The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

Max Warasila

Max Warasila

Graduate
Feb 20, 2013
1,217
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Richmond, VA
I'll take these any day over 360Qs, but I've run across several people who absolutely distain Source 4 Jr fixtures. Honestly, I don't have the experience to understand why, so I thought I'd bring it up and ask for explanations. The only big gripe I have about them at the moment is that the Jr 36 degree is 3 or so degrees wider than the standard Source 4 36 degree field, and that just plain bothers me.

Perhaps it's worth digging a bit on Control Booth? I usually stay away from there lest I be sucked into more photo metrics than I already am.
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

As far as I can tell, the S4j was introduced to compete directly with the 360q (very similar feature set and price). Now, the S4j is a smaller, lighter fixture than the 360q, but is a touch less efficient than the latest versions of the 360q (with the updated reflector design from about 10 years ago). I can't comment on the gobo performance of the S4j, as I've never used a gobo in one (the funky gobo size is a bit of an issue IMO). As noted, the 360q can take higher output lamps than the S4j, and can also take the HPR lamps for additional output.

Brian Ship (posts on Controlbooth, and used to post on the old LAB lighting forum) has done a bit of research on lamps to make older fixtures perform better. Me, I'll take a well maintained (this is key) 360q with a current-generation lamp over a non-zoom S4j any day. The only good use I can see for the fixed beam angle S4j fixtures is in a facility that has other ETC fixtures and wants to reduce their lamp inventory, but doesn't have the budget for the full-size Source 4s.
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

John, the 575watt would normally bother me, but I'm actually okay with it at the moment since we have a few SL coolbeam zooms that I like for specials, and those will need to stand out a bit.

Rob, another thing I suppose they MIGHT be useful for is that (on a budget) they can slip into washes created with real Source 4s better than other fixtures, from what I've personally found using ours. And the other thing I'd note over the 360Q is that, for one reason or another, the S4Jr burns through a LITTLE less gel. I guess they'll work in a pinch... which is what I'm in so if you'll excuse me I'll be using them this show. :lol:

The gobo slots are practically useless, IMO. Just saying.
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

Rob, I think the S4Jr was the response to the Altman 3.5Q, which also uses M size gobos.
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

Max Warasila said:
Rob, another thing I suppose they MIGHT be useful for is that (on a budget) they can slip into washes created with real Source 4s better than other fixtures, from what I've personally found using ours.
Click to expand...

Have you tried making the bench focus match between the 2 units? Have you ensured that the lamps you are using have the same CCT?
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

Rob Timmerman said:
Have you tried making the bench focus match between the 2 units? Have you ensured that the lamps you are using have the same CCT?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I match everything as best I can... though sometimes the accounting department makes ordering lamps difficult (another story). The other electricians on the other hand I can't always vouch for, so you have a point there.
 
Re: The "Pointlessness" of Fixed Beam S4Jrs

Honestly given the choice between s4 juniors or their mini's I'd take their mini's. the juniors don't stand up for non installs, The irregular sized gobo makes it difficult for tours to come in and hand me a gobo. and its just plain pointless when considering the junior vs the full size isn't that big of a jump in price.
 
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