I'm new here

[Carl Ingram]

Hello everyone, i'm carl, i'm new here to the forum and hopefully can learn something nice about film stuff, i've read some of the uploads, but i'm not an expert like all of you and a bit green, so please bare with me. I have inherited a projector from my late uncle, its a bell and howell or i think it is. Its white with black panels and silver dials on th front, i don't know if its 16 mm or 8 mm format ?. How can i determine which it is, there are some films in round plastic box's and square one's, what do i look for, as i don't want to damage the projector or film. Thank you for any help. Carl.

[Steve Klare]

Hi Carl,

Welcome!

If you can send us the make and model number of the projector off the ratings plate (usually near where the power cord enters the chassis), we can probably tell you a lot about it.

Also, a picture is still worth a thousand words, if you can post one, or a few.

[Osi Osgood]

Welcome New Here! You'll find all the info you need plus much more than you could imagine.

[Maurice Leakey]

Carl
Have a look at the data in my link below. You will be able to determine what gauge your film is. But we still need to know the make and model number of your projector.
Ultimate Guide to Film Types: 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm Film – Nostalgic Media

[Carl Ingram]

Thank you everyone, some nice messages from you all, steve it hasn't arrived as yet, but i 'll have a look when does. I think its something like a megasonic ? Does this sound right ?, some of the films are wilson or watson, i could been wrong about that though as the info is coming to me 3rd hand, so they know less than me, and i know nothing really, but i may know much more if tune into the forum now. Thank you for any help .

[Brian Fretwell]

Possibly the films are Walton, they were a large distributor and producer in the UK both 8mm/Super 8 and in earlier times 16mm

[Maurice Leakey]

Carl
There is a possibility that it's a Bell & Howell Filmosonic 1735.
Here is a short video showing this model.
If it is your new projector, it is Super 8 sound.
Bell & Howell Filmosonic 1735 - YouTube

[Alan Myers]

Hi Carl,

"Its white with black panels and silver dials on the front",

The only projectors I Know of with black and white panels with silver dials are the Eumig series. It will be interesting to see what you have.

[Mike Newell]

Look anything like these projectors?

[Alan Myers]

Carl,did you find out any more about your machine?im very curious.

[Carl Ingram]

Hello Alan, no i have no more information at the moment on the projector, but to add there is a cine camera also, which is a canon 1014. i have looked for this on line but there is quite a few different models, but they are all super 8 mm, so i conclude the projector is also super 8 mm ?. I did notice there is something called standard 8, and single 8, what is the difference if any, i noticed there small holes on the edge of the film, is there a cog or something that fits into these holes ?. I'm trying to learn stuff before the projector arrives, thank's for any advice.

[Janice Glesser]

This should help you identify S8 vs Std. 8 film.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

Short summary:
Super8, Single8 and DS8 differ from the cameras, but the resulting film (when it returns from the lab) is the same and works in the same projector.

Some more details:
Super8 comes in cartridges like this:


Single8 comes in slightly different cartridges:


DS8 (Doublesuper8) comes on reels, is 16mm wide in the camera, will be split into two Super8-film-strips when processed (there are two different reel-sizes, the photo shows the smaller one with less film but for more compact cameras):



(Okay, there have been some more cartridges and formats that resulted in „8mm Type S“ aka „Super8“, but these are the „three survivors“.)

[Joerg Polzfusz]

This should help you identify S8 vs Std. 8 film.

The film on the right hand side (the one with the bigger holes) shows the older „standard 8“ format. It’s sometimes also called „regular 8“, „normal 8“ or „8mm type R“. In most cameras, it is shot as an 16mm wide Film (and later split into two 8mm wide strips). Hence, it’s sometimes also called „Double8“.

[Rik Jackman]

Hi Carl

So, if there is a Canon 1014 camera (Super 8)
Then it's likely there will be some Super 8 home movies that come with the projector
Logic would then also suggest (as you have surmised) the projector might be Super 8

My main advice would be - when the projector arrives, try and resist the temptation to load a film immediately before you know what you are doing!

Establish what format the projector is
Establish what format the films are (bearing in mind it's possible there may be a mix of formats......)

Rather than try to load what might be sentimental home movies or a potentially (but unlikely) valuable film collection to the projector, I would suggest you identify a film that you are happy to sacrifice in case things go wrong. A reel of blank leader film (easily identifiable as it will be pure white) is ideal. If there is nothing suitable then you could always buy the cheapest film you can find in the format you require, from from Barry at www.bfcc.biz, Phil at www.classichomecinema.co.uk or ebay and offer this up as your sacrificial test film

Just to confuse matters further, different projectors prefer you to trim the leading edge of the film a certain way in order to get it to load smoothly, but there's no point worrying about that until you know what your projector is, as you only need to worry about the method recommended for yours

Failing all else, if you are anywhere near Surrey then I'm happy to offer in person assistance should it all become a blur!