Zeiss TK35

[Bren Jacques]

Hi all,

As there is no 35mm sub-forum I'm hoping that this is okay to post here...

I'm looking to find a Zeiss TK35 projector, or a pair, ideally with the correct leads, control unit and amplifier. I know there are a number of pros and cons to these machines but to me they are very suitable because of their sturdy casings and ability to be stored away easily. They need to be in the UK so that I can collect them.

I know that there are a couple of units available online in the UK but I'm really looking for an original, unmodified setup so that I can carry out modifications only if I think necessary.

If anybody has one of the above and would consider parting with it then I will be very interested to hear from you. Also, if you know of any machines in a collection then I would be very happy for you to share this thread with the owner.

Cheers
Bren

[Ken Finch]

Hi Bren. You could try The Projected Trust here in the U k. It is a trust dedicated to rescue img and preserving 35mm cinema projectors. Most of the active members are ex projectionists and technicians. It is based at Dean Clough Mills, Halifax. West Yorkshire HX3 5AX Tel. 07936 735613. Good luck. I am a non active member but like to support the work they do to preserve our cinema heritage.

[Bren Jacques]

Hi Ken, that's a great suggestion - thanks for passing on the information. I haven't ventured far into 35mm so many clubs or societies aren't known to me. I've more or less stumbled into it after being given a couple of 35mm features, 16mm and 9.5 Sound are my usual gauges.

[Brian Fretwell]

I would add that their full name is the Projected Picture Trust. Website https://www.theppt.org/

[Ken Finch]

Thanks Brian for the correction. Did not notice I had missed out “picture”. I was interrupted whilst giving the details😉

[Clive Carmock]

I have a TK35 myself, but it is a modified unit - to run without the original external power control unit. The modificaion to mine appears to affect three parts of it. The output from the optical sound pickup has been brought to an XLR socket ont he front. Connecting to a pre-amp and then main amplifier works well.

Internally there is a 230V to 12 V power supply for the exciter lamp.

The motor in this unit is rated at 110V so there is an external converter connected to the 230V supply into the machine and leads back into the motor.
I bought a second lamphouse - mounted a 230V fan at the base and adapted the interior to take a T11 1000W theatre light lamp. These have a very long life rating compared to the original 750W P28 base lamp it used, which are gettign harder to find. Since conversion I have not had to replace the lamp. The only issue with this is the light output is a bit on the warm side compared with a crisp cool white Xenon.

It runs quietly for a 35mm machine.
The path from the lamp to the film uses a mirror to flip the beam through 90 degrees, making any Xenon conversion hard.

[Bren Jacques]

Thanks Clive for sharing your experiences with the TK35. I'm considering purchasing a modified machine just because there seems to be more of these around than originals. I did recently miss out on an (almost) complete original setup at an auction house in Germany which I was gutted about.