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Author Topic: ELF platter Giorgio Volpi Film Handler Posts: 51 From: Caracas - Venezuela Registered: Mar 2002 posted 04-18-2004 02:22 AM                     Hi everybody, I have an ELF platter by Christie but I have no manual. What are the adjustment for a correct platter work? If I place the film in the toothed roller there is no way to maintain film tension. I will appreciate very much all your suggestions. Giorgio.  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 04-19-2004 07:15 PM                     When I worked for Marcus and we used ELFs, our automation's showend mode always kept tension in the film. Watch out for the dreaded uni-hump once you get it set up!  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-19-2004 07:46 PM                     Your best altenative is to get rid of the piece of junk and get a real platter system. Not only are ELFS and endless loops made for cheap skate theatre operators that are too cheap to hire enough labor to properly run a theatr and they are also for lazy people that don't care in the least about the quality of presentations. If you are wanting to give the worst possible presentation and have no concern that you will be scratching and ruining film as you are running it then go ahead and fix it. Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-19-2004 09:04 PM                     Mark, And your point is? Steve Elf Manual Strong's Endless Loop Kinoton's Answer to the Endless Loop Too Note, generally Christie, Strong and Kinoton are regarded as the best platters or at least have a very loyal following. All three of these manufacturers keep their endless loops on the price sheet in this loop unfriendly polyester world.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-19-2004 09:17 PM                     The point is that its a vital piece of equipment in the link to providing patrons with a very low quality presentation. Mark  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-19-2004 09:18 PM                     Yeah, but isn't that what the platter is all about Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-19-2004 09:57 PM                     Reels are also quite cabable of mushing up a bunch of film when used by unknowing individuals.... I was also wondering if he was aware of the consequences of using a loop..... Mark  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 04-20-2004 09:05 AM                     The point of the endless loop systems as used in Europe. the designers like to have a master contol station for the one to two projectionist working in the building to supervise the operation. they view the images via monitors and operate the machines remotely......so he is stuck with endless loop or dual machine with film path rewind. i was in one location in Spain where the cinema auditoriums where on four floors and the "control station" was in the lobby.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-20-2004 07:33 PM                     "the designers like to have a master contol station for the one to two projectionist working in the building to supervise the operation." Now thats some real poor bastardized engineering going on over there! I sure feel sorry for the movie going public. Mark  |  IP: Logged Alan Gilbertson Expert Film Handler Posts: 148 From: Carpentersville Il 60110 Registered: Nov 1999 posted 04-20-2004 09:58 PM                        If your ELF is not gaining tension the problem lies in the metering arm. First you want to make sure that the arm that holds the roller that pushes the film back onto the platter is in the right position. That arm needs to be tight against that hex head bolt that is on the far left of that arm. If it is not tight the platter will make about 2 revolution and then start spilling onto the floor. If that does'nt work then you have to start making adjustments, and to make adjustments you need to adjust that same hex bolt. It is best to mark the bolt at 12 0'clock and turn it in 5 minute incerements. Clockwise decreases tension and counter clockwise will increase tension. If you have problem finding the bolt that I'm talking about send me a fax number and I'll send you a diagram. Hope this will help, let me know how you make out.  |  IP: Logged Steve Anderson Expert Film Handler Posts: 168 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Feb 2000 posted 04-20-2004 11:25 PM                        Mark you have a right to your opinion but please don't be such a grumpy old man....lighten up!! the gentleman asked for help not a verbal beating.  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 04-20-2004 11:42 PM                     Sr. Volphi life story....he was the child in Cinema Paradiso He has been in the business along time but he is never afraid to ask a question or opinion  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 04-21-2004 12:13 AM                     The dual machine with film path rewind works quite well too!. No customer downgrade and it is good engineering, with the right projector. The Kinoton FP 30ER is just such a projector. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 04-21-2004 08:57 AM                     I think you would find that many of us were the child in Cinema Paradiso...... I agree with Steve on this one. If you have to do it there are ways it can be done without ruining the film. Endless loop platters however are not one of those ways. Mark  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 04-21-2004 09:03 AM                     Mine was Cinema Paradiso Drive in at 5 years old  |  IP: Logged

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