Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Can Straight Gate Simplex XL PR1014 be Changed to Curved Gate?

This is topic Can Straight Gate Simplex XL PR1014 be Changed to Curved Gate? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 04-04-2008, 01:55 PM:

I have two straight gate PR1014 XL heads and I was thinking about changing them to curved gates. Can this be done easily? Can't I just remove the gate and trap and replace with curved ones from the same model of head?

I just got a PR1014 with a curved gate from the same era and was going to try it. Just wanted your input.

Is there really that much of a difference that I should even worry about it for a 2,000 watt screening room? I know that the curved gate was supposed to make the focusing better especially on higher wattage bulbs that caused the film to warp more when over the aperature.

[ 04-04-2008, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: Joshua Waaland ]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-04-2008, 04:33 PM:

Yes, Its a bolt right in place sort of thing. Curved gates/traps will be expensive though and you most benefit from them when using high power lamps... but I personally prefer the curved stuff myself and ty[pically the pix looks better and focus is flatter.

Mark

Posted by Randy Bowden (Member # 587) on 04-04-2008, 05:43 PM:

I prefer the curved gates myself, but have gotten some pretty good results from replacing the film trap runners with new ones. They tend to get grooves worn into them over the years, you see this on Pro-35 and Century C machines as well.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 04-04-2008, 08:07 PM:

I refuse to sell any flat gate machines. Razor sharp focus is impossible at any wattage without curved gates. Louis

Posted by Jonathan Bodge (Member # 4072) on 04-21-2008, 09:30 AM:

My 2 cents. Just got back from a tune up (had to interface automation to pre show video proj, with Hall Research controller) in a XL straight gate 1600 watt booth I installed 10 years ago. I swear I look at this picture and for some reason it looks incredible. I dunno, I'm a straight gate kind a guy I guess...

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 04-21-2008, 02:57 PM:

I made the transfer and everything seems to fit okay with no apparent problems. Thanks. [thumbsup]

Posted by Paul J. Neuhaus (Member # 3205) on 04-22-2008, 12:00 PM:

So what was the outcome? Did it look better?

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 04-22-2008, 12:41 PM:

No way to tell. It isn't up and running yet.