Conventional PARs

Generally, a Par can is simply a light that holds a par lamp in it.  That is not a true statement for all par cans so I will discuss the differences below.  In general the can is simply a holder for whatever the lamp is going to produce as far as light output in both shape and intensity.  Par cans are most commonly used for color washes whether it be for a back light washes or curtain warmers from the front.  They do easily blend together.  A par can does not have many accessories.  In general they can hold color frames, barndoors, and top hats.  The Micro and Par 38 lamps generally have a circular output while the others have a rectangular output.

The multi lens par gives you the ability to have multiple lens choices without having to change the lamp.  In general they use a HPL lamp which is also what most of the ellipsoidals are using today.  This way you only have to stock one lamp.  Most multi lens pars come with a wide flood, medium flood, narrow flood and very narrow flood lens.  You can also purchase as an add on a very wide lens.  The light output of these lenses is generally an oval shape except when you get to the narrow and very narrow lens.  There shape is harder to discern.  Remember a par can is a flood light and does not give you a hard edge so you will not get a defined oval shape.  The lenses are rotatable so you can adjust the direction of the oval.  This is incredibly useful in focusing.  Going upstage / downstage can be very useful for backlight while going stage left to stage right is magnificent for curtain warmers.  The units do have the front accessory tabs to hold color frames and barndoors / top hats.

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A Par 38 is simply a can that holds a flood light.  The size of this flood light is much like the flood you would use at your house.  They come in a variety of wattages and beam degrees.  The beam degrees are generally listed as either wide or spot and produce pretty much what they are called.  Over the past years there have been more and more governmental regulations reducing the wattage of these lamps to save energy.  So if you find a lamp you love, stock up!  There are now LED options available.  Some are dimmable and some are not.  Before buying many LED lamps for dimming, buy one first and watch the dimming curve to make sure you are satisfied.

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A Par 46 can holds a 200 watt medium or spot flood lamp.  Great for uplight columns.

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  A Par 56 holds either a 300 or 500 watt lamp ranging from wide flood to narrow flood in choices.  Great for uplighting but also useful for color wash lighting in small rooms.

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A Par 64 holds either a 500 or 1000 watt lamp ranging from wide flood to very narrow spot.  This is a unit that has been used for large color washes for decades.  If you go to the 1000 watt lamp make sure that you purchase a unit that is U.L. listed.  Some of the imported (cheaper) Par 64 units are only capable of the 500 watt lamp.

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  Outdoor Par lamps are just what they say they are!  They can handle the elements and if you need to do lighting outside this is where you should be looking.

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Micro Pars are great for small throw distances where you are looking to highlight some artwork or product.  These can generally be powered through a chord or through a track adapter making it ideal for gallery situations.

Browse our selection of micro PARs.