8mm Forum: Movie Projectors not worth considering?

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Posted by Douglas Warren (Member # 1047) on October 11, 2014, 11:18 AM:

Hi all,
I was wondering what models (or makes) of Super 8 / Dual 8 projectors one should best avoid.With so many different types on site like eBay,the choices can be overwhelming.
Douglas

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on October 11, 2014, 11:53 AM:

It's better to narrow your selection by determining your needs. What type of films will you be running? Home movies? Commercial movies? Silent or Sound? Do you want to do telecine transfers to DVD? What size of a screen or viewing area do you want? How much is your budget?

With a little more information, we can make some recommendations.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 11, 2014, 01:14 PM:

Sears projectors ... AVOID!!

I think that it was a "soundstar" but I'm not quite sure. Terrible film eating, film scratching monster!

Posted by Timothy Duncan (Member # 4461) on October 11, 2014, 05:14 PM:

Janice can probably build one for you! (Sorry Janice, I couldn't resist!)

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 11, 2014, 05:49 PM:

Some of the later Kodaks were actually pretty decent when they came out of the factory, but this many years down the road their plastic gearing is getting old and embrittled and they won't go too far before they break.

This goes double for their movie cameras!

Probably when a lot of this stuff was designed they had no idea people would still be using it 30, 40, 50 years and more later. The end of new equipment when VHS appeared took care of that.

Posted by Joe Vannicola (Member # 4156) on October 11, 2014, 10:44 PM:

When I collected Super 8, I supposedly upgraded from a Crestline projector that was a basic, but good running machine to a used Sears projector that had a lot of features. Osi is on the money,it was a film eating monster and I unloaded it as soon as I could. Oh well, live and learn.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on October 11, 2014, 11:24 PM:

Were'nt all the Sears projectors built by Bell & Howell?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on October 11, 2014, 11:43 PM:

LOL Timothy [Big Grin]

I wouldn't make a blanket statement that Sears projectors are bad. Sears had projectors made by GAF...Keystone....Chinon, and Bell & Howell. Some models were better than others. The Sears Du-All Eight is made by Bell & Howell and is actually a very good projector. I haven't noticed it eating film or scratching either.

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 11, 2014, 11:48 PM:

quote:
"Weren't all the Sears projectors built by Bell & Howell?"{

Paul,

Most were made by Bell & Howell. However, Sears marketed, under the Sears brand, projectors made by GAF, Argus and Chinon.

One thing is certain, Sears never made a projector! [Big Grin]

Jon

Posted by Douglas Warren (Member # 1047) on October 12, 2014, 01:02 AM:

Janice,
Currently I'm looking to run home movies,with some digests as well,all silent.Dual 8 if possible on the projectors.My first good projector was a dual 8 Bell & Howell back in 1978.The model number escapes me but it ran really well with no issues.Thanks again everyone for the helpful feedback.
Douglas

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on October 12, 2014, 05:12 AM:

Based on the needs you listed ... I can give you a few recommendations . My top choice would be a Sankyo 2000H. This is a sturdy dual 8 silent projector with variable speed and it has a very good lens and uses a low-cost halogen bulb. Here's a video I put together showing the features of this projector.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc9JFjoxkLo

My second choice would be a Chinon 2500GL, a Keystone 2500, a Bell & Howell 10MS, or a Chinon Whisper 727. These projectors operate basically the same internally. They are also dual gauge machines, but lighter weight in construction than the Sankyo 2000H... but if in good condition will do what you need.
These all use a more expensive CXR lamp. Here are a couple more videos on two of these machines I've had.

Keystone 2500
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjSo892DKms

Bell & Howell 10MS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVT6K5hsZC4

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on October 12, 2014, 12:10 PM:

quote:
One thing is certain, Sears never made a projector!

What no Kenmore projector! [Big Grin]

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 12, 2014, 01:27 PM:

quote:
"What no Kenmore projector!"

Give them a little more time. [Wink]

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on October 12, 2014, 04:02 PM:

Sears actually did make a Kenmore projector. It made it's own ice cubes! [Eek!]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 12, 2014, 04:21 PM:

I'd prefer it be Craftsman!

Actually, when I was about seven years old, I was very taken with Sears Best Home Movie Outfit in the Wish Book.

-camera, projector, editor and a cartridge of film, all for $199.95

I believe I got Hot Wheels that Christmas.

Not that I'm complaining, I've made up for it since then.

Posted by Clinton Hunt (Member # 2072) on October 18, 2014, 08:06 PM:

Janice............your youtube videos are really good, I don't own those projectors but I watched all 3 [Smile]

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