Ayrton Unveils Falconer Camera-Based Followspot System
The new control system pairs a camera on a moving light with a dedicated base station for direct operator control.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Bird Watching
Ayrton announced Falconer, a camera-based followspot control system that combines a broadcast-style fluid head with a dedicated base station. Alongside it, the company released Horus, a freestanding camera fixture.
Why it matters
The system gives operators direct control of moving lights from a single base station, a workflow that could change how live productions handle followspots. Its camera-based approach ties the lighting rig to a live video feed.
Falconer's 3D calibration uses four reference points to position each fixture, and Horus offers a 65-degree field of view with 540-degree pan and 270-degree tilt range. The extraction does not include pricing or availability dates.
The players
Ayrton
Ayrton is a lighting manufacturer that produces moving lights and control systems for live entertainment and events.
The details
Falconer pairs a broadcast-style fluid head with a camera mounted on a compatible Ayrton fixture such as EagleStrike, and its controllable parameters follow the GDTF file definition. Operators can set presets with fade times and use an infrared mode for low-light conditions.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Ayrton announced Falconer and Horus.
Culture Shift
Falconer's controllable parameters are built on the GDTF file definition, extending an industry device-description standard into a camera-based followspot workflow. The product's approach reflects how live lighting increasingly borrows from broadcast camera techniques.
For event crews, Falconer could reduce the number of dedicated followspot operators needed, since one base station can control multiple fixtures. Operators would need to learn the camera-based workflow and its calibration steps.
The takeaway
Camera-based control is becoming a practical option for live lighting, so productions evaluating followspot systems should compare calibration requirements and fixture compatibility before buying.
Further reading
For more on camera and optics hobbies, browse the Bird Watching section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Live Design Online.
