S4 vs jr

So during load in/setup today for Todd Oliver: Dog Ventriloquist's two run performance at our theatre, my lighting assistant said she was working on a deal to get at least a few Source four fixtures donated to us from a nearby PAC. Assuming (dangerous, I know) they will have 575w lamps, will they just blow our 26 degree juniors out of the water? I don't know yet what barrel the S4 will have. Our grid is 14' 8" above the stage, average throw is 20ish-25 feet.

In my experience the full size light will look about 25% brighter by eye.

techieman33 said:

In my experience the full size light will look about 25% brighter by eye.

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@techieman33 Assuming matching beam spreads and lamps, yes / no?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

RonHebbard said:

@techieman33 Assuming matching beam spreads and lamps, yes / no?
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

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Yes, same lamps and beam spreads

And that's assuming your S4's are lamped at 750; it *is* possible to lamp them with the 575's, is it not?

techieman33 said:

In my experience the full size light will look about 25% brighter by eye.

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So the S4 would be better served used for specials, yes?

Jay Ashworth said:

And that's assuming your S4's are lamped at 750; it *is* possible to lamp them with the 575's, is it not?

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The S4 can take either a 575 or 750; the jr, only 575.

thatactorguy said:

So the S4 would be better served used for specials, yes?

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It all depends on what inventory you have to work with to make the plot work. If you end up with enough that will cover your specials then sure. But iI would probably still take a 26*jr over a 36*s4 for a special. The next option would be to use them in separate systems. Color X is s4's, and color y is jrs. Then if you end up having to mix and match then try and keep them evened out so they blend better. I have to mix and match them on high sides occasionally. What I'll do then is use s4's on the DS and US electrics, and then fill in the middle with jrs where they'll have more overlap to help up their apparent brightness.

techieman33 said:

It all depends on what inventory you have to work with to make the plot work. If you end up with enough that will cover your specials then sure. But iI would probably still take a 26*jr over a 36*s4 for a special. The next option would be to use them in separate systems. Color X is s4's, and color y is jrs. Then if you end up having to mix and match then try and keep them evened out so they blend better. I have to mix and match them on high sides occasionally. What I'll do then is use s4's on the DS and US electrics, and then fill in the middle with jrs where they'll have more overlap to help up their apparent brightness.

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Our stage is 36' w proscenium X 27' d, and the aforementioned 14' 8" grid. Current inventory is (24) 26* jr; (4) Parnels; (12) PAR 38, then the oddball birdie and three pinspots. I generally set up a good nine area wash with two jr/area, sometimes with two Parnels as Area 5, sometimes not; it depends on the show and number of specials. Either way, I have a few jr left over for specials. With these S4 potentially coming in, that frees me up to set more looks. Very much agree on the 26* jr over 36* S4- especially if it's a solo special (I like my specials tight, and focus them at a 12-14' throw). When the special eats too much of the stage, it doesn't feel like a special any longer, and more like an area. My constant frustration is when others order lamps to "help", but get the LL instead of my preferred 300 hr lamps; the areas NEVER look right, and it's a nightmare trying to mix and match the fixtures with matching lamps...