Little portable 35mm projector

Post by **AngelDragon** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:13 pm

timdrage wrote: I'd love to have a little portable 35mm projector, would be fun to be able to project the 35mm trailers that seem so easily and cheaply avaliable on ebay etc...

Now, I didn't know there were that many 35mm trailers available on eBay!
I just checked and I'm amazed, the prices are really affordable, it would be a nice thing to collect and to watch of course.

Anyone knows of a portable 35mm projector, something resembling an 8mm projector.
So far, the only 35mm projector I've seen are these huge dinosaurs!

Post by **Herb Montes** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:42 pm

The only portable 35mm projectors are the Acme SVE and DeVry suitcase projectors which were made in the late 1920's to 1930's. These show up on eBay from time to time. Most are silent versions and are not suitable for running trailers. I have two and one of these had been converted to sound and to use the larger Simplex magazines. Most have an internal take-up that has a maximum reel size of around 800'.

YouTube · Post by **wahiba** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:08 pm

I once came across a Bell and Howell that seemed to be the same size as the 16mm projector that was advertised as a 35m projector. Other than the early antique type that is the only 'portable' 35mm projector I have ever come across.

Post by **AngelDragon** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:28 pm

Herb Montes wrote:The only portable 35mm projectors are the Acme SVE and DeVry suitcase projectors which were made in the late 1920's to 1930's. These show up on eBay from time to time. Most are silent versions and are not suitable for running trailers. I have two and one of these had been converted to sound and to use the larger Simplex magazines. Most have an internal take-up that has a maximum reel size of around 800'.

Was it converted to magnetic or optical sound?
That sounds really interesting, do you have any pics of your projectors, Herb?

Thanks.

Post by **Herb Montes** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:02 pm

It was optical sound. I have some pictures I can post later, I can't do it from work right now. They average about 24" long by 18" high by 12" deep in size. They have wooden cases like a large suitcase. The cases on the two I have are falling apart and I plan on restoring them with new cases and motors. The film mechanics themselves are in good shape. I've seen them sell for between $50 to $200 on eBay. Mine cost about $100 each with shipping.

I also acquired a DeVry 35mm movie camera from eBay for $50. It takes 100 foot spools like the B&H Eyemo.

Now if you live out in California I can tell you where you can buy a 35mm Moviola upright editor for less than $200. I got one for less than that, though the shipping to Texas was a lot.

Post by **timdrage** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:48 pm

Now, I didn't know there were that many 35mm trailers available on eBay!
I just checked and I'm amazed, the prices are really affordable, it would be a nice thing to collect and to watch of course.

Yeah! People sell them mostly to be chopped up to make cheezy framed 'film cell' memerobila... which seems kind of a shame really...

Problems to overcome in terms of projecting with small/old projectors are that many (most?) trailers are scope, so you'd need to get + attatch a scope lens, and also sound... they have analogue optical sound as a backup, but the proper sound is digital crazy tiny data down the outside edges and even between the sproket holes... i'm guessing there's no way to play that without huge THX stuff, so basically you'd need optical sound, and that's assuming the tracks are compatable with whatever portable projectors may exist?

Post by **mr.re-Sotto** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:50 pm

hello
I have about 400 35mm films at home...
all of them with full length...

the most of them are in german language
there are a lot of hollywood movies (naked lunch, terminator, alien etc.. )
and also german movies....

want to sell them- all oft them in one packag...

I know there are a lot of films but I want to sell each ...

cu
sobi

Post by **Dusty** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:43 pm

I've got a DeVry portable projector. The last copyright on mine is from 1919, I'd guess it was at least from the early 20s. If they go up to $200, I guess I got a good deal at $19. I did see the Acme clone go earlier this week for something like $150, but it was better advertised (the listing I bough was just a picture). Once I get new belts and get it working, I hope to built an optical sound reader for it.

I'd assume you want an electric sound projector? If you'll go for a hand-cranked silent one, you're options expand greatly. Lots were made for the home and toy market in the 20s.

Post by **AngelDragon** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:23 am

mr.re-Sotto wrote:hello
I have about 400 35mm films at home...
all of them with full length...

the most of them are in german language
there are a lot of hollywood movies (naked lunch, terminator, alien etc.. )
and also german movies....

want to sell them- all oft them in one packag...

I know there are a lot of films but I want to sell each ...

cu
sobi

400 35mm movies! I believe you.
mr.re-Sotto, just to have an idea, how much will you sell each of your 35mm films for?
I've seen full feature films in S8mm go for several hundred dollars, are people paying thousands for 35mm movies?

Previews seem affordable to me, and I have a special artistic interest on them. It really is an art to tease the audience within a limited time, without giving to little or too much away.

Guys, take a look a these screening rooms:
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/index.php?category=1

I like the simplicity of the "Spike Cinema" (very much like my setup), and I really admire the overall room design of "Rowley Screening Room". But those projectors look like really expensive toys, I had no idea some people were into such a hobby, and I admire that. Of course it would be fun to have in my close the projector featured in "Bob Leader Private Screening Room" but the 35mm hobby seems to require investments in the several thousands. The numbers mentioned by Herb seem encouraging, and some setups featured in that list don't seem that complicated (Sam Hunters Apartment Cinema)
Any thoughts?

Post by **kentbulza** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:28 am

There's a Tokiwa "portable" 35mm projector too.

Post by **AngelDragon** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:37 am

kentbulza wrote:There's a Tokiwa "portable" 35mm projector too.

Thanks for the Tip, there is one on eBay right now!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 65286&rd=1

Just don't get crazy people and start a bidding war...

Post by **Herb Montes** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:11 am

Here are some pictures of the DeVry projectors I have, they are from the auctions themselves. As you can see the cases are in ratty shape though the mechanisms are in good condition considering their age. The first two pics are of the sound converted model. You can see the Simplex magazine which holds about 2000 feet mounted on top. There is a slot in the bottom for another magazine though the mounting bracket is gone. This projector was meant to be on a stand. You can also see the optical sound head in the second picture on the right side of the inside of the case. The sound head has a DeVry label so it was probably a factory modification. The third picture is of the silent version.

You'll note they usually have the reels side by side inside the case.

Post by **Herb Montes** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:31 am

If you want to spend a couple of thousand for newer projectors look at International Cinema Equipment's site:

http://www.iceco.com

Here's their page of 35mm projectors including the Westar 105 portable system.

http://www.iceco.com/35mm.htm

Download their PDF catalog. They list used projectors along with the new equipment though I have not seen anything less than $1,000. They do sell their used gear on eBay from time to time.

Post by **paulcotto** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:28 am

I had an idea a while back about using an old AV film strip projector (the kind that they used from 1960~1980 in schools) with a camera aimed at the gate to record my Eyemo footage for a quick preview. Like a work printer for 35mm. Many had an auto advance with a stepper motor controlled by an external cabled switch. Wire the switch and a mouse button to a double pole relay opposite from each other. Then use the Velleman interval timer project to control the film transport. Use dodcap to grab the frames. It should work since the projectors use 35mm movie film like a continuous slide show.

What do you think?

Regards,
Paul Cotto

Post by **Herb Montes** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 5:13 am

Yes, that would work. I have seen several filmstrip mechanisms and they work alot like those in 35mm movie projectors. Instead of a claw they use a sprocket to pull the film through with the frame by frame advance done with a geneva cross escapement. You can still find many of those motorized filmstrip projectors cheap on eBay. The filmstrip frame is slightly bigger than the Academy frame used in most 35mm cameras. It's probably closer to Super 35. All you would need is a system to hold and take up reels of film.