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Author
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Topic: Which comes first? The projector or the Film?
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted December 17, 2009 08:36 AM
Okay, that's kind of a play on the old saying ...
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
But in this case, which will become more rare?
Well functioning projectors?
Films?
I think it's projectors. I have tons of very fine non-faded films, but I run into more and more problems with projectors.
My new crusade, therefore, is the search for some brand new, in the box, projectors, as well as, (once upon finding great projectors), a great large supply of bulbs for said projectors.
Any comments?
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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted December 17, 2009 09:52 AM
I would say 'both', assuming we are talking about showing top-quality images.
The parts/repair issue is a big one, especially in 8mm.
Increasingly, the more common better machines, like the ST1200s will be the 'winners' in that, much like with 16mm Eiki SSls, there are lots around for parts.
But someone still has to fix them.
Good prints are not easy to come by. And I mean 'good', not partially faded, fixed, scratched or such.
Eastmancolor has destroyed so many films over the years that it has had quite an impact on both the 8 and 16mm markets.
The rare titles are being kept by their owners, the newly-made titles are very expensive, and many affordable titles are ruined by people storing them badly for years before selling.
We can't win. But we can lose as gracefully as possible ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Claus.
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"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted December 17, 2009 10:42 AM
I feel that my projectors will long outlast me. I have a Pathe Baby from 1922 which still runs like new and I am sure it will last at least another 100 years. My GS1200'S by and large are running fine, with the little auto-thread micro-switches being the only item that seems to need periodic replacement, and I wonder if the heads will ever wear out. My Eumigs are all fully functional, although I limit their useage because of the shorter head life on these machines.
Black and white films also seem to last forever. I have 9.5mm Pathe Baby film from the 1920's that still project beautifully.
Color film, as Claus has mentioned, is entirely another issue. Most of the color digests that I collected in the 1970's and 1980's are badly faded, and will probably be clear film in another 10 years. Thankfully though my Derann color prints all look like new and should last a very long time. I will no longer buy used color films unless they are known to be low fade stock.
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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted December 18, 2009 06:26 PM
Paul ...
I wouldn't worry about buying Eastmancolor prints, as long as you get the print before color fade sets in. I have had very good success keeping the color really good on my Eastman and Kodak SP prints. That is, I recieved them with great color.
The only faded prints I have I recieved that way.
If you limit your film search to only low fade color stocks, there are many a desireable print that you'll never have in your collection, as some earlier releases were only put out on Super 8 before the advent, (in general) of low fade stock.
Just my advice.
There were some other great points as well. I am sure that for years to come, there will be old photography stores that will have assorted good projectors, never used, in they're basements, and they will be more than happy to sell them, at bargain prices, thinking, "My Gawd, at least I'm selling it at a loss!"
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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted December 19, 2009 08:47 AM
Very true, Micheal ...
However, I finally found a completely unfaded vintage print of "Conduct Unbecoming", which is now in cold storage, (unless, of course, I wish to watch it).
So, it is possible to find unfaded Eastman prints. It is a sure thing that not all Eastman film stock was created equal. The later, early 80's eastman was atrocious, but the earlier , early to mid 70's eastman has held up quite well, given a perfect set of circumstances, proper storage being the most important, of course.
It's why I haven't lost hope on finding a good color copy of "Grizzly Adams".
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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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