Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 8/70 projector recommendations?

This is topic 8/70 projector recommendations? in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 12-18-2010, 09:22 PM:

My client wants to know if Ballantyne still will make and support Megasystems projectors. I told him I would find out on monday. I doubt if they will. They want the systems just the same. Two of the films are custom made for 2 of the attractions. I will need two 3D set ups and a 2D for a motion ride. They want to build the park in a different province.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Rick

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 12-19-2010, 01:06 AM:

If Ballantyne won't come to the party, how about Iwerks? I'm not very up-to-date re large format but at last look Iwerks had 8/70 happening.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-19-2010, 01:28 AM:

The Kinoton SP75 is in production as is the MP75. The MP75E will run 4/35, 5/70 and 8/70. The SP75E will run 8/70.

-Steve

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-19-2010, 06:04 AM:

Try Dollywood in Tennessee. They offered for sale their old equipment. Louis

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 12-19-2010, 02:35 PM:

Richard, I wouldn't count on Ballenswine for anything anymore. They didn't care much when film was the only game and they care even less now with the digital rollout.

Do as Steve suggests and go with the Kinotons. They have always cared about their products and the support is excellent.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-19-2010, 07:28 PM:

There are probably used SP75E and MP75Es out there too, if one choses to look. They can, of course, be had new too.

-Steve

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 12-19-2010, 10:11 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
Try Dollywood in Tennessee. They offered for sale their old equipment.

Does that mean Dolly's gone digital?

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 12-20-2010, 07:06 AM:

If/when this deal comes together, it will be new equipment. Most likely Kineton. I can't put used equipment (that I am not familiar with) in this big of a project halfway around the world.

Thanks, Rick

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 12-20-2010, 07:28 AM:

That MP75E seems pretty versatile. Since it's capable of 5/70, is it also capable of 35mm mag?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-20-2010, 08:16 AM:

One can have a 10-track mag cluster on the MP75E as well as DTS. The same is true for the FP75E (4/35 and 5/70). I believe one is limited on the number of options on the MP75E due to space, however. It has a lot going on and the dynamics of allowing for all of the formats dictate where the film skate/runners must go. This pushes things up a bit.

-Steve

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-20-2010, 10:37 AM:

Cameron Yes, Dolly is Dolly Digital ((double D)) Louis

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-20-2010, 07:46 PM:

Kinoton SP75E-870 the best bet. I have serviced the MP75E which is similar in layout....great engineering versus the voodoo magic of the Ballantyne...

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-24-2010, 08:38 AM:

There is also the 8perf "epic" that used to be westrex later christie sold them and i think the original builder of them still sells them

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 12-29-2010, 03:12 PM:

Probably a good machine Gordon but Rick needs something from a solid company who plans on being around for a long time...I think Kinoton is gonna be around longer than the Epic since Christie has pretty much shut down film equipment production.

Of course if he really wants to piss off his client he could get them some of CFS' Dreamcatchers. [Smile]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-29-2010, 05:10 PM:

The Epic is not a great machine at all and very failure prone.

Stick with the Kinoton.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 12-29-2010, 06:17 PM:

quote: Richard Hamilton
Most likely Kineton

First I need to learn how to spell before I can recommend [Eek!]

. my bad, that's twice I've spelled Kinoton wrong [uhoh]

. Thanks for the advice guys, it looks like a "no-brainer"

Rick

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 12-30-2010, 08:04 AM:

The only thing Epic about the Epic is the number of problems it is possible to have one machine at any one time.

Richard we were told within the last couple of years that Strong we still supporting the 8/70 stuff, certainly parts have not been an issue. Admittedly the ones we have in service are seeing less and less use, and are largely consigned to being dust traps now.

If 8/70 film it must be, there can be only one. Kinoton.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-30-2010, 08:09 PM:

Of course one could call IWERKS and get a linear loop machine

Posted by Dan Herron (Member # 5210) on 12-31-2010, 09:11 AM:

We have an Epic projector that we are willling to part with. Showperfect was supporting it when we last used it about 2 years ago. I think they still do.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-31-2010, 09:38 AM:

The Linear Loop outputs a rock steady picture but is "fussy" in operation. The microprocessor control box is the weak link to the machine. The original two guys who developed the projector are long gone.