It seemed to me time for a post comparing gray screen options.
So I thought that I'd express some opinions and see what others have to say.
The most obvious options are:
1) the Stewart Greyhawk
2) the DaLite HC DaMat
3) KBK's paint
4) other DIY options
1) The Stewart Greyhawk. I wasn't a beta tester but my biggest concern is the 85% gain. I wish that I had a better idea of what it looks like without a projector, but my Kodak 90% card is pretty close to matte white and its hard to see how an additional 5% improvement is going to change much over a white screen. Certainly for those with 300 lumen/m^2 setups, this is better than the white versions IMO. I just worry that its not enough for those with 500 lumens/m^2.
2) The DaLite HC DaMat- I got my second sample today and guess what, its the same as the first one and seems way too dark. For reference I'm using a Kodak 90%/18% set of gray cards. The color of the DaMat is much closer to the 18%. It may be great for 1000 lumens/m^2 but it will be too dark for most users IMO.
3) KBKs paint. I haven't sprung for the $50 beta liter (is it Canadian $'s?). KBK's paint should at least permit the user to get the desired gray level. The only problem is that one needs to know how to paint very, very uniformly which is beyond the capbility for many of us.
4) Other DIY options- Don't rule out dyed bed sheets until you've seen one. I haven't but my experience with gray fabrics has been positive. The alternatives are endless, but a choice of backing material is important and I have seen some moire effects even with a tight weave.
So I thought that I'd express some opinions and see what others have to say.
The most obvious options are:
1) the Stewart Greyhawk
2) the DaLite HC DaMat
3) KBK's paint
4) other DIY options
1) The Stewart Greyhawk. I wasn't a beta tester but my biggest concern is the 85% gain. I wish that I had a better idea of what it looks like without a projector, but my Kodak 90% card is pretty close to matte white and its hard to see how an additional 5% improvement is going to change much over a white screen. Certainly for those with 300 lumen/m^2 setups, this is better than the white versions IMO. I just worry that its not enough for those with 500 lumens/m^2.
2) The DaLite HC DaMat- I got my second sample today and guess what, its the same as the first one and seems way too dark. For reference I'm using a Kodak 90%/18% set of gray cards. The color of the DaMat is much closer to the 18%. It may be great for 1000 lumens/m^2 but it will be too dark for most users IMO.
3) KBKs paint. I haven't sprung for the $50 beta liter (is it Canadian $'s?). KBK's paint should at least permit the user to get the desired gray level. The only problem is that one needs to know how to paint very, very uniformly which is beyond the capbility for many of us.
4) Other DIY options- Don't rule out dyed bed sheets until you've seen one. I haven't but my experience with gray fabrics has been positive. The alternatives are endless, but a choice of backing material is important and I have seen some moire effects even with a tight weave.
