Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Great Projector Bargain on Ebay ?

This is topic Great Projector Bargain on Ebay ? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-08-2015, 09:40 PM:

I'm surprised this isn't flying out the Door. Some of these people that sell items on Ebay, aren't playing with a full deck [Roll Eyes]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTOR-16MM-Sound-PROJECTOR-65-25-Antique-/271773460061?hash=item3f46f5e65d:m:mnyi5AuCwz_xEou9SXKNzEQ

Posted by Timothy Eiler (Member # 383) on 11-10-2015, 03:57 PM:

If that flies out the door then I'm listing mine for sale

Posted by David Buckley (Member # 2600) on 11-10-2015, 04:24 PM:

And this one comes pre-fritzed by plugging a 110V projector into 240V mains. Impressive.

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 11-10-2015, 08:35 PM:

I have one just like this an 1952 (the year) model still runs (noisy) but works, I converted from photo electric cell to solar cell, still have tubes... the 16mm film my dad had is long gone, $11K...what a bargain !!!

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-10-2015, 09:59 PM:

This is the Ebay post I had originally intended to post before I came across the 11 grand jewel. This is almost as bad as that one.This has been on Ebay at least 18 months that I'm aware of and probably longer. You would think these guys would get the message but I guess there hoping for that non-informed Sucker to come along...

I have collected Vintage 16mm projectors since the early 70's. I have 5 of what he is showing. A Bell&Howell model 185 which appeared in 1949. They were an excellent projector and carried a lifetime warranty. Probably the last model before B&H started deducting parts and the nice appearing crushed velvet type interior. Anyway I have one that is as close to new condition as you'll ever find; probably had less than 20 minutes total running time and I believe I got it for $75.00 years back. I have bought projectors on Ebay where I ended up paying more for the Shipping than the projectors. As far as the rare 1930's Cartoons....Old Vintage CASTLE FILMS which I also have a Ton of... [Roll Eyes]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930s-vintage-cartoons-original-16mm-with-projector-and-speaker-/321192862332?hash=item4ac896227c:g:fLEAAOxytQxSGRMk

If you give me 6 Grand for one of my 185's I'll even throw in a dozen or so Vintage Castle Films [Confused]

Posted by Rex Oliver (Member # 7593) on 11-11-2015, 12:29 AM:

Maybe I should dust off my B&H 185 that I originally bought for $25-came with an 8' screen,too-wonder if mine would be worth 6 grand???Sorry-no cartoons but I have an old first aid film,unknown films I bought from a swap shop.The beast has been thru a few moves-but still works!

Posted by Jacob Delaney (Member # 8629) on 11-11-2015, 03:05 PM:

We've attached to electricity and it torn on but immediately shuts down.
We noticed that electricity is 110V, and 220V by mistake we've put together for.
I guess I need to replace FUSE.

I wonder if it even has a fuse. lol

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-11-2015, 09:36 PM:

Here is another listing of the same type Projector that the Guy is asking 11 grand....Even this price($225) is too much for it's condition. They aren't a rare projector and they shouldn't be selling for more than $50.00 in that condition. Depending on location; Like I said before, your more than likely going to be paying more for shipping than the unit. Those old vintage projectors, which actually had more metal than plastic are quite heavy ... [Wink]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Victor-Model-65-25-16mm-Film-Projector-/201361571683

Check out this pair of SIMPLEX Portables. not sure how rare these were. Price seems pretty high ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-Working-Vintage-1940s-Simplex-35mm-Projectors/252037116641?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777000%26algo%3DABA.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33862%26meid%3D63c66b123ae54f84b8285720447e48cd%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1 %26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D201361571683

Posted by Jacob Delaney (Member # 8629) on 11-12-2015, 01:40 PM:

Those Simplex portables show up on Ebay for around $100-2000.

How about newer projectors like this one?
It's beat up and been sitting outside waiting to be rained on and rusted until they give up and throw it out

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STRONG-35mm-Projection-System-HIGHLIGHT-II-Simplex-Projector-HIGHLIGHT-IIA-/321894826775?hash=item4af26d4317:g:qtUAAOSwYHxWIHnH

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-12-2015, 04:08 PM:

That's really a shame to see what's happening to previous 35MM Projectors/Equipment. I know one case in our City; the owner after installing all new Barco Equipment in the only outdoor double Screen Drive-in in Montana proceeded to haul all the Previous Equipment(Century H projectors,Strong Lamphouses,related Sound Equipment, etc. to our local landfill;simply because he didn't have any other place to store the equipment. This seems to be the case not only in projection equipment but almost anything. If there is no more storage area than things that you couldn't imagine be thrown away are ending up in the Dump / Landfills! Pretty Sad [Frown]

Posted by Dave Bird (Member # 490) on 11-12-2015, 06:56 PM:

I understand the sentiment but am guilty of it as well. I personally believe 35mm film projection was probably the best engineered and most reliable long-serving system that was ever produced. I enjoyed it and took good care working with it. The previous owner of our drive-in was a bit of a pack rat though, and not only our screen tower but also booth was chock full of dead 35mm equipment and accessories. The booth had "trails" of floor open to navigate through the old stuff to the "new" (1952 XL with platter) and so those old gold Kalee's and arc lamps (the Kalee's being the heaviest things I ever have or will moved) got pushed off the roof and into the dumpster, we simply weren't capable of anything else. The screen tower "archives"? Haven't done much yet, but every year that passes I'm tempted to rent another dumpster. I just don't know who would ever want it again. Our XL is still operational, in theory, the platter is gone but we have plenty of magazines up in the tower we could use.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-12-2015, 07:18 PM:

On the other hand, here is a real deal on a solid 16mm projector...

Telex projector, new military surplus

I bought two of these a while back when they were on sale before...one ended up at UCI, the other is my personal machine.

One of the machines developed a problem with the rewind clutch..I contacted the seller and he sent me a replacement projector at no charge..AND told me to keep the bad one for spare parts.

They work as advertised, very smooth and quiet, and pretty gentle on older prints.

Posted by Jacob Delaney (Member # 8629) on 11-12-2015, 07:59 PM:

My Kodak Pageant is having trouble starting and It'll be needing a recap on the amp soon. I hate doing that. I don't know how I feel about buying from them again after they ruined a lamp house I bought.

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-13-2015, 12:35 AM:

I probably have more Kodak / Eastman Projectors than B&H or any others in my collection. Going back to the FS-1O-N,Clear up to the last of Kodak's in house built Pageants(250S). Always had Good luck with their AV Projectors and my Eastman 30 which I bought new in 1968 still runs flawlessly since the day I bought it [beer]

1940's FS-10-N KODASCOPE (Mint Condition)

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 11-13-2015, 12:15 PM:

I've owned, at one time or another, most of the machines that have been pictured
in this post. My favorites, are definitely B&H models 185 & 285.

I've had a 285 that I bought in the 1970's that's still going strong.

Fortunately, in the late 1980's I worked at a shop that was an official B&H
authorized repair station. When they went out of business, I was able to
stock up on a number of parts that were going to be trashed, and
I still
have enough 'spares' here to keep both machines running for quite some time.

Yes, they're heavy, and noisy and eat a lot of AC power, but they're
still my two favorite machines.

Posted by Jacob Delaney (Member # 8629) on 11-13-2015, 03:21 PM:

I just remembered I saw that same B&H with external speaker at an antique store in Redlands for $300 a few weeks ago. It looked like it was never used.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-13-2015, 05:27 PM:

No one likes the B&H 300-series machines? They are less common than the 185 or the later 500-series (the ones with the worm gear that goes bad), but they (the 300-series) are beautifully made and work reliably. I don't have one, but wouldn't mind getting one someday. The 500-series models are OK, but most are auto-shred models and are harder to thread and clean.

I had one of those Graflex projectors once; they use a bulb that is NLA, for whatever that's worth. Mine worked OK and was gentle on film, but did not like splicy or damaged prints.

I normally use either Eiki EX-3500 or Elmo 16CL portables now. The Eikis that I have use 350w xenon lamps and have a built-in changeover mechanism.

The newer Elmos and Eikis (and later B&Hs) have the benefit of taking pretty much any lens (possibly with an adapter).

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-14-2015, 12:25 AM:

If you want to purchase a 300 series B&H(i.e. 302,385,398,399,etc.) make sure you buy one that still uses manual type lubrication. They are easily identified by the 3 snap-type oil caps on top of the projector head and 3 holes in the sprocket heads as shown in the 385 Photo.Stay away from the sealed units(life time lubrication)which is a joke,because as soon as the grease/lubricant drys up,etc. than the unit is junk. If you keep these machines oiled periodically, they will out last your grandchildren. All these 100,200,300 series have metal gears and are real work horses, that's why they were used in a majority of school systems. Try and stay away from the 399 model as everyone of those I've seen are sealed lubrication. Some Japan built 399T units had manual oiling and Transistor Amp. If you can find one of these in good condition, go for it. I have 2 and they are the best of the 398/399 series... [beer]

Model 385 w/ manual oiling/ tube type amp - periodic oiling in the 3 snap caps and through the 3 sprocket holes will make this projector outlive you. sealed units have no oil caps or holes in the sprockets [Razz]

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 11-14-2015, 11:32 AM:

Sealed Lubriction Units (think twice)

B&H 398A...Sealed Lubrication(life type lubrication) [Roll Eyes]