ClayPaky is my favorite company. I've been a ClayPak fan since I first saw the Alpha Beam 300, and to this day I still remember the awe the device caused me. For the rest, the Italian company has the longest experience in light design, as I discussed in my video on the history of stage lighting (which you can see by clicking here).
Nowadays it continues to impress, if only by such a marvel as Pointe. It is probably the most popular head "ever". Where you don't look there Pointe. My Chinese friends have even started copying each other making copy of copy, copy, copy. Generally ClayPaky rules and not for that, I'm not learning the language and we don't do anything with Dominic for that purpose, not to go to their factory and museum for filming.
My sincerest sentiments
Let's move on to the hero of the episode, the MIDI B-FX. I took a while to write this article, because it is too important to write it so about on my knee during a play.
For here we have genius in its pure form. A design masterpiece and a marketing masterpiece. Pricing unknown because I don't know. If anyone knows, please let me know, but I can bet that cheap it is not.
I know that in the announcement video I laughed that the reason for the creation of this head was the overdue piles of old Par 64s in storage. Even if that was true, gee, bravo for recycling! Other than that, it's really a design shtick. Combining two worlds into one. Tradition with modernity. Well something beautiful! Both hipsters and steampunkers are sure to be delighted.
Before I go on to discuss the specifications, I will mention that this tin bucket removes and then a MIDI-B/WW device is created. Both versions are of course sold separately. In case you want just another ordinary washa and still not stand out from the crowd, you buy the WW version or Without Bucket.
Let's fly with the specifications...
Light source: 19 x 40W RGBW or RGBWW - These are really powerful emitters. The B-Eye K 10 has 19 x 15W. Quite a difference. As for RGBWW, Warm White is probably responsible for the last letter.
Extremely efficient luminous flux of 11400 lm - Of course, this does not surprise me at all with such a powerful diode. This is where the piggy bank jokes end.
Optimized HD optical system - I could not find more information about this system. It is known that it is so optimized that it shines that "ho ho" and in HD.
Special coating around the lens and minimal space between the lens and the body to prevent light spillage - the idea, of course, is to prevent light from spilling out the sides so the lens is placed in a honeycomb-like grille plus, of course, in a bucket.
ZOOM range from 4 to 50 degrees - I am surprised that having a bucket can reach 50 degrees. The B-Eye K 10 has from 4 to 60.
5 Rings of circular LED strips, each independently controlled - this is a super scenic idea, albeit a very defined one in terms of style. Steampunk because that's what I would call it fits perfectly in the Cyberpunk world.
5-curve, 24-bit dimmer with output color balance - with these curves, the idea is that all the diodes are synchronized so that the white color comes in as it should from the lowest values
Three independently controllable LED rings (on the front lens) - this is, of course, the rings turned on or off with modes. We have two variants of Mode Basic (8 and 16 Bit) without rings and two Extended (8 and 16 Bit) with Rings.
Pre-installed color effects/macros - I think it's no novelty or cutting-edge technology to put this in the specification, but there it is. I'm clinging to it a bit by force.
Linear CTO filter 2500K - 8000 K - A very useful feature under cameras.
Crossfade channels between color and CTO and between macros - I don't know if I understand this correctly. If so, this is a wonderful option. Probably all of you know the feeling when you inadvertently drop a macro into a palette from 600's and switching from it to a regular RED in, say, 2 sec you fly through the whole disco, as if it were a color dial. A veritable nightmare and scandal. If this is the solution then bravo. The channel is of course in the device, but does it work as expected? To check.
Electronic strobe @25f/s - Elektronicky Mordulec ( youngsters I recommend checking out what this video is).
Extremely precise and quiet movements - Like a ninja ballerina
Ethernet access - it is known
4 operating modes : Constant, Auto, Silent, Theatre - Silent I Theatre modes put a tie on the device, making it less adventurous.
USITT DMX 512 control signal - Protocols: RDM, WebServer, Art.-Net I sACN - Everything is there, as probably in every device lately.
CloudIO Ready - compatible with CloudIO console
Maximum power consumption: 900W - With great power comes great power consumption and high electricity bills.
Weight 19 kg - as much as two Dachshunds.
Size: 391 x 252 x 591 - it is quite large for a wash, but it has a bucket.
Summary
We went through the specifications. All in all, we're dealing with a really strong competitor. Different from what we've seen on the market lately. I compared it in several places to the B-Eye K10, because what sits there in the bucket is similar in lens size, excluding the Shape function, of course.
Of course, the power of the MIDI-FX puts the B-Eye to the sword. However, the aforementioned "shape" may prove to be more versatile and practical than a bucket with LED strips. However, TV is governed by different laws, and for me, that's where this device is aimed.
P.S. I know that Pointe is a Robe brand. It's kind of a joke and a test at the same time whether you read to the end and what is in the small print....
More, of course, can be found on the distributor or manufacturer's website.
Manufacturer: CLAYPAKYDistributor: Prolight Ltd.
