8mm Forum: Received 2 Bell & Howell 16mm projectors, which one should I keep

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 01, 2012, 11:10 PM:

I have just received 2 Bell & Howell projectors in never used condition.

1. BH 2592 (made in Canada, single voltage)
2. BH 1694 TQIII Specialist (made in Japan, multi voltage)

From quick loo they just like the same, although I may be wrong. As I move so often, multi voltage will be an advatange,

1. But from performance, which one do you think is better?

2. Can you tell me what is the pro and/or con of either one?

3. Can you tell me the worh of these projectors normally?

Thanks for your help,

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on September 02, 2012, 06:41 AM:

I have two of the B&H 2592s and they are to my way of thinking,
the "bees knees" of 16mm projection Winbert.The projector has
an f1.2 lens which is a faster lens than normal for 16mm and a
200w lamp,a two position switch for lamp brightness,and a triple hard wearing stellite claw the results
on screen are superb.I believe it was the last B&H to be made
in their Chicago works.I paid around the £100.00 mark for mine
(each) and I use them constantly.As for their worth now,I would
hazard a guess around the $150-200.00 mark,but like everything else, it's only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.I haven't encountered any problems with these
projectors, although I am biased in favour of Bell & howell,these
people have been making good projectors for a long time now.
I have no experience of the second projector,but again B&H
are a quality machine and are well made, the name says it all.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 02, 2012, 08:22 AM:

Thanks Hugh,

The two projectors come with front cover that interchangeable between one to the other. However, one does come wth two speakers attached to the cover.

Can you tell me if this belongs to BH 2592 or BH 1694 TIII, at least by checking your 2592.

Now, I am waiting to get the reply from BH 1694 owner. What do you think this machine.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on September 02, 2012, 10:11 AM:

Hi Winbert,the double speakers belong to the 2592.I might have
a TQ upstairs,but I'll have to check,suffice to say I can't have used
it.Both projectors are class acts,but try them side by side, and
you'll see what I mean by brightness.One of the reasons I favour
B&H is simply because they are very kind to film,and if there is
any shrinkage or warp etc,they can cope admirably and won't
damage prints.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on September 03, 2012, 09:49 PM:

Agreed. Amazingly I paid $25 for a 2592 about a decade ago, and though the worm gear is going to erupt on me some day, and the belt needed servicing, it continues to be a regular part of my filmish folly to this day. It really is a great machine. The shutter is 3-bladed and looks smoother than an Eiki's 2-blade competition - though the latter tends to look brighter. Too bright, actually.

Not that I've tried the other. I don't know it. But the 2592 is great.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 04, 2012, 02:55 PM:

Hi Hugh & Bill,

Thanks for your comments.

I have just searched on google and found very impressive list of all BH line of production.

http://www.paulivester.com/films/projector/bh_models.htm

However for 1694 Paul Silver says:

quote:
TQIII Export, magnetic sound R/P, Speaker in cover.

So the TQIII also has speaker on cover. May be that the case for me too....???

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 07, 2012, 05:30 AM:

Winbert

The Bell & Howells of this vintage came with either a "thin" side cover, or for a greater price a "thicker" side cover which housed two round loud-speakers.

The 2592 model is newer than the 1694 and was one of the last models made by Bell & Howell before they acquired "badged" projectors made by Eiki/Elf.

My suggestion is to open their backs and with a very bright light examine the worm of each projector. Look for cracks which usually start quite small but gradually expand.

At first, a cracked worm will probably give slight unsteady running which manifests itself with troubled sound. But, eventually will come the day when the crack is so severe the projector will no longer run.

That will mean a very expensive repair job to replace the worm and probably a whole host of other needy repairs.

So, keep the one which has the best condition worm. If they are both O.K., keep the newer 2592.

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