Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cinemeccanica Vic 18 lamphouse question

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Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 06-22-2007, 08:13 PM:

Hi All, The Victoria 18's that i work with, vertical 2.5 k lamphouse installed on the side (not the back), originally there was a second small mirror/ reflector to boost the light output to the edges of screen, they were removed years ago.
I am curious as whether it was worth getting a replacement? I have tracked one down. Obviously they were removed for a reason, I understand thet the duel reflectors were hard to align. I am not afraid of a challange so would reinstalling the additional mirror provide better results? be worth the effort?
Thanks in advance

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-22-2007, 10:01 PM:

I ran a twin booth with the V-18 setup, but only had one pre-focus mirror assembly that were stored in the closet, and never felt that it was necessary to use this pre-focus assembly-as long as you get the bulb at the right vertical, the main mirror and the flat mirror properly centered to optics. We also had the 2.5k bulb with the bullet ends using an IREM "steering wheel" rectifier. (and a clean screen does wonders as well..)

There was a rod shaped tool, that I heard of, that aligned all of this through the lens mount to the flat angled mirror, but we didn't have that rod assembly to do the alignment.

I had wonderful light hitting 12x29 foot screen from a distance of 65 ft in this booth below:

good luck - Monte

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-23-2007, 09:52 AM:

We always aligned the main reflector so that the corners were dim, resulting in a bright picture. The small reflector was then used to fill in the corners.

It is very important that the apex of the vee and the inverted vee do NOT coincide when viewed in the purple glass in the rear "looking glass." Should look like an "X" with two bright spots. That is why the small lens has failed. As you know they are no longer made. Louis

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-24-2007, 01:25 PM:

We can all thank God that all those VIC 18's are long gone!!! [thumbsup]

Mark

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-24-2007, 01:34 PM:

The vic 18 was a robust unit
and the vic8 picture head is a servicable projector

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-25-2007, 04:45 PM:

I like the Vic 8 head but the VIC 18 as a whole was a piece of junk. Especially the right angle lamphouse.

Mark

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-25-2007, 08:02 PM:

Yet, as Steve G. would prob agree that the film is on a REEL, not on a platter with the V-18 setup.

Granted, the transmission was on the smallish side to handle all of that turning weight, but in a whole, I loved this setup.

But also true, I've heard stories from some techs that didn't like these V-18 setups..

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 06-29-2007, 08:13 PM:

Thankyou for your suggestions and informative replies.

I must admit that I think the picture is very nice, not really a problem, just a little bit darker in the corners. We premiered a film receintly and the DOP pulled out a light meter, we had 17 footlamberts in the centre and 8 on the sides on our larger 32 ft x 14 ft screen. Our smaller 23 x 10 screen is obviously brighter and truly a remarkable picture.

I am under the impression that the second mirror would subtract some light from the centre but brighten up the sides. I must admit that I'm not sure if its worth trying.

My only gripes with the vic 18 is the constant refocusing of the mirrors when you rewind on the machine, it seems to shake the projector somewhat.

The other is that one of the machines large take up spool need to be adjusted regularly to maintain a proper take up tension. The other machine has a different bolt style design and is never touched.

With Superplatters also in the box, Im not sure which is kinder to film!

Monte, my laptop is playing up and I have been trying to load a shot of the projectors here. I will asap.