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38 mm (1½”) focal length. This provides
a nice sized image for home use from
both 9.5 and 16 mm film. (I have often
wondered why the ‘standard’ lens sup-
plied with 16 mm projectors for in-home
use was 50 mm (2”). This results in a
pretty small image at the usual distance
to the screen in a home setting).
A nice feature is a threading light incor-
porated into the top front of the lamp
house; it is on when the projection lamp
is off and vice versa.
The three sprockets as a rotating cluster
The usual tri-gauge problem of screen
illumination ** being considerably reduced when the smaller 8 mm frame is projected has
been overcome to some extent by providing a means of reducing the width of the shutter
blades for 8mm projection. Because the 8 mm frame is so much smaller, the shutter
blades need only be about half the width to that for the larger film sizes. The blade width
can be adjusted through an access plate at the rear of the projector. This does give quite
an increase in the brightness with 8 mm film.
** This problem is the result of the lamphouse being designed to illuminate the
full 9.5 or 16 mm frame (which are almost the same size). When the machine is
set up for 8 mm projection, even though the aperture plate is changed, the
lamphouse (condensers, mirror etc.) remain fixed to fill the full 16 mm frame. This
results in a great deal of the available light being lost, resulting in only about a
quarter of the light illuminating the 8 mm frame.

The gate is rear sprung; meaning that the front surface of the film remains at the same
distance from the lens at all times. In theory, this should mean that splices etc. do not
cause the usual ‘popping’ of the focused image on the screen.

A still frame facility is provided – a
The shutter access cover for adjusting the blade width. lever near the lamphouse activates
the usual mesh filter to limit the heat
on the still frame, while at the same
time disengaging the main drive belt
onto a free running pulley.
A rheostat to control the motor
speed, as well as motor and lamp
switches are incorporated into the
control panel.

One disappointment with this ma-
chine is the use of Bakelite spool
arms. With ageing this material is
known to become brittle and easy to

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