City Theatrical Altman AP 150 Top Hat | Half

Top hats solve two problems that show up on nearly every rig: spill and sightlines. When fixture optics are marginal or lenses are poorly maintained, light can land on the audience or scenery. A top hat trims that stray output at the source and keeps the bright lamp from being visible to audience members and cameras. This family is for lighting designers, production electricians, and venue technicians who need a fast, low-cost fix across theatrical, concert, broadcast, and house lighting.

The range spans full and half styles, and the choice has real consequences for sightlines. A full style hides the bright source, but its interior can glow brightly when viewed from the front. A half style rotated with its full side toward the viewer removes that bright interior, so the fixture can no longer be seen. Professional designers often find the half style performs better for that reason, while the full style remains a straightforward option for general spill control.

Check lens tube compatibility before ordering. Five inch long accessories lose light in 50 degree lens tubes, and no accessory is recommended for 70 or 90 degree tubes because light loss becomes extreme.