8mm Forum: Kodak Moviedeck 455 bulb

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Posted by Thomas Beiter (Member # 470) on May 12, 2010, 03:13 PM:

I picked up a Kodak Moviedeck 455 projector (mainly because I wanted the very nice Da-lite screen that came with it) for $8 at a garage sale this past weekend. Honestly, I thought it was a slide projector at first. I'd never seen one of these beasts before. Anyway, as you would expect, the bulb needs to be replaced. I ran a film through it and it seemed to run fine. It calls for an ENZ bulb, some sites say you can also use an ELB bulb. ENZ bulb has a 25 hour life span, ELB 15. Both are about $15 plus shipping. My question is, is there another longer-lasting/cheaper option?

I'd also be interested in hearing any thoughts on this projector. I've heard it has a tendency to scratch films which I could see since the film snakes over stationary tracks rather than rollers.

Thanks,

Tom

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 12, 2010, 03:33 PM:

I've never heard of alternative bulbs for these machines. 25 hours is a lot of screen time when you are showing silents anyway. Even when I used this machine exclusively I went at least a year per bulb. I don't think the 80 Watt bulb is really worthwhile since the optics aren't really up to a big picture.

As far as scratching due to the film dragging over stationary tracks: half true. The external rewind path isn't rollered, but where the film touches hard surfaces these are curved so they only touch the film on the edges. I keep mine clean and lubed and I have no troubles. You will only run into trouble if they are worn or full of abrasive gunk.

The main projection path is rollered in places I'm aware of. Probably they use the curved edge design if it's not.

As with any "new" machine you don't know very well, give it a good cleaning and for heaven's sake don't stuff in a film you really care about! You wouldn't lend a brand new car to a stranger, so don't let some projector you don't know eat your Parent's Wedding Film! (example)

It is not a great projector, it's not really a bad projector either. Back towards the rear of the herd, it's far from the worst.

Here's what I think of mine: (scroll down to the last entry, and please reply here)

The Kodak Challenge

Posted by Thomas Beiter (Member # 470) on May 13, 2010, 06:58 AM:

Steve, thanks for replying

>25 hours is a lot of screen time when you are showing silents anyway.

Point taken. I ordered an ENZ bulb last night.

>You will only run into trouble if they are worn or full of abrasive gunk.

It was fairly clean when I got it, a little dusty. I cleaned up everywhere I could reach. Do you recommend taking it apart and cleaning out the internal tracks or am I asking for trouble opening it up?

>and for heaven's sake don't stuff in a film you really care about!

Definitely not. I ran a b&w silent Mr. Magoo through it that I wasn't worried about scratching. Just wanted to make sure it worked before investing in a bulb.

>Here's what I think of mine

Yes, that looks identical to mine, although mine is a 455 vs your 447 -- not sure what the difference would be.

I have an Elmo ST-600M with magnetic sound (looking at your Elmo in the picture) and love it. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to find the Kodak wasn't sound. That will force it to remain simply a toy to mess around with or to show silent home movies. Although it does open up my library to finally accept regular 8 films which I've never been able to show before.

My wife just shakes her head and can't understand why I need yet another projector. Women...

Anyway, thanks for the input and I'll let you know what I think of the Kodak after I receive the bulb.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on May 13, 2010, 08:15 AM:

Funny...

That's exactly what my wife said when I got my second projector (first one with sound). She's generally supportive though: I could be into a lot worse things, and it's good therapy!

I think 455 has a few more features than 447 (24 FPS?) 435 is pretty bare bones; I don't think it had that neat pull out screen.

Internal access is pretty cruddy compared to an Elmo (the best I've seen for this...), but if you flip the Moviedeck upside down (on a soft surface to prevent damage) there's a large headed screw on the bottom which you can turn with a coin. When you pop the cover open you can see a lot of the projection path and probably find some gunk to clean out. The guides are installed with spring clips and pop out for access.

A lot of people like to put a little furniture polish on their guides to reduce the risk of scratching. It will give that rewind slot and internal guides a little added slipperiness and leaves your projector lemony fresh!

I use a commercial projector lube…unfortunately unscented!

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