8mm Forum: Elmo FP-C

This is topic Elmo FP-C in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Michael Wright (Member # 1387) on November 11, 2016, 09:24 AM:

The screen brightness is very uneven, the bottom left hand quadrant is much brighter than the rest of the screen. Does anyone know how to adjust this? Cheers Mike

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on November 11, 2016, 10:43 AM:

Two easy things to check are your lens and your lamp.

The back element of the lens can accumulate a lot of schmutz and it can dim the image if it piles up thick enough. You can clean it with a dry Q-Tip.

The lamp envelope can gray as the tungsten boils off the filament.

-nobody says these two processes have to accumulate evenly.

(While you're at it, make sure the lamp is in the mount straight.)

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 11, 2016, 02:49 PM:

This is a dual gauge projector. Does the problem exist with both gauges?
A manual might help you.
http://www.oldtimercameras.com/manuals/camera-manual-elmo-fp-c-3429.asp

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on November 11, 2016, 04:43 PM:

Hi Michael...Does your model use the EJM bulb or the older DCA?

In either case here are few things to look at:

1) Make sure the lamp is positioned ( you might need to bend or twist the lamp holder) so that the projected light is equal on both sides.

2) There is a heatsink glass on the lamp holder cover...make sure that is clean.

3) Check that the still frame heat shield gets fully retracted. Otherwise it can partially block the light going through the gate.

4) Examine your lens to make sure it is clear. It's common for these Elmo lenses to get cloudy and also develop fungus. You might try cleaning the lens...it's sometimes not easy to see residue on the lens. I've had to do this with just about all of my FP lenses. Cleaning really helped.

5) If you are using the DCA lamp and you have a spare (I know these are expensive)...you might try switching the lamps. Could be the bulb is just going bad.

[ November 12, 2016, 02:34 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Michael Wright (Member # 1387) on November 12, 2016, 08:18 AM:

Thanks for all your replies. Cleaning the lens and the heat filter has helped. The image is now darker in the top half of the screen which is 1/4 better than before! I'm lucky enough to have 3 spare lamps and have tried them all and they all give roughly the same results. I'm now thinking that the lamp holder mounting is slightly out of line. There are two screws that hold the mounting in place, has anyone tried to adjust these?
Janice you asked about the type of lamp, 3 of my lamps carry the British code of A1/184 and one has DEF. They all look identical to me. As you said these lamps are expensive.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 12, 2016, 10:00 AM:

If the lamp-holder is designed for user adjustment it should be obvious on inspection. As the lamps have an integral mirror, provision for adjustment seems unlikely. It's possible that the securing screws may have come lose.
With lamps being advertised in the region of £50 it might be an idea to put them on Ebay and look for a newer projector which uses cheaper replacement lamps.
https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/film-department-3d-presentation/projectors-lamps/lamp-a1184-21v-150w-g17q

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on November 12, 2016, 03:51 PM:

Mike...Make sure the lamp is fully seated. Maurice is right about how the lamp is designed, however I've noticed on some sockets...wiggle room [Smile]

Just a thought.

FYI ...There were 2 FP models that came with the EJM MR16 base lamp. These models were named "Slow Motion" or "Brilliant." I found one of these as a parts machine that had the bulb upgrade. I removed the lamp holder and socket and installed them into my FP-A. The lamp cover is also larger on these models. I'm thinking with a little creativity a DIY upgrade solution is possible.

Posted by Michael Wright (Member # 1387) on November 20, 2016, 06:38 AM:

Thanks Janice, it would be great to convert the projector to the more modern lamp. I seem to remember that someone made an adapter to allow the new type lamp to fit the old lamp socket? do you remember it? Cheers Mike

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on November 20, 2016, 10:41 AM:

Yes Michael it was George Tveden.

http://www.tvedenlampmodules.com

You should contact him to make sure his adapter also works with the EJM bulb.

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