This is topic Cinemeccanica Vic 8s & Vic 10s in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Vernon Cramer (Member # 1181) on 06-01-2003, 01:13 PM:
 
Comparing Vic 8s and Vic 10s (looking at the manuals and the machines themselves), it looks as though Cinemeccanica evidently had some 2nd thoughts about the Vic 10s that led to the design of the Vic 8s. From what I've been able to learn so far, the Vic 10s weren't in production for more than a few years before the Vic 8s came out. Does anyone know anything about the history of the Vic 10s and what may have led Cinemeccanica to make the changes?

Has anyone used both Vic 8s and Vic 10s and, if so, can you offer any comparisons? I'm assuming that, because the Vic 10s had a comparatively short production life span, the machine must have had some shortcomings (either in terms of cost, operation, or service) that led Cinemeccanica to produce the Vic 8s.

Being a cinemeccanica fan and user (Vic 9s, primarily) I became curious about the Vic 10s when I ran across a pair not long ago.
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-01-2003, 02:11 PM:
 
VIC 10 where imported by Horstein Cinemas Supply in New York in the late 1950's and I used to service and upgrade a few in Florida. The primary difference is that the V 10 has a barrel type shutter vs the conical disk type shutter of a V 8.....I remember having to do many gate trap modifications since parts available for the V 10 was an issue, probably due to the low numbers made.
Richard Fowler
Kinoton America Inc.
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-01-2003, 03:39 PM:
 
Another difference between the VIC 10 and the 8 was that both upper sprockets were the same size as the lower holdback sprocket. This made threading up the penthouse a bit trickier as there was less room up top. Vic 10's are all cast iron(certainly preferable!) while the Vic 8 is lighter built and all alumnium. Both machines are definately workhorses though, and both run 70mm better than they run 35mm.

Richard,
I've owned two pairs of Vic 10's over the years and both pair had the same gate and trap as the Vic 8's do. Donno about anything thats any different and the manual shows them as being the same too. They are also interchangable. That darn VIC 8/10 35mm trap plate now lists at over 1K!!

Overall, I never liked the gate and trap design on any of the Italian machines and I was surprised that someone like Kelmar never came out with a better design retrofit gate/trap for them. The original designs certainly helped them to earn all the comical nicknames they have....
Mark @ CLACO
 
Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 06-01-2003, 04:06 PM:
 
Are you guys talking about the X-10 Vic? I owned and ran a X-10 in one of our theatres for 70mm. Never had a minutes trouble. What a "tank"!! I've never heard of a V-10.

Don
 
Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-01-2003, 04:55 PM:
 
the 10's in Florida where lower number in the series and there was some differences in the gate which required me to shuttle back and forth between a machine shop using a engineering drawing supplied by Cinemeccanica to do a fix.I remember the sprocket issue. They where tanks. The take up motor clutch assembly was another $$$ item which we replaced with a torque motor set up for 1/2 the cost. The last operating ones where retired when Carnival Cruise line bought the cinema to convert to a Symphony hall on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach....
Richard Fowler
Kinoton America Inc. [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Miami, Florida
 
Posted by Luciano Brigite (Member # 1104) on 06-01-2003, 05:15 PM:
 
During a period of a few months, I worked with 6 Vic. 8 and 2 Vic 10. and never had any problem with any of them, no picture jumping around or film wear and at the time I got to work with them, 70MM was long gone from where I am then the experience I have with them is all with 35mm prints running on these models.
The differences other than the look of both machines ( and weight)are the ones Richard and Mark already said. To be honest.. the only problem I ever had with a Vic 8 was the belt that links the motor to the mechanism tearing apart and breaking away. other than that, nothing else happened. The Vic.8 is one projector I'd like to have if I could find one still all original
Other Vic's I also worked with are V-4e, V-5 and V6b ,also never any problem with any of them
 
Posted by Hugh McCullough (Member # 1542) on 06-01-2003, 05:21 PM:
 
I have worked on both Vic 10s & Vic 8s.
The main differences that I can remember were:-
The 10s could run at 24 or 30 fps. The 8s can only run at 24fps.
The 10s had a separate motor for the lower spool take up.
The 10s had a large air filter bag instead of the Fiat 500 type air filter of the Vic 8. This bag could be taken off and washed.
Fitting a turret to a 10 is not possible, or if it is, would be a very expensive modification.
Drum shutter on the Vic 10. Dish shutter on the Vic 8.
The Vic 10 had more rollers on the sound heads than the Vic 8s making it more complicated to lace up.
The film rollers on the sprockets of the 10s did not stay open on their own and had to be held open when lacing film up.
Of the two I preferred the Vic 10 as it seemed to run slightly quieter than the Vic 8.
 
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-01-2003, 09:03 PM:
 
My only beef with the vic 10 was getting my fingurs through it to thread far less room. The extra rollers in the sound path did reduce flutter a lot
I have seen Vic 5 turrets fitted to a 10 (after removing the penthouse)
Both machines give excellent performance
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-01-2003, 09:09 PM:
 
My backup plan for the DP-70 and using short focal length lenses is to mount a Kelmar turret, or single barrel Century style lensmount via an adaptor to the normal lens mounting pad on the main frame. This way a lens as short as about 40mm should work without difficulty. Of course the door will have to be set aside on one of these.....

I had a VIC 8 that would run at either 24, or 30 fps. there were also two pair of Vic 8's, one pair in McClurg Court, and one pair at the Edens Theatre in and near Chicago respectively that would also run at either speed. It was done through different drive pulleys...... The operator at McClurg prefered the Vic 8's over anything else, while the operator at the Edens didn't seem to prefer anything, or even running film for that matter. The 8 I had in my home screening room was relatively new when I got it. It ran good, but I felt it was too hard on older somewhat dry film so I sold it and got my first DP-70. The DP is gentle as anything I've ever seen and performs better on the screen with new or old film. I've had masking taped together pieces of film make it through as though everything was normal!! You can also run nitrate safely, and to code on it, as Phillips was smart enough to make nitrate rollers available for the DP-70 fire traps.

Don, The Line was called Vic and what ever serial number....hence V-10, V-8, V-5, And V-4, and so on. I've never heard of an X-anything......

Mark @ CLACO
 
Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 06-01-2003, 10:29 PM:
 
Mark.....
After 10 years plus it all comes back. The Vic 10 was actually "X"....referred to as the X 70/35. Unlike the V-5, V-8, etc, the manuals printed indicated the X 70/35.....not V-10.
My mind is slowing down.....too much coconut oil!!

-Don
 
Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 142) on 06-02-2003, 07:34 AM:
 
Both great machines, having run a good deal of 70mm on both, not a good deal of difference in the projected image quality. The separate motor take-up in the Vic 10 caught many a relief projectionist unaware. If the lever was not brought across to the run position just right, the take-up motor would reach speed before the main drive and "snap" went the leader. Not a problem on 70 but sure caused plenty of bad language when it happened on 35.

The plant I used at the Forum Melbourne, was originally from the Chelsea and was installed for Porgy and Bess. All 70mm projectors bought by Greater Union Theatres after that plant were Victoria 8's. Those Vic 10's lasted until 1986 when they went to a small rural theatre. I can recall some of the last 70mm they ran: Right Stuff, 2010, 2001, Star Trek II, Star Trek III, ET.

David Kilderry
 
Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 06-02-2003, 08:41 AM:
 
Some of the Vic 8's I used to use leaked oil, but I guess that can happen to easy projector. Also, the framing knob was messed up, you could never thread the damn thing in frame, it was loose.
 
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 11-23-2006, 11:22 AM:
 

It has been 1270 days since the last post.


 
Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 11-23-2006, 11:22 AM:
 
So, for the VIC10, can anyone help me with a few questions?

-Was it a gear machine with an oil bath?
-How many blades/wings did the drum shutter have?
-Was the drum shutter (What exactly is a drum shutter) just a single shutter?
-Are the lamphouse choices limited?
-Was it "direct transmission driven" like the Vic 8, with a second motor for the lower take-up reel?

I'm just trying to make a PDF reference sheet, and what I have so far is:
-35/70mm Projector.
-Can run at 24fps or 30fps.
-Features a drum shutter.
-Easily removable heat filter for 35mm use.
-Has a second motor for lower spool take-up.
-The large air filter bag can be easily removed and washed.
-The Penthouse uses a soft loop based on a klang film design.

That is all stuff I've researched on the forums.

Any information you can contribute would be superb!
 
Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 11-23-2006, 12:38 PM:
 
"while the operator at the Edens didn't seem to prefer anything, or even running film for that matter."

LoL. [Big Grin] I know who you're talking about. He could sure make time with the Concession girls though. He has His own A/V company & is Very successful. Notice I said "Successful" NOT "Good"! [Razz]
 
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 11-23-2006, 07:56 PM:
 
Andrew,

Look at the wonderful photos Brad has posted of the TEMPLE THEARE in Saginaw MI. We have 2 V-10s and they run very well.

You might also look in the manuals section and see the drawings of the V-10 parts you are in doubt about. The drum shutter etc..

You are correct about the limited choices of lamphouses as the distance from the rear housing to the aperture is greater than most lamp houses allow. You can't get the lamp house close enough to focus the light properly over the entire frame unless the lamp house is designed for that. We still use CARBON light.

Hope this helps.
KEN

[Smile]
 
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-24-2006, 02:45 AM:
 
quote: Kenneth Wuepper
We still use CARBON light
..and rightfully so. Prob why the choice of those Ashcrafts behind those V-10's since the mirror focal length is long and narrow to get the light through the barrel shutter with ease (as with Ashcrafts loved being behind Motiographs AA(A)'s), plus using the beam spreaders when projecting 70mm.

Interesting that the fire shutters are closed when not in operation...

Great looking booth there...be fun to work in..

-Monte
 
Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 11-24-2006, 01:45 PM:
 
Monte,

The theatre is used for many programs both live and film. When there is no film use, the projection room is "secured" from entry and to keep out the curious.

The old Ballentine 6/4/1 system is not used any longer but Paul has devised a way to use the control switches to operate the present system. Pressing a changeover switch will not only set the projector into active use but also makes necessary format changes in the 2 processors. There is a CP-200 and a DTS-6AD.

Thanks for your interest.
KEN [thumbsup]
 
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-25-2006, 09:03 AM:
 
quote: Andrew McCrea
Was it a gear machine with an oil bath?
-How many blades/wings did the drum shutter have?
-Was the drum shutter (What exactly is a drum shutter) just a single shutter?
-Are the lamphouse choices limited?
-Was it "direct transmission driven" like the Vic 8, with a second motor for the lower take-up reel?

Yes, all gear driven

two, all drum shutters are essentially two blades but the sinbgle drum acts as a double shutter. Front and back cutting off towards the center of the aperature.

Lamphouses are a bit more limited.

Vic 8's are belt drive from the motor to the projector, Vic 10's are gear driven all the way. The inching knob IS the motor shaft.

quote: Fred Georges
I know who you're talking about
Fred, I'm shocked that he's still around!

Mark
 
Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 11-27-2006, 09:23 AM:
 
I.C.E.C.O's 2006 catalogue lists:

u=used, r=re-conditioned

V4 u=$3k
V5 u=$4.5k, r=$5.5k
V8 u=$4.5k, r=$5.5k
V8 35/70 u=$7.5k, r=$9.5k
V9 u=$4k

It lists that they're each the projector head, optical soundhead and 2 or 3 lens manual turret.

It shows a picture of the Vic 5 as a "V5 complete unit".

Would this mean that you'd have to buy a pedestal from the list on the next page? I thought when you bought a Cinemeccanica, the projector was pretty much built into the pedestal?

If you want to have a look, you can download the catalogue by clicking here and looking at page 12 & 13 of the document (pages 7+8 in the table of contents).

Which of those would you recommend most, keeping in mind that I'm not actually buying one?
 
Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 11-27-2006, 10:46 AM:
 
Any Cinemeccanica would run forever and service and parts are widely available for all the models you mention.
 
Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 11-27-2006, 12:33 PM:
 
You're having a laugh, aren't you?

Have you ever tried obtaining parts for a Victoria 4 or Victoria 9?
 
Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 11-28-2006, 03:47 AM:
 
For the V4 I have, not the V9 but they were available. It is a thriving model in Cyprus!
 




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