The Exhibitor (1959)

CENTURY PROJECTOR Continued from Page 43 surfaces with the film and, more especially, with the film emulsion itself — which, of course, mechanically is not feasible. It is not the purpose of this presentation to go into the controversial subject of how best to operate motion picture film in a projector with minimum film damage, buckle, in and out of focus, etc. Such discussions are best isolated into technical studies of the individual heat effects on the film and methods of reducing them. Sufficient for the purpose of allowing projectionists and theatre owners to evaluate properly this new projec¬ tion equipment is the substantiated statement that Century believes that for the high light transmission obtained, that the heat causing film damage has been handled in a manner to reduce this damage to a minimum. The curve of the film trap shoes has been designed to obtain a maximum stabilizing effect for the film during the projection cycle and at the same time to reduce the puil on the film as much as possible thus saving sprocket holes. Film stabilizers are used at the upper loop to reduce film noise and damage. The Film Gate The film gate follows the fundamental de¬ sign of previous Century projector mecha¬ nisms. These designs give a freedom of move¬ ment to the gate shoes, allowing them to selfalign with the film trap shoes and at the same time make a rigid, quiet support in the direction of film travel. The gate shoes are, of course, curved to fit the film trap shoes. These shoes, like the film trap shoes, are heavy and solid, and have a hard polished chromium plate. Thus the film is supported in a proven design which holds it firmly but gently in position for accurate, stabilized, steady pictures. The Lens Mount A new lens mount has been incorporated in this 70/35mm mechanism which is pat¬ terned after the Model H mechanism. The lens mount and gate support have been separated so that not only does the gate opening knob open and close the gate smooth¬ ly and easily, but also the lens mount itself provides for shifting the center line of the lens to the center line of the film under the control of a calibrated, designated adjustment knob. This knob could, under certain cir¬ cumstances, be used accurately to position the picture on the screen for certain condi¬ tions. This optical center line adjustment is necessary because of the difference in the picture center between standard 35mm filn and 70mm film. The calibrated knob adjustment incorpo¬ rated into the new lens mount eliminates the need of eccentric adapter bushings which must always be rotated into proper position to compensate for the center line shift. It also places the lens into proper position without introducing “errors” in positioning the picture on the screen from lens “errors” introduced when lenses are turned in their mounts. In other words, with the Century lens mount, the lens is always in the proper position for optimum screen results. The lens clamp makes contact with the lens barrel over a considerable portion of its length. No longer is the lens clamp merely a strap. The whole mount becomes a complete clamp insuring accurate focusing and exact picture positioning on the screen. Shutters The Model J Projector has double rear shutters of the disc design. Comparative measurements disclose that double rear shut¬ ters provide the highest possible light effi¬ ciency consistent with good mechanical and light practice. The shutters run at a safe, conservative speed absolutely synchronized with the intermittent movement. Every revolution of the two shutters rep¬ resents the projection of one frame of the motion picture film. There being two light openings per revolution of the shutters, the frequency of light pulse is 48 per second. The design of the Century system of inter¬ mittent movement and shutter anticipates that development work now in progress may re¬ sult in even higher efficiency operation, with an increase in the frequency of light pulses reaching the screen. In anticipation of this becoming a reality this new projector has already made provision to accept these new developments as soon as they become com¬ mercially available. All heat shields, shutter guards, etc., are capable of bcing used with light paths having a speed of F 1.5 to F 1.6. It is believed by the best authorities in the optical companies that such high speed operation of arc lamps and lenses is difficult to attain while maintaining the optimum in light efficiency, resolving power, minimum aberration, and definition. This is especially true when projecting 70mm film. Without reservation, Century claims that the Model J mechanism has provided for the highest transmission of light (screen bright 60 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR-1959 THEATRE CATALOG Edition April 1, 1959