This is topic Remote Focus & Framing in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Tom Fermanian (Member # 1094) on 03-29-2002, 01:16 PM:
In another post, I mentioned that we took over a small twin in a resort town, the only former employee kept was the projectionist, 41 years experience, he has been promoted to projectionist manager, being able to handle things in this small 100 + 84 seat twin, he has asked us if it was possible to instlall a remote focus & framing control to be put in back of cinema auditoriums in order to fine tune if need may be during shows when he will be tending to other duties and we want to save a few steps for this fine mature gentleman, a few of you may frown on this, but smallness of operation there dictates this, anyone know of an existing inexpensive fix to be put on a couple of Simplex 35 heads (no turrets), with thanks, Tom------------------
Posted by Tom Fermanian (Member # 1094) on 03-29-2002, 01:19 PM:
OOOPS,
Maybe should have posted in Film handlers Forum???????
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 03-29-2002, 02:54 PM:
I once took a piece of green garden hose, split it lengthwise for a few inches and slipped it over the end of the focus knob (on a simplex) then ran the other end of the hose out of the port hole.
Put a hose clamp or something around the knob/shaft to make it tight.It will only work for a distance of about 2 or 3 feet but you can sit in the back row of the auditorium, right under the proj. If you neet to tweak the focus, just reach up above your head and give it a twist.
Don't know if this will work for you but you are welcome to expand on the idea if you want. 
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-29-2002, 03:51 PM:
The framing knob should be locked down, unless threading and splicing in frame is a problem. If so, hire competant projectionists. But a guy I know who they call "Gary Stanley" has remote frame and focus functions in his screening room wired up to a little box by his seat. It's pretty cool.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 03-29-2002, 08:07 PM:
Older projectors may have to be returned to the factory to get such features installed.Be aware, though, that the cost can be quite high. While I'm taking a wild guess, I wouldn't be surprised at $1000 to $1500 per projector, not including labor to wire remotes.
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 03-29-2002, 09:34 PM:
I dont see why doing something like this would be that hard. the framing control would take a reduction motor with one hell of a gear ratio and a little balls, the focus, would be easier. I have found the only thing I need to touch up is the focus, so maybe that is all you need. Just be sure you put in something to stop the motor if it reaches the end of the framing play, or you could end up damaging the mechanism.Josh
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 03-29-2002, 09:36 PM:
Run down to the local surplus store and see what kind of motors and such they have. The curtain motors I'm gonna use in my screening room will probably be some off the wall surplus units. Plus, surplus is cheap 
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 03-29-2002, 11:28 PM:
I have a Tokiwa TSR in storage that has all the motors and belts for remote focus and framing.-Aaron
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-01-2002, 02:35 PM:
Many of the Kodak screening rooms have projectors equipped with remote focusing, to allow critical focus of the image with "nose to the screen". Older installations used small selsyn motors, newer ones use geared-down bi-directional low voltage DC motors. One even allows the use of an infrared LED hand-held remote control to adjust focus.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 04-01-2002, 04:10 PM:
What, you mean those projectors don't have the auto-focus made so famous by Kodak slide projectors? <Runs, ducks, and hides>
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-01-2002, 07:00 PM:
Most labs have the same features so DOP's and timers can sit in the theatre and play
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-01-2002, 07:04 PM:
Ballantyne offers remote focus/framing on the Pro-35 projectors.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-01-2002, 07:29 PM:
It is an option almost any professional projector
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 04-01-2002, 09:06 PM:
Remote focus is fine, as long as it isn't "auto focus"But why go through the expense? If the projector has focus drift, maybe a few things need to be serviced.
As far as remote framing is concerned, if you had several runs where nothing was out of frame and all of the sudden it popped out of frame, it would be a great time to take a hike up to the projection booth and see what the hell is going on.
If it is a known out-of-frame, it should have been repaired before the film is presented to the public.
Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 4594) on 04-01-2002, 10:14 PM:
Remote focus is fine but why remote framing? Other then the exception of starting timers in which you probably and hopefully do NOT have for a 2 screen theatre, the film should be in frame from the beginning. As long as it is fine at start you should have no reason what-so-ever for having to fine tune it unless there is something seriously wrong with your projector. I wouldn't really worry about the framing, it would probably be a waste of money for what you need.If you call up some of the local techs they should be able to give you a pretty good idea what the cost would be to set up remote focus…fun fun!
Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 04-02-2002, 01:03 AM:
With a Simplex head set up you should only have to focus a little bit on the first nite of the movie and it should stay very close for the rest of the run for that particular movie. At least that is the way with our X-L's. As for framing I agree with the other guys, if it is done right the first time, no framing adjustments should be needed.------------------
Adam Fraser
www.pinestheatre.com
Posted by Tom Fermanian (Member # 1094) on 04-02-2002, 09:49 AM:
Hi all,
Thanks for reply, framing issues, the cinema in question runs loads of subtitled stuff and sub-titling may vary depending on the number of lines of text, also some of the foreign films (european pictures are shot in 1.75 to 1.66 ratio) which we are showing in it 1.85 (cannot justify cost of extra lenses) already cuts the picture slightly so it's good to be able to reajust framing in those cases,------------------
Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 4594) on 04-02-2002, 04:47 PM:
My theater also runs a lot of subtitles films. As long as the projectionist stays with the film until the trailers have passed and the film is on the screen (which should always be done) they should be able to adjust it at that time and have no problem thru-out the rest of the film.
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 04-02-2002, 08:24 PM:
On some of our Simplexes, I made a template for the framing knob showing where to position it for subtitles, scope (adj. top masking) etc. I'll ask Brad to post the picture I'll send. 
Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 04-03-2002, 01:20 PM:
Very impressive John, I know I would like to see a movie in your theater. Reminds me of a great projectionist friend of mine who remains a presentation Showman to this day (and is a member of Film-Tech), made numical charts for framing & focus on Westar (Century) projectors at a cinema where I took my first chief projectionists job at the Playhouse-Classic, Hampstead some 40 years ago. There were six ratios being 1.33. 1.66. 1.75. 1.85. 2.01. 2.35. He also did the same for me at my own cinema with four ratios, and has helped me out in the box for the past 18 years. The charts were a valuable asset and always 100% accurate for perfect pre-set framing. So easily achieved for film done right!
Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 04-05-2002, 09:54 AM:
Thanks, Bernard, but I must confess: I did it mostly to keep from getting yelled at by a fellow I was running dailies for! I would have to change back and forth, on the fly, any of five ratios. This at least got it close even before I opened the dowser.If any one wants one of those, send me your address, and I'll mail you some on sticky-back paper. The 'scope' setting may be a little off, but the other index marks should work.
It's meant for a Simplex; Because of the knob design of other projector makes, it might not work on Cinemecannica's Norelcos, etc.