8mm Forum: LENGTH OF LEADER

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Topic: LENGTH OF LEADER

David Pannell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1072
From: Horsham, West Sussex, UK
Registered: Nov 2004

posted January 13, 2008 07:02 AM

I was recently pondering the question as to what would be an appropriate length of leader for both 8mm and 16mm films.

Naturally, the main governing factor would be that of the film path through the projector. The length of the leader needs to allow sufficient time for the projector to come up to speed, and to ensure that there is no malfunction before the film proper enters the projector mechanism. Further, there needs to be sufficient time to switch the projector off and for it to come to a halt, should there be a problem.

Accordingly, I have carried out several experiments, and have come up with what suits me, hopefully to cover all eventualities.

Some will find my choice too long, whilst others may find it too short, but I would rather replace a length of damaged leader than ruin a film!

For both Standard 8 and Super 8, I use about 6ft (2 metres), and half this length at the end of the film.

For 16mm I use about 12ft (just under 4 metres), as the film is travelling at approximately twice the speed for the same fps. Again, half this length at the end of the film.

I just wonder how this compares with other members.

--------------------
Dave.

Valves and celluloid - a great combination!
Early technology rules OK!

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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006

posted January 13, 2008 09:07 AM

6ft sounds about right for Super-8. I tend to add more to the tail, to give the film a good 'wrap' at the end as well, and to help diminish the end-of-reel dirt speckling.

For 16, loooong is good. I use a long-play tower, so for features I need more leader to get to the take-up, get the machine and tower in motion and let things stabilize.

But for regular 16 reel-to-reel your measure sounds just right. Again, at the tail, I may use a bit more than you; I like the film having more protection at the core as well.

Best,
Claus.

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"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted January 13, 2008 02:29 PM

David
You use roughly about twice what I do on both 8 and 16. So long as I can thread a film and stop the projector before the end of the leader reaches the gate, that's fine for me. I sue a bit less with Std 8 than with S8, as the film path on my Eumig is considerably shorter than on a GS.

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Adrian Winchester

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