8mm Forum: 35mm long playing tower for a Philips FP3 projector

This is topic 35mm long playing tower for a Philips FP3 projector in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Robert Tucker (Member # 386) on March 17, 2007, 06:28 PM:

Hi,

Can any one help me please, i'm am trying to find a 35mm Long playing Tower unit that i can use with a Philips FP3 portable 35mm projector.

I have been told i can get long playing units that show about 6000ft at a time? I am also after a stand or pedestal which i can sit my projector on as i don't have one at the moment, any ideas would be of great help

Could i make a long playing unit myself? as i know these are not cheap to buy but i am opened to suggestions ?

thanks

Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 696) on March 21, 2007, 11:18 AM:

Hello Robert.

The 6000ft unit that you are talking about is actually a spool capable of taking up to three reels of 35mm film.
This is placed on the projector in exactly the same way as the standard 2000ft spool.
To use these spools you will probably have to extend the top and bottom spool box arms. You will also need a rewinder that accepts this size.

The pedestal idea is either a film tower, or a platter (cakestand) system.
These are capable of taking a whole feature in one lump.
Both are very expensive, even secondhand, and also require a roller system to get the film to, and from the projector.

Photographs of these long play machines can be seen on my website at
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/misc_film_1.htm
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/misc_projectors_2.htm
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/misc_film_5.htm

You may be able to obtain 6000ft spools from your local cinema, providing that it is a fairly old cinema, and not a multiplex, who have gone over to the long players, and have no use for spools at all.

Hugh.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on March 22, 2007, 04:29 AM:

Hugh, I just love the pics on your site and have spent quite a bit of time sifting through the various category's. Well done.

Kev.

Posted by Chris Quinn (Member # 129) on March 22, 2007, 03:02 PM:

I agree, excellent site Hugh. 35mm is something i would love to get into one day. The portable 35mm's look great. I want one. [Smile]

Chris.

Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 696) on March 23, 2007, 12:06 PM:

Hello Kev, and Chris.

Thank you for your kind words about my web site.
It is the culmination of 48 years in the cinema industry, and still counting.

I am always on the lookout for photographs, and would like to expand the 8mm section, so any photos would be most appreciated.

The Portacine 35mm machine I agree is a nice looking projector, but have no idea about the quirks of operating it.

Chris, you might not be so keen to get into 35mm when I tell you that one reel on a bobbin (core) weights approx 8 pounds. Try carrying a 6 reel feature up stairs to the Box in one lump. That's nearly 3.5 stone dead weight.
Naturally you get the trainee to do this, or an unsuspecting member of the floor staff.
Nowadays most cinemas have a lift to the projection box, thank God.

Hugh

Posted by Ralf Hoff (Member # 36) on March 25, 2007, 07:14 AM:

Hello Robert,

for myself I'm also looking for a towerunit 35mm. I've seen this on ebay germany, but I think it will be to expensive for 1.500 EURO. This Unit plays 2x 4.000m but one side will be not working, it has to be repaired. On the other hand the buyer have to organize the transport for self. But interesting to seen.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Spulenturm-fuer-4000-meter-Film-mit-2-x-4000-meter-Spule_W0QQitemZ180100155148QQcategoryZ28892QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ralf

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 25, 2007, 07:57 AM:

Hi. I am new to the long play unit idea on 35mm and do have 35mm projectors. It’s something, for some reason I new explored. Suppose I like lots of reel changes?

From what information I have managed to get together, many do seem to make there own long play units out of 2” X 2” or steel framework. I have seen one chap who uses a motor driven by a railway set transformer and wire drive belt. Another has gone more up market and is using a motor with microprocessor to adjust take up speed as used on the old super 8 Spondon long play unit.

Seems everyone has there own idea. What I hope to do is to have the reel more or less flush to the wall with motor behind. Run the film along the wall, over the top down to the Philips projector. We will be knocking a hole through the wall but the does not know this yet! All this will go under the stairs and project into what we call The Studio Cinema. Posh…

A friend also has 35mm and when I explained my long play plans he also has started drawing up his own ideas for a long play unit.

Question.
Does anyone reading this do 70mm?

Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 696) on March 25, 2007, 01:28 PM:

Just out of curiosity, where do you obtain 35mm copies?
Legally they are the property of the film company no matter what age they are, and can not be brought or sold without the companies permission.

Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 696) on March 26, 2007, 06:14 AM:

Hello Robert.

I see that you live in Essex.
There is a long playing unit, and various other 35mm bits, for sale in Clacton-on-Sea, that you might find of interest.
Contact Keith Tricker on 01255 812312 between 11am and 10pm.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 26, 2007, 11:10 AM:

Hello Hugh
Cant speak for anyone else but my work brings small 35mm production units here to use the low cost 35mm viewing facility, part of my small business. Wonder what you show on your 35mm??

Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 696) on March 26, 2007, 11:22 AM:

Hello Lee.

You wonder what I show on my 35mm machine?

As I am a cinema projectionist all the 35mm films that I show are current release prints.
I would not have a 35mm machine at home for all the tea in China.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 26, 2007, 11:56 AM:

Hi again.
If we are talking copyright infringement or the like I think you will find the authorities are much more occupied with DVD piracy. But as far as film is concerned, it’s just as bad to have release prints on 16mm as 35 which are still within copyright. Take a good look at ebay to see how many 35mm trailers they allow listed without question and I think you can see which way the unauthorised projection and ownership of media is bending. The digital revolution has much to answer for I believe…

Been at a demo of Blue Ray authoring/burning today and we were told that someone has already published piracy software on the net.

As you will know being at the cutting edge, cinemas already have plans in place to sell blue ray copies of films upon exit of the actual film you have just been to see. To my mind this pretty much makes the film prints worthless.

Just another of my sceptical thoughts having just about seen it all in the marketing game.. Pity the poor money paying public.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 26, 2007, 06:33 PM:

This clip on you tube is beyond belief !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOa8Nuid6gY

Bet you cant say CP2000ZX as quick as this lad can.

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