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Topic: Super 8 Manual Threading
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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted February 10, 2010 08:36 AM
Winbert,
Manual threading vs. automatic is one of those old issues that people love to debate ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Manual means, you fit the film into the film path with your hands; you create the loops and lock the guides in place manually. No "feeding in the front door" and letting it come out at the take-up spool. Many Standard-8 and 16mm, and all 35mm cinema projectors are manual (unless I am missing some odd model.)
Automatic threading has had a bad reputation over the years due to poor designs from home projector makers and due to people not paying attention when trimming the ends and/or feeding damaged film into the machine.
You get the classic "terrible noise" as the film is being mangled halfway through the path (we've all heard it at some point ![[Wink]](wink.gif) )
16mm projectors come in manual or automatic models, but a nice variation is "slot loading" which Eiki's 16mm machines in particular are well-known for, and which, I find, is a great idea.
The whole film path is open, exposed from the side, and you lay the film into the path and onto the take-up reel. Then, turning the main switch, you lock the film onto the sprockets and you're ready to go.
It also has the advantage that you can stop and safely take out a film halfway through and rewind it if you want to.
So, it's convenience for the home market vs. safety and choice for the more professional machines.
I always felt a slot-loader would have been a great idea for Super-8 as we, more than a commercial set-up, sometimes do stop films and change.
These are the basics off the top of my head. I'm sure someone else can add to this.
Claus.
--------------------
"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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