Last Updated 57 minutes ago
Overview
The Type 7271 is a two-circuit tungsten Spacelite for overhead fill. Its two 1 kW lamps feed a common silk. With both lamps on and the full black skirt fitted, Mole measures 15 fc at 15 ft across an 18 ft field at the half-intensity boundary.
Key specifications
| Specification | Type 7271 |
|---|---|
| Full lamp load | 2 × 1,000 W with FCM lamps |
| Rated supply | 120/240 V AC or DC, with lamps matched to the supply |
| Combined current | 16.7 A with a full set of 120 V FCMs |
| Circuit arrangement | Two 1 kW circuits, each on a 2 ft lead |
| Head diameter | 16½ in. |
| Weight | 7 lb bare head, 19 lb with black skirt, silk and target |
| Mounting and reflector | Attached chain hanger, Alzak aluminium reflector |
Replacement lamps
The head takes double-ended T-3 quartz lamps with recessed single contacts and a 4 11/16-inch overall length. Mole specifies horizontal operation within 4°. The ratings below are per lamp. Look up the FCM lamp code.
| Lamp | Power | Voltage | Rated colour | Finish | Rated life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCM | 1,000 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear | 300 h |
| FHM | 1,000 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted | 300 h |
| EME | 800 W | 240 V | 3,200 K | Clear | 250 h |
| EMF | 800 W | 240 V | 3,200 K | Frosted | 250 h |
| EMD | 750 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted | 400 h |
| EJG | 750 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear | 400 h |
| FDF | 500 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Clear | 400 h |
| FDN | 500 W | 120 V | 3,200 K | Frosted | 400 h |
| FCL | 500 W | 120 V | 3,000 K | Clear | 2,600 h |
| EHM | 300 W | 120 V | 2,950 K | Clear | 2,000 h |
| EHZ | 300 W | 120 V | 2,950 K | Frosted | 2,000 h |
Strengths and limitations
- The full skirt keeps much of the spill off nearby walls. With the outer skirt removed, the glowing white cylinder can act as a broad source for both the subject and background.
- At a 25 ft throw the skirted centre reading is 5 fc. The broad field can cover a set from that height, but it leaves little level for a slow lens or high frame rate.
Practical uses
In a row above a cyc, the white silks can fill the gaps between heads. Over a booth or a kitchen set, add the black skirt when the overhead base starts lifting the walls. Measure the transition between neighbouring pools at the working height.
Output and photometrics
Mole tested the head with 1,000 W, 120 V FCM globes rated at 3,200 K. The lux figures are converted from the published foot-candles and rounded.
Black skirt, white silk and bottom target
Throw is measured down from the fixture. Field width is the diameter at about half the centre intensity.
| Throw below head | Centre (fc) | Centre (lx) | Field diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 34 | 366 | 12 ft |
| 15 ft | 15 | 161 | 18 ft |
| 20 ft | 9 | 97 | 24 ft |
| 25 ft | 5 | 54 | 30 ft |
White silk and bottom target, outer black skirt removed
The open-silk diagram shows 34, 15, 9 and 5 fc from the inner to the outer contour. Only the 10, 15 and 25 ft diameters are labelled. Open the original diagrams to see the contours. The calculator uses the four unambiguous skirted measurements.
Exposure at a measured setup
Select a measured position. Set the ISO, frame rate and shutter angle to estimate the incident-meter aperture.
Chart reading and exposure
Select a configuration to calculate.
The chart uses 1,000 W FCM lamps at 120 V. Different fabrics, lamps and dimmer levels change the output. Mole-Richardson photometric sheet.
Power and controls
Each 2 ft lead supplies one 1 kW lamp. With 120 V FCMs the nominal load is 8.3 A per lead or 16.7 A combined. When the leads are controlled separately, one lamp can stay at full voltage while the other is switched off.
Skirts, target and mounting
The white skirt diffuses the light around the sides. The target stretches across the bottom. The outer black skirt cuts the side light while leaving the bottom opening. Mole specifies these parts for the Type 7271.
| Accessory | Mole part | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Full black skirt | 727-10 | 26½ in. diameter × 23 in. long |
| White silk skirt | 727-11 | 21½ in. diameter × 17 in. long |
| Silk target | 727-12 | 22½ in. diameter |
Comparable fixture
The 1 kW Type 7261 uses a 16-inch target and a single lead. At 10 ft its skirted centre reading is 12 fc, against 34 fc for this model. 1 kW Spacelite (Type 7261).
Field coverage
Toronto’s 276 Sterling Studio lists twelve pre-hung 2 kW Mole-Richardson spacelights for its cyclorama. It is a working example of using a grid of these heads for a continuous backing. 276 Sterling Studio’s tungsten grid.
Spacelights on a music-video set
Adorama Rental points to the overhead rig in Kimbra’s “Cameo Lover” shoot as an example of several Spacelites working together. The behind-the-scenes footage shows the arrangement. The exact head sizes are unconfirmed. Adorama Rental’s breakdown.
Rental and used-fixture checks
Check that both head leads are present, that their plugs match the booked distribution, and that both lamp positions work independently. The silk cylinder and the 22½-inch target are separate items.
Documentation
- Mole-Richardson model and accessory specifications
- Type 7271 lamp table and photometric diagrams (PDF)
- Mole-Richardson catalogue, Spacelite family (PDF)
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