destrekor
Lifer
- Nov 18, 2005
- 28,799
- 359
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So, I'm shooting for 70mm IMAX, right? It sounded like that was the best format. If so, there are 3 in my area (NYC).
BOOM!
Yes, I would argue the 70/15 (IMAX) is definitely the preferred viewing experience for the best possible picture quality.
There can be arguments made about the best possible 4K projectors and the better auditoriums with the Digital IMAX (dual 2K), mainly for the consistency, but even then, the film is going to hold more true detail, and if treated properly, grain will improve the image and dust/damage won't be present/won't detract.
The only issue with a movie like Interstellar is that, for a variety of reasons, it's quite likely a majority of the running time will have been shot in standard 35mm. That basically has to be upconverted/resized to fill a 70/15 frame, as seen below:
They apparently use a DMR process to upconvert the 35mm native content, create a 6K video feed from that, and fill the 70/15 frame.
They don't fill the entire frame with the 35mm image though, because they also have black bars because the 35mm is shot in anamorphic format, which means it is widescreen but morphed with a lens so that the entire 35mm frame is filled, maximizing apparent resolution instead of wasting it with black bars.
I reckon that the 6K DMR process removes the anamorphic distortion and, when filled onto the 70/15 film, will thus have black bars above and below for the 2.40:1 widescreen ratio. That way, there would be no need for a special lens for some part of the movie, and not other parts. The actual moments filmed in the IMAX format will fill the entire frame, which has a 1.43:1 ratio.
So, in comparison, some scenes will be a little softer, and won't fill the entire projection screen top to bottom, whereas the full-screen scenes will be deliciously razor sharp and likely complete with a touch more dynamic range. I don't think the upconverted scenes will be "soft", but it will be noticeable when the image suddenly becomes drool worthy, if you are into such a thing.
Seeing it on digital formats will make for a more consistent viewing, but, much will also be lost in the straight-digital conversion and, with pitiful resolution compared to the max of the 70/15 film, definitely should not be viewed on any screen approaching IMAX proportions.
Big screens are great, but there should be resolution to match or it just gets softer.