8mm Forum: Best Looking Projector

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 29, 2009, 01:08 PM:

There are many great looking projectors around - in fact to most film collectors any projector looks great! But some are a whole lot more impressive than others. In general, I think the projectors of metal construction are better looking than those of plastic construction, and most of the time they seem to perform better.
Here are my votes for the best looking cine projectors:

Regular 8mm
Nominees: Bolex M8, Bolex 18-5, Eumig p8, Bell & Howell 606/Regent
And the winner is.................Bell & Howell 606/Regent

Super 8mm Sound
Nominees: Elmo GS1200, Eumig S938, Heurtier Stereovox
And the winner is...................Heurtier Stereovox

9.5mm
Nominees: Pathescope GEM, Pathescope SON, Pathescope 200B
And the winner is....................Pathescope 200B

[ May 29, 2009, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Paul Adsett ]

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on May 29, 2009, 02:37 PM:

Paul I totally agree with you on the 200B (The only one my wife has allowed to be displayed in my house) and the Heurtier Stereovox (I finally found a pressure plate for mine so it is soon to be complete), although I am not as familiar with the reg 8 bell & howell I'll have to look that one up.....

I would like to add one of my all time favorites and one I hope to own someday in a new category

Multi-Gauge
the nominees are Specto 500 dual 9.5/16 / Bolex G3 8,9.5,16/ and Heurtier Super Panoralux 9,5 , 16mm
and the winner is........Heurtier Super Panoralux 9,5 , 16mm

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 29, 2009, 02:47 PM:

I have to agree Dino- that one beats them all! Heurtier certainly designed some stunning looking projectors.

Posted by Kevan Ellis (Member # 1232) on May 29, 2009, 07:05 PM:

Paul
great topic

I saw a keystone model 160 16mm projector at a yard sale two weeks ago and I fell for it right away. It now sits atop an Edison floor model and after cleaning and oiling it, it works great.

One question though, Are the old machines hard on film?

Thanks
Kevan

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 29, 2009, 07:38 PM:

Hi Kevan,
I would say that it depends on the make of the projector. The old Bell and Howell's, like the 606H shown above, were designed and built to professional 16mm standards, with the best quality materials and superb finish on all the parts. Same goes for the old Bolex's like the M8 and the 18-5 which have superb quality. On the other hand, the more recent super 8 Bell and Howell's, with plastic construction and down-marketed for places like Sears and K-mart are just not in the same league quality wise, and I have had severe scratching from some of these machines. Eumig's of any age or model are extremely kind to film - I have never had a single scratch from a Eumig projector. The Eumig designers really knew their stuff. Most Pathe 9.5mm equipment is notorious for being hard on film. Avoid Keystone, Chinon, GAF, and all the Super 8 Kodaks, with the exception of the truly superb Kodak M100. If you want a good 9.5mm projector follow Dino's advice and get a Specto. Stay with Elmo, Eumig, Sankyo, Bauer, and Bolex and you ca'nt go far wrong.

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on May 29, 2009, 08:52 PM:

Best 16mm projector I think is around also a Ampro Stylist but I could not find a pic of one.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 29, 2009, 09:33 PM:

Patrick,
I found this ad for the Sylist in the May 1951 Amateur Cine World:

Anymore entries to the Projector beauty contest?

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on May 30, 2009, 02:01 AM:

Or weightlifting contest? [Big Grin]

Posted by Jim Carlile (Member # 812) on May 30, 2009, 03:36 AM:

My vote for the classic look is the Revere 85 and its matching 16mm twin, which is suspiciously similar to the B&H 606 made in the same city of Chicago.

For moderns, how about the Eumig 926 and the Bauer 610 as best looking?

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on May 30, 2009, 04:26 AM:

How about one of these??

Here is a Ampro Stylist Major Mk2

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on May 30, 2009, 05:16 AM:

My vote for the best looking Super 8 projector would have to be that good old Elmo ST1200. All that silver with green and yellow plastic makes it look a stunner.

[ May 30, 2009, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Graham Sinden ]

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on May 30, 2009, 09:02 AM:

Toei Talkie standard8mm sound machine.The only one that actually performed as good as it looked.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on May 30, 2009, 12:06 PM:

For me, it's the Ampro Stylist Major Mk2 too. Looks stunning in the flesh!

I actually have one of these machines - it runs like silk - pretty darn quiet - and is kind to films. Manual threading to boot!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 30, 2009, 12:20 PM:

David,
Was the Ampro a British or American design?

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on May 30, 2009, 12:35 PM:

Paul,
It was an American Machine; the firm Kelvin Hughes made them in the UK for Ampro.One of my earlier posts on a different thread mentions them from when I worked in the old Kelvin Hughes factory in Basingstoke....

http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000421#000002

Martin

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 30, 2009, 01:51 PM:

Thank's Martin. There must be a lot of Ampro's floating around the UK, as they seem to have been heavily advertised in ACW.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on May 30, 2009, 01:57 PM:

Ampros turn up quite regularly on Ebay - unfortunately a lot of them come out of lofts where they've been "rusting" for years.

I do like the look of those Heurtier projectors. I would love to get one, though I've been led to believe that they are technically not so great.

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 30, 2009, 04:43 PM:

Paul's Bell & Howell 606/Regent is absolutely FANTASTIC. But my vote goes to the Silma Memory 90. All in plastic, but so nice! I'm in love with it!

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 30, 2009, 05:02 PM:

I like the Silma. It has the design of the Empire in 'Star Wars'. You can see it on the Death Star...

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 30, 2009, 05:11 PM:

Steven, you are right! Very similar. Wow!

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on May 30, 2009, 07:06 PM:

Best std 8mm by far.
Pat [Big Grin]

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on May 30, 2009, 08:56 PM:

Hi to all the posters on this thread....
I couldn't resist responding after seeing the Elmo ST1200 that has been pictured.
Thats my Elmo st1200 & thats my picture we are looking at. I wonder how it got here. hehehehe...
Anyway, as no real good pic of a B&H 606 has been sent in, here is one I just took of mine. It goes well & I have just test run it. Will also put up a pic of a big Ampro I have that looks very impressive & is a favorite of mine. Hope no one objects.

dogtor pufferfish

Posted by John W. Black (Member # 1082) on May 30, 2009, 11:26 PM:

Funny how some of the beat looking ones are the worst machines.The Heurtier looks so great,but what a useless doorstop of a machine!Best looking std 8,The Keystone K109,!6mm,The Jan machines

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on May 31, 2009, 12:59 AM:

Hi again to all looking at the best looking vintage projector contest.
Here is a pic I have of an Ampro I had till recently.
Its not a Stylist or a Major but a 16mm monster that weighs heaps.
I thought it was one of the most impressive projector I had seen.
What do others think of this pic?
dogtor pufferfish

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on May 31, 2009, 01:38 AM:

Whoah frank that looks like it is made out of lead! [Eek!]

Posted by John W. Black (Member # 1082) on May 31, 2009, 02:16 AM:

For me,most any pre 1960 projector is great looking. And the oil smells from the machines. I love running the ones I have from the 30s. Another cool machine.The Keystone R-8

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on May 31, 2009, 03:30 AM:

Hey frank, I wanted a nice picture of an ST1200 and remembered where I saw one recently because of your recent posts. My own ST1200 isnt cosmetically as good as the one here, so I copied the pic, nice presentation. Put the ST1200 on a stand with a film threaded and they look a beauty.

Graham S

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 31, 2009, 04:57 PM:

Frank
those are excellent pictures the projectors look great.

For Super8 my pick is... [Roll Eyes]

Bolex SM8 a sleek quiet running machine

with its excellent gate design... better than the Elmo GS1200

Graham.

[ August 30, 2009, 02:20 AM: Message edited by: Graham Ritchie ]

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 31, 2009, 06:00 PM:

Our beloved... Finally, we all (I suppose... Should I say 'quite all'?) love IT!

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on May 31, 2009, 07:21 PM:

The first projector that caused me to die when I saw it was the Eumig S926.
I loved the look of the mixing console:

That projector seemed light year away from the horrible Chinon I was using.
Then I saw this projector in the Lenny Lipton Super 8 Book and fell in love again:

But then I went to Leo's Camera in Berkeley California and then saw this next to it!

And the love affair had begun!
But this one is a beauty too. Maybe for just looks alone I would say this one for me:

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 31, 2009, 07:40 PM:

What a romantic story... [Big Grin]

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on May 31, 2009, 09:36 PM:

Well, with all the talk about the Bolex M8, we just have to have a pic (even if I have posted it before [Big Grin]

)
Here's mine doing long-play duty:

It is a beauty; it almost makes you forget the noise and and the heat from the lamp. But hey.... [Wink]

Claus.

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on June 05, 2009, 08:51 AM:

Well Forum members,
If you though the Ampro looked heavy, then don't drop this Pathe H 9.5mm on your toe. It is sooooooo heavy that I can hardly take it out of its tub. Solid cast iron base. What do you all think? hehehe

dogtor puffferfish

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on June 05, 2009, 09:14 AM:

For those of you who have forgotten my much earlier thread entitled "My Projectors", here is the favourite: the AMPRO STYLIST MAJOR Mk 2

Now - tell me that doesn't turn you on!

What a machine! Real precision engineering at its best. This projector runs like it was brand new. Can't praise it enough! [Big Grin]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 05, 2009, 09:19 AM:

AAAAh, the beautiful EUMIG 926 Stereo. Now she's a little tease, (and she knows it!).

I have, as of late, had a problem cleaning the balance stripe portion of the mag head. Any advice folks?

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 05, 2009, 09:32 AM:

Yes I have to admit that David's 16mm Stylist is a real stunner. Makes me want to get into 16mm!
Osi is right about the Eumig 926 Stereo- what a great looking machine with that 'two-tone' finish, even better looking than the momochromatic looking 938 Stereo, but the 938 is the better performer.

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on June 05, 2009, 11:38 AM:

Yes I agree the Eumig 926 looks nice and still looks modern even today but dosent perform as well as it looks.

Graham S

Posted by Stewart McSporran (Member # 128) on June 05, 2009, 12:32 PM:

I have to agree that for Standard 8 that the Bell & Howells win out. I have a Filmo 8 that looks stunning - and has that wonderful oil smell when running!

Switching the topic around - did Kodak ever produce a decent looking machine? I've got a Kodak Standard 8 machine (can't recall the model number - Mark 8?) of the same vintage as the Filmo 8 and even a mother would have to admit it was ugly.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on June 05, 2009, 01:16 PM:

The Ampro looks fantastic Dave.

Every time one of these comes up on Ebay I toy with the idea of purchasing it.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 05, 2009, 03:09 PM:

Stewart,

Though they weren't necessarily kind to film, and only were capable of holding a 400ft reel, I was always fond of those "Kodak Ektasound" projectors that sat flat, instead of upright, like your standard 35MM slide projectors. I always thought it was a novel and neat look. I think Kodak was the only company to do that. Those Ektasound decks still get a decent, (though not too high) price. I think its mostly due to thier somewhat unique look.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 05, 2009, 03:45 PM:

Don't have a pix, but the Eumig 807D is a fine model of a machine; both dependable and sturdy

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on June 05, 2009, 04:15 PM:

Very nice pics everyone! Very impressive machines! [Smile]

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 06, 2009, 08:06 AM:

hey joe my emails keep getting bounced back from you email me i have a film you want.

Posted by Michael Wright (Member # 1387) on June 06, 2009, 08:28 AM:

Hi Paul. I agree entirely about the 200B, but is it true it only has a 2 blade shutter? MIKE

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 06, 2009, 09:31 AM:

Hey Jim, emailed you

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 06, 2009, 11:50 AM:

got it thanks i was using and older email

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on June 06, 2009, 09:47 PM:

Best looking New Zealand made projector is the 16mm sound Kelvin Challenger.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 06, 2009, 10:33 PM:

Very sharp angles to that 16MM projector, Patrick!

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on June 06, 2009, 10:43 PM:

Hey Osi, very basic projectors they are!
I dont know the full history off them but they are a hybrid rip-off of the RCA 400 projectors from the US, very heavy but they run very well.
Pat

Posted by Alexander Lechner (Member # 1548) on June 07, 2009, 09:51 AM:

Hi Joe (C.)!
Here is a picture of my Eumig 807D for you.

I find the looks of this projector very straight, not really my favourite; but you are right - it works great.
I personally like the Bolex SM8 shown above and the 18-5s best.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on June 07, 2009, 10:04 AM:

Now there are memories, Alexander...
The 807D was my first projector, wheedled out of my parents along with a Bauer C4 camera, as my confirmation gift at age 15.

I did a lot of screenings on that machine (before I finally managed to get the money together for the Elmo ST1200.) A fine, reliable unit the 807 was; the proof is in the pudding in that the films I ran on it still run well today.

Claus.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on June 08, 2009, 03:56 AM:

Paul & Michael O',

Thanks for your comments and appreciation of the Ampro.

Mike, - contrary to popular belief, these machines are NOT difficult to maintain, provided you get one in good order to begin with.

Dave Whistler is also an expert on these machines - so already there are 2 members willing to assist with any issues - if you so decide.

Here is a shot of the 'business' area. Pretty impressive, huh!

Best,

[ June 08, 2009, 05:20 AM: Message edited by: David Pannell ]

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on June 08, 2009, 09:48 AM:

Hi again to all watching the Beauty Contest of Vintage projectors.
Another of my Ampros is pictured here.
A cross between a Stick Insect & an Alien Robot.
Here we have the Ampro Premier 20.
A 16mm Dinosaur that I keep in a big long chest, padlocked so it doesn't get out & eat some one.
Hope you like its weird appearance. I am fascinated by this contraption but have never run it yet. Hope to do so soon.
dogtor pufferfish

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on June 08, 2009, 11:54 AM:

Hi Frank,

We had one of these when I was at school, and it was this projector that was responsible for my interest in films and projectors generally. It was the forerunner of the various Ampro Stylist models.

I would certainly be VERY interested to hear of your expriences once you get her running and have screened a few films.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on June 08, 2009, 01:32 PM:

I guess in general, the 8mm and Super 8 projectors are the most pleasing to the eye, because they were aimed at the Home market, whereas the 16mm stuff was more professional and industrial use and as such needed to be practical rather than gorgeous.

Would you agree?

-Mike

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on June 09, 2009, 07:35 AM:

At the end of the day, I reckon it all comes down to one's personal point of view.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". [Big Grin]

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 1337) on June 09, 2009, 08:21 AM:

quote:
I guess in general, the 8mm and Super 8 projectors are the most pleasing to the eye, because they were aimed at the Home market, whereas the 16mm stuff was more professional and industrial use and as such needed to be practical rather than gorgeous.

Would you agree?

Sorry Mike, I disagree. I've found some of the most beautiful machines are 35mm machines, of which only a handfull of people ever saw. Old Brenkerts in particular. The next most attractive are 16mm machines like the Ampro Stylist. I find most 8mm machines to be either very utilitarian or toy like.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 09, 2009, 09:17 AM:

Welcome Damien, finally some more Australians here!

Now, there is no way I'd call a Eumig 940 or an Elmo GS 1200 toys and this is from someone who owns four 35/70mm Philips Todd-AO DP 70's!

I'd place all three in the best looking projector category.

David

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 1337) on June 09, 2009, 09:25 AM:

Thanks for the welcome David

Don't want to veer to far off into 35mm land, but the DP-70 is a beauty, I love the 35/70 Original Vic 8's at work, when they have intact casing and magazines. Where are you getting all these DP-70's? I'd give my middle nut for a Phil/Nor. They make my Simplex Standard look pretty piss-weak.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on June 09, 2009, 09:32 AM:

David...FOUR DP70es [Eek!]

Guess you are not living in an apartment [Big Grin]

I trained on those beauties when I started, and I'll always think of them as the 'king of the hill' projector-wise. When they moved me to my 'own house', the Christie 35 I ran felt like cheap, noisy junk by comparison.

Care to throw up a pic of one of them?

Claus.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 09, 2009, 09:27 PM:

Claus, no, not an apartment!

I have them at my drive-in theatre. Just Google "Lunar Drive-in" for its homepage and a pic of me in the box. You can also see my home page listed on my site info. above for more information on drive-ins and 35mm projectors etc.

I also really like the look of the Bell and Howell 256 Standard 8mm projector too.

David

Posted by Jim Carlile (Member # 812) on June 13, 2009, 02:52 AM:

What's a doona?

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 13, 2009, 12:01 PM:

It's like a thick quilt, what you have on your bed instead of blankets. Is this term used outside of Australia?? I think it is a Swedish term?

Anyway at our drive-in in Winter people bring them and snuggle up in the back or their utes (pick up trucks), panel vans (sedan deliveries) and station wagons with the tail-gate open.

David

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on June 13, 2009, 06:04 PM:

A doona is a duvet. Or an eiderdown, maybe... 'Royale with cheese.'

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 14, 2009, 06:49 AM:

.............they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the ..........anyway you know the rest

Don't start me on the sewer rat scene........

Well put Steven, same thing different name depending on what country you are in. I have never herd of a duvet!

David

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on June 14, 2009, 02:11 PM:

My sister is married to an Australian so I speaka da lingo, cobber...

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 15, 2009, 11:02 PM:

From 1979....nice add [Smile]

The Projector is "Fujica SH6 Sound"
[Smile]

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on June 18, 2009, 05:54 PM:

You take the projector, I'll take the blonde in the blue hat!

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on June 19, 2009, 06:18 PM:

I bet the projector gave less grief and more fun than the 1979 blonde...

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 19, 2009, 08:58 PM:

Wow that blonde is a dead ringer for my wife, without her glasses.
I've got the model, tee hee! (Hey baby, wanna automatic thread?)

Mmmmmm!

Concerning those ancient projectors. I must admit, those older models with those metal belts and such, fully exposed, (as I like fully exposed models), have a charm, all they're own.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 22, 2009, 02:17 PM:

From about 1950, my Revere 88 - the poor man's Bell& Howell 606h/Regent - but still a looker.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 22, 2009, 02:34 PM:

Another vote for a great looking projector would have to be the Yashica P810. It was optical and magnetic sound and yet, it was a very small compact little beauty. Wish I could post a picture, but I've never been able to figure out the complexities of our beloved forum's photo capabilities.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on May 19, 2013, 10:09 PM:

I stumbled upon this old thread and I'm surprised this topic was cut so short. I thought I'd try and pick it up again by adding to Osi's last post.

I have to agree with Osi that the Yashica Sound P810 is a very impressive looking projector. It's an extremely quiet running machine with great sound...a very sharp 15mm - 25mm zoom lens...a frame counter...and a convenient monitor screen.

Also in my projector collection I find the Sankyo Sound 600 to be equally good looking and a pleasure to run.

[ May 20, 2013, 01:33 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on May 20, 2013, 01:38 PM:

I would be remiss if I didn't include my two oldest, but beautifully designed Keystone projectors. I love the simplicity of the 16mm K-160 with it's easy threading and retractable cord...and the 8mm Regal K-109 is an example of classic elegance.

[ May 20, 2013, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

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