posted June 06, 2017 03:34 PM
I am new to 8mm, trying to digitize some old family films on a borrowed B&H 466A. I am curious about the tiny plate of dots in the path of the light source. There is a grid of 42 dots (6hx7w) . Why would that be in the light path? Seems spotty and uneven, though I do get the fact that it would be relatively unidirectional. Anything else I should know before loading this unit with the films and transferring? I already replaced the drive belt and rubber wheel.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 06, 2017 04:02 PM
You should only see the circles when the "FWD-STILL-REV" lever is in the "Still" postion. The circles are perforations in the metal plate that comes down to block the film aperture. It was designed to allow just enough light to still pass through to the film in order to have a "freeze frame" feature wihout the full lamp output burning a hole through the film. I guess you could use it to pre-focus the projector...., but I don't think it was designed for that purpose.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
posted June 06, 2017 04:43 PM
Thanks Janice, I did find the device you mention just in front of the bulb and it appears to function as designed, it travels with the fwd/ rev switch and is in place when in " Neutral" or Stills. However, there is another similar but smaller set of dots just behind the film plane which you can see when you swing the lens out of place. I don't think it moves...
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 06, 2017 05:37 PM
I'm having trouble visualizing what you are describing Jerome. There really should not be anything between the light source and the frame opening in the gate. Are you sure it's not a piece of broken film? Is it possible for you to post a closeup picture of the location? Do the dots appear when you project?
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
posted June 06, 2017 07:34 PM
Yes they do still project although dimmer. Here is a lo res and sideways photo of the item in question by the red arrow.
I also have a question re the gap that happens between the shutter wheel and the upper pulley. Seems like there isn't enough tension to seat it correctly. Sorry that the photo uploaded so lo res and sideways!