8mm Forum: Looking for advice on 8mm projector for DVD transfer

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Posted by Greg Matthews (Member # 4647) on 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 [Smile]

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.

Greg Matthews

Posted by Douglas Warren (Member # 1047) on 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

Posted by Greg Matthews (Member # 4647) on January 17, 2015, 07:25 PM:

Thanks, Douglas. I'll check eBay to see what they have on this one.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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.

[ January 18, 2015, 01:20 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 17, 2015, 07:55 PM:

Wow Janice, seeing that photo takes me right back to the very beginning of our hobby. So so few knobs! lol.

To be fair, I guess it will work forever given that there really ain't that much to go wrong!

Posted by Douglas Warren (Member # 1047) on January 17, 2015, 08:00 PM:

Janice,
That Sankyo is one very nice machine!
Cheers,
Douglas

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on January 17, 2015, 09:06 PM:

Here's a video I made showing the features of the Sankyo 2000H.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc9JFjoxkLo

Posted by Greg Matthews (Member # 4647) on 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.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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.

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