8mm Forum: Bell & Howell Soundstar XJ super 8 projector lens.

This is topic Bell & Howell Soundstar XJ super 8 projector lens. in forum 8mm equipment for sale/trade at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 04, 2011, 02:25 PM:

I"m searching for a Soundstar XJ lens assy. for my 11xj B & H projector and it seems that Soundstar XJ's are a rare breed or something. Does anyone know of a link where one may be available?
Thanks

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 04, 2011, 07:23 PM:

Hello Sam,

Welcome to the Forum.

The Bell & Howell SoundStar XJ is not rare at all, lots of them floating around.

What do you mean by lens assembly? I have a few SoundStar XJs in my parts pile and I probably can dig up what you need.

If you can elaborate on the parts needed I can check and see what I can do.

Jon

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 04, 2011, 09:17 PM:

Thanks Jon for the reply. The entire lens assembly is easily removed from the projector. It is about three inches long, made of bakelite (I think) and is approximately 1 inch in diameter. The inscription on the front ring of it reads: Bell & Howell Zoom Lens, f/18 - 30mm 1: 1.5

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 06, 2011, 01:57 AM:

Hello Sam,

Are you looking for the assembly with the lens included or just the assembly?

Jon

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 06, 2011, 04:08 AM:

I may be sticking my neck out, but it sounds to me that Sam is actually only looking for a LENS to FIT the Soundstar, preferably the type originally fitted. By "assembly" he means the lens barrel with all its internal components (i.e. the lens complete).
Martin

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 06, 2011, 07:40 AM:

Yes Martin, that's exactly what I'm looking for Jon. (Thanks Martin - words sometimes fail me - but I'm 72 yrs into the use (or lack thereov) of it)
Jon, if you have one and I can afford it, I definitely want it. My Soundstar works perfectly but the lens is so cloudy, the pic is terrible. Thanks so much for replying and i"m looking forward to another reply!
Thanks

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 07, 2011, 01:01 PM:

Hello Sam,

I have the part you need, send me your shipping address to: jaddams55 at hotmail.com and I will send it to you next week (today is Friday and I am going out of town for the Columbus Day holiday weekend).

There will be no charge.

Regards,

Jon

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 07, 2011, 02:13 PM:

Jon, you are awesome!! Thank you so much! I was about to despair of ever finding one and now, look at you. God bless you and yours.
My mailing address is: Sam Sayger. 6959 Holly Springs Road, Hernando, MX, 38632

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 13, 2011, 01:35 AM:

Hello Sam,

I just came back from a short trip, I'll post your package this afternoon. Enjoy

Jon

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 13, 2011, 10:03 AM:

Thank you Jon, from the bottom of my heart!! I had about decided that I'd never get to use that projector and it works so very well - except for the lens - and now, here you are. Sure wish I could share some okra or some pears or whatever I might have with you.
Thanks
Sam Sayger
Hernando, MS

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 24, 2011, 02:42 PM:

Hello Jon:
We too, took a short trip down to Lake Charles, LA and I wound up in the hospital in Alexandria with my heart problems. Finally got home on Monday, this week and my son said that we had no package! We've had some difficulties out in this rural area with mail and I'm wondering if we have another, more serious problem. If there was a tracking number with the package, do you have that?
Thanks so much for all your trouble and if I owe you, please send me a notice and I will pay.
Thank
S Sayger
Hernando, MS

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on October 24, 2011, 03:05 PM:

Hello Sam,

I am sorry to hear about your heart issues, let's hope you feel better soon.

I sent that lens on the day I said, recently I received a package from Philadelphia (87 miles away) 14 days after mailing, other times packages make it from coast-to-coast a just a few days.

Let's wait a couple of more days and if you still don't receive, let me know and I will send you another, I have several.

I am sorry, there was no tracking number although I'll make sure to have one if I have to send you another one.

There is no charge.

Regards,

Jon

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on October 24, 2011, 03:39 PM:

Great idea Jon. I'm probably not able to do the job waiting for me just yet anyhow and a few days will not matter. The USPS can be unbelievably slow sometimes and that is probably what the problem is.
I am so blessed to have heard from you. May God bless you in far more important ways.
Thank you.
S Sayger
Hernando, MS

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on November 06, 2011, 07:39 AM:

Hello Jon. I've watched my mailbox for two more weeks now and it hasn't come - much to my disappointment - and I'm afraid it's lost?? I have no idea but it seems to me that the USPS is obligated to you in some way???
At any rate, I will be doubly obligated if you are able to send another and I will be delighted to pay you for it if you will allow me to do so??

Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Sam Sayger
Hernando, MS

Posted by Jon Addams (Member # 816) on November 06, 2011, 10:28 AM:

Hello Sam,

I will ship you another one in the morning (Monday) with tracking, like the first one I sent, there will be no charge.

Who knows, it still could show up - last years I received a package from my daughter who lives in Philadelphia (88 miles away) 28 days after shipping by Priority Mail!!!

I hope you are feeling better.

Regards,

Jon

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on November 06, 2011, 01:42 PM:

Jon, if you will mail me your e address to sayger 2 @ gmail.c om . I want to send you something that I think you'll enjoy. I do a little woodwork and it's a tossup as to which I love most - woodwork or video!
Thank you so much my friend.
Sam Sayger
Hernando, MS

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on December 14, 2011, 11:04 PM:

Hello Jon:
Today, I rec'd the lens and I do so appreciate you for sending. I understand the delay completely and no problem!! I'm an old guy and I move slow and have lots of other stuff to do. Haven't used the lens yet but it is as "clean as a pin" so I know it's fine.
Thanks tons for all you have done.
Sam

Posted by Suman Smith (Member # 3208) on August 03, 2012, 12:04 PM:

Hi. I just got a soundstar 11XJ in pretty good condition. I am new to all this and I have an issue with my lens barrel. I was cleaning the projector and the two lenses came out of the barrel and I am not sure which direction they go back in. The other issue is one of the 3 little tabs on the removable back of the lens assembly broke and wont stay in place. I was wondering if anybody knew where I can buy a new entire f18 to 30mm zoom lens or how I can fix it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am dying to watch this Super 8 Star Wars film I got. Thanks!

Posted by Sam Sayger (Member # 2763) on August 03, 2012, 03:50 PM:

Hi Susan: Jon Adams was an incredible find on the internet! He sent me the lens assembly and would not allow me to pay him, nor even to send him a wooden pen which I make lots of as a sign of my appreciation. Also, he apparently had a heart attack at that time and had to deal with that - yet he still sent the lens. There was a mix-up in his original attempt and I did appreciate him so.
The lens was perfect and after I installed it, the projector worked fine. I never actually used it tho as a friend of mine gave me another, really GOOD 8mm projector which i did use. But the "Soundstar" is a great projector and is made better than any projector that I own and I have several now. Everything works just fine on it but the "spacer" needs adjusting and I am not the guy to do that. I'm 72 years old and am a partially disabled Veteran and cannot handle stress at all. If you have someone who is capable of helping you adjust the projector, I will sell it to you for just what I bought it for in the first place - which is $35 plus shipping. I believe that I could ship it just about anywhere in the continental USA for $15 and if you want it, I will accept PayPal for payment and will ship it to you.

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