8mm Forum: Please help me pick an 8mm projector

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Topic: Please help me pick an 8mm projector

Ken Brown
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 2019

posted October 19, 2019 02:05 PM

Hi,

I hope asking what is obviously a frequently asked question isn’t rude. But the more I read here, the more overwhelmed I get, so I thought I’d just try to get right to what I want to know:

I have 1000s of feet (probably < 10,000) of silent 8mm and Super 8mm family movies that I would like to transfer to video. I have already successfully projected and digitized our 16mm family movies, so I am very familiar with the general process. But I am completely lost when it comes to picking a suitable projector to purchase.

There are a lot of 8mm / Super 8mm silent projectors on eBay; I don’t know which ones to choose. This is what I would like (that I know of):

Price under $200 including shipping (preferably under $150).
Variable speed
Affordable bulb (long life and/or cheap replacement)
Reliable, likely not to need any repairs?!

I’d prefer not to have to worry about some of the things I’ve read here, such as replacing belts, adding oil or other lube, or any other maintenance – but maybe these are always required?
I’d appreciate any tips on specific models that I should be looking at -- thank you!

Ken

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted October 19, 2019 02:35 PM

Good question (and aspiration) which I'm afraid I won't try to answer, as I don't own a decent silent projector, and one with variable speed (beyond a basic choice of 18 or 24fps) could be hard to find. However I wouldn't be too hasty in ruling out a projector that needs a new belt, because I know from experience that some of the best buys can be one which has very little wear because it has been put away and hardly used. So basically, getting a projector with a perished belt is a small price to pay if it's otherwise in excellent condition and nothing is seriously worn. You'll probably be seeking a projector sold in the 1970s or early 1980s, so it's also possible that some new lubrication would be desirable.

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Adrian Winchester

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted October 19, 2019 02:44 PM

Ken
I recommend the Sankyo Dualux-2000H. It's dual gauge, 14-22 fps, and an EFP lamp (100Watt, 12 volt). The lamp is one of the most easily obtainable for a reasonable price in these days. It's also multi voltage.
Here's the full spec:-
https://www.filmkorn.org/super8data/database/projectors_list/projectors_sa nkyo/projectors_sankyo.htm

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Maurice

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Ken Brown
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 2019

posted October 19, 2019 04:08 PM

Adrian -- Ok, thanks, I'll try to be mentally prepared for those things. They can't be that hard, right? [Smile]

Maurice, thank you. I have seen the Sankyo 2000H mentioned often, just wasn't sure how it measured up to the things I mentioned. I've found a 1000 (no H) that sounds very decent on eBay at a good price. But comparing it to the 2000 H, it has:

130W instead of 170W
50W bulb instead of 100W
No 5-7 fps option

I don't care about the last one, and I don't know about the first (perhaps that means it isn't as reliable?). The lower wattage bulb, however, sounds like it could make a big difference, since that must translate to a dimmer projected image. Unless, of course, it doesn't matter in actual use. Although I also see a cheap 100W bulb available that claims it's compatible with the 1000, but I'm a bit skeptical.
I do see a couple of 2000Hs for about $60 - $75 more, so if those differences noted above are definitely worth the extra money, that's what I'll shoot for. What do you think?

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Janice Glesser
Film Goddess

Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted October 19, 2019 05:48 PM

There's no question if you have a choice opt for the 2000H. It's not just the bulb wattage difference...but the difference in the type of bulb.

The 1000 takes a 50w CXR or CXL bulb (often called the "spaceman bulb"). These are still available but scarce and expensive. The 2000H takes a more standard EFP 100W Halogen bulb. These are readily available and much lower cost.

The spaceman bulb on the left and the standard EFP on the right.

The 2000H is just all around a better built projector too.

--------------------
Janice

"I'm having a very good day!"
Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).

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Ken Brown
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 2019

posted October 19, 2019 05:54 PM

Great; thank you, Janice! The bulbs I saw for sale on eBay that claimed to fit the 1000(H), too, are the EFP bulbs. So mis-information on their part. Definitely worth going for the 2000H.

Thanks!

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Will Trenfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 506
From: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
Registered: Mar 2016

posted October 19, 2019 06:22 PM

The Sankyo 1000-H has the EFP bulb unlike the Sankyo 1000. I've only ever seen one 1000-H on eBay. I have two 2000-H projectors and they're very good. Despite what some sellers may say about a projector being in working order, you'll probably have to fit a new belt but they are cheap. Nearly every projector I've bought on eBay has needed one. Janice has posted a very good guide as to how to do it. Just use the "Search" facility.

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Ken Brown
Junior
Posts: 4
From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: Oct 2019

posted October 19, 2019 06:28 PM

Thank you, Will. That's pretty confusing, no wonder the eBay seller has it wrong (they claim it fits both the 1000 & the 1000-H). I'm mad that I didn't ask this question a few weeks ago, because I see a VERY appealing 2000-H sold only a week ago for an obscenely low amount. [Frown]

Thanks everyone for all your help. You've all been very kind and helpful, despite my asking such a basic, frequent question.

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