Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Binocular recommendations (for precisely focussing Hateful 8)

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Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-03-2016, 10:51 PM:

Hi there,

I'm going to be running 'The Hateful Eight' in 70MM and I want to use binoculars to help achieve precise focus (it's a fairly long throw). My idea is that I'd be able to focus on the grain using binoculars, so I'll know that it's 100% in focus.

There's an inexpensive pair of Tesco 10x25mm I was looking at...would they be ok? Any particular suggestions?

Thanks!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-04-2016, 03:08 AM:

I've seen many projectionists use field glasses to focus in long throw projection locations.

Drive-in's in particular since they have super long throws.

Saw a stage house that had a 187' throw to the 35ft screen and it was mandatory to use glasses to focus in the picture on every changeover.

Prob any 8xpower units will work.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-04-2016, 03:27 AM:

Thanks, Monte! I'm glad to hear that. I wasn't sure if it was a 'silly' question. [Smile]

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 01-04-2016, 11:24 AM:

I use a cheap Tasco monocular spotting scope to focus both our drive-ins and on Hateful Eight. Works great. At the Hateful Eight location I'm projecting we've got the Hyperion anamorphic; no softness issues.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 01-04-2016, 01:13 PM:

The original installation of Simplex XLs at the Temple Theatre had the magnifying telescope mounted above the lense on both projectors. The limitation was the fact that they looked at the center of the image and could not be used for the corners or edges of the image.

These were only added to the machines when CinemaScope was installed.

A high quality Nikon monoscope will also work well as they are color corrected. You may have to rest the scope on the booth glass to stabilize the image at large distances.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-04-2016, 02:25 PM:

I always used Opera Glasses

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 01-04-2016, 02:32 PM:

My experience is that there is a HUGE difference between $50.00 binoculars and $200.00 binoculars in convergence stability, focus uniformity, sharpness, and brightness. Between $200.00 ones and $2000.00 ones there's not so much difference unless you're using them for night surveillance... or really like the ruby colored lenses... or you believe the "BMW illusion" that makes anything more expensive automatically better.
More than 7 or 8 power will give a shaky view unless braced against something solid.
A decent "spotting scope" from a sporting goods store may be more suitable, these all have tripod mounting holes. These are small upright image telescopes - you don't need two eyes to focus.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-04-2016, 02:38 PM:

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-04-2016, 08:26 PM:

I'm going to need something a bit more powerful than that, Mark. It's a REALLY long throw!

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 01-05-2016, 12:52 AM:

Tasco has come a long ways since the 70's when their Scopes,etc., were a joke but if you want the best precision Optics in Scopes, Binoculars,etc., then you are looking at European Optics, mostly German(Austria)or Swiss.When I was selling Firearms,assessories. The companies rated at the top of the heap were Zeiss, Swarowski, Kahles, H&R (not neccessarly in that order) American companies like Leupold,Shepherd,Nikon,etc.
have excellent optics for the majority of Hunters, Sportsmen, but for that last degree of the ultimate precision optics; than the names I listed are the ones to look for. However their Cost can empty your wallet very fast ... [Eek!]

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 01-05-2016, 02:56 PM:

These would be Nice: [beer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLYoT1bsvI

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-05-2016, 03:53 PM:

160X magnification!! I guess I just need to see the grain, not the atomic structure of the grain. [Smile]

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 01-06-2016, 12:43 AM:

OK, so I ended up going for a compact pair of Tasco binoculars. 8 times magnification. I'm surprised how sharp and clear they are! I think they will definitely help. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 01-06-2016, 09:16 AM:

I have a small pair of Nikon 7x I've used for years - good quality and very very handy. Useful on this H88 project here in West Palm Beach, FL...