This is topic Focus fight with 'Black Knight' in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Matt Close (Member # 996) on 04-20-2002, 06:55 PM:
This is the second print that has done this in recent months!! (grrr) .. the last one was 'Behind Enemy Lines'. You simply
CAN NOT achieve decent focus 'accross' the screen! If you focus the middle properly, then both sides are shot.... try to focus one side, then the middle and the other side are shot .. etc. It is not a projector problem because it does it on all of the projectors these films played on, while all other films look fine...
What causes this? Are these films the victim of some stock problem? ... Or am I just going crazy? .....
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-20-2002, 07:52 PM:
Assuming this is a second hand US print, has the print been embossed from it's previous use? That would most certainly cause the problem you describe.
Posted by Matt Close (Member # 996) on 04-20-2002, 08:04 PM:
Embossed? .... Please excuse my ignorance Brad, but you could explain a little more?
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 04-20-2002, 08:36 PM:
I wish I had a picture to post here. When a film is ran with a high wattage xenon bulb (or the bulb is misfocused or inproper ventilation) the film will "stretch out" and expand away from the heat. The result is that each frame will have what is called "embossing", where each frame protrudes out as compared to the edges and framelines. This defect *normally* does not interfere with projection, but if the film is embossed heavily, it will affect focus like you describe. Just look at the film with a light reflecting on it.
Posted by Matt Close (Member # 996) on 04-20-2002, 08:39 PM:
Thanks Brad, I shall inspect it after this showing .....
this 'out of focus' showing 
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-22-2002, 08:43 AM:
"Embossing" is a possible cause:
http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/newsletters/reel/fall97/pytlak.shtml
http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/newsletters/reel/winter97/projection.shtml
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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
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Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
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Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
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