The Dunn film recorder has two cameras: a 35 mm camera for slides (or prints if you wish) and a 16 mm animation movie camera. The following discussion applies to slides and to color slides in particular. Exposure settings within the Dunn film recorder compensate for the different film speeds and characteristics. Note that at present, no color calibrations have been made therefore expect only representative colors and not precicely accurate colors.

Note that the cost of copying a single slide after the fact is about 1/4 the cost of purchasing and developing a whole roll of 36 exposures. It is easier to make duplicates from the original screen image than regenerating the display some days later. Having a library of extra slides expedites creating new slide shows. Friends and neighbors often like copies of your best slides. And finally, sometime, somewhere, your favorite slide will get scratched. MORAL: make several copies, at least 2, EVERY TIME you make a slide.

Slides can be exposed on both Polaroid instant slide film or standard Kodak films.

The Polaroid films are truly instant and dry. Although, the Polaroid emulsion is more grainy and much more fragile than the Kodak films and you must mount your slides by hand. Polaroid film comes in 36 exposure rolls and you must develop a whole roll. There are smaller rolls of 12 exposures, but the cost is only 33% less than for 36 exposures so use the larger rolls. Its handy to use Polaroid slide film when you are close to a deadline to ensure that you have at least one set of slides to take. But we prefer Ektrachrome because of the graininess.

Ektachrome can be processed in a small number of hours or overnight in the bay area (Custom Color Labs, 947 Industrial, Palo Alto, or Peninsula Photographic, San Mateo). Ektachrome tends to be somewhat bluer in color, but has a firm emulsion and stable colors. Its the film of choice in ISL at present.

Kodachrome has wonderful color, is very fine-grained and stable, but must be processed overnight at the Kodak lab on Page Mill Road, Palo Alto. Thus rapid turnaround is possible for Kodak film with a bit of running around.

For large audiences in dark halls, light detail on a dark background works best. This concentrates the audience's attention on your slides rather than overwhelming them with bright light. A dark blue background with white text lettering satisfies this intent, although you may prefer more creative colors. Choose with caution.

Text slides generated by this package also have black drop shadows to further define the letter shapes when projected. Times Roman is the only display font available in sufficiently large sizes: 36 point, 30 point, and 24 point. For really big audiences, stick with the two largest sizes, 36 and 30 point. If you have the luxury of a small audience in a long room, then the 24 point size is readable. At these larger sizes, the serif typeface is quite professional in appearance. The more modern and fadish sans-serif Helvetica is available only at 24 point, sigh. . .

And as an added corporate touch, a Xerox logo can be added to each slide in the bottom left corner. Remember this if you plan to give away any slides. Can you give away slides without corporate approval?