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Topic: Lens Question - Bell & Howell

Brannon Carty
Film Handler

Posts: 29
From: North Carolina
Registered: May 2011

posted May 21, 2012 07:10 PM

I have a Bell & Howell Filmosound 500 16mm projector. I've read different lenses project bigger images, which is what I need. My current one produces rather small images.

Here is my current lens:
76mm (3in) f/1.6

What do you all recommend to get a bigger image?

--------------------
The Young Film Nerd.

Model Owned: B&H Filmosound 550

"You're gonna need a bigger boat." - JAWS (1975)

Films Owned: Killer Fish

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Thor Andre Karlsen
Film Handler

Posts: 50
From: Fredrikstad, Norway
Registered: Apr 2012

posted May 22, 2012 03:39 PM

A 3" lens like that one will give a 15" wide picture at 10 feet, while a 2" lens would give a 23" picture, and a 1,5" lens will give a 30" picture.

The most common lens is usually the 2", the 3" and 1,5" is also quite common, 1" and 0,635" is a bit more unusual.

The "f/1.6" tells you how much light passes the lens, lower numbers are better, an f/1.2 lens is much better for example than a f/1.6, something to think about when buying a lens.

There are also zoom lenses!

Here are a chart for calculating the picture size for each lens size: http://paulivester.com/films/projector/throw.htm

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Wayne Tuell
Master Film Handler

Posts: 488
From: Minden, NV
Registered: Jul 2009

posted May 23, 2012 08:40 PM

Paul Ivester's chart is pretty good tool for getting in the ball park with a lens or lenses.

I may have a couple spare 2" lenses if that size fits your needs. Also, a 1.6 lens is good to have on hand if you have a dupe that is a bit washed out or tad bright in scenes. Less light = better image on screen for the rare occasion of a not so good print.

--------------------
www.16mmDrive-InFilms.com

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Bill Brandenstein
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1632
From: California
Registered: Aug 2007

posted May 24, 2012 12:15 AM

76mm = tiny image! I definitely have some 50mm spares if you don't, Wayne.

Of course, for an even bigger image, go with 32mm or any other shorter focal lenth. But those lenses are harder to find and have held their value better.

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted May 24, 2012 07:40 AM

Thor

Great chart. Thanks for the link!

PatD

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