I cut my teeth on one of these around 5th grade when I would stay after school and learn how to properly thread and set up the projector. The custodian, Mr. George McFall trusted me with this very valuable piece of cinemachinery. I got so good and was so trusted that he let me do all of the auditorium shows and also grabbed me out of class to assist teachers that were challenged with AV gear. Needless to say I became an AV AID geek in Jr HS and HS and then went into a lifelong career as a TV engineer going on 45 years now with the same employer. To me the sound projector was a marvel in that the film could reproduce the sound track optically. Like getting two great functions for the price of one.
399'S were the last of the 100-300 Series Projector in a Box Style 16mm Projector going as far back as the 1930's....They were superseded in mid 1961 by the Model 535 which was a completely new designed Projector that shared no parts or looks from the previous 100-300 series. They were Great Ole Projectors but continued using the same antiquated Governed Motors that date back to the 138A from the ladder 30's. All good things eventually come to an end. Metal Drive Gears/Rollers replaced with Plastic/Nylon, etc. Although B&H still made some Great Later Projectors; They just don't have the Nostalgia of the Old Ones that I loved. I have over 35 Running 100 200 300 Models and double that in Parts Projectors in my 16mm Projector Collection along with a Library of Films in the 100's ...
Brings back memories. Used to extensively use a 16 mm projector at home. Rented it from my library and borrowed films. They had thousands of 16 mm film. A feature film could be 4 large reels to rewind and as a kid I was fascinated with this technology. Now I have a 58 inch full HD tv and stream or use Blu Ray. I never fully embraced the VCR or 80' tech. The 16mm killed it back then since you did not have large TVs like today or home digital projection.
É a verdadeira magia do cinema antigo! Tenho uma coleção destes projetores e centenas de filmes 16 mm! Para mim é grande a satisfação assistir a este vídeo!
boa noite..Faz tpo,tive empresa de cinema e tenho um lindo projeto de cine retro ao digital e gostaria m.de falar e conhecer seu acervo...no face JRRIBEIRO FILMES TENHO td.pra super8 e 16mm.filmes raros docum.chaplim etc.Projetores vendas manutençao..filmadoras carreteis lampadas etc.zapoi021996786625 grato
Coleciono filmes desde a adolescência e para mim é muito gratificante saber que existem pessoas como a Sra. que também são ligadas a este passado que para mim é inesquecível. Apesar de toda a tecnologia moderna em relação a projeção de filmes, continuo ligado aos momentos mágicos de ver o carretel girando, o barulho da máquina e as imagens projetadas na tela!
In 7th Grade, at Lafayette School, Highland Park, NJ we had one. Since 7th grade was on the 3rd floor, this projector was assigned to the third floor. The teachers had to sign up to use the projector, most films were shown in science and history although we did see some in English. I remember showing Hemo the Magnificent to a school assembly, and I actually carried the brute downstairs where we had assemblies in the gym. Now, every classroom is equipped with smartboards and video projectors, so many of these films can be downloaded on the internet or shown by way of a DVD.
I remember the Bell & Howell 16mm Sound Projectors when i went to Primary school and Secondary school which would have been between 1961-1968,i think the door was like light Blue or Grey in colour what size of Reels does this one take maybe 2000 foot.
Aren't those old projectors great? Last year I managed to pick up a 16mm RCA sound projector. There's nothing quite like the experience of showing a film though an old mechanical projector.
How do I get the film behind the lens. I cannot seem to find the mechanism that moves the lesns forward so that I can place the film before moving the lens back. Any thoughts. Thanks.
OPM MTV VIDEO Firmly grasp the bulb and turn it counter clockwise while pushing downward and rocking it back and forth on the spring loaded pins. Works for me. Once out, a little bulb grease on the new bulb base might help.
Hi I have the same model (399k) but can't seem to move the lens component forward like you do in order to easily slip the film behind it. Do you know what I have to do to achieve how you thread it here? I have no manual but understand most of it but not how to get it behind the lens. Also can you explain the clutch knob? On mine that has caused trouble, lots of smoke!
The lever that moves the lens forward is on the other side of the lens. Just reach around the other side of the lens. You can see it by looking through the front of the projector.
Thank you, I will check this tonight. I've spent three weeks working to restore this projector as the wires had corroded and were causing shorts whenever it was plugged in, the bulbs were shot, motor wasn't spinning properly and other problems. But finally I have it back to working order! Your video is very helpful to me and you make the threading look so easy.
The 8399 was not exported. It was imported. B&H sold the line to a Japanese operation, J. Osawa Ltd., the biggest A/V and photo operation in the east. They supplied B&H with replacement parts for the 300 projectors after that. They also made a slew of different models for specialty markets based on the 300 designs with different voltages, different tube and solid state amplifiers, etc.
