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I am trying to find the source of minor focus imperfections in our changeover booth. Both projectors have an identical equipment, but I am noticing a softness more on projector 2 than projector 1:
Century C (4 inch barrel)
Century R3 Reproducer
Xenex L-1000
Lamp: Osram XBO 2000W/HS OFR
Lenses: ISCO 85mm (FLAT), ISCO 110mm with ISCO anamorphic attachment (SCOPE)
I've troubleshooted a few things including: testing between flat & scope lenses & films, swapping lenses between heads, swapping lenses with backup lenses, projecting the same reel on both projectors (to see if the problem follows the reel). I've also applied some tips provided in archived threads like adjusting the film trap alignment, pushed the studio guides out of the way, and checked the lateral guide roller alignment all without any change.
So now I am thinking the cause is the loose cathode support bushings. The (aluminum?) bushings sit slightly loose in the reflector, and the cathode end of the lamp is loose inside the bushing. I can wiggle the cathode end of the lamp a few millimeters or so up down left & right.
I'm wondering if because the bushings are loose, would it be hard to perfectly focus the optics of the lamphouse?
I took some photos with the lamphouses on, projectors on, and no lenses. These scrappy smartphone pictures might help:
Second... does anyone know where I can track down a used or new (old) stock set of cathode supports for my lamps?
Thank you in advance for your interest & advice!
JT
Century C (4 inch barrel)
Century R3 Reproducer
Xenex L-1000
Lamp: Osram XBO 2000W/HS OFR
Lenses: ISCO 85mm (FLAT), ISCO 110mm with ISCO anamorphic attachment (SCOPE)
I've troubleshooted a few things including: testing between flat & scope lenses & films, swapping lenses between heads, swapping lenses with backup lenses, projecting the same reel on both projectors (to see if the problem follows the reel). I've also applied some tips provided in archived threads like adjusting the film trap alignment, pushed the studio guides out of the way, and checked the lateral guide roller alignment all without any change.
So now I am thinking the cause is the loose cathode support bushings. The (aluminum?) bushings sit slightly loose in the reflector, and the cathode end of the lamp is loose inside the bushing. I can wiggle the cathode end of the lamp a few millimeters or so up down left & right.
I'm wondering if because the bushings are loose, would it be hard to perfectly focus the optics of the lamphouse?
I took some photos with the lamphouses on, projectors on, and no lenses. These scrappy smartphone pictures might help:
Second... does anyone know where I can track down a used or new (old) stock set of cathode supports for my lamps?
Thank you in advance for your interest & advice!
JT
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