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Author Topic: FP20 with short focal length lens Matthew Taylor Expert Film Handler Posts: 186 From: Essex, UK Registered: Mar 2004 posted 10-27-2006 05:47 PM                     I am considering buying a Philips FP20 with a turret. it has occured to me that there might be a problem using my 32mm lens with this. Does anyone know if the projected beam will clear the projector with out obstruction if used with this lens?  |  IP: Logged Brian Guckian Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 594 From: Dublin, Ireland Registered: Apr 2003 posted 10-28-2006 05:32 PM                     Check the front of the FP20 and see if the front corner of the main frame has been cut away immediately beside the turret. Some of Philips'/Kinoton's models had(?)/have this feature to accommodate the greater angle of divergence produced by short focal length lenses. But you should really try to aim for c.50mm on 1:1.85. Is this something you could look at?  |  IP: Logged David Graham Rose Expert Film Handler Posts: 187 From: Cambridge, UK Registered: Sep 2002 posted 10-29-2006 05:45 AM                     Greetings Matthew To put it bluntly, you are buggered. I tried using a 45mm lens the other day and even that was still clipping the left hand side of the image. Return the projector to the supplier, and tell him/her that it is of no use. Since it is not. Then go out and buy a nice new Century. That will work. The Century projector - the workhorse of the cinema industry. Regards David  |  IP: Logged Matthew Taylor Expert Film Handler Posts: 186 From: Essex, UK Registered: Mar 2004 posted 10-29-2006 06:33 AM                     Oh...that's a real shame. I can't really use another lens because this is a home screening room and I have no more room to move the projector back and if I get a smaller lens, I will have an even smaller image than I do now I have this FP20 lined up for purchase (not from a dealer) and due to the reputation the Philips/Kinoton FP20's have, I've been looking forward to getting it. I think a century is going to be out of my league - I only have a hobbyists wallet! I appreciate the info though.  |  IP: Logged Stephen Furley Film God Posts: 3059 From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England Registered: May 2002 posted 10-29-2006 07:02 AM                     quote: Brian Guckian Check the front of the FP20 and see if the front corner of the main frame has been cut away immediately beside the turret. Some of Philips'/Kinoton's models had(?)/have this feature to accommodate the greater angle of divergence produced by short focal length lenses. Can we assume that this is the old FP-20, and not the fairly recently introduced FP-20A? If it is the old FP-20, then I don't think you'll find the cut-out in the corner of the column, this was on the later machines. However, the older machines had smaller columns than the current ones do. I'm doubtful that you'd get away with a 32mm, that's a very short lens. David, I'm quite surprised that you couldn't use a 45mm; I don't think I've ever used anything shorter than a 50 in one, but the beam was well clear of the column. Maybe even within the older projectors there was some variation in the column size? I've never actually measured it. I've never used a machine with a turret, but the lens would still have to be in the same position, so that shouldn't make any difference to the shortest lens which can be used.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 10-29-2006 07:14 AM                        How about using a slightly longer lens with a magna-com attachment? This would at least extend the front of the lens by a few inches and may allow you to get the picture size that you want. The downside, of course, is the image-softening and light-eating properties of the magna-com.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 10-29-2006 10:17 AM                        I would follow Scott's advice exactly. (It does help to know that this is not a commercial theatre where money is concerned.) Louis  |  IP: Logged Matthew Taylor Expert Film Handler Posts: 186 From: Essex, UK Registered: Mar 2004 posted 10-29-2006 11:06 AM                     Thanks guys. Do the Magnacoms eat loads of light? What sort of price are they on the second hand market?  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 10-29-2006 11:19 AM                        Should be PLENTY around. They do reduce the light; unfortunately on FLAT where you don't need any reduction. Should be OK for home, though. Good projector otherwise. Louis  |  IP: Logged Pete Naples Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1565 From: Dunfermline, Scotland Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-29-2006 12:14 PM                     Maybe in the US, but over here they were never popular, and have all but dissapeared. I last saw one about 12 years ago.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 10-29-2006 05:07 PM                     I'm not as anti-magnacom as others are. I would advise a curved screen with one htough since they will introduce a pincushion. Alternately, I would look for what ISCO called their Spezial lens. It used a .52X magnifiier with Ultra prime lenses...it was what followed their T-Kiptikon lenses. These lenses were available down to 31.3mm for 35mm projection. The current generation are sold as an attachment like an anamorphic. They are available for flat field and curved and will carry the "F" or "C" stamp on their barrel, respectively. I've used these lenses on my AA2 installations in IMAX theatres due to their ability to put out an excellent image without vignetting on the AA2's body. Steve  |  IP: Logged

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