8mm Forum: What's the Quietest 16mm Projector?

This is topic What's the Quietest 16mm Projector? in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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!

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on June 22, 2013, 01:38 AM:

...see reply below [Cool]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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 [Mad]

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.

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on 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

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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?

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on 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

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELMO-16mm-s ound-projector-Model-16-CL-Good-Condition-/181161301958?pt=US_Movie_Slide_Projectors&hash=item2a2e0e17c6

Or maybe this :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elmo-Optical-Sound-Channel-Loading-16mm-Film-Movie-Projector-Model-16-CL-16CL-/400414337232?pt=US_Movie_Slide_Projectors&hash=item5d3a8de8d0

Do lack the side panel, but not too important and there's another one listed for parts on eBay. Combine the two for a nice one with spares to boost

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on June 22, 2013, 08:06 AM:

Thanks Vidar -
Here's the Elmo I'm going to try to get in to see today:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111080206140?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on 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

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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.

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on June 22, 2013, 09:25 AM:

Thanks Janice. I will.

As to the cover plate, I think it includes one. In several of the pictures it shows the projector without one but in several others it's there...

Forgive my newbie question but how could I determine the condition of the rollers when I look at the machine?

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on June 22, 2013, 09:28 AM:

You can't I guess ... Seller need to be honest with this

The one you looked at was stated as in good working order, wasn't it? And it had a make an offer button too?

And the one you looked at has the cover on some pictures, so I think you have a complete machine there

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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 [Smile]

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on June 22, 2013, 10:37 AM:

The quietest 16mm projector is, without a doubt, one that is SHUT off!! [Big Grin]

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on 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.

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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?

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on June 22, 2013, 04:59 PM:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elmo-Projector-16mm-16-CL-16-AL-4-Rubber-Roller-Tire-Set-Refurbishing-Service-/140673251314?pt=US_Movie_Slide_Projectors&hash=item20c0c777f2

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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.

Lee

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on 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 [Smile]

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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.

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on June 24, 2013, 07:15 AM:

What do you think about this one? Priced high but seems like a good machine...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=171064629699

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on 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.

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on June 24, 2013, 08:47 AM:

Good catch Maurice. I hadn't boticed the missing original reel.

I've contacted the seller and made an offer at a bit better price. We'll see what he says...

Posted by Elyas Tesfaye (Member # 3356) on 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 [Big Grin]

!!!

Best,
ET

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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...

Lee

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on 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?

Thanks,
Lee

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 30, 2013, 03:24 AM:

Why do the spools disappear? I have two Elmo 16-CL and both had their spools missing.

I bought one spool on US eBay, and a UK cine dealer managed to find me a spool for the second projector.

They are not really important as they are only 800', but I am happy now that the projectors are complete.

Posted by Lee Bombard (Member # 3740) on June 30, 2013, 07:59 AM:

Maurice - You are right. It's really the only thing needed to make this projector complete.
I've been watching eBay for one to turn up.

Posted by Jeff Missinne (Member # 3373) on July 16, 2013, 07:29 PM:

For a really quiet machine, I would vote for a later model Kalart Victor 70 with the brushless (induction?) motor. Early K-V 70's still had the brush motor from the earlier 60 and 65 series, and are as loud as a vacuum cleaner! Kodak Pageants (any model) are nice 'n' quiet too.

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