Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Are Cinemeccanica's expensive machines?

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-24-2004, 10:38 AM:

So... are they?

How do the pedestal, two-peice (Vic 5 and 8) ones compare price wise to other projector makes?

Thanks!

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 08-24-2004, 11:21 AM:

The 8 is an expensive machine, but you get a lot of bang for your buck, remember it's really a 35/70mm projector, so cost wise is comparable with other 35/70s.

The 5 is probably cost wise about the same as other common machines, Century, Kinoton etc. It's a very competitive market, he who undercuts his competitor by £0.02 may well win!

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-24-2004, 11:46 AM:

In ny experiences, parts for Simplexes and Centurys are less expensive than Cinemeccanicas...

Be glad you didn't say 'Bauer', 'Kinoton', or 'Norelco' [Razz]

-Aaron

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 08-24-2004, 11:54 AM:

(W * J * F)/C

where

W = Weave expressed as % of image width shift frame to frame
J = Jump expressed as % of image height shift frame to frame
F = number of frames shown
C = installed cost of projector

Now who gives you the most bang for the buck? [Mad]

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 08-24-2004, 01:58 PM:

Bauer's aren't good? One of our nicest movie palaces had two Bauer U2 35/70 machines with carbons... I don't know what kind of lamphouse though...

Do Cinemeccanica's re-sell for a decent price like other projectors?

A salesman from their office once told me that buying direct from them would be VERY expensive.

Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 08-24-2004, 02:52 PM:

Are Cinemeccanica's expensive machines?

Hmmm, only Australians will get this little quiz.

Lets say there are two big Cinema chains.

One shops at K-Mart, the other shops at Myer.

One buys Vics, other buys Christies.

Which chain shops at K-Mart?

Hint: I now work for the one that shops at Myer, not the one that shops at Kmart.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-24-2004, 03:30 PM:

quote: Andrew McCrea
Bauer's aren't good? One of our nicest movie palaces had two Bauer U2 35/70 machines with carbons...

I wasn't saying that Bauers aren't good, just that parts for them (from Kinoton, natch) are incredibly expensive compared to a Simplex, Century, or Christie.

-Aaron

Posted by Per Hauberg (Member # 529) on 08-24-2004, 07:46 PM:

All parts for the different german's are most expensive, but on the other hand (knock on wood) - You seldom need any ! (at least for the old projectors)
The only sprockets, I've had to change on my two DP70's, since I brought them back in 1974, is the intermittent - the others sat on the machines when they arrived - and I guess, they are the originals from 1960 (yeah - 44 years, 4-5 shows a day [Smile]

), still making no noise and no tear on films. Pressure bands maybe once every five years - the plast things on the FP30 were shifted within the first year...
For the Bauer U2 Yu may not be able to get any parts, unless You buy a prjector somewhere for scrap, but still, the main problem will be to tear down the whole projector to change even the smallest screw - and THAT will cost You, if You are not doing it Yourself ! [Big Grin]

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-24-2004, 09:59 PM:

In Canada cinemecanica v5 sells for about the same price as a simplex all depending on the exchange rates
Personally i would prefer the vic 5 to a simplex in the long run

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 08-24-2004, 11:31 PM:

The reason for the Bauer parts being as expensive as they are is that indeed you very rarely have to change any of them. In Germany, there are many of these machines still running, but still there is no big market for parts because they are just so precisely and solidly manufactured. I think it is probably the most solid projector I have seen. You just need tracks and a gun, then you can use them as a tank.

Posted by Ron Keillor (Member # 1790) on 08-25-2004, 12:08 AM:

With the closure last month and demolition of the Pinetree 6 in Coquitlam (B.C.), there should be six used Vic-5's (maybe one -6?) around somewhere looking for a home. Your local Cinematronics or Best Theatre Supply rep might be able to locate a contact for you (and a quote in $Cdn.).

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 08-25-2004, 12:13 AM:

I agree the Bauer are very well built. Parts have always been expensive so that is one of the reasons why I try and stockpile any and all parts I can find for my U-2. I have 5 heads, 2 bases, and many spare parts and always looking for more. I am looking for 2 more bases if anyone out there has a pair they want to part with.

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 08-25-2004, 01:03 AM:

I could point you to sources in Germany but I guess for the bases the shipping costs would be too prohibitive.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-25-2004, 09:33 AM:

The Bauer U-2 is one of the best projectors ever made, probably the second or third best(except for the mass of unnecessary relays in the base). Phillips DP-70 is of course the best. Shakeamecanica'a are VERY expensive here in the States and the parts are ultra expensive. They don't call them Shakeamecanica down here because they are well liked...... General Enema was the last big customer for them in the states amnd that was in the 80's!

Mark

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-25-2004, 09:38 AM:

Where does one get Cinemeccanica parts? I sent mail to Jack Roe USA, but never got a reply.

I need the adjustment tool for Cinemeccanica lamphouses. It's the thing that looks like a tube with two slots cut out of one end. Is this a standard part? I couldn't find anything like it at any of several hardware stores. Maybe Grainger has them, but I have no idea what to look under in their catalog for something like this.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-25-2004, 09:42 AM:

Yea, From Jack Roe. I replaced a DC drive motor on a tower just a couple of weeks ago and it came from them. Call Dave there....don't e-mail them!! It might be cheaper to buy an alognotron though.

Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 08-25-2004, 11:14 AM:

National Theatre Supply did sell an "Americanized" version of the Bauer U2 in the early sixties. The machine was mounted on a Simplex LL-1 pedestal with a standard induction motor, belt driven takeup and Zipper changeover. I don't know how many were sold. I saw a pair in the Towne theatre in Rochester, NY.
I understand that Gus Studebaker of NTS Detroit did the conversions.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-25-2004, 02:22 PM:

quote: Robert Throop
I saw a pair in the Towne theatre in Rochester, NY.

Unfortunately, long gone. [Frown]

Was it a Jo-Mor theatre at the time? Maybe Bill Yantz would have more info?

Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 08-25-2004, 02:43 PM:

If anyone wants 4x Bauer U3's the joint five minutes walk from my home should them for sale very soon. The extention to the shopping centre is coming along nicely and they should have a 10 plex with Christies ready to roll in around six months.

I might add, that I nursed thoses Bauer's back to good health for 3 years,
so CLEARLY they are in very GOOD condition.

OH hang on they fired me 12 months ago. Forget it, my babies could be stuffed by now.

Posted by Jamie Sanson (Member # 1161) on 08-25-2004, 06:26 PM:

Hi Bill

The answer to your quiz is you can buy Cinemeccanica's at
K-Mart and Christies at Myer. But I love them both.

Posted by Paul Trimboli (Member # 1509) on 08-26-2004, 07:20 AM:

Cinemeccanicas all the way! I have worked with 4 Vic 8s and they are fantastic, whats not to like! Bill any idea of the prices of the Bauers?

Posted by Bill Langfield (Member # 818) on 08-26-2004, 10:56 AM:

James,
I love them both TOO, but you got it the wrong way around in my opinion.
(However my favourite is Centuries)
I guess, you just work with what you have to work with and get on with it!

Paul,
I like Vic8's too. The GUO drive-in two minutes drive down the road has them, I applied for day shift there, but they never called back (Yeah I know thats an old one)

Proberly because I was working for Hoyts just down then road at the time. (Everyone leaps away from you when say work/worked with Hoyts. WHY is that??)

But getting a job at the drive-in would be cool, just two screens, not god damn 16 of them, with perhaps the same pay per hour, and afternoon/night shift only, get to sleep in. HOW cool would that be!!
It might be boring as hell for all I know, but I in my mind it seems magical in some way.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-26-2004, 01:28 PM:

Scott, there should be parts cabinets full of those adjustment rods at the old ex-GC's. Every lamp comes with a set, so they should have them coming out their ears. Don't know if you still know anyone there or not...

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-26-2004, 01:56 PM:

Not anymore, Tim. I know we had a bunch of them at Burlington (only one at Chestnut Hill, though), but that was before I knew I needed one!

Does anyone here work at an ex-GCC multiplex with Cinemeccanica lamphouses? [Wink]

Posted by Tony Hall (Member # 2490) on 08-26-2004, 02:40 PM:

At my last theatre we made some of those adjustment rods out of copper pipe and just cut a notch in the ends.

Posted by Darren Briggs (Member # 1071) on 08-30-2004, 06:32 PM:

I Agree, get a rod and cut two slots in the end.
So much cheaper!

Love Vic 5's, cracking image if treated well and your int sprocket is in tip top condition.
Philips/Kinoton FP20/30/40 give an rock solid picture, but are a slower machine to lace than a vic5/8 in my opinion.

Darren

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-30-2004, 10:36 PM:

"Philips/Kinoton FP20/30/40 give an rock solid picture, but are a slower machine to lace than a vic5/8 in my opinion."

Seems like the whole world is in a hurry! [Roll Eyes]

Mark @ CLACO