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Topic: Is anybody installing BRAND NEW Century's anymore?

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

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

posted 06-18-2000 10:23 PM

The "Cinefocus" option is most certainly available (SB or MSB) in 35mm or JJ3 in 70mm

The only requirement is a single lens system for obvious reasons. Since most new complexes use turrets, the Cinefocus option isn't used much.

The Cinefocus system applies positive pressure to the base side of the film to keep it from fluttering in the aperture. Shims are added to the gate runners above and below the aperture so that there is just a sliver of space for the air to escape.

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

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Robert Throop
Master Film Handler

Posts: 412
From: Vernon, NY USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-19-2000 10:05 AM

Maybe it's time to revive Century's "single lens concept" which used a single backup lens
and moved either a magna com or anamorph in front of it. This could be used with Cine Focus.

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Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-19-2000 10:22 AM

Okay, it's not really a good idea to judge a machine by how fast you can thread it, but I'm just making a point of comparison...

I can thread the Century about twice as fast as the Simplex. It's mostly becasue I've threaded a Century about a million times more often than I have a Simplex. Century has an almost straight-through path that you can thread perfectly while blindfolded. That's probably its best feature... You can train (almost) anybody to use it in an afternoon and they can be productive in a couple of days. The Simplex, although pretty easy to thread, takes a little bit more "finesse".

On the reverse side, I think that once you get the Simplex threaded and running, it's a lot more trouble free. You don't have to tweek it as much. Mind you, my Centurys are turret models. You just have to stay on top of those babies or they'll put the picture all over the masking. I tell newbies that you gotta' show 'em who's boss.

If I could, I'd pick a Simplex projector and bolt it onto a Century sound head. Too bad they run backwards from each other.

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Bobby Parry
Film Handler

Posts: 3
From: New Orleans, LA USA
Registered: Aug 1999

posted 07-03-2000 10:25 PM

I've been using new Century projectors in all our new constructions. Strong has done a fine job manufacturing them. They're easy to keep clean, have one of the steadiest pictures, and the finest soundhead Strong has to offer.

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Tim Killen
Film Handler

Posts: 13
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 07-07-2000 11:10 AM

I've used Cinemaccanica Vic 5, Kinoton FP30 & FP50s, Bauer U3 & U4s and Century C, and I've got to say that I find the Century the hardest to thread and the hardest to keep clean. How you clean around the intermittent with those recessed corners has got me. The rest of the machines that I have used are all open and relatively easy to clean with nothing exceptionly hard to get at.

I would have have to say that of all the machines that I have used the Kinoton is the best. Easy to thread and very kind to film with its curved teflon gate assembly, and very rarely would you have film's sheading unlike the Vic 5s and Centurys, with build up of Emulsion on the metal gates after just one session.

I don't know, maybe it's me. Am I missing something about the Centurys that you guys know about.

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-08-2000 01:51 AM

I agree with you about the Kinotons...very kind to film and the only time they powder, it's because the print has been somewhere else and they've scratched the sprocket area.

Centurys are however very, very easy to thread. The intermittent area can be cleaned properly, but it means adjusting the framing handle and that's not always (ever) a good idea.

Only one man I have known could clean a Century properly. It would look brand spanking new every time...quite an impressive feat. Tony Checklin, you are remembered, sir.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 07-10-2000 03:42 AM

Randy,
It is possible to run an X-L on a Century soundhead

. You run the soundhead in reverse and add one roller to the path to compensate for it. It is a very nice but seldom seen combination. Contact me for details if you are interested in doing this.
mark@getgts.com

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

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

posted 07-10-2000 10:48 PM

Mark,

I'm betting you don't do this with a "direct drive" Century sound head ;-) (eg MR3)

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

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Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 07-10-2000 11:33 PM

Just for curiosity's sake I'd like to see how it's done...

How do you "compensate" for the pad roller being on the other side of the sprocket? (Or am I missing something?)

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Frank A. Phillips
Film Handler

Posts: 13
From: Burton, Mi USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 07-11-2000 07:10 PM

The Century is alive and well and whoever said they never leak? And they all leak! We have ten of the SA-Ta series, six of them about three years olde and the four newest last year. The new ones have to have the turret closed in order to use the framer, not good! And there are a couple of bearings needing occassional oil not mentioned in the service manual, the "sound drum" shaft and the idler at the bottom of the sound head. We've lost one of each so far. I remember the Simplex models from the forties and we used to have shallow pans under them, might have to do that with the Centuries BUT they are work horses and good machines!

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