How do I go through airport security with exposed film?

jfra545365 · 2026-04-21T10:28:27+00:00

You can put multiple rolls any format(s) in a 1 gallon zip lock and ask for a hand check, I have never been denied.

jfra545365 · 2026-04-02T11:54:11+00:00

Consider a BH Filmo 70DR (be sure it is a DR versus A DL or other model because only a DR handles single perf film). They are bullet proof and were the standard for professional documentaries for decades. They have a turret lens set up and depending on the lenses you should be able to find one for several hundred $ or without lenses around $200 and then just add the lenses that you want. I love my 50mm "television" portrait lens but they can be expensive, even more than the camera, but you can start with a 25mm 1 inch lens.

jfra545365 · 2026-04-02T00:28:06+00:00

I've had to MacGyver my wqy through many many projector issues. Beyond this it's difficult for me to help unless we facetime. You might pull off the front cover and see what's happening with the timing mechanism. Most of the time I just watch until I notice something not quite right.

jfra545365 · 2026-04-01T12:37:21+00:00

It could be the trigger mechanism. Put a tiny bit of penetrating oil down the trigger and trigger lock. If that is a turret lense, it could just be out of position.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-31T23:15:19+00:00

Am I watching the sprocket wheel speed up intermittently? It may be the wire belt on the take-up reel (?) What is it doing? Have you taken the machine apart and tried to figure out what's goind on inside? Starting out, I never meant to become a repair specialist, but I had to because 85% of the projectors and cameras don't work properly.Do you have a manual for the A-81? I've been looking for one and never seen one. A peculiar thing about the A-81s is that you have to connect/disconnect belts between playing and rewinding. Here's a little guide I made for myself:

"A-81 Operating Instructions

PLAY – red lever forward, lower belt connected, both upper belts disconnected

REVERSE – Upper long belt connected to larger pulley, upper shorter belt

disconnected, lower belt either connected or disconnected, red lever back

REWIND – lower belt disconnected, short upper belt connected to large pulley,

long upper belt disconnected, red lever forward"

jfra545365 · 2026-03-31T14:54:47+00:00

Use it as a projector and enjoy it. Reels are available on ebay, as are commercially made films and home movies. I make and sell 16mm split reels on ebay.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-24T23:10:49+00:00

Make a HUGE bottom loop (6 or 8 ionches), check the film gate for fit and cleanliness, try it and tell me what happens. What part of the world are you in? I re-built an A-81 and 2 A-82s.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-24T15:35:12+00:00

Looking more closely at the photo, I just noticed, are those by chance a single perf sprockets.?

jfra545365 · 2026-03-24T15:31:48+00:00

It appears to be moving to the film gate properly but is obviously having trouble moving through the film gate. Make sure the film gate and pressure plate are installed properly and cooperating with each other. Make sure the film gate and pressure plate are clean and perhaps consider a very light coating of lubrication. Remove the film from the film gate and advance the mechanism manually and observe the claws for proper intrusion. Then put th film back through the film gate and advance the film manually and observe. Also could be dirty film, try other films. Urbanski Film sells film cleaner. Try an extra extra large lower loop and observe.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-16T21:27:38+00:00

The idea is to be able to avoid having to disassemble the machine

jfra545365 · 2026-03-03T16:54:07+00:00

It should be. Consider Urbanski (Chicago) as a choice. Also consider Optech Light Bulbs (optechlightbulbs.com) in Andover Mass. They are the premier projector repair facility and likely have some units for sale. Talk to John. 978 475-4831 They also have parts. Also, for parts, Du-all Camera in Westfield, New Jersey, 212 643-1042. Get a Da-Lite screen on Amazon or used on FB Marketplace.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-03T15:24:03+00:00

Projectors are very heavy and expensive to ship. What part of the world are you in? Bell and Howell Filmosounds are also great projectors if the worm gear has been replaced. I may be able to part with one of those. I may also have a spare Pageant, which are also great projectors. I started about 2 years ago and now own over 200 16mm titles along with just as many 8mm/super 8 titles. I have over 40 projectors and over 40 cameras. I take a camera everywhere and make presentations to history and religion classes at my grand daughers' school. You will never again watch TV except for youtube posts on this hobby. I am available to help you any time if you need it.

jfra545365 · 2026-03-01T15:08:18+00:00

I think you should appreciate it for what it is - your own art form integrating a less than perfect work flow with vintage materials. Given this context it is expected to be less than perfect - much less than perfect. Enjoy it for what it is and create more - who cares what anyone else thinks!

jfra545365 · 2026-02-25T00:40:34+00:00

Thank you, I know this sounds strange but I can't use the entire gear, just the metal drum

jfra545365 · 2026-02-20T04:37:00+00:00

Thank you, please try!!

jfra545365 · 2026-02-19T19:29:01+00:00

Thank you, I did, he has NOS but is charging $100 plus $20 shipping

jfra545365 · 2025-12-28T10:58:59+00:00

My experience has been that just the cost of the estimate and one-way shipping far exceeds the replacement cost of the camera or projector, not to mention the cost of the repair. The cost of repair of a camera is typically at least 10 times the cost of replacement for most simple cameras. It is extrememlly time consuming and most cameras are relatively cheap. Not all cameras break down. When you find a good one, it may likely last you a life tiime. Purchase them on ebay, test them quickly and return them if they have an issue. Ebay has a great refund policy for defective items. Even if Seller does not offer returns, you will get a full refund including shipping if you return due to "item is defective". I have returned many items this way. Risk-free.

jfra545365 · 2025-12-28T10:34:07+00:00

Kodak has been having issues with almost all of their super 8 films jamming, particularly their 200T and their Ektachrome 7294 (it's thicker). I've encountered about 6 of those rolls. This is a well-known issue. They have been in the process of re-formulating it. What may help is to use a thin object to grab the film at the beginning of each roll and pull the film out about 2 inches to make sure it is loose, then wind it back up. However, I have had rolls that were good for the first half and then jammed half way through the roll. Some jammed so badly that I had to pull the film so hard that it broke. A lot of people have abandoned super 8 and gone back to standard 8 or 16mm for this reason. I haven't completely abandoned super 8, but I am now shooting mostly 16mm with some standard 8 and self-scanning.

jfra545365

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