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Author Topic: Buying Test Loops Richard Edward Wells III Film Handler Posts: 20 From: Cloverdale, CA, USA Registered: Feb 2005 posted 11-09-2005 03:53 PM                     I have told my supervisors at my theater that we need the test film so that I can accurately focus all of our projectors, and after a month, we still don't have it. I just want to know if there is anywhere I can go online myself and order some SMPTE RP40 film? I've searched quite a few dealers and all of the ones that I could buy from myself have not had the test film.  |  IP: Logged Christian Volpi Master Film Handler Posts: 349 From: Arlington, NE Registered: Apr 2004 posted 11-09-2005 05:32 PM                        Test film such as RP40 is very expensive...I wouldn't recommend buying it out of your own pocket. If the management doesn't want to shell out the money then they will suffer in the long run with reduced admissions sales due to poor presentation. Just do the best you can until you get some test film.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-09-2005 05:35 PM                     try ordering 35-PA instead  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 11-09-2005 07:14 PM                        Presently the SMPTE is back ordered on this film. Try buying from a technically based dealer who stocks this in depth. Louis  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 11-09-2005 09:59 PM                     quote: Gordon McLeod try ordering 35-PA instead True, the "RP-40" is the text documentation that comes with the 35-PA test film (but of course, all of us tekkies refer the loop as the "RP-40" and got away with it all of these years..). True also, the 35-PA film is about 2 to 5 bucks a foot being first generation camera negative on ACETATE stock. So, if you get a 10ft roll of this stuff, do take care of it. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 11-09-2005 10:36 PM                     You're proposing using 35-PA for focusing???  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-09-2005 10:38 PM                     Monte If someone ordered from me rp40 they would get the text document Do you relise the amount of incorrectly ordered parts theatre place because they assume you know what they are talking about If you want part x then oreder it by the correct part number and testfilms and the likeas are no different  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 11-09-2005 10:46 PM                     So if someone ordered "10 feet of RP40" from your company Gordon, you would ship them the RP40 paper knowing damn good and well they meant the PA35 film??? That's kind of mean.  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 11-09-2005 11:21 PM                     Let alone ten feet of it... Damn!  |  IP: Logged Dan Lyons Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 698 From: Seal Beach, CA Registered: Sep 2002 posted 11-10-2005 12:48 AM                     quote: Monte L Fullmer True also, the 35-PA film is about 2 to 5 bucks a foot being first generation camera negative on ACETATE stock. You must have some OLD loops. My roll is on polyester stock. quote: I have told my supervisors at my theater that we need the test film so that I can accurately focus all of our projectors, I use it to set framing and cut plates. Even if you have the loop focused, when you run a film you'll have to re-focus.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 11-10-2005 03:18 AM                     (lol yep, got some old SMPTE RP-40 loops... ) ..On focusing with the RP-40 (35PA - the newer issue of this same loop), this loop is good for when aligning and focusing in the anamorphic attachment to the screen with the crosshairs on the loop. Also, look into the reverse of the 35PA, (which I don't know the release number) which is black on white. This aids in fine tuning out the shutter ghosts when doing the shutter timing. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 11-10-2005 03:49 AM                        quote: Monte L Fullmer Also, look into the reverse of the 35PA, (which I don't know the release number) which is black on white. This aids in fine tuning out the shutter ghosts when doing the shutter timing. So does the end of many trailers that have lots of white (clear) titles at the end. The difference is they're essentially free.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 11-10-2005 04:13 AM                     Agreed, just rack the framing enough out so that you can see the white text trails. Works better than RP40 or PA35 in my opinion.  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: Boulder Creek, CA. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 11-11-2005 02:40 PM                     Unfortunately for us, our 35PA is so trashed it's almost useless for anything but cutting aperture plates and setting framing/masking. I offer my "ghetto" bandaid solutions: Use a loop of full screen credits such as at the end of the Jarhead trailer (which by the way was incredibly steady on most prints) for dialing out shutter ghost. Use a loop of hard matt'd green band from a FLAT trailer for a SCOPE movie to center up your framing. Use loops of the really bright green band from a hard matt'd SCOPE trailer for a FLAT movie to adjust your scope lenses. It's not ideal but I remember reading about it here on FT at one point and have had limited success with it in my experience. And of course, the usual disclaimer. If you're unsure about anything, don't do it until you are! Good luck.  |  IP: Logged Luci Reeve Film Handler Posts: 50 From: Telluride, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 05-13-2006 05:02 PM                        I've tried to focus using the 35PA black & white and then had to adjust when the movie started...I was told the 35PA was thinner than color stock. So I usually focus with a loop of credits. But I would like to own a color 35PA loop. I saw one once so I know it's out there. If anyone knows how to acquire some I'd really appreciate it.  |  IP: Logged

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