This is topic ELF platter in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Giorgio Volpi (Member # 1182) on 04-18-2004, 02:22 AM:
 
Hi everybody,
I have an ELF platter by Christie but I have no manual.
What are the adjustment for a correct platter work?
If I place the film in the toothed roller there is no way to maintain film tension.
I will appreciate very much all your suggestions.

Giorgio.
 

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 04-19-2004, 07:15 PM:
 
When I worked for Marcus and we used ELFs, our automation's showend mode always kept tension in the film.

Watch out for the dreaded uni-hump once you get it set up!
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-19-2004, 07:46 PM:
 
Your best altenative is to get rid of the piece of junk and get a real platter system. Not only are ELFS and endless loops made for cheap skate theatre operators that are too cheap to hire enough labor to properly run a theatr and they are also for lazy people that don't care in the least about the quality of presentations. If you are wanting to give the worst possible presentation and have no concern that you will be scratching and ruining film as you are running it then go ahead and fix it.

Mark
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-19-2004, 09:04 PM:
 
Mark,

And your point is?

Steve

Elf Manual

Strong's Endless Loop

Kinoton's Answer to the Endless Loop Too

Note, generally Christie, Strong and Kinoton are regarded as the best platters or at least have a very loyal following. All three of these manufacturers keep their endless loops on the price sheet in this loop unfriendly polyester world.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-19-2004, 09:17 PM:
 
The point is that its a vital piece of equipment in the link to providing patrons with a very low quality presentation.

Mark
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-19-2004, 09:18 PM:
 
Yeah, but isn't that what the platter is all about

Steve
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-19-2004, 09:57 PM:
 
Reels are also quite cabable of mushing up a bunch of film when used by unknowing individuals....
I was also wondering if he was aware of the consequences of using a loop.....

Mark
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 04-20-2004, 09:05 AM:
 
The point of the endless loop systems as used in Europe. the designers like to have a master contol station for the one to two projectionist working in the building to supervise the operation. they view the images via monitors and operate the machines remotely......so he is stuck with endless loop or dual machine with film path rewind. i was in one location in Spain where the cinema auditoriums where on four floors and the "control station" was in the lobby.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-20-2004, 07:33 PM:
 
"the designers like to have a master contol station for the one to two projectionist working in the building to supervise the operation."

Now thats some real poor bastardized engineering going on over there! I sure feel sorry for the movie going public.

Mark
 

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Posted by Alan Gilbertson (Member # 242) on 04-20-2004, 09:58 PM:
 
If your ELF is not gaining tension the problem lies in the metering arm. First you want to make sure that the arm that holds the roller that pushes the film back onto the platter is in the right position. That arm needs to be tight against that hex head bolt that is on the far left of that arm. If it is not tight the platter will make about 2 revolution and then start spilling onto the floor. If that does'nt work then you have to start making adjustments, and to make adjustments you need to adjust that same hex bolt. It is best to mark the bolt at 12 0'clock and turn it in 5 minute incerements. Clockwise decreases tension and counter clockwise will increase tension. If you have problem finding the bolt that I'm talking about send me a fax number and I'll send you a diagram. Hope this will help, let me know how you make out.
 

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Posted by Steve Anderson (Member # 364) on 04-20-2004, 11:25 PM:
 
Mark you have a right to your opinion but please don't be such a grumpy old man....lighten up!! the gentleman asked for help not a verbal beating.
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 04-20-2004, 11:42 PM:
 
Sr. Volphi life story....he was the child in Cinema Paradiso
He has been in the business along time but he is never afraid to ask a question or opinion
 

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-21-2004, 12:13 AM:
 
The dual machine with film path rewind works quite well too!. No customer downgrade and it is good engineering, with the right projector.

The Kinoton FP 30ER is just such a projector.

Steve
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-21-2004, 08:57 AM:
 
I think you would find that many of us were the child in Cinema Paradiso......

I agree with Steve on this one. If you have to do it there are ways it can be done without ruining the film. Endless loop platters however are not one of those ways.
Mark
 

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Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 04-21-2004, 09:03 AM:
 
Mine was Cinema Paradiso Drive in at 5 years old
 

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Posted by Larry Shaw (Member # 388) on 04-21-2004, 02:19 PM:
 
Many years ago BL&S installed some ELF's, including a prototype with the deck made of plywood, and two custom double-deck units. These were all in museum applications running the same show over and over. With humidity control and nobody touching them they worked remarkably well.

I have seen the Kinotons working in cinemas in Europe, seemingly without any problems. Of course they don't use the strange "sandbags" and so forth the ELF used, so I think they're not as finicky as the ELF was.

If you don't like the ELF, you must really hate the CAT.....remember?
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-21-2004, 02:32 PM:
 
Clark Crites won an Academy Technical Achievement Award for the development of the ELF:

http://wwwdb.oscars.org/ampas/plsql/ampas_mainmenu.year?year_in=1997

quote:

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1997
(70th) Technical Achievement Award Projection CLARK F. CRITES for the design and development of the Christie ELF 1-C Endless Loop Film Transport and Storage System

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