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details from edge markings (it may be a mixed stock print or a dupe) - check colour (stocks prior
to 1982 are likely to be faded unless on Agfa or Technicolor stock). Note the number of joins in
each spool (more than 20 joins per 1600 ft, we consider splicy). Add up the footage from the
markings on a Tuscan spool and divide by 36. This gives a good indication of the running time
in minutes (polyester stock is much thinner, so allow for this!). Finally, a general examination for
lines and image quality with a magnifying glass. All this can be done easily & quickly on your
re-winder without projecting and constitutes a good bench inspection. Final thought though; is it
a foreign language print?!
Tip From The Archive: Aluminium oxide is the topic of the month here at the archive, following
a delivery of films in cardboard boxes on aluminium Cyldon spools. They had been stored for a
very long time and at some time in damp conditions. This has triggered a chemical reaction
between the cardboard and the spool, the aluminium decomposing into a fine oxide dust which
can be poured like salt - it's gritty and gets everywhere! Alas, this and the damp has caused water
damage to many of the films which have been completely ruined. The message is keep your films
cool but dry and it highlights yet another reason for not keeping your films in cardboard boxes!

Tip From The Archive: Most of us use projectors with quartz halogen lamps nowadays and run
the machine on the economy lamp setting for maximum lamp life. Some will have experienced
blackening of the inside of the lamp and premature failure. First thought is the lamp has been over
volted, but actually the opposite is the case. Halogen lamps work on very tight voltage window
in order for the gas principle to work. The rated voltage less 10% will extend the life; increase
volts by 2% will over-run and fail. The National Grid is often less than 240 volts nowadays. When
the projector is used on economy light, this results in the lamp being under-run, blackening and
failing. Check that the mains voltage tapping on your machine is set to 240 v (not 250 v) and if
you experience lamp blackening, run at maximum lamp brightness.

Tip From The Archive: Manufacturers of projectors paid a great deal of design attention to
matching lamp, reflector and lens in order to achieve the maximum light on the screen. For
instance, substituting an f1.2 lens for the original f1.4 on older Bell & Howell 8D 1000 watt
machines does not produce the extra brightness one might expect because the more modern lens
is designed to work with the much smaller filament area of the halogen reflector lamp. Substitut-
ing a 250 watt lamp in older Elf machines causes the 200 watt transformer to over-run and thus
never fully powers the new lamp. With Elmo GS1200 machines, the designated ESC lamp
produces more light on the screen than the similar A1/252 (EJL) because the filament size and
reflector shape are designed to focus the light on the smaller format. Older small barrel lens fitted
into sleeves tend to be similarly unsuccessful. The motto is don't tinker because the manufacturers
usually knew best!
Tip from the Archive: Don't over fill the reels! It's tempting to re-spool that feature on 3 x 1600
ft reels to 2 x 2000 ft, but this usually results in the spools being too full making them very
difficult to manage. Add to this a twisty film and you are likely to end up with take-up problems
and film all over the floor - just what a digital audience was waiting for! Remember also the
importance of using a proper take-up spool to minimise such problems.
Tip from the Archive: Most of use tape joiners nowadays. The Italian CIR tape splicers are the
industry standard. These come as professional models in 8mm, 16 mm, 35 mm and 70 mm. There
are also the lightweight models in 8mm, Super 8, 9.5 mm and 16 mm. The most useful is the CIR
M3 professional model which has adjustable sprocket teeth to cope with shrunken film. Brand
new, a 16 mm model costs around £375.00, so is in great demand when any come to the market.
Always use genuine film splicing tape (not sellotape!). Apply light tension to the roll of tape with

22 REEL DEALS June 2019