New Film Formats Hurt Panavision

“Future Looks Blurry for Panavision” [May 30] details several reasons for the decline in Panavision earnings and dominance of the motion picture camera trade in Hollywood.

Unfortunately, it fails to note that one of the primary factors in this decline is that, increasingly, movies and television shows are being filmed in 16mm and Super 16mm formats and not in the larger formats such as 35mm and 70mm. Panavision does not produce any equipment or lenses in the 16mm or Super 16mm formats. Thus its market share is decreasing.

Nowadays, 16mm film is superior (higher resolution, sharper acutance and improved contrast) than 35mm film was just a few years ago. The reason is the introduction of T-grained color film emulsions. Many producers are choosing the 16mm formats for the economies of scale. One excellent example of a film shot in Super 16mm is the Academy Award winner “Leaving Las Vegas.”

S. MARTIN SHELTON

Ridgecrest