Focusing tips

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[rfisk]

I prefer projectors that allow focus from the remote. That’s not common feature anymore at the price points of projectors many of us use.  But it’s really handy to be standing right in front of the screen, with the remote pointed over my shoulder, focusing the projector.

One tip I’ve found for easing focus from the projector lens, sans remote focus, (more common now), standing at a distance from the screen, is to put some sort of projector MENU on the screen.  Just bring the projector menu up, because it will generally have sharp lines, solid colors or icons with hard edges that are easier for the eye to see from a distance than whatever else you may have on the screen.  I think this makes focusing from a distance a lot easier.

Also, on projectors and projected sizes where the matrix is noticeable (screen door effect) you may want to go to the precise focus and then back off just a touch to blur the lines of the grid -- and you may not.  But sometimes overall it looks a little better, especially if your seating area is a little too close to the screen.

One old darkroom tip for focusing -- use your peripheral vision.  Oftentimes if you look directly at a spot you’ll actually see it more clearly if you concentrate on an area just to the side of that spot.  That’s tricky to explain but if you’re not familiar with the phenomenon, check it out.  It’s true in low light conditions for most of us.

I’m sure others will have some focusing tips to share.

Randy

[Dennis]

One old darkroom tip for focusing -- use your peripheral vision.  Oftentimes if you look directly at a spot you’ll actually see it more clearly if you concentrate on an area just to the side of that spot.  That’s tricky to explain but if you’re not familiar with the phenomenon, check it out.  It’s true in low light conditions for most of us.

Randy

Hummmm...we may be separated at birth...quick quiz to find out:

Beseler/GraLab/Polycontrast/Burn&Dodge/StopBath...

...stir up memories??

[rfisk]

Definitely a lot of memories there.  I still miss the smell of fixer. 

I sold my enlargers and enlarging lenses years ago but still have enough trays, drums, lights, timers, etc.  tucked away in a couple boxes to startup an 'old school'  color darkroom if the mood strikes.    

Hey, maybe I got my start in this from projecting poster-sized images on the darkroom wall with my old Bessler 67S.  Never thought of that!

Randy

[kelemvor]

When I focus my projector, it's through a menu so it puts the word "FOCUS" on the screen.  It's real easy to focus in on that by just making the edges real sharp and such.  But I wear glasses so I always ask for outside advice on where it's the best.  But any menu would probably work if you have manual focus.

[tlogan6797]

Oftentimes if you look directly at a spot you’ll actually see it more clearly if you concentrate on an area just to the side of that spot.  That’s tricky to explain but if you’re not familiar with the phenomenon, check it out.  It’s true in low light conditions for most of us.

That's the way you usually spot meteors as well. Just out of your direct line of sight. I've noticed it's pretty rare for two people to see the same meteor unless it has a pretty long tail. "Did you see THAT one?" "NO, Where?" "Too late now"

Tom

[Star View Cinema]

I seem to remember somewhere that film projectionists use binoculars to closely examine the screen while focusing, kinda like a reflecting enlarger focuser. Remember those?