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Topic: How far can you throw Super 8mm?
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Gary Crawford
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 979
From: Manassas, VA. USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted February 23, 2016 08:57 AM
Yes... Super 8 CAN work very well on a large screen with a long throw, but all the elements have to be there, just like any projected medium, but more so with this tiny less than 8mm frame. I've successfully shown scope Super 8 on a 17 foot screen both inside and outdoors, but almost every part of the exhibition chain has to be good. It starts with the print. It needs to be sharp, sharp, sharp....AND printed with the right density. If the thing is sharp, but a tad too dark, you are behind the Super "8 ball" right off the bat. 2. that projector had better have at least a 150 watt lamp. (I have been successful with the Elmo ST1200Hd, but with other aids in place). The more light, the better. 3. if you can swing it, put in a two blade shutter. That really adds lumens to things. 4. The prime lens....the faster the better, usually. f1.1 or 1.0 for best results...and clean it front and back. Cleaning makes a big difference in light scatter, brightness, sharpness. Same with any scope lens. 5. It helps to cut down ambient light...AND light from the screen that reflects back off ceilings and walls. Dark material on ceiling and nearby walls helps. 6. The one element we seem to have less concern and control over is the screen. A dull aged screen will defeat even the best picture being thrown onto it. I discovered special screen paint sold by Steve Osborne (The Reel Image) and it makes a very visible difference in brightness, whiteness and apparent contrast. So..i also agree with Alan. I've run films on the big 17 foot screen outdoors and indoors...and when all the elements..or most of them..are present, and the audience isn't sitting ultra close to the screen, the effect is very much like 35mm theater. I found that particularly true with superb prints with stereo sound...like The Fog....and Thunderball and others.
There are some prints I wouldn't try to show big.... if they don't look that sharp on a small screen, putting them on the big one will just make it worse. Good print, good equipment, good screen, good environment.....and Super 8 can look VERY Super.
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