Film-Tech Cinema Systems
Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE


  
my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Operations   » Film Handlers' Forum   » Lense Repair explanation - Truth or just a line?

   
Author Topic: Lense Repair explanation - Truth or just a line?
Paul Konen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 981
From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 06-26-2003 04:17 PM      Profile for Paul Konen   Email Paul Konen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I am having to repair my third Schneider Scope Lense due to an element becoming loose within the primary portion. You can actually hear it click when you shake it back and forth.

Here is what the repair facility said about the previous two repairs. Are they just giving us a line or is it really

quote:
The lenses need to be overhauled from time to time. The Anamorphic lens
has a cam follower, and sometimes the timing becomes an issue. It's just
normal for these lenses to need adjustment's. Usually once the
adjustment is done, you very rarely see another problem for a long time.

What are your thoughts?

BTW, the lenses are never removed, disassembled or anything of the sort. Just used in a normal fashion and cleaned when needed.

 |  IP: Logged

Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002


 - posted 06-26-2003 06:12 PM      Profile for Manny Knowles   Email Manny Knowles   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I've never heard of this and I've used a variety of lenses. Not even the cheap ones are unstable like that.

It sounds like a line to me but that's just my gut reaction. Still, even if it is "gospel" truth, it would make me think twice about ever installing such a lens.

Could you imagine the headache of having to keep track of lens overhauls for even a small theatre chain? What a hassle that would be!

Meanwhile, how are you supposed to show your scope movies?

 |  IP: Logged

Ken McFall
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 615
From: Haringey, London.
Registered: Apr 2001


 - posted 06-26-2003 06:41 PM      Profile for Ken McFall   Email Ken McFall   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
To be fair.... lenses are subjected to more mechanical stress that in the days of manual lens changes and 20 on 20 off running. Take the Kinoton turret as an example, at least the ones I've seen. They subject the lens to quite a sudden stop, jolt. The lens has to cope with some 2-3 hours of high intensity heat per show day in day out.

Is it any wonder that they 'can' deteriorate quicker than we would like. Short focal length lens are less forgiving than the lenses of ten years ago. They have to cope with much higher demands and therefore will fail just like any other bit of equipment under constant stress.

Do I think this is fair and reasonable.... I'm not too sure but it is a reality we are forced to accept.

Recent years have seen the forced acpetance of great change and greater demands on things that never used to make their existance known. We always took the 'lens' of granted and never questioned its role in the scheme of putting a show on screen.

Now a days it is possibly one of the most important factor's in the end result..... that and light which is the biggest factor in lens deterioration due to heat of the lamphouse.

Crap lens = Crap picture..... sort of.

 |  IP: Logged

Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002


 - posted 06-26-2003 07:02 PM      Profile for Manny Knowles   Email Manny Knowles   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Okay...fair enough.

So now I have a few questions for Paul:

(a) age of lenses?
(b) type of turret?
(c) wattage of lamp?

 |  IP: Logged

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 06-26-2003 07:28 PM      Profile for Mark Gulbrandsen   Email Mark Gulbrandsen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Actually Schneider had tons of trouble with their scope lenses that were made fomr the early to the mid 80's. At least they ARE repairable. Many scope lenses are not, or require more expensive repair facilities to tackle them. If it was a B&L, KOWA, or other older brand you would be junking it!!! The present Schneiders are really good though and we have little trouble. The latest batch of Schneeider Integrateds looked almost as sharp as the ISCO 5 element Blue Star lens.
Mark

 |  IP: Logged

Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002


 - posted 06-26-2003 11:17 PM      Profile for Manny Knowles   Email Manny Knowles   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Mark that's certainly a relief to hear that the new ones are good!

 |  IP: Logged

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999


 - posted 06-27-2003 06:56 AM      Profile for Steve Guttag   Email Steve Guttag   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
The current Schneider integrateds are indeed good (as is the larger WA lens) but they don't hold a candle to the Blue-Star. Schneider also suffers from the 4-element desease...they don't expand at 2:1...more often than not, they are greater than 2:1.

In the integrated department...Schnieder has an edge since their integrated is detachable just like any full-sized anamorphic.

However, for full-sized anamorphics...get an ISCO Blue-Star...accept no substitutes.

Steve

 |  IP: Logged

Paul Konen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 981
From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 06-27-2003 09:19 AM      Profile for Paul Konen   Email Paul Konen   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Manny, this is all original equipment from new construction.

Christie P35 Projector with Automatic turrets
Age approx 4 years
Wattage 3000, 4000 consoles.

Thanks to all for your responses.

 |  IP: Logged

Jason Burroughs
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Allen, TX
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 06-27-2003 09:47 AM      Profile for Jason Burroughs   Email Jason Burroughs   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Paul,

Sounds to me like someone is trying to pull a fast one on you.

Provided the lenses are not abused, lamps not left on, kids not slamming the turrets shut, lamp focused properly etc, they should be care free for years.

 |  IP: Logged

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99


 - posted 06-27-2003 10:27 AM      Profile for Gordon McLeod   Email Gordon McLeod   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
It is not that uncommon of problem with the Schnieder anamorphics to require tighening. I also have had some that have cracked elements occur with 7K operation

 |  IP: Logged



All times are Central (GMT -6:00)  
   Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic    next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:



Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM 6.3.1.2

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.

© 1999-2020 Film-Tech Cinema Systems, LLC. All rights reserved.