P3D Re: Using Albions successfully

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Much thanks to DrT for his rapid and detailed response to my Albion
mounting question.  I have some follow up comments and questions.

> I do not need a light table with Albion mounts (but I do need it
> with the RBT mounts).  The reason for this difference is that in
> order to slide the chips in an RBT mount you must have it flat down
> and supported by your fingers.

Just a moment ago, on my very first attempt to slide the chips in an
RBT mount held vertically in the air, it worked perfectly well.  And
I'm King Klutz.  Perhpas you hadn't tried doing this with the RBT?
I held the mount in one hand and slid the adjustment rails with
tweezers held in the other hand.

Before getting in to the specific mechanics, isn't there an issue of
oils on the mounts that needs to be adressed for us Albion newbies?

> I think the tabs [on the Albion] that hold the chips must go to the
> back.  The front is then nicely framed by the opening of the mount.

I agree regarding the appearance at the end.  But before you insert
the chips, is there a front and back?

>> - What is the best way to get the chips under the darned tabs?
>>      (preferably without making the mount look like a train wreck)
>
> I hold the mount from the edge of the side I am working on.

Top, bottom, or side edge?

> My fingers apply a slight twist

Along what axis?  Are you flexing the top and bottom toward each
other, or some other motion?

> (the right hand that holds the chip serves to stop the mount's
> movement)

If you say so.  I need the live demo to have any idea what you are
referring to.  ;)

> The twist opens the channel (tab) *elastically*
> so I can slide the chip in.

The entire width of the tab, so that the chip can be put in with a
vertical motion (relative to the top/bottom of the mount)?  Or do
you slip the chip in from one side and slide it horizontally?

I have yet to find any "twisting" or "flexing" action that opens
the channel before the mount gets creased or bent from the attempt.

> When I release, the channel returns to the
> original shape which helps to hold the chip tight.

Using a small amount of finger pressure against the tab from the
back I can get the channel open, but then it doesn't exactly snap
back to the original position.  Some of the tabs come closer than
others to snapping back.

> I repeat for the other
> side of this chip and then for the other chip.  It only takes 2-3
> seconds.

You've got to be kidding!  ;)

> The key points are that I am holding the chip firmly with my gloved
> hand and I do not deform the mount so it will hold the chips firmly.

Must be magic.  ;)

> THERE IS NO NEED TO OPEN THE CHIPS!!!

Tabs?

>>   - Do you place the chips in already oriented for viewing, or put
>>       them in reversed and flip the mount over when done?
> 
> I could say I work the chips reversed, but while I hold the mount
> in the air, this question makes little sense.

I was referring to whether you work with the viewing or non-viewing
side of the mount and chips toward you, not whether it is right-side
up or upside down.  It sounds like you are working from the back,
meaning you must be putting the right chip in the aperture on the
left side of the mount, with the back of the chip toward you so
that the image appears mirrored from that side.  Do you do your
freeviewing from the back?

>   - Is there a way to adjust the window without having to redo the
>       horizontal, vertical and rotational alignment every time
>       you touch one chip or the other?

> [snip] I always push the chips down (or up).

OK, in other words, the alignment must be dealt with during every
attempt to adjust the window.

On all the Albions I have, one of the tabs has a "dog ear" that sticks
down in to the channel.  A chip will not "slide" in the channel, and I
suspect the dog ear is causing or at least contributing to the problem.
The chip will jump one full sprocket hole at a time, which obviously
is not acceptable for adjusting the window.  Are these Albions
"defective?"  (More likely it's just another King Klutz problem.)

>>   - Should/must the chips be taped?  If so, where?
> 
> I think they should be taped in the front side to cover the opening of
> the channels.  This opening leaks light during projection when the
> Albion is mounted in glass.

Good point.

Thanks for your feedback.  I suspect it will takes months for me to
get the hang of it, much like it did with the Spicers.  :(

Paul Talbot


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