From: 40 Frames Directory (email suppressed)
Date: Wed Feb 02 2005 - 10:22:48 PST
> Just wondering what people think are the best 16mm projectors for being
> gentle on film (ie. not scratching and ideally friendly towards painting
> and
> other experiments). I know a lot of filmmakers will only show
> camera-original footage on those old, primitive-looking Pageant
> projectors.
> Eiki projectors also seem to be common for the University crowd. Are these
> considered top-notch?
Eiki SSL are in plentiful supply and parts are still available through
Eiki. A major flaw is the focus pad which always disintegrates on these
machines, and if loop former and claw are not properly aligned these
machine will choke on splices, but otherwise can work rather well. Has a
"line out" if you use a 1/4" connector with ring.
Hokushin SC-210 are nice, very easy on film and run very quiet. One went
for $30 on ebay a few days ago. Don't know about parts. Rangertone may
still work on these, but I don't know as I haven't talked with them for
about 6 months and their site is no longer on the web. SMS Productions in
Chicago rents out an SC-210 and may do service on their own machine or
know of someone who does. The machine is kind of an odd ball. Very good
design but not from a service standpoint. More springs and clips than any
portable projector I've looked at. I think there's well over 30 springs in
this projector, maybe 50, and they're all tiny and easy to lose as they
shoot across the room when you're removing them.
Pageant 250S. King of kings in a small setting. Runs anything, great for
WP. Takes an EJL lamp but will also take the brighter ELC without any
problems. Not too easy to work on and a dwindling number of repair people.
GE is discontinuing the BSK exciter lamp but supplies are still available
and there is a vendor in Japan selling new lamps.
> What kind of projectors are usually used in archival-style cinemas?
Kinoton FP-38E, and Eastman 25, 30 or 40 models. At least here in the
States. More likely Erenmann, Prevost, etc in Europe. And who knows in
Japan and other parts of the world? These projectors are typically $25-50K
to purchase and install. Parts are expensive. A good lens (ISCO,
Schneider) alone will run $2K or more.
Many cinemas (not archives or running archival prints) still run the older
Kinoton/Norelco FP-16 which is really a marvelous machine. Rock steady
projection. 1960s vintage.
Alain
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