8mm Forum: 17.5mm - How rare?

This is topic 17.5mm - How rare? in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 04, 2009, 07:09 PM:

I've come across some 17.5 mm film. I'm wondering if they are worth anything? Mostly our gang 3 inch reels.
thanks

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on November 05, 2009, 09:30 PM:

Mike,

If nothing else, they are certainly one of the 'niche' formats in what is already our 'niche' hobby, much like 9.5mm. They are not exactly readily available.
At least hang on to them and see if any of the collectors here might have use for them.

Claus.

Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 05, 2009, 10:19 PM:

Cool, thanks.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on November 05, 2009, 10:31 PM:

Nearly as rare as hen's teeth, yes?

Kinetoscope films usually sell on eBay for hundreds each when they rarely turn up, but 17.5 may be less desirable, seeing as Edison's name and the older vintage helps interest in the other format.

Hang on to them and the value can only increase, right?

How about posting some photos for those who have never seen this format?

Posted by Joerg Polzfusz (Member # 602) on November 06, 2009, 05:41 AM:

Hi,

BTW: what kind of 17.5mm-format is it? There have been several versions that all differ in sprocket holes (dimensions, positions and number) and hence aspect ratios ...
http://www.xs4all.nl/~wichm/filmsize.html#17,5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_film_formats

Jörg

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 1183) on November 06, 2009, 03:21 PM:

I have a Pathe 17.5mm Sound movie projector and a little bit of film that I picked up at a flea market many years ago. It is not in working condition, one of the many projects I may someday get to is restoring it. What is bizarre about it is that there is no exciter lamp, the optical sound light source is the main projection bulb, that reflects though a mirror arrangement down to the photocell.

The film looks like 16mm, just a silly millimeter wider.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on November 09, 2009, 12:56 AM:

Mitchell and Mike if you guys want to get rid of your 17.5mm stuff (especially the projector) let me know since that stuff is definitely in my interest zone... I love the off-guages and project 9.5mm stuff regularly here in Los Angeles but want to start screening more of the unusual guages...I have a few 17.5mm films but no projector yet since it is always so expensive to get those shipped over because of the extra weight caused by the sound equipment...That stuff is alot more common overseas in UK, where most of that was made....

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