Newbie questions about B&H bulbs

[Matthew Harris]

Hi! Yes, just joined here after I brought my old B&H Model 256 projector upstairs to look at some old reels that I'd inherited from my family (Mom just passed & things are getting dispersed). I watched one, which of course was revelatory and when I turned on the camera to watch the second, the bulb was gone. I did some googling and saw the prices of bulbs, which gave me a heart attack. I saw there are some hybrid things that use a halogen bulb, but I'm totally ignorant about this. Are they any good? Are they all the same?

And on a side note, for a fleeting moment in time, early 90s, I was a film major at an unimpressive school, but my first project, an 8MM short was entered into the Rutgers 8MM Film Festival & I won third prize. I only write this to say, I have dipped my toe in, albeit years ago.

Thanks in advance!

[Steve Klare]

Hi Matthew,

Yep, there are certain projectors that you can buy a machine cheaper than the lamp that goes in it. It seems you've found one.

If you decide to replace the machine, a good thing to do is look for one that takes a lamp like code EFP or EFR. They are still used in things like microscopes and that light your dentist shines in your face to distract you during a procedure . They are available in many places and if you know a good place, you can get a brand new one for less than 10 bucks. (I buy mine three at a time and keep a stash.)

This is a good place:

https://www.replacementlightbulbs.com/lampdfndfc.html

He has the correct lamp for your machine, and almost 200 in stock. Granted: $75 each is still a little stunning, but it beats the multiples of this I'm seeing elsewhere.

Sometimes some old warehouse is being broken up and you can find obsolete lamps dirt cheap on e-Bay, but other than that, if a retrofit doesn't work out, this is probably the best path for you. (There are other people here a lot better informed than me on retrofitting lamps. Lets' hope!)

I'm sorry for your loss. I've been there myself.

[Matthew Harris]

Thanks Steve! Appreciate your time & advice!!

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

Anybody knows what happened to Tveden? They sold LED and halogen bulbs plus adapters for several older projectors where the original lamps aren’t produced anymore:
http://www.tvedenlampmodules.com/ . But their website is down…
However, their items are still available on eBay, e.g.:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252799681417
(Looks like they are now sold by some liquidator…)

[Matthew Harris]

Hi Joerg! Yes, I had come upon that adapter on eBay, but didn't know what to make of it. Is it just as good as an original bulb? If there's a common halogen bulb in the adapter & it works as good as an original bulb, the halogen bulb, if not unusual, would surely be cheaper to replace. I will also add that I tried to remove my bad bulb from the projector & it was not moving. I didn't try to force it. Is this usual?

[Shane C. Collins]

I once owned one of these adapters mentioned above. I had an older Bell & Howell Super 8 projector that used those expensive bulbs. So I bought the adapter, and purchased a halogen bulb. The set up worked well, and actually made a brighter image on screen. I think the projector I was using at the time was a dual 8 B & H model 466. I found the one on eBay I had purchased many years back. Here's the link, and also a photo below.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167009244537

[Matthew Harris]

Hi Shane! Thanks! You really answered the question I had about this adaptor. I thought a halogen bulb might actually shine brighter. And though halogen is falling out of favor, a replacement bulb surely won't cost $200. I think I'm gonna give this a try! Many thanks!

[Shane C. Collins]

Hi Shane! Thanks! You really answered the question I had about this adaptor. I thought a halogen bulb might actually shine brighter. And though halogen is falling out of favor, a replacement bulb surely won't cost $200. I think I'm gonna give this a try! Many thanks!

You're welcome, and keep us updated! I'll be curious, as many will be too, how this works out!

[Matthew Harris]

Hi Shane! I followed the link you posted & bought it. Last night I took out the old bulb, popped the adapted bulb in & it's been perfectly great.
Most appreciated sir!!

[Shane C. Collins]

Hi Shane! I followed the link you posted & bought it. Last night I took out the old bulb, popped the adapted bulb in & it's been perfectly great.
Most appreciated sir!!

I'm very happy to hear this worked out for you! I had a hunch it would be a good replacement without issues!