8mm Forum: Projector recomendations please

This is topic Projector recomendations please in forum 9.5mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 04, 2007, 05:12 AM:

What is a good recommendation for an entry-level 9.5mm machine? I am not worried about sound playback as I intend to collect vintage comedy on 9.5.

Can anyone tell me how much early comedy is available on 9.5, e.g. Keystone cops, Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd…….

Craig

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on February 04, 2007, 02:02 PM:

Hi Craig, I believe a good specto silent 9.5mm only version with upgraded halogen lighting can be had for around £70-£100 and is a good starter machine and I believe kind to the film. Quite a few are iffy with film I believe.
Graham Newman may have soemthing decent and affordable. I once nearly got in to 9,5 but had a brush with some very warped and dry twisted film so stuck with 8, but thats just because they were not looked after really.
I have seen some chaplin projected on 9.5 and it was absolutely stunning.
Best Mark.

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on February 04, 2007, 04:17 PM:

Craig,the Europ is a nice machine.It uses a 50w 8v bulb(Marilyn Monroe bulb). It has 900ft capacity and a good Berthiot lens.Rewind is a bit pathetic [Smile]

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on February 04, 2007, 05:28 PM:

Trevor, I have never heard of the 8V 50W lamp being called that before. It really made me laugh and is a brilliant description. [Big Grin]

Kev.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 04, 2007, 07:20 PM:

I had to laugh at Trev's description as well Kev. I have heard it called the 'Robby the Robot' lamp after the TV series, but perhaps Trev's description is the best. Was there ever a 12v 100watt 'Jayne Mansfield' lamp? [Big Grin]

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on February 05, 2007, 04:01 AM:

Can't take credit for the MM bulb chaps [Smile]

It has been thus named for decades here in NZ.Trev

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on February 05, 2007, 04:40 AM:

And here she is;

With a twinkle in her eye [Wink]

.

Mike

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on February 05, 2007, 04:46 AM:

Get those CUUUUUURRRVVVVEEESSSSS.

Best Mark.

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 05, 2007, 12:16 PM:

I was thinking along the lines of a nice little hand-cranked machine. Lots of Betty Boop cartoons & Mickey Mouse to view if you keep an eye on ebay. Not forgetting Steve the Horse, I am so tempted to buy the Steve the horse DVD for my other projector, you know, the horrible ugly lifeless silver plastic box with its big Cyclops eye that plugs into your DVD player projector.

Looks like the BFCC will see me bargain hunting for some 9.5.

Craig

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 05, 2007, 12:48 PM:

Hi Craig,
The hand cranked 9.5mm machines have their own special magic, and seem so appropriate for showing a lot of the vintage 9.5mm material. There's just something awesome about hand cranking these little machines and getting a small flickering yellow motion picture.

I would recommend the Pathe 'Baby', with the 300ft extension arms.

You can also get the'ACE' projector with a 300ft adaptor, but personally I prefer the 'Baby'. You can also get a motor for either of these machines if you prefer. One thing you will need to do is change the lamp socket to use modern halogen lighting, because the old bulbs are no longer made, and the existing wiring and dropping resistance matt could be lethal. Conversion to safe transformer driven 12 volt halogen lighting is not hard to do, and you can get very small solid state transformers which will fit neatly into the existing base of the 'Baby', or bolt to the back side of the 'ACE'. If you get to that point, I can send you my parts drawings, which I designed up myself, and you can get these machined at a local machine shop in the UK, or I could get the parts made here in the USA and you could pay me. Either way, converting the 'Baby' or the 'ACE' to 20 watt halogen lighting is well worth the effort involved, both for safety and much brighter screen illumination.

[ February 05, 2007, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: Paul Adsett ]

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 05, 2007, 04:36 PM:

Paul

That Pathe Baby is what I am talking about. Not only is it a reel film projector, it is also a work of art in its self. I think that wonderful photo of your Grandson Jacob projecting Popeye cartoons on your Pathe visually explains what this great hobby is all about.

This is the closest we could ever get to the experience the Victorian public had when William Friese-Greene unleashed his marvel to the world. How I would love to have been that policeman!

Tonight I will treat myself to a screening of William Friese-Greene’s story, that great film “The Magic Box” sadly it will be on DVD as unlike you Paul I do not own the feature on Super 8.

Craig

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 05, 2007, 05:56 PM:

'The Magic Box' is a great movie, I feel very fortunate to have a pristine Super 8 print of it. The film really captures the Victorian era fascination with capturing moving pictures, and is essential viewing for film buffs. Having a hand cranked 9.5mm projector available, during the interval between the 1200ft reel change on the GS1200, just adds to the fun. [Wink]

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on February 06, 2007, 12:03 AM:

Craig,a nice little handcranker is the Noris.It is a very conventional projector with sprockets above and below the gate.It has a mains /100watt lamp. It can be motorised.A neat one!Trev

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on February 09, 2007, 05:39 AM:

Craig.
Re what projector to get. Most start off with the Pathescope ACE, but I would look for a Lux. These will project 9~5 and also the notched title version of films. I have one of thse in my collection and they are very good and kind to film.

Another popular machine is the GEM. It will take 900ft spools and you can upgrade the lamp quickly to a modern 100watt QI type. If you get a GEM and need the lamp conver doing I would be pleased to help out. The machine also has an internal motor fitted with variable speed.

My top tip. Start with a GEM and you should find one for around £50.00 to £75.00 . If I get time I will pop a mobile video clip on Youtube so you can see one.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 09, 2007, 02:06 PM:

Looking forward to seeing that Lee. I have always thought that the GEM was a very elegant looking projector with it's Art Deco design and that bullnose lens. I would love to have one, but I don't believe they made them for US supply voltages.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on February 10, 2007, 02:38 AM:

Wow [Eek!]

that's not so much a projector, more a piece of art!

Mike [Cool]

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 10, 2007, 04:27 AM:

Spoke to Buckingham Films today & he has a Fully restored & re-painted Gem with a new modern lamp conversion fitted with original case for £110.

Tempting or what. Weather permitting I might take a trip over their this afternoon for a look around. The chances of me coming home empty handed is rather slim. [Smile]

Craig

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on February 10, 2007, 09:53 AM:

Craig. Make certain the speed control works...It will need to run for about 10 mins to see if it acts up.
Kindest regards
Uncle Lee.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on February 10, 2007, 11:47 AM:

Craig, let us know how you get on at Buckingham; I might like to make a trip there myself sometime... [Wink]

Mike

Posted by Alex Fox (Member # 94) on February 10, 2007, 11:57 AM:

Hi, Paul .You could use a step up transformer (120 to 240 volts) to run a gem in the U.S.A. thats what I use here to run my Pathe Son 9.5mm projector. Alex

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on February 10, 2007, 04:45 PM:

Yes Craig, tell us all about that trip and what you came home with [Eek!]

Kev.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on February 10, 2007, 04:54 PM:

I wanna go too [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 10, 2007, 05:53 PM:

Reading the UK posts, you would think that a trip to Buckingham Films was a huge undertaking, but its really only about 60 miles north west of London. No matter where you live in the UK you can get there in a few hours!
I guess its all relative. Here, in the vast USA, people think nothing of driving 600 miles in one day. I do know that if there were places like Buckingham Films and Derann, just a couple of hours away over here, I would make the effort to get there.
The UK collectors are really very lucky!.

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 11, 2007, 02:00 AM:

Sorry to disappoint chaps, time was against me yesterday. I will be making a trip there no later than next Saturday if anyone wants to meet up we could make a day of it.

Paul, you are right, it is less than an hours drive from where I live. There is one projector on ebay I am keeping an eye on at the moment & the seller is giving all the right answers to my questions so far. If all goes well, Buckingham films will be a trip for some films and accessories.

Craig

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on February 11, 2007, 02:40 AM:

Craig

I'm making the phemomenal trip up to Bedford next Saturday to my nephews engagement party. It'll probably take a little over two hours so I have been planning it for weeks. I'm having the car serviced and already making a comprehensive list of what to take ( flask, sandwiches, first aid kit flares shovel and St Bernard dog etc.)

I guess Buckingham will be a little over half way so after an hours driving I ought to stop and check the tires and the oil and water and let the car cool down a little, also of course inform my close friends and relatives that I am on the homeward straight. [Big Grin]

It might be a good time to meet up there and have a mosy around the shop.

Anyone else interested?

Mike [Cool]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on February 11, 2007, 04:38 AM:

I have been to Tonys den many times over the years and have come away with a few interesting items. We went last year but Tony has reduced much stock for what may be a move to a smaller pad, so you may not find quite as much as you expect to... Have a good trip anyway.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 11, 2007, 09:59 AM:

Mike & Craig,
There's a very nice bakery/cafe/restaurant in the center of Buckingham, just down the street from Buckinhgham films. It is an old tudor building with a thatched roof - charming place for soup and a sandwich or a cup of tea. You may want to check it out.
And please leave some 9.5 stuff for me !(I hope to visit Bucks in May) [Big Grin]

Good luck with that projector Craig.

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 13, 2007, 12:38 PM:

Well today I made the trip to see Tony at Buckingham Films, what an Aladdin’s cave of all gauges. 9.5mm 8mm & some 16mm. After drooling over some of the equipment on display I have settled for a beautiful 1920’s Pathe Baby.

This projector has been fully restored and converted to modern electronics with a QI halogen light. It is fully motorised rather than being hand cranked, it even has a motor driven rewind. Sadly, Tony was not happy with the light output and has recommended that I give him a couple of days to have the lamp assembly re-adjusted.

Not only is this machine very attractive to look at with its motor mounted and the 300ft super arms fitted, it is very hypnotic to watch in operation. So I now eagerly await an email from Tony to say it is ready for collection. When I receive it I will post a couple of pictures, I may even take a leaf out of Lees book and post a little video on Youtube. I did buy some films, along with a 9.5 splicer, leader and a bottle of fresh cement.

A trip to Buckingham films is recommended if you have some spare time, it is very easy to get to.

Paul, you were right when you said that was a good bakery. thick steak slice with a huge apple turnover for desert.

Craig

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 13, 2007, 05:04 PM:

Glad to hear you had a successful visit Craig. You will really love that Pathe Baby. Its a stunning looking machine and a real conversation show piece for cine and non-cine people alike. I have modified my machine to 20 watt halogen lighting also, pretty essential as the supply of original lamps is almost non-existant, plus the original resistance matt in the base of the machine, used to drop the voltage, is lethal. One thing you may want to consider Craig, is disabling the notched title device. When you swing back the gate for threading you will see a little spring loaded plate on the left hand side of the gate. This is Pathe's patented notch title device, and when you are running 9.5mm films with notched titles it trips the mechanism for several turns of the handle, so that you can read the notched title, which is only on one or two frames of the film. (The very early Pathe 9.5mm films were all notched titles, to save on film, but the vast majority of the Pathescope prints were running titles). This little device works great, but the problem I have found is that it can sometimes make the threading of the film a little difficult as it tends to 'pop' the film out of position when the gate is open. So if you are not running any notched titles there is a simple way to temporarily disable the notching device thru the top of the machine by inserting a paper clip at the appropriate location in the mechanism. I have done this on my Pathe Baby, and it makes life a lot easier to thread the film thru the gate, and it does not change the projector in any way.

Pathe Baby rules!...... [Wink]

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 16, 2007, 04:48 PM:

Well, she’s arrived. My new little Baby to the home looks perfect. This is a standard Pathe Baby decked out with her accessory outfits, consisting of the motor drive unit, 300ft extension arms, high-speed drive-rewind device and front tilt-leveling legs.

This Baby has had all the original electronics removed and replaced with modern electrics and a neat little black transformer that fits snugly in the base where the old resistance dropper was once housed. It is now fitted with a modern 12v halogen lamp that still allows the screening of notched titles. Below is a little video clip of her running. Sorry about the lighting quality, but I took this video with my digital camera.

The Excessive noise is coming from the small microphone on the camera. The projector is surprisingly quiet considering that this is vintage machinery.

Pathescope Baby

Craig

[ February 16, 2007, 06:56 PM: Message edited by: Craig Hamilton ]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 16, 2007, 08:20 PM:

What a beautiful looking baby, Craig! Congratulations to you and your wife, and I hope your wife is doing fine! [Big Grin]

Seriously though, it really is a stunning looking machine. I really do have to try and get a motor on mine, but the motor system for the American 'Pathex' version of the 'Baby', (the motor is spring loaded against the shutter wheel), is a kluge compared with the sensible and elegant belt driven European set up shown on Craig's picture.

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 17, 2007, 02:50 AM:

Thanks for the tip regarding the paper clip Paul, I will give it a go when I am not watching notched titles. I have to say that I am very impressed with the print quality of these old vintage frames, nice contrast & definition. Now I need to give them all a good clean & lube, this may be a little tricky as I have no rewind arms for 9.5mm. Hopefully the good old BFCC will sort me out in this area in a few weeks time.

Craig

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on February 17, 2007, 04:15 AM:

Stunning is the word which comes to mind. I want to see the new baby in the flesh.

I have to say I would love to get my hands on a 9.5 sound machine.

Kev.

Posted by Chris Quinn (Member # 129) on February 19, 2007, 12:58 PM:

That it's awesome looking Craig, just looked at the vid, must also see it in the flesh soon.

Chris.

Posted by Martyn Stevens (Member # 861) on July 06, 2007, 01:39 PM:

Hi,
Just joined up and spotted a couple of items here of interest. I saw my Gem picture posted by Paul Adsett. A friend of mine took it, against a neutral photo paper background and lots and lots of light and flash. One or two others came out almost as good, eg the Heurtier Universal (see Multigauge on my website www.cinerdistan.co.uk). Non-commercial use of pix is fine, but pl remember to acknowledge.
Other point was Marilyn Monroe lamp. I've always known this as the Mae Wesr.

Martyn Stevens

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on July 06, 2007, 01:57 PM:

Hi Martyn,
I apologize for not acknowledging your web site as the source of the Gem photo.
For anyone who does not know of Martyn's excellent web site, it is a MUST for all things 9.5mm, 17.5mm, and 28mm. I usually check in at least once a week, because Martyn is continuously updating his pages, and keeps what amounts to a running diary of his cine activities.

http://www.cinerdistan.co.uk/index.htm

Posted by Martyn Stevens (Member # 861) on July 07, 2007, 07:39 AM:

Craig, re your beautiful Baby. The purist in me feels the big pulley on the top arm should not be there - it's a motor pulley. Rewind is via the thing on the side, so not sure what this top pulley is sposed to do.

Martyn

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on July 09, 2007, 03:12 PM:

Mike,an important thing to remember is,you can drink the contents of toad's stomachs-and even eat the legs for "afters".No problem surviving if you know the "wrinkles" listed in a West Australian Automobile Association Book!!!! [Wink]

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on July 15, 2007, 11:11 AM:

Hi Martyn,

You are correct, it is a motor pulley. What you see in the photo is how it came. Personally I think it adds to the cosmetic look of the machine. This projector has given me a lot of pleasure and some of the prints I have look superb when projected which is surprising when you see the lens on the Baby.

My baby will be undergoing a full strip down & re-build during the summer and the casing will be stripped and re-enameled. This is not only a good working projector, it is also a very pleasing reminder how home cinema used to be.

Craig

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