Posts: 110
From: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2014
posted December 20, 2014 08:43 AM
Hello there
I have just bought in a store some old photographs from an old high school in Ghent, Belgium. On one of the pictures, there is a 16 mm projector in the science classroom, does anyone know which brand this projector is? Just curious to know and if these projectors were often used for didactical purposes...
It's difficult to tell, however the reel configuration helps to narrow the choices down. The projector resembles one of the Debrie line, possibly a D16 or MS 24. The top projection unit was made to slide into a number of different amplifiers.
As Clyde said, Ampro is a possibility since both they and Heurtier used a similar reel setup.
Doug
-------------------- I think there's room for just one more film.....
posted December 20, 2014 10:06 AM
Hello Nick. When I was in primary school (in Brussels), in the seventies, we had sometimes 16 mm projections at the end of a term (for Entertainment). In secondary school (still in Brussels), I remember only one 16 mm projection for an History lesson (but video had already appeared at that time). There was an educational 16 mm Library for teachers. Gelukkig Kertsfeest (Merry Christmas).
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted December 20, 2014 02:43 PM
I have an Ampro and a Debrie and I don't consider that the projector shown is either make. Whilst the projector does bear a similarity to a Debrie with what appears to be its round rear motor/fan assembly, it seems to have a rewind crank handle on the top spool arm. A fitment which makes it unlikely to be a Debrie.
Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012
posted December 20, 2014 05:13 PM
Takes me back to what I think got me into film. My school Penistone Grammar had a film club 'Oh What A Lovely War' was shown over the week, I think I was more into the projector at the time thinking what a fantastic thing. It was a B&H in that case.
Never looked back.
-------------------- I love the smell of film in the morning.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted December 21, 2014 01:49 AM
A thought. Did Belgium make projectors? It might be an import. As France is an adjacent country it might be an early Heurtier as they had motors at the rear somewhat in the style of Debries.
posted December 21, 2014 02:36 AM
As far as I know, Belgium did not manufacture cine projectors. We had Gevaert which made filmstock which is not bad for a small country. The company still exists Under the name of Agfa-Gevaert.
posted December 21, 2014 05:10 AM
After further searches, I found that it is still possible to rent 16 mm films. There are two general Libraries : one which has some films not yet digitalized and if you ask for one of that title, it seems you get it on film and another Library which has 16 mm and 35 mm but this one is expensive (75 € for 24 hours AND you must have an insurance of 5.000 € per film !). I Wonder how many copies they hired this year...
Posts: 110
From: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2014
posted December 21, 2014 03:13 PM
If it should be a Meopta, do you know which type should it be? Because it looks like an Ampro too, as some people say here too.
Were 16 mm films often used in schools anyway in those days? Or was it on rare occasions? As for me, some years ago, I remember really a lot of videos in my school. If anyone remembers subjects of 16 mm films (or (super) 8 mm?) in their schooldays, please share, 16 mm in schools has always had something "magical" for me...