8mm Forum: AT LAST - OWNER OF A 16mm PROJECTOR

This is topic AT LAST - OWNER OF A 16mm PROJECTOR in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 10, 2007, 04:31 AM:

I have at last acquired a 16mm projector. Having read and taken on board the recommendations of various members, I decided to look for either an Elmo or an Eiki (Elf).

I missed a couple of Elmo machines on eBay, a beautiful 16AA and a CL, due to being away. Carried on looking for an Eiki, when I came across an Ampro Stylist Major Mk2 for £54.

Went to take a look at it, against all advice, and I have to say it was in absolute showroom condition, finished in a stunning silver/grey hammer, black and chrome. I couldn't say mint, but not far short. The matching speaker, and a 1,600ft reel of cartoon compilations was included, together with a spare 1,000-watt lamp and a spare exciter lamp. Not only that, but no less than 3 lenses; a one and a half inch, a two inch, and a two and a half inch!!!

I reckoned that, for that price, I couldn't go wrong, and I could always resume the search for an Elmo or Eiki.

Anyway, got it home, stripped it down and gave it a thorough servicing, having purchased all necessary manuals from OTC.

No detectable wear on rollers, sound drum or anything. Seems it was hardly used.

Well! I have to say that I am a very happy bunny. Contrary to popular belief, it is a very quiet performer. The optical sound is sharp, crystal clear, with plenty of depth and dynamics. The picture is razor sharp and bright. This model has optical sound only, but has drillings in the casting and cover plates to accommodate magnetic facility if required.

I know I started off by thinking about an Ampro, as I remembered them from my schooldays and was impressed at that tender young age as a budding engineer. Obviously things have moved on considerably since then, but I must admit I do get a kick out of running this machine - as indeed I do with my Standard 8 Elmo E-80.

The E-80 uses a 750-watt A1/9 115-volt lamp, and the Ampro uses the same; or a 1,000-watt A1/59 115-volt for a long throw or large screen.

Therefore, in all honesty, I think I will be quite happy with this machine for a while, but if I get itchy feet, an Elmo or Eiki it will be.

So, sincere thanks to everyone who offered the benefit of their advice and experience - which was not ignored - just a quirk of circumstances.

Got to get a 16mm camera now for those family occasions and local nature and wildlife shoots!

Once again, thanks and best to all.

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on February 10, 2007, 12:57 PM:

Dave,
I too own an Ampro-for old times sake! Its a belter of a projector and a quiet runner.The older technology really is well made.Like you,I remember the Ampro from my schooldays.
I also own a B&H TQ111 Mag/Optical playback.The lateer black ones.Staggeringly bright light though!
Funnily enough,its always the Ampro I get out of the cupboard when I view any 16mm !!
Barry

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 10, 2007, 01:46 PM:

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your contribution.

Which model Ampro do you have, and which lamp do you run in it? I'd be very interested to hear, and perhaps we could compare notes sometime.

Cheers,

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on February 10, 2007, 05:48 PM:

Sounds like a nice machine David. I too was looking for a machine as used at my school for a film club I ran.

We used Debrie D16 machines and I would have loved to have got my hands on one but alas couldn't find one.

I have as you have probably seen got myself an Eiki RM which is a manual threader. After new belts and replacement of the cork clutch material it is running very sweetly indeed [Smile]

Its got a 2 blade shutter so the picture is really quite bright. Could do with a shorter throw lens of Zoom next. But the Std Kowa lens is a really crisp performer.

Good luck with your Ampro, theres plenty of 16mm material for you to purchase out there too.

Kev.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 11, 2007, 06:52 AM:

Hi Kev,
Thanks for your interest. The Ampro also has a 2-blade shutter, so that's why my picture is so stunning as well. The difference in clarity, definition and resolution is way beyond either Standard 8 or Super 8, but I guess I'll keep the other formats as well - after all I do still have a most excellent Elmo ST-1200HD!! [Big Grin]

I certainly will be looking out for some 16mm prints too.

Cheers,

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on February 11, 2007, 07:18 AM:

David

The BFCC is a great place to buy nice 16mm prints. Hint Hint....

Hope you can make it this May.

Craig

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 11, 2007, 09:09 AM:

Hi Craig,

Gosh! I'd forgotten about the May Meet, but I intend to move heaven and earth in order to make it to the October shindig!

I'll see what I can do about our very own "May Day".

Thanks for the reminder. [Big Grin]

Best,

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on February 11, 2007, 11:32 AM:

Dave:
In answer to your enquiry,my model is the Ampro New Educational with the external flywheel for the sound drum.As for the lamps.generally I use the 1000W or the 750w.All my spare lamps for this projector are the 1000w though.
Please feel free to natter at any time.
Barry.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on February 13, 2007, 11:23 AM:

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the info. I can't make up my mind about which lamp to use. [Confused]

A friend and Ampro expert reckons that the 750-watt is the best choice - avoids overheating, less chance of the switch contacts arcing and burning out, and cooling is OK when running at silent speed. He has even had a 1,000-watt lamp melt and become distorted - and it's not lack of maintenance - he is an engineer!

I note that the manual for the Premier series says that you should only use a 1,000-watt lamp provided the machine is not run at silent speed, because the cooling is inadequate with the blower running slower. The Major manual doesn't mention this, although the cooling principle is the same.

I like the idea of a brighter picture, but not the chance of overheating. What are your thoughts and experiences?
[Confused]

Best,

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on February 14, 2007, 01:59 PM:

Of course I concur with all that your friends have pointed out to you BUT..........! A 1k lamp in the Ampro really does the business.Way back when we did regular film shows in Warwickshire,we used the Ampro (all models) over many years and not once did we have any 'fatalities' running the 1k lamp.The machines took them in their stride.
We did however change down to the 750w lamp when we did a 'home' booking,but even then not always.So with these projectors running week in week out,there were no problems.

To sum up,if you do not intend to be continuously using the machine,then bung a 1k in and to hell with it! Otherwise if you wish to err on the side of caution,use the 750watt.
Finally,NEVER use the 1k at silent speed as you will get lamps 'blister'on one side and removal will be a problem and will also damage the reflector.
Hope this helps,feel free to enquire at any time.
Barry

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 13, 2007, 06:34 AM:

Hi Barry,

Meant to respond to this thread much earlier, but other issues had taken over.

To get back to the lamp question, the thing is, is that I usually mix sound and silents when showing films. It's a difficult one, as I don't want to sacrifice a brilliant picture when showing some of my own silent 16mm local nature and wildlife films; and swapping lamps during a showing isn't really practical. Some people say they can't tell the difference in screen brightness between a 750-watt lamp and a 1,000-watt lamp. Yet you reckon a 1,000-watt lamp "really does the business".

Other than obtaining a second Ampro machine, and using one exclusively for sound and the other for silent, I'm still in a quandary.

As I said previously, why does the Premier Series manual state "only use the 1,000-watt lamp for sound speed", whereas the Stylist Major manual does not??? [Confused]

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on March 15, 2007, 09:58 PM:

Dave,

If you have an
opportunity, would
you be able to post
a digital picture of the Ampro?

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 17, 2007, 12:01 PM:

Michael, you have a PM.

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on March 18, 2007, 10:33 PM:

I uploaded this image for
Dave.

This is his Ampro and
it's fully serviced.

Thanks for sharing Dave.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 19, 2007, 01:17 AM:

Thanks, Michael,

You did a really good job. [Big Grin]

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on March 19, 2007, 02:08 PM:

Dont care what anyone says,the Ampro is a great looking machine.The earlier versions were sprayed in a gold crackle finish but I reckon the silver finish really sets them apart.

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 21, 2007, 04:44 AM:

Have to agree, Barry. [Big Grin]

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