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........save up for a better projector like an Elmo

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What have members got against Chinon projectors?
 

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Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on April 20, 2013, 03:21 AM:
 
I don't have a problem with the Chinon that I own but mine is the next model down from their top Stereo model. But mine was barely used. When they work well, they are fine. However, when problems develop they scratch and/or damage film. While any projector can do so, the plastic gate in Chinons is known to be problematic. I had the same model as Austin bought like new from a seller on eBay. It was squeaky clean inside and out but it scratched the emulsion on two prints that I ran through it. I quickly returned it for a refund. In a older thread, it was mentioned that Derann had numerous scratched rental prints from Chinon owners. The design of the gate is at fault. Not only does the Elmo have a metal gate/pressure pad, its much easier to clean. Also, Elmos are easier to get repaired here in the USA. Years ago, I started with a Bell&Howell S8 Sound projector. It made a emulsion scratch on some prints. As soon as I was able to, I bought a ST-1200 HD Elmo which at the time was one of the best & most expensive machines available. The difference was immediately obvious. I also bought a faster lens for it. My brother had the same projector as Austin, and his home movies were scratched to hell. In his case, it was even worse because I doubt he kept the machine clean. When Austin damages a prized print, then he will learn the hard way like I did to get a better projector. If Chinon had made the Gate out of metal at least on the high-end models and had the side spring rails next to the gate like Elmo, I would have not given out such advice.
 

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Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on April 20, 2013, 06:56 AM:
 
I have used Chinon's and still have one (7000). I have no problems with scratching films. (I buy mine with scratches ). I use the 7000 for up to 600' films and my GS1200 for my large format reels. Best of both worlds I think. It like cars, some like Chevys, some like Fords and others.

PatD
 

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Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on April 20, 2013, 09:43 AM:
 
I have the same unit as Austin as well and I have had no problems but the film path is not that accesable and I don't like the plastic gate either. I use mine to transfer films on occasion because it has varible speed. My main super 8 projector is an Elmo ST1200HD.

Bill
 

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Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 20, 2013, 11:33 AM:
 
This far down the road you really can't say two projectors are the same based on them being the same make and model number.

They're like 90 year old identical twins: they started out the same but they've led different lives.

When you buy a used projector you hope for the one that "went to the gym and ate healthy food", but sometimes you wind up with the ones that "smoked, drinked and stayed out late". (metaphor alert! )

Some are meant to live long lives, others good for nothing but transplant donation...

At that rate, I guess the best you can say for a particular make and model is they were built not to wear out.
 

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 20, 2013, 12:57 PM:
 
My CHINON 9500's (two of them) perform quite admirably. No scratching to report.

However, they do have one slight problem, and it can be a bi**h to deal with. The plastic film gates can get gummed up easily with gunk. I don't know if the make up of the plastic attracts gunk, but they certainly do, none the less.

Therefore, even on the top notch models, if you run into problem with the film just sliding through without the claw seemingly refusing to push the film through, it may well NOT be because of a bigger internal problem. Just go through the complete film gate path, (especially the pre-claw area) and give it a complete clean, and the projector should function fine after that!
 

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Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on April 23, 2013, 03:11 AM:
 
Mind you an Elmo can scratch a film as well as any projector in the wrong hands
 

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Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on April 23, 2013, 08:40 AM:
 
Even better!

Doug
 

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Posted by Matt Villagomez (Member # 2919) on April 24, 2013, 12:33 PM:
 
What the heck is the film gate. I've seen this term used before to describe problems with projectors. I think that if I can fix this, my projector will work normally. I am quite new at film collecting so I really don't know all the technical terms yet.
 

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Posted by Maurizio Di Cintio (Member # 144) on April 24, 2013, 01:02 PM:
 
Hi, Matt.
The "gate" is a sort of channel which the films goes through and is located between the lamp housing and the lens holder. While in the gate, the film is kept (or should be kept) perfectly flat by the pressure pad. PPressure pad, film and gate are thus kept together much like a sandwich. Also while in the gate the film is trasnported by the claw, intermittently, one frame at a time, 24 times a second.
There are two side, spring-loaded guides in the gate (one above the other below the frame aperture - i.e. the light from the lamp comes from) whose function is to absorb any uneveness there might be on the film sides, e.g. because of a splice or porr film cutting. These guides lie on the sprocketless side of the film and their strength, shape and wear (if any) can be crucial in ensuring proper film locating and steadyness.
Hope this helps.
 

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Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on April 25, 2013, 06:44 AM:
 
Matt. To give you a bit more of an idea here is a cinema projector gate left alongside the super 8 gate right. It’s much the same idea as a cinema projector although the quality of build and access can vary greatly particularly on what were the bargain basement 8mm projectors. Worth remembering also the film gate (aperture) has the largest contact area with the film during transport through the mechanism and also important to clean it with a soft brush accompanied after by a suitable air duster aerosol to help avoid film scratching. Some gates are easier to get at than others, and some will remove for cleaning as with most Eumig machines.

You will tend to find more professional machines from the likes of Beaulieu, Elmo and Fumeo offer extra refinements such as swing open gates making for easy cleaning, inspection and film un threading made simple.
 

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