posted January 16, 2015 08:09 PM
Hi, I've been looking for a couple of months for a projector to use to transfer my family's old 8mm and Super 8mm films to DVD. I bought a telecine transfer thingamajigger on eBay to help with the transfer so now I just need a good projector.
My grandparents had a Kodak Instamatic M85 projector and Bell and Howell 1623, but no manual for either. From what I can tell though neither has an adjustable speed control.
In looking on eBay for a projector I see page after page after page of projectors, but no idea as to what brand is good or that has all of the features that I might need (adjustable speed control is one thing that I know to look for though).
Can someone either tell me what the good brands are or point me to a website with this info? Also, how can I tell what a good price is? I'm not looking for top of the line, but I do want something reliable. I think $200 is probably what I'd be willing to spend at this point for a decent projector unless someone tells me I need to spend more
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can share with me. I've got around 150 50' reels and maybe around 20 in various other sizes up to 400' reels to transfer in this first round that I want to work on.
Posts: 282
From: West Chester, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2008
posted January 16, 2015 09:02 PM
Hi Greg, Welcome to the forum!I would recommend a Bell & Howell 10 MS Dual 8 Projector.It has variable speed and can be found on eBay for usually under $200.00.Being a Dual 8 machine,it will allow you to transfer both gauges of film.Good luck with your project as I'm in the process of doing the same. Cheers, Douglas
-------------------- Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted January 17, 2015 07:42 PM
It will cost you a little more than the B&H 10MS ($160 - $230)...but the Sankyo 2000H is better constructed... has a better lens... and uses a more modern and cheaper EFP lamp. It is a dual gauge projector with variable speed control.
posted January 17, 2015 11:57 PM
I saw a Sankyo 1000 on eBay in December that I was bidding on as it was refurbed by the owner and based on his description I could tell he'd really put some time and effort into working on it. There were a lot of bids on it, but by the time it got to $120 I stopped bidding not knowing what it was actually worth. I've been kicking myself ever since because it went for $135 and I think would have been a good deal.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted January 18, 2015 01:25 AM
Yes Greg...you missed out on a good deal there. However, these machines come up often on Ebay...you just need to make sure they have been stored well and tested. A serviced machine will cost more...but you know it will be in good working condition. Well worth the extra expense.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).