|
|
This topic comprises 6 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Century MSC or Simplex Apogee what's the better pick?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monte L Fullmer
Film God
Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004
|
posted 05-08-2007 01:23 AM
the XL has it's oil leakage problems (which can be under control if a good seal replacement and gasket set was in order) whereas the Century doesn't. Just grease the gears one a month and keep the oil level at line in the intermittent assembly on the Century...and if you can find a SA with the R3 soundhead..
With the Simplex, make sure of using curved gates (if you can find a good PR-1014, which is the single lens model, or a PR-1050 being the turret variety), for these are good machines for your kind of use, especially if you can put either one on a SH-1000 soundhead, but the "5-Star" does justly as well-as long as it's been rebuilt with new drive shaft,bearings and belts..the round tooth variety.
As Steve mentioned above being there will be the followers of certain units..
Personally, I'm a Christie P35GPS guy, but I now work with Simplex and Century now and have adapted to their workings with the plus side to the Simplex due to the many years of working with the XL variety and they have proven themselves worthy in all my operations.
So, if it was my choice, I'd swing towards the Simplex, but don't take me for gospel..the final answer has to come from the user himself...since we are here with suggestions to help the person out with that question, but not to make minds up.
| IP: Logged
|
|
Brad Miller
Administrator
Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99
|
posted 05-08-2007 03:18 AM
quote: Michael Moore
I was told we have to buy from one of the venders on our list for reasons I do not know. However I have been quoted from two places the price on a new Simplex Apogee and the Century MSC projector with lens turret. I was also quoted a price on a refurbished XL and a Refurbished older Century. Out of all of these listed which would any of you pick and why?
Given what you have stated above, it sounds like you are being screwed into purchasing Strong projectors. Whatever dealer that is doing this is probably getting a SWINGIN' deal on them and making a killing off of you. Why can't you get a Kinoton if you want? Why not a Christie or a Cinemeccannica? Personally I would steer clear of this dealer because Strong's products have been quite awful in recent times.
Assuming however you are screwed into picking from specifically those projectors...
Apogee - godawful!!! You will be hard pressed to find anyone with good things to say about this. The ones I have seen in operation had unbelieveably bouncy images, and every print in the complex was scratched (no doubt because of the retarded lower loop design that offers zero tolerance for a misthread.)
Simplex XL - the fact that ALL Simplex soundheads have the "dirt embedder" roller is enough to steer clear of these beasts alone. However add to the fact that there does not exist a Simplex that doesn't leak oil, why screw with it? Yes they are reliable, but in terms of print damage vs. just how much more reliable they are over say, a Century...it doesn't pay to go Simplex. (There will be Simplex gurus following my post claiming they never have any film damage. Hogwash! They just aren't being picky enough to see it or they don't have enough light on their screen to be ABLE to see it.)
Century - others will disagree, but I believe this is your best pick. What this offers you is the LACK of oil being slung around your booth and onto your film, plus no foolish soundhead design with the "dirt embedder" roller. Of everything you listed above, it is the best "film handling" projector of the bunch as well as the most forgiving of minor threading errors. New Centurys though pretty much suck (although not as bad as the Apogee or an XL.)
Refurbished older Century - this is your best choice ASSUMING it is being rebult by Hadden. If you cannot get this in writing, stay away and go with the new one.
So there's a straightforward answer...for what it's worth. Personally I think you should go with a Kinoton though because Steve is correct in all of his points.
This reminds me...definitely go 2 projectors. It is generally agreed by most that if a print is to be run less than 3 times before returning that it is best handled on reels. Platters force unnecessary handling of the film when you are only going to run the show once or twice as compared to reels. As such they only become a benefit if you are showing the film multiple times, at which point a properly set up and operated platter becomes less wear to the film in terms of it's care.)
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All times are Central (GMT -6:00)
|
This topic comprises 6 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6
|
Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classicTM
6.3.1.2
The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion
and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.
|
Home
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic