Pinhole Aperture Plates

[Ryan Gallagher]

Yep, I filed lots of plates from pinhole. Some theater would twin or triplex, and there'd be one or two strange aspect ratios. First I use a nibbling tool, then an aperature file to clean it out to where it needs to be.

Sorry, I didn't mean filing the pinhole plate itself. I meant just using it as a step in the centering process before filing a pre-cut plate or other plate. But yeah if the aspects or use case is weird, starting from a hole is certainly easier than starting from a blank. I don't have a real sense of how hard the pinhole ones are to locate, so won't be filing mine to something else unless I have to.

[Mark Gulbrandsen]

Sorry, I didn't mean filing the pinhole plate itself. I meant just using it as a step in the centering process before filing a pre-cut plate or other plate. But yeah if the aspects or use case is weird, starting from a hole is certainly easier than starting from a blank. I don't have a real sense of how hard the pinhole ones are to locate, so won't be filing mine to something else unless I have to.

Sure, as long as you've checked to be sure the pinhole is in the absolute correct position, and that's iffy at best.
I always used SMPTE alignment films to be sure the projector is optically spot on. Pretty sure you can still get 35mm RP40 from a certain North East equipment dealer. Possibly, also from MIT.

[Sean McKinnon]

Yes, we have picture alignment film in 70mm, 35mm, and 16mm. We have some audio test film also and have had various discussions about making more over the years. If there is a demand for audio test films let me know.

[Jim Cassedy]

<edited> I don't have a real sense of how hard the pinhole ones are to locate

I've noticed they show up on e-bay on a semi-regular basis, although I just checked
and the only one listed currently is for a Kinoton (which must really hard to find!)

(e-bay photo)
KinotonPinPlate.jpg

[Ryan Gallagher]

I've noticed they show up on e-bay on a semi-regular basis, although I just checked
and the only one listed currently is for a Kinoton (which must really hard to find!)

The ones I nabbed were ebay yes. Gentlemen was a scholar... he listed 4, I bought 4... then he had trouble finding them. A few weeks later he had found them and shipped me 5 plus two bonus other plates (although used and already filed, he was just being nice due to the delay). 80$ (total) was cheap enough for me to add them to my personal toolbag.