Enjoy the OmnIMAX experience! (Destiny)

by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Tuesday, August 01, 2017, 18:26 (2716 days ago) @ Cody Miller

I don't know what 5/70 or 15/70 means. I just want a web site that explains it and has current information. I'm afraid an old article I used to refer to is outdated. I've heard they've "updated" at least one of the IMAX screens in D.C. to digital.

5/70 Refers to 70mm film run vertically through the projector, and there are 5 perforations per frame. You can see the aspect ratio is much wider, but the frame is smaller. It is an older common format. 15/70 is 70mm film run horizontally through the projector, with 15 perforations per frame. The aspect ratio is more square, but the image is much larger and clearer. This is IMAX.

If you see Dunkirk in 70mm, you can see you will lose a good portion of the top and bottom of the image. If you see it in IMAX 70mm, you get the full frame.

If you see "IMAX 70mm", you are getting the full image. If you see "70mm", you are seeing a crop if the film was shot in IMAX 70mm. The IMAX website is helpful in finding locations, but you can always call your theatre.

Also note that few films are shot in IMAX 70mm. Most movies have a few scenes here or there. Dunkirk was over 80%. But if you look at Rogue One, even though it was shot with a 65mm Digital sensor, the sensor size is similar to a regular 65mm film frame. This means you are wasting your money seeing Rogue One in IMAX.

Okay, please share sources. I know you're in the business so you probably know stuff just because, but surely there are websites that make it easy to find out things like how different films should be viewed ideally.