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Topic: Ambico Video Transfer box vs. picture frame type mirror and ground glass
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Ty Reynolds
Film Handler
Posts: 93
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Nov 2015
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posted April 16, 2016 01:46 AM
I've never used the Ambico box, but a common problem with those older devices, besides the hot spot, is the texture of the screen material that is picked up by the camera. Some of those old transfer boxes on ebay are better than others in this regard. The best one I've come across was made by Keystone. Those boxes are from a time when home video cameras were far less sharp than they are today, and the results intended for VHS.
I've used the Sharples unit sold on Amazon. The ground glass is surprisingly good. The mirror is not. This type of setup absolutely requires a front surface mirror, which means, as the name suggests, the reflective material is on the front of the glass. Instead, the manufacturer has cheaped out and used the more common rear surface mirror. This means the the reflected image in the ground glass is both the bright, sharp intended image from the rear surface, and a ghost-like shadow image from the front surface of the mirror glass. According the the instruction sheet, the ghost image is a the result of a setting problem in the customer's camera, which is utter nonsense.
You can reduce the hot spot by placing a piece of translucent glass in front of the projector lamp to diffuse the light. I've also used glass etching paste on the lens taken from a cheap halogen lamp to make an effective diffuser.
Edit: I see in another thread that Janice, who would know, is recommending the Sharples ground glass unit. If the mirror issue has been corrected, then I withdraw my reservations.
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Ty Reynolds
Film Handler
Posts: 93
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Registered: Nov 2015
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posted April 17, 2016 02:06 PM
Janice, I assume yours has the front surface mirror? I bought mine about a year ago, and it has the rear surface mirror. The instruction sheet, with its reference to the ghost image, makes it clear that the rear surface mirror is intentional. Perhaps the manufacturer has lowered their standards? If so, then I reinstate my reservations.
One could buy the unit and replace the mirror, but at what point is is better to just build it yourself? Two picture frames hinged together, a sheet of frost glass, and a mirror.
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