but you'd have to do some surgery to get a glass gobo to even fit in the slot, which would probably destroy the gobo in the first place. I've never seen a
glass gobo thin enough to fit in a holder designed for metal.

Glass and Dichroic gobo's want a fixture that has a dichroic reflector to reduce the heat at the gate. The 3.5" ellipsoidals are actually HOTTER at the gate due to the smaller size.

SB

[Kelite]

Originally Posted by SteveB

No.
The glass will shatter due to heat, but you'd have to do some surgery to get a glass gobo to even fit in the slot, which would probably destroy the gobo in the first place. I've never seen a glass gobo thin enough to fit in a holder designed for metal.
Glass and Dichroic gobo's want a fixture that has a dichroic reflector to reduce the heat at the gate. The 3.5" ellipsoidals are actually HOTTER at the gate due to the smaller size.
SB

Apollo makes a thin glass gobo that would physically fit the fixture, but we will not warranty the glass from breakage. The 3.5 is a very brutal light in terms of glass expansion.

Short and long answer- don't do it.