American Cinematographer - December 1989 - 18

the

edges of film strips for lubrication). The
primary drawback with edge wax is that it
requires a special waxing apparatus which
is time-consuming and awkward to oper¬
ate," said Jung.
"I applied WD-40 to the edges
of the film and found that it lubricates the

edges of the film to facilitate smooth
through a projector. Moreover, it's
simple. Sometimes the best solutions are
the least complicated."
Jung suggests the following
two-step method:
outer

travel

Video Interface

Inline's IN2000 Universal

on a

reel.

Spin the reel while applying
a light coat of WD-40 to the film's outer
edges.
"WD-40 dries quickly leaving

computers.

photography - a process by which actors or
props can be placed inside a projected
background image (for example, an actor can
appear to be walking around objects inside
a spaceship when, in fact, the spaceship
interior is nothing more than a painting
projected onto a large front projection

For more information: Inline, Inc.,
La Habra, CA,
690-6767.

(800) 882-7117

(213)

WD-40: Film Lubricant?
The

15-year-old film
preservation and restoration company in
North Hollywood has discovered a two-step
method for lubricating and protecting film
using a common household product. Gun¬
ther Jung, a 36-year veteran of the film
industry and owner of Pix-Fix, Inc., claims
owner

that WD-40, the familiar lubricant in the blue
and yellow can, is the film industry's newly
discovered star.
"We have always used WD-40
for common tasks such as loosening bolts.
Then one day it hit me: why not apply it to
film? In our business most companies use

'edge wax' (an industry term used to de¬
scribe a wax or oil solution that is applied to

Place the film

Analog
and Digital video interface is designed to
provide the complete solution for connec¬
ting your computer to a large screen projec¬
tor or monitor. IN2000 is fully automatic and
will adjust to many computer video signals.
Just by changing input cables you can con¬
nect IBM PC, EGA, CGA, PS/2 VGA, Apple,
Mac, or Mac II computers to a compatible
projector of your choice. IN2000 will accept
Analog, Digital or ECL video signals, compo¬
site or separate sync, sync on Green or any
other video signals produced by different

American

Cinematographer

behind

steadfast lubricant without build¬

up," said Jung.
Les Paul

Robley, a projectionist
Cineplex-Odeon Theatres and another

for
WD-40 advocate, has conducted technical
research in process photography for 10
years.

He earned

Technical Achievement

Award at the 1988 Academy Awards for his
work in dual screen front projection process

screen).
"I decided to test WD-40
after

film

hearing about it from Gunther Jung,"

said Robley. "I found that WD-40 is indeed
an effective film lubricant. It dries quickly,
and as film is fed through the projector gate,
the film is quieter, it stops chattering, and

WD-40 prevents
For

dry film from jumping."

information: WD-40

Co., RO. Box 80607, San Diego, CA 92138.
8mm Camcorder

Ricoh is introducing its new topof-the-line camcorder, the R-850, a standard
8mm model with an 8X power zoom. Other

December 1989

hallmarks of this compact camcorder are
- "telemacro" and
"wide macro/ the ability to superimpose 4

two macro focus modes

digital titles, noiseless still and slow motion,
plus in-camera editing features.
The 8X power zoom with manu¬
al override features an F/1.4 8.5 to 68mm
lens that gives the user a broad range of

shooting capabilities, from panoramic wideangle shots to detailed close-ups. In telemacro, the lens focuses either automatically
or manually from 27.5 inches to 41 inches for
superb close-ups of featured players or
subjects. In the wide macro mode, focusing
is possible as close as 1 cm (0.4 inch) for
ultra-close objects such as nature sub¬
jects - flowers or insects - with detailed
accuracy.
For more information: Ricoh, 155
Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07006.

Crystal Control Unit
With this unit,
attained in a fraction of

Crystal Speed is
a

second after

starting and is maintained within 1/20th of a
frame in a full 400 foot roll at normal
temperature, or within 1/8 of a frame in 100
ft under extreme conditions. An internal fine
trimmer is

provided for recalibration if ever
required, without costly component replace¬
ments. There are no user controls.

A sync

warning light illuminates
speed does not equal divided
crystal frequency for any reason, such as
weak battery, film jam, incorrect camera
if

camera

mode.

Rugged construction features
fiberglass cir-

die-cast aluminun alloy case,

American Cinematographer - December 1989

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