Constant repair and service of purely mechanical movie equipment here
It is always a joy on my side to see the joy and happiness of customers whose spring-drive cameras purr again. Projectors that run back fine. Clean and smooth lenses.
The announced Kodak camera is one of the most idiotic projects I could imagine. Kemco Homovie of 1929 was a flop. The Bell & Howell Straight Eight camera of 1935 was a washout because ciné Kodachrome was processed only in 16mm width at the time and there was only one reversal black and white stock available for it. Now a plastic camera without a sight and still no projectable film for it, I don’t know. The timing should be film first, then camera. The best old Super-8 cameras are still useable and they’re way better.
Today you can put yourself a very nice gear together for that money. Even a professional 35mm camera can be had for less than $3,000. In the 16mm format I can offer Filmo 70-DLs, completely overhauled and with a two-years warranty for $750. Add some good lenses, a good tripod, and you’re in heaven. There are 16mm projectors around that are serviceable, too. Super-8 projectors are a more difficult subject. First you need to find a model that has no plastic in the crucial places, that can be lubricated without a manned flight to the moon, and then you still have negatives and no printing service. As soon as Kodak tells us where we can have positives made from our negatives the story looks differently. Does Kodak not make color print film?
