Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 22, 2013 12:47 AM
I'm thinking about an Elmo 16-CL... How are they for noise level? What's the general opinion on other makes and models? Thanks!
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 22, 2013 01:49 AM
I actually like hearing the hum of the motor and film feeding through the projector...but if the clatter is too loud that can be distracting. When I first got my Elmo 16-CL I heard a very loud clatter...but that was due to a badly cracked gear But once that was replaced...the motor and gears ran very smoothly and quiet. The film takes a simple direct path through the gate and the sound head which minimalizes machine noise. I don't know if it's the quietest 16mm projector...but I don't think you'd be disappointed choosing this model.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 2232
From: Sarpsborg, Norway
Registered: Nov 2012
posted June 22, 2013 03:03 AM
I'll second that. Started with a Bauer P7 Synchron myself, but have now gone to only using this Elmo 16-CL with the amazingly easy slot load ... Super machine in my book
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 22, 2013 07:47 AM
Great to hear. I'm going to try to look at one today that's for sale. What do you think is a fair price range to pay for one of these?
Posts: 2232
From: Sarpsborg, Norway
Registered: Nov 2012
posted June 22, 2013 08:00 AM
Got mine from Germany and I think it was about 100 Euro or there around. See them going for 200+ USD and guess 200 ain't too bad a price. Well worth it
Posts: 2232
From: Sarpsborg, Norway
Registered: Nov 2012
posted June 22, 2013 08:18 AM
Looks nice, go for it, I'd be surprised if you were disappointed with it. The easy loading and unloading is worth it, at least for me. Editing and such, much easier to see the result, just load it right before the splice
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 22, 2013 09:16 AM
Lee...I got mine for $150 including shipping from Canada. Like I said it arrived with a cracked gear and rollers that had turned to goo. The gooy rollers is common with these machines. I would ask this seller if he has tested it with film and what are the condition of the rollers. It cost $100 to replace the rollers. You can locate missing cover plates...they can run $30-$60. These repairs can add up fast. So I would ask more questions before bidding on this one.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 22, 2013 09:56 AM
I would ask the seller to touch the rollers with his finger and let you know if any black rubber comes off or if the surface is dry and smooth. You want dry and smooth
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009
posted June 22, 2013 12:12 PM
If you are going to see it in person, bring a reel of film that you can spare if it gets some frames ruined. Threaded it up and try it out.
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 22, 2013 04:56 PM
So I just looked at the Elmo and cosmetically it's beautiful. However the rollers are turning gummy. Is this a big expense to replace?
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 22, 2013 05:24 PM
Thanks Vidar and Janice.
I think I need to walk away from this one. The seller won't budge below $200.00 and for that price I want to be able to run film on it right away...not looking for a project.
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 22, 2013 06:04 PM
I think that's a good decision Lee. The Elmo 16-CL is a popular 16mm projector and I think you can find one for around $150. Keep looking
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 22, 2013 11:08 PM
This was the first Elmo 16-CT I'd seen and overall I'm very impressed by it. Looks like ill try to find a good one of these somewhere.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted June 24, 2013 08:43 AM
The eBay ad says "This unit has incredibly little use" and yet it's had time to lose its originally supplied Elmo 800' spool which normally lives in the recess at the rear.
The rubber rollers look OK, but it's still quite a high price.
If you are happy with bidding or paying the Buy-It-Now price then it would appear to be acceptable.
Posts: 520
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2012
posted June 24, 2013 01:09 PM
Hi Lee,
I think I might be too late but I have a Kodak Pageant and an EIKI SSL-O and have to say, the EIKI is super quiet and a delight to use. Also, I lucked out as I only paid $50 for it and had to pick it up locally !!!
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 24, 2013 02:53 PM
Thanks Elyas. However I just bought the Elmo at a price lower than they listed it for. Still more than I wanted to pay for one of these but it sure looks to be a very well preserved machine.
Ill let you know when I get it what kind of shape it's really in...
Posts: 139
From: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
posted June 29, 2013 08:25 PM
I took delivery of the 16-CL today and it seems to be perfect. I've been running film for the past few hours and its working flawlessly.
Now - The only thing it is missing is the stock Elmo take-up reel that snaps into the back of the projector... Anyone have a lead on one of these?