The
Strand/
Altman/
ETC debate on which followed the others and which became the other might be more a source for term paper question in research. While the
ETC might have come out first, about all these fixtures in a third generation of
Leko were it would seem under development and by way of study of the other past products produced following another brand.
Leko (Lekolight) stems from the Century brand name which
Strand bought out and retains.
Now girls, you are all pretty. Some research into TCI/Theater Crafts at the time and Lighing Dimensions will prove useful to read in addition to especially what lamps for them gained “
Widget of the year” in articles about them. The
ETC fixture followed a study of the
Altman and Stand second generation fixtures as an improvement to the downfalls of them for the most part. Was this first era of S-4 a huge improvement? Yes in some ways optically and in other ways, but it also featured a non-standard
gel frame size, unique lamp and most important it was only rated for 575w as a maximum lamp
rating. The Shakespeare in waiting a year was rated for the more normal 750w
rating and took in addition to improved lamps, the older second generation lamps in all around being a more standard for what is already out there
fixture that did not have to wait a few years to get more output and other improvements to it’s design. Such improved lamps could also be as a standard, used on any second generation
fixture no matter the brand. This Times Square, L&E,
Altman, or
Strand as major suppliers all using the same lamps and
gel frames as that of a 6"
Fresnel or
PAR 56.
So it would seem as a initial
point, the S-4 came out first, but needed upgrades in at least wattage the Shakespeare did not. That 575w
line of S-4 did not last long in production. This than cannot be considered the same
fixture in what came out first but is no longer the same
fixture. The
Altman on the other
hand has not changed for the most part since it was introduced.
All are good designs, and with the Euro based
Selecon all brands have good values to them. Granted
ETC is the third generation
fixture, it is in a
Altman/
Strand debate of the 1980's any much different in not being a perfect
fixture or in having features the others don’t do better or that it does better than.
All are good fixtures as a in-general. All in a few years will be replaced by something more better.