8mm Forum: Reflections from the Ceiling!

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Topic: Reflections from the Ceiling!

Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 08, 2015 03:52 PM

I've just increased the size of of my projected picture in my lounge with a new lens but I notice that an awful lot of light is bouncing off the white ceiling and back onto the screen. The picture is losing a lot of contrast. Has anyone else noticed this. Short of painting the ceiling black is there anything that can be done? I suppose some sort of canopy over the screen top might work but it would have to be dark, light in weight and as rigid as possible.

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Paul.

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Clyde Miles
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 205
From: Bromsgrove, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 08, 2015 04:54 PM

paul what is your throw from projector to screen? are you using a 25mm short lens?

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 09, 2015 03:22 AM

Hi Clyde,
I am using a 25mm lens on my Bell & Howell 642 at a throw of about 11 feet (3.3 metres).

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Paul.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 16, 2015 05:07 AM

I must have answered my own question. Another possibility would be to place the screen behind an open window? Cold though in November here or through an open doorway!

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Paul.

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Steven J Kirk
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 873
From: Southern England
Registered: Apr 2008

posted November 16, 2015 06:25 AM

Paint the ceiling black...

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VistaVision
Motion Picture High-Fidelity

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 16, 2015 01:34 PM

Light scatter from the ceiling and side walls will definitely ruin the contrast of your projected picture. I painted the walls of my screening room a darkish beige,the walls were previously white. This made a significant improvement. But I was still getting a lot of light scatter from the white ceiling. I did not want to paint the ceiling black because I wanted to retain a cozy ambience in my cinema, and I thought a black painted ceiling would make it look like a tomb!
So, I made up several 2ft x 4ft rectangular frames of 1/2 ins x 3/4 ins wood strip, and covered them with black and burgundy felt cloth, suspending the frames from the ceiling by small hooks and eyelets. The frames are extremely light indeed, and present no load at all on the ceiling. I can tell you Paul that this made a HUGE improvement in the projected picture quality. And, I think the panels are quite attractive and add to the cinema like ambience of the room.

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted November 16, 2015 01:38 PM

Looking better than ever Paul! What a classy cinema room you really have there! Simply beautiful Paul.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 16, 2015 01:45 PM

Thanks so much for your very kind comment Andrew. Yes,I am very happy with it, and its a wonderful place to go and forget about the troubles of the world we live in, and wallow in the nostalgia of the classic cinema. [Smile]

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted November 16, 2015 02:48 PM

I remember when they restored an old London cinema they thought the ceiling was dark brown. It wasn't - it was originally white (I think the scree was well recessed from the main auditorium) but had been stained dark brown by all the smoking that had taken place in it over the years.

P.S. I'm not suggesting you smoke to excess to cure the problem [Big Grin]

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted November 16, 2015 06:42 PM

Like Paul, I chose also to avoid paint on the ceiling. I tried and although I had picked a rather mate dark tint, it still had a reflective effect.
I found some rather inexpensive self-adhesive carpet tiles which, luckily match the color of my walls.
Contrast has increased tremendously and now that light is no longer bouncing everywhere, 3D projection is better than ever.
(Note that for this picture, the blue fabric cover for the screen casing is missing as I'm currently improving the masking system)

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The Grindcave Cinema Website

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted November 16, 2015 08:28 PM

Jean-Marc is right, even matt black paint is reflective. Black felt though, seems to be almost 100% absorptive of light.
By the way, to our old friend Jean-Marc, I say Vive La France!

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted November 17, 2015 01:07 AM

Thanks Paul! [Smile]

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The Grindcave Cinema Website

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