8mm Forum: Projector Brightness

This is topic Projector Brightness in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006316

Posted by Adam Deierling (Member # 2307) on June 28, 2011, 09:52 AM:

I have a Chinon 7500 that has a 120v 150w bulb. I am looking to get a new projector that is Stereo and Brighter. My question to you guys is, How much brighter is a gs-800 or st-1200hd from my projector. Will I notice? Thanks!

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on June 28, 2011, 12:42 PM:

Hi Adam,
The GS800 has a 100w lamp and the ST1200 range have the same bulb as your Chinon,Both have the standard 1.3 lenses but with a 1.1 or a 1.0 lens the light output will improve but these lenses can be quite expensive.Other Stereo machines are the Sankyo 800 and Chinon SS1200 again with 150w lamps,These can be had for reasonable prices,Elmo GS1200's are 200w machines but depending on your budget of course are one of the brightest super 8 machines,Mark.

Posted by Luis Caramelo (Member # 2430) on June 28, 2011, 01:10 PM:

hi! adam,let,s see if i can give you a help,i got an elmo st-1200 with a 15v-150w of bulb and i also got an chinon st-1200
stereo with 15v-150w,both has good brithness,i use the(A1/232)
lamp,

regards
luis caramelo

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 28, 2011, 01:26 PM:

Adam. The Elmo ST1200 HD model has I seem to remember separate line outputs for audio so you could feed these outputs into a stereo external amplifier. Good luck with your quest.

Posted by Adam Deierling (Member # 2307) on June 28, 2011, 01:56 PM:

So your saying my Chinon is just as bright as a st1200? Thanks Guys!

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on June 28, 2011, 06:07 PM:

Is the 120v 150w bulb a halogen? If not, it won't be as bright as an EFR used in an ST-1200.

Posted by Greg Marshall (Member # 1268) on June 28, 2011, 06:39 PM:

Lee, you are correct about the ST1200 HD, the unit can playback both tracks for stereo.

Adam, the ST1200's take a halogen lamp, 15v/150w. It sounds like your Chinon takes an incandescent lamp. Though it's still 150w, it won't be as bright as the halogen, and the halogen produces a whiter light. Not like Xenon, but better than incandescent.

I'd try to find a ST1200 HD and work with that for a while. It'll be a little bit brighter, and you'll be able to play stereo prints in stereo.

Posted by Adam Deierling (Member # 2307) on June 28, 2011, 09:39 PM:

Thanks Greg! How does the st1200hd compare to a gs800? I don't have any 1200' movies and don't know that I ever will. Is it a good projector too? Does it use a halogen lamp? My Chinion isn't that bright and the bulbs only last 12 hours so those factors are a big deal to me.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on June 29, 2011, 12:46 AM:

12 hours for a bulb is definitely incandescent, and you'll enjoy a much larger picture with the same brightness, or a brighter image of the same size, to be sure.

The question is: how much are you willing to spend on a projector?

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 29, 2011, 03:08 AM:

Adam. If you are looking for a self contained unit without external amplifier the GS800 is a good way to go. I used one of these having upgraded it with a F1 lens, projecting onto a 8ft screen at home with good results for many years in the 80’s plus. If you do look out for one watch for worn sound heads (low sound), clicking noise on the sound which was a known fault but curable. Also you will see a plated guide as the film exits the sound head which does wear and will score the film when the plating has worn off. This damages the film and shows a line to the right of the screen. The down side will be it only takes 800ft reels unlike the older ST1200HD machine which is designed for 1200ft reels. Use Osram lamps in either machine as they do give a little more light than some of the lesser brands and these will also fit your 7500. When I had my own GS800 the sound quality was superb and I used to feed it into two small Mission hi-fi speakers showing films each week. As far as I know the machine is still going strong and I found it very reliable indeed if looked after obviously and very portable unlike the GS1200 which I am beginning to find quite a lump when taking it out to give a show. Its also worth keeping an eye open for the Eumig 938 Stereo which is a very quiet runner with limited light spill from the lamp house. Once again it’s worth testing with a good film to make sure the sound head is in good order. The 938 is a very nice machine with 150 watt lamp, light and great to use.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 29, 2011, 08:13 AM:

I have the ST-1200HD and for the most part it's a really great machine.

The funky part about it is unlike many Elmos that have a DC motor with speed regulation the ST-1200 has an AC motor and no direct regulation.

For many ST-1200s I've both used and heard about, this means in that first minute or so from dead cold it runs slow, not so much that you can see it in the picture but hear it in voices and music. Given a few minutes it gradually speeds up to normal.

If you let it run empty (unlit is OK) while you round up films or start with a silent the difference will be undetectable once you need it to be. It's just if you start it cold and use it, that first minute can be pretty awful.

Two reels into a 5 reel feature you don't care about it at all. At that point the quietness of the machine is what impresses.

I also think the fact that the DC motored Elmos change speeds with the easy flip of a tiny slide switch as opposed to the ST-1200 changing with a big honking lever attached to a couple of rollers on a sprung pivoted frame ("CLLLUNK!!") is just nicer.

I think the GS-800 is DC and regulated. This would be a definite plus for me if I had the two to choose from.

Build me a DC motored ST-1200 and I will be a happy guy!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 29, 2011, 12:18 PM:

Adam, I fully agree with Lee about the excellence of the Eumig 938. It is my favourite projector, even though I have a GS1200.
The GS is brighter, but the Eumig has better sound quality IMO.

Posted by Adam Deierling (Member # 2307) on June 29, 2011, 12:29 PM:

how much do those run?

Posted by Colin Robert Hunt (Member # 433) on June 29, 2011, 02:42 PM:

I have a Chinon 7500 and that take's a A1/232 lamp 15v 150w Halagen. Just has bright as a 1200 with the 1,3 lens. So I am confused to what projector we are talking about.

Posted by Greg Marshall (Member # 1268) on June 29, 2011, 07:36 PM:

Adam, I won my ST1200 HD on Ebay, and got it for around $80 including shipping, so look around there... some go higher, it's about timing, I guess. Mine needed a good cleaning, but am pleased with it. I don't use it as much since I got my GS1200, which ran me a grand. Can't tell you about the other models, as I don't own them

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on June 29, 2011, 10:59 PM:

I have 2 Chinon units. One is a 6000 and the other is a 7000 and they both use a DNE bulb which I believe is also a 150w bulb. Both bulb boxes specify halogen, but I have my doubts. I've had the same complaint. The bulbs have a grey tint to them and my picture is always a bit dark on both. I have a Eumig that uses a different bulb which is also 150w, but for some reason appears much brighter. Can't figure why. Now my B&H 2580s throw a nice bright picture which is why I prefer 16mm overall. My 16mm Blackhawk prints are bright and gorgeous whereas the same titles I own in S/8 are always a bit of a strain on the eyes unless I'm up close and have the room pitch black which, due to the layout of the house and its 4 occupants, is nearly impossible to achieve.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 30, 2011, 01:31 AM:

Good Used Eumig 938 machines tend to go for around the £200/£300. One is on fleabay at the moment if you would like to see 330557380721 I still have some spares left for these but not many now.

GS1200 machines have recently sold under £250 but beware when buying I guess and you could open a can of worms buying low. A very good quality late model will sell for around £800 today complete with cover, box etc.

If you are hunting for bargains sometimes they turn out not to be such a bargain when dealing with electronics so buy with care as the GS1200 is full of components awaiting failure. [Cool]

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2