CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[barcoguy]

Hello All,

What is the best lens upgrade for the HD8 rev B?

Take lens from a sony 12xx the Pt-43 color corrected?

Or use adapter plates and go with the HD144/145 color filtered?

Any thoughts?

[Joust]

HD144/145 hands down.
I have several testimonials of individuals upgradeing to them.
the jury is still out on which of all of them have the best focus because focus can't be measured with handy tools. its personal opinion by eye.

the sony lenses are not colour filtered AFAIK.

[barcoguy]

I have them both side by side. If you look through the PT-43 lens it has a slight tint. But if you look through the 144 you can really see the color difference.

I would try both but I do not have the adapters.

I guess there is a big difference between color corrected and color filtered? Or did I just make that up?


Also the projector is mounted.... How much will the 144 lens change the throw?

Are the PT-43s an upgrade over the HD8s?

[Joust]

144s change the throw about 4-8 inches depending on setup etc.

colour correction is a coating on the lens. its not to change the colour. Its the filter that helps the throw colour.

you can take the mount off of the 144 and hold it up by hand and move it around to see the result.
I can tell you that many folks have put 144s on a barco and like the result.
http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/index.php?sid=8daed7ab65780539bdd60e97771178e1
"Since replacing the HD8s on my Barco 1208/2 with Joust's adapter plates I found the picture to be sharper, especially on the edges. But the colors are the biggest benefit. Very noticeable improvement. The adapters themselves are very solid and the mounting holes are bang on. They mounted as easy as the HD8s themselves.Well worth the price." - Rod

"Received my adapters c/w lenses mounted. The mounting to the Barco was very easy & mounted with no problems. Very nicely made. The picture improvement is very good with much better colors than the HD-8's. I had to move the screen about 3" closer but that was the only change to my setup. Thanks Barry!" - Colin

"Beautiful picture indeed. I haven't finished everything yet, just wanted to get something going for superbowl but both my roommate and girlfriend noticed a difference right away. Colours look incredible. Sharpness of the picture isn't as noticeable but the colour for sure. Is this a mod worth doing? Oh HELL YEAH!!!! I would recommend this mod all day long. Picture looks awesome. ohhhhh I think I feel a cold coming on...cough cough...might need to go home early from work. " - Forum member Scoobydoo[/i]

[Elaine Benes]

Personally, I prefer the focus and light output from the larger optical path provided by the HD8 Rev.B lens. They have the same focusing potential as the color corrected HD144/145, but have a larger opening, which to my eye, provides for a more uniform brightness in the corners.

However, if absolute color fidelity is your goal, you will be better off with the color filtered HD144/145's.

Yet another compromise one makes based on ones preferences....

[Joust]

i believe there is a thread about this light output. someone did tests that light output was no different. I could be wrong.
my theory is, if the 144 is blocking any light output, how can you have the entire tube face represented on the screen? the entire picture is there. I don't think its reducing the light output in comparison to the HD8.
but. the optics of the HD8 are not as good. but I'm sure this is a point of debate as well. I'm certainly not equipped to give a proper answer based on empirical evidence.

[rod]

I didn't notice any significant difference in by contrast/brightness settings when I put on the HD144's. I don't pay attention to the exact measuerements but they are still in the mid 50's

[Joust]

I'd agree with that.
the 145 has a larger aperture though. but again. I cannot measure that.

[Elaine Benes]

How do you figure the "optics are not as good" on the HD8 Rev.B's when they have the same resolving capability rating as the HD144/145's ??

Perhaps you are thinking of the plain HD8 lens ? It is clearly inferior in its capability when compared to the HD144/145, but the newer, HD8 Rev. B which is found on virtually all Marquee's is a much improved lens over the plain HD8 that was found on old Barco 800's.

They're both rated at EXACTLY the same lppm resolving capability(HD8 Rev.B and HD144/145), and to my eye, having made the comparison more than once, with more than one set of HD144/145's, it is clear TO ME that the HD8 Rev.B's can resolve equally, and focus just as well as any HD144/145.

Also, TO ME, the HD144/145's that I'VE tried, *seem* to make the corners of the image very slightly dimmer than the center of the image. I have not tried to measure this, just perceived it.
I *prefer* the HD8 Rev. B's, but that is just my personal preference, having made the comparison.

As I said, if your goal is color fidelity, then of course, use the HD144/145's.

[Tom.W]

The HD-144's are rated at a speed of F 1.125 with a focal length of 127.33 mm and
The HD-8b is rated at a speed of F1.4 with a focal length of 140mm.
I went with the color filtered HD-144's and they have better overall focus especially in the corners.
Color correction is a big plus IMO.

http://home.c2i.net/tomcat/lens_project.htm

[barcoguy]

...So More light with the 144s? F1.125 is much bigger than F1.4

One would think the HD-8s would be sharper with the smaller aperture.

[barcoguy]

oh wow I did not see the link before. Much improved color! I think I will try it.


So the sony PT-43s = HD8 REV B?

[Zebu Fellenz]

I think that the PT-43 and PT-65 are a step up from the HD-8 REV B but unless you're going to tint the glycol you will be missing out on the major color improvement that you get with the HD-144 or HD-145 lenses.

[perisoft]

I saw some posts here with a comparison showing PT65s sharper than HD8s. I'm switching to PT65s, but planning on color filtering with these odd filters I got on ebay - they're clearly designed to be used with CRT projectors, and I *think* I can swap the PT65s' flat rear 'cover element' with them. Unfortunately it looks like the guy who had those filters hasn't got any left. That and I'm not sure it'll work, yet.

[1031]

Edit. bouble post..

[1031]

That was Spotmatic who made that comparation-> https://www.curtpalme.com/forum_archived/viewtopic.php@t=3817.html