Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Why 2.39 instead of 2.35?

This is topic Why 2.39 instead of 2.35? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-29-2001, 05:46 PM:

Perhaps I've lost some posts but... why you often refer to Cinemascope format as 2.39:1 instead of 2.35:1?

Thanks
Antonio

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 03-29-2001, 06:17 PM:

Repeated from a previous post:

Cinemascope's ratio has changed several times over the years, mostly to prevent seeing the cement splices at the top or bottom of the screen (if the projectionist was out of frame just a little they could be seen.)

Currently it's 2.39 (the aperture opening is 0.690 x 0.825 inches) but it used to be 0.700 x 0.825 which come out to 2.35.

Again, for a really good explaination, see Marty's site:
http://www.widescreenmuseum.com

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 03-29-2001, 11:53 PM:

Hi, John.

The website you are pointing to is great! Lots of good information on it, and very educational, too.

I would recommend it to the Film-Tech Newbies, as well as the Oldbies, too.

Posted by Antonio Marcheselli (Member # 373) on 03-30-2001, 06:29 PM:

Thanks John!
Antonio