8mm Forum: Kodak Instamatic M95

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Posted by Alex Reus (Member # 2944) on February 08, 2012, 05:15 PM:

Hello everyone

I picked up an M95 projector in absolute pristine condition, it may have been used a handful of times. Unfortunately this projector has had the same fate as many other M series projectors with the shutter gear basically disintegrating.

My questions is if anyone has had any experience with these projector when they were running in top condition. Are they quite, for a projector, do they project well.

I'll decide soon if the $190 is worth spending on replacing the gear(s) and belts in this beauty, who knows this might be one sweet projector.

Thanks

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on February 08, 2012, 05:55 PM:

HI Alex

Don't waste your money. It's not only the shutter gear that goes. The film damper also falls apart, plus other plastic pieces inside. One they are touched the plastic just disintergrates. I have a M95 now and they are not quiet. I have also fixed a couple of shutter gears and I woun't do it any more. The projector has to be gutted to get the shutter out and that's when all hell breaks lose. And I mean breaks. At least that's my opinion. I hope this helps you. [Confused]

Posted by Thomas Dafnides (Member # 1851) on February 08, 2012, 07:56 PM:

A unique design in projector history, when they were new (high priced) , they projected (quietly) a magnificently brilliant picture....I remember viewing 8mm films on a 10- 12 foot screen in an auditorium with maybe 500 people back in the 60's.
Unfortunately, as Pat points out, the plastics used in the construction have proven to be self destructive with time.

Posted by Alex Reus (Member # 2944) on February 09, 2012, 04:58 PM:

Thank you for the replies. It's a shame Kodak had to use such poor quality platics in an otherwise well built projector. I must say I was so excited when I first came across it. I have never seen a projector ,over 40 years old, and basically in perfect condition. LOL, except for the internal gears.
Well it looks great on the shelf for now.

Posted by Thomas Dafnides (Member # 1851) on February 09, 2012, 07:20 PM:

I am guessing that they used a new type of synthetic plastic/nylon gear...that was softer, absorbing shock and more quiet...the projector when new was very quiet running. Unfortunately, the trade off was material that proved to be self dissolving....
This projector when new , cost twice the price of standard B&H 8mm projector. Almost all of them, are still running fine.

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