8mm Forum: 16mm Kodak Pageant/RCA questions

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Topic: 16mm Kodak Pageant/RCA questions

Matthew Rivera
Junior
Posts: 3
From: Louisville, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2010

posted January 01, 2011 04:17 PM

Hi,
I'm new to collecting 16mm and have about half a years worth of 8mm experience. But purchasing a 16mm print of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington has thrown me into the 16mm sound format.

Right now I'm looking into getting either a mid-fifties kodak pageant, or a late-fities RCA 400 or 415 model. The following questions pertain to both projectors unless otherwise noted.

-The basics: what do I need to know about these projectors?
- which do you think is better? Or should I stay away from both all and all?
-How tough are they on film?
-How quiet are they?
-Do the sound systems still work in these projectors most of the time or not?
-Are they optical sound machines?
-Is the sound of good quality
-What is the reel size for the machines?
-Common problems and expenses?
-Are they capable of projecting an entire feature at one time?

I'm not completely set in stone on getting a 1950s projector, but the artistic and nostalgic side in me always goes for looks first when it comes to this stuff.

Any info even besides what I have listed above is much appreciated.

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009

posted January 02, 2011 01:42 PM

Hey Matt: The machines are optical although there is a Kodak Pageant that plays optical and magnetic. I think you will find that most of the '50s projectors will have issues with the sound working. Unless you know alot about amps that use tubes, you may be in for some frustration. If you want to buy projectors and tinker with them, get an older one. If however, viewing the film is your main objective I would recommend a newer projector with a halogen lamp. I have an Eiki SL-0 and SSL-0 that I like very much.

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Matthew Rivera
Junior
Posts: 3
From: Louisville, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2010

posted January 02, 2011 07:28 PM

See, that's kind of what I figured. I've heard that eikis and elmos are just about the best. And because projecting the film with minimal repair and expenses is my main goal I'll probably go with either of these. Do you know much about singer projectors? I've heard that they're pretty good too.

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009

posted January 03, 2011 04:49 PM

I don't have any personal experience with them but have heard that the Singer Graflex Instaload is a descent machine.

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Jeff Taylor
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Chatham, NJ
Registered: Aug 2005

posted January 14, 2011 08:24 AM

If you do decide to go for an RCA, make sure you pick a "senior" model with the transformer powered 6V6 amp. It may or may not need caps, but it's probably the best amp of any of the older machines. I personally don't like the newer 415-416 models quite as well, but whatever you do try to avoid the "junior" models with the narrow amp section which are line voltage powered and, as caps deteriorate, can present a shock hazzard in addition to having a lower output amp. Frankly, if I hadn't switched to xenon I'd still be using my RCA's. They're wonderful, quiet, gentle machines.

--------------------
Jeff

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