16mm film editor?

Post by **monobath** » Sat May 07, 2005 6:00 pm

I'm on the hunt for a good quality 16mm film editor. I'm NOT talking about a big commerical unit like a Moviola 6 plate flatbed (although if I had the space, that sure would be nice).

I don't have to have sound capability at this time, just a small unit so I can view and splice my 16mm silent home movies. On the other hand, a smallish sound-capable unit would be nice too, if you know of any of those worth acquiring.

I'm not budget-constrained, just space-constrained, so I need something not much bigger than your typical 8mm/Super 8 sound editor like an Elmo or Goko Super 8 sound editor.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Post by **Actor** » Sat May 07, 2005 6:32 pm

I don't think you'll find a 16mm editor per se. You'll need to buy a pair of rewinds and a viewer and be prepared to fasten them down to a bench.

Post by **chachi** » Sat May 07, 2005 7:31 pm

I agree, a pair of moviola or neumade type 16mm rewinds and a nice 16mm moviola or craig viewer will do nicely. This is actually the set up I have, except I have Craig super8 rewinds and another generic set of 16mm/ 8mm (with spacer).. I actually hope to replace these one day with one for all 16mm rewinds w/adapters for super/8mm some day.

Thing about this setup is you can just swap out the 16mm viewer in place of the daul 8 you may now be using now.

Post by **monobath** » Sat May 07, 2005 7:38 pm

Well, there do appear to be some on eBay like this Vintage Craig 16mm Movie Editor/Splicer.

It appears to be essentially what you both describe. A viewer mounted on a board between two rewinds.

That's the sort of thing I was talking about. Which ones are good ones?

But to rephrase my question, what 16mm viewer would be best to stick between a pair of rewinds? (To me, this is the almost exactly the same question that I orginally asked, for all intents and purposes, but it could be that I still don't understand the distinction that you both evidently are referring to.)

Post by **jaxshooter** » Sat May 07, 2005 8:00 pm

There were several units with names like Acme Pic-sync or some such.They were basically 4 gang synchronizer/viewer combos with mag readers and squawk box.Some were motorized,but you still needed to wind by hand rewinds.

Post by **monobath** » Sat May 07, 2005 8:41 pm

What does a 4 gang synchronizer do?

Post by **chachi** » Sat May 07, 2005 9:11 pm

I feel the Ziess moviescopes are some of the best around. I have personally used them and they're the brightest viewer I have used. I have the Craig one myself, but I use only the viewer portion which can be removed from the rest of the setup easily.

The 4 gang synchronizer allows you to run the picture film in sync with any mag (sound) reels and keep everything turning in sync. However, If you plan to use the mag stock fullcoat sound setup, then you'll want to purchase the moviola rewinds with the long shafts and rear spindle holders as well..

Allot of synchronizers will actually have a sound head fitted to them already..

Post by **jaxshooter** » Sat May 07, 2005 10:23 pm

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 42597&rd=1

You will still need a pair of long shaft rewinds and a clean table to cut on.

Post by **monobath** » Sun May 08, 2005 2:50 am

I saw that one. I couldn't really figure out what it was.

Post by **jaxshooter** » Sun May 08, 2005 3:24 am

This will enable you to edit picture and sound in sync as well as conform your original film to your edited workprint.Are you familiar with editing 16mm picture and mag fullcoat in sync?You basically have 4 gangs here that will run four rolls of 16mm in frame for frame sync.

Post by **monobath** » Sun May 08, 2005 4:14 am

No, that's not a familiar concept to me, but I think I'm starting to get the picture. That particular device you pointed out on ebay didn't appear to have a viewer on it as far as I could tell. Maybe that's what that little box on the right end is for?

At least I now have a starting point for research. Thanks for the info.

Post by **jaxshooter** » Sun May 08, 2005 4:43 am

Yes,that's a viewer on the side and it is motorized so you can crank it close to sound speed.I used to cut film in this way for a living,if there's anything I can help you with,email me at vmartin1960@yahoo.com.

Post by **monobath** » Sun May 08, 2005 5:12 am

Thanks!

There are a couple of them on ebay right now like the one you referenced, but they are in Australia. I'll be looking for one here in the states, so after I get one, I'll hit you up for some pointers on how to use it.

I think I'll mostly just be editing my own 16mm silent films for home projection initially, so I hope it won't be too complicated to figure out.

Is this the sort of rewind you were talking about?

Post by **chachi** » Sun May 08, 2005 8:35 am

That's it! This one is actually missing the rear spindle support, although one can easily be made out of virtually anything.

I actually had been following that particular item weeks ago. It keeps getting re-listed but never sells. That seller had another one up for auction as well, not sure if it sold or not. Read the sellers terms and conditions, He's not the kind of seller you want to use a sniper program on if thats your thing, You may end up buying a lamp instead!

Anyhow, I would've had to pay tax on this item and the shipping is the same price as if it were going to the states?? I'm still looking for a nice set of these, but I'll keep looking for a complete set i guess.....

Post by **svabo** » Sun May 08, 2005 11:17 am

Look at www.kahlfilm.de Shop - GerÃƒÂ¤te Filmbetrachter 16mm 96,00 EUR.