8mm NEWB

[Phillip Filtz]

Good Day folks...

I ran across some 8mm film from my father in laws stash. I have a projector that looks brand new. It's a Ansco memo 80 projector. The box contains a couple 5" and 1 7" metal reels. 99% of the film that is in the box is on what appears to be 3" plastic reels. Those have a larger hole in the middle, and when I place it on the post that turn the reels, it want's to fall off. Matter of fact, if you just put it on that post, it will just fall off into your hand.

I can't find anything else in the box like a collar to hold them on.

What's the secret to watch these old family films....?

Do tell.

Thankx

[Dave Bickford]

I believe the Ansco Memo 80 is for standard 8mm films. By the description of the reels, it sounds like those might be Super 8mm movies, and can’t be viewed using that projector. Can you show us a pic of one of the reels and/or a pic of the film itself? That would give us a better idea of what you have.

[Phillip Filtz]

Thanks Dave. I'll take some pics when I get home. At work right now working on a server. Appreciate it.

[Phillip Filtz]

Here are some images of the stuff I found. I don't know how to load up the small reels... The hole is much larger than the drive spindle it would sit on.

[Douglas Meltzer]

Phillip,

As David suspected, the Ansco (GAF) Memo is a standard 8mm projector. The reels in your picture (those that aren't in boxes) are Super 8mm, which will not work on the Memo 80. You should open the boxes and see if any of those reels are standard (regular) 8mm. They would have narrower holes which would fit correctly on the Ansco.

Here's a YouTube video showing the difference between the two film formats.

[Phillip Filtz]

Ahhhh, gotcha.

Now I have to see where he hid the Super 8 projector.... I'll check the teeth on that projector to see what size holes it will accommodate. Never thought he would have 2... LOL

Thankx

[Shane C. Collins]

If you decide these movies are worth saving, and you enjoy projecting them consider this! Buy yourself a film splicer and editor, along with a few 7" reels. You can splice all the movies together, and watch them on the larger reels. It makes movie viewing much nicer than needing to change out every 3 minutes, and 20 seconds. I still shoot my home movies on Super 8, and splicing them together, then watching them on the projector is a nice treat for the whole family. Most people today transfer their older films to digital, but you lose the joy of seeing film in its most organic state. However, a digital transfer is nice to share with others that can't be present to see the movies on your projector.

[Phillip Filtz]

Hello Shane. Good Info. I married an only child, and her father passed around 2 months ago. Her mother was going to have me trash them. HOLD UP a minute. I kept it all. Just wanted to see my wife and her parents before I ever came around... LOL BTW, he does have a splicing tool in the box too.