Question about Lekos

[Matt W.]

Can you get a hard edge on a flag or cookie you place in front of a leko by focusing it correctly or can you only get sharp edges by using the blades and internal gobos?

 

[Matt W.]

If I put a cookie in FRONT of a leko, could I focus that cookie as a sharp image?

Would this be easier with a wider or tighter lens?

Would I get a result that's any better than with a fresnel this way in projecting a sharp shape? Unfortunately it's something I can't build into a gobo.

 

[David Mullen ASC]

You need to use a cut metal gobo slide that slips inside the Leko to get sharp focus. If you had a really huge one way out in front, it would also probably look reasonably in focus, but just putting a gobo right in front of the lens won't allow you to get a sharp pattern unless the surface is also right in front of the lens too.

 

[Matt W.]

Thanks. What I need is going to require (unfortunately) a big open face light, the element itself in front of it far enough away that it won't burn, and a lens in front of it. Basically an enormous projector.

The leko will still be useful for other things...

 

[Ulf Krentz]

Matt,

no big light (physical in size) but strong, yes. You need very directional light, like it is coming from a projector, basically from a point source. If you use a beamer it could it do the entire light shadow effect?
What else might work for you as well is a fresnel spot without the lens (just bulb and mirror, should be a polished mirror) but remember you won´t be able to do this with standard HMI due to the UV radiation! Use a clear UV shield, there are UVS lamps available also. You did not give a lot of information, may be a strong overhead projector would be large enough?

I just rented a Leko for a similar effect (sharp shadows) and was not satisfied at all.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Ulf