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Topic: Manual thread or Auto thread.
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Tom Spielman
Master Film Handler
Posts: 339
From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Apr 2016
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posted November 25, 2016 03:26 PM
Well, you all seem to be thoroughly enjoying yourselves having this little debate.
I don't have much to add. I think it's fair to say that anybody still projecting Super 8 films is more than capable of threading a projector. However, auto-threading was not merely some marketing ploy. Super 8 was intended to be the format for the masses. My dear mother was not a technical person. She once expressed her befuddlement over the fact that a microwave oven could still display the time while not actually on.
I'm sure she could have mastered threading a projector if she wanted but it was all magic to her. She would have forgotten how to do it within a few months of no practice. It's much better for people like that to make things as easy as possible. There's no reason to limit the enjoyment of Super 8 or anything else to those "in the know".
And really, that's why Super 8 is now limited to hobbyists. Modern methods of movie production and consumption are far easier and more convenient.
To get on a soapbox for a little bit, I think that is one reason why pastimes like sailing are in decline. Those that have learned the skills revel too much in their mastery of it. They continue to use arcane terminology that makes it less approachable to those that might otherwise be interested. They worry too much over whether people are doing it "right" and less over whether or not they're enjoying themselves. Yet, they mourn the fact that not as many young people get into it as they used to. Want to keep sailing vibrant? Make it easy, fun, and practical.
Okay, I'm done with my mostly irrelevant rant. Carry on with your fun !
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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015
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posted November 28, 2016 02:29 PM
Yes that's it in a nutshell guys. I am biased towards manual thread projectors.
I am also very Anti Japanese projectors too.
However given the resources and knowledge and funding I would have designed the best Film Projectors ever built on all gauges.
They would all have been designed and manufactured in Scotland. All Manual Threaders and built from girders. "MADE IN SCOTLAND " Now there would be a dream come true for me. hahahaha !!!
Yes Tom you are right there. I am very "esoteric" in a sense. Stuff made for the masses does very little for me.
Just take a look the indifferently designed TVs, Radios , Cars , Watches , Mobile Phones , Computers , Laptops , MP3 Players , in todays world and you will see where I am coming from. So I suppose the convenience of Super 8mm film with its cartridge loading for Cameras and Auto threading projectors could indeed fall into that category of "film for the masses". From 1965 onwards. That was the way until the dawning of Video Tapes.
-------------------- " My equipment's more important than your rats. "
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