Small Format Film Forum

Hi!

This idea comes from a Spanish projectionist, so the merit is not mine.

After lots of research, he discovered that you can have around 1000-1200 lumens on a GS-1200 by using a MHR-100 HID lamp. This lamp concentrates the light at around 8mm, so the light is distributed perfectly on screen when adjusted at 32mm from the film path.

This is the lamp:

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/elect ... halidelamp

For the installation, you only need a new lamp holder (I think the HTI lamp holder from Wittner is appropiate, but I'm not sure), and a M90 ballast.

Advantages:

- Very cheap and easy modification.
- 5200º K and around 1000/1200 lumens
- No extra cooling needed
- It lasts 6000 hours!

By the way, I didn't tested this modification as I don't have an Elmo, but he assured me that projecting scope in a 10 meter screen gave mind-blowing results...

ANOTHER INTERESTING THING:

He told me that a Chinese version of this lamp is made on MR16 size, so if we found it, any (ANY!) halogen projector can be modified for this monstruous light output.

What do you think?

Do you know that one of the best hi end home projector only has 700 - 800 lumens?

I don't see that the higher lumens give better result. It all depends on resolution. The brighter you have for small projection (home use) will only create fatigue eyes. This is similar to when you listen CD and got fatigue ears.

So you need to have balance between the light output and the screen size. It is different story if you project 8mm in an auditorium

Winbert, you're right about the different light output regarding screen size.

I've got a big screen at home (around 2 meters for 4:3), and I found a bit dim the light output of most super-8 projectors. And a daylight color temperature works far better.
1000 lumens is not too much powerful for this screen size, I think...

A member in another forum measure the super 8mm projector brightness is to be equal with 500 lumens. So I guess the best for home theatre is indeed 700 - 800 lumens.