David. Hats off to your superb video on how to use the B&H 253 AR! Ours is a 253 R, so only difference is ours has no "belts" to drive the spindles. Just finished viewing some 60-year-old 8 mm family movies! Your detailed video enabled me to go from hesitant for fear of damaging precious film to being confident enough to relax and enjoy some fun memories! Thanks sooo much from me and my family!
Thanks for your kind feedback. It is anxiety-provoking when you are dealing with precious, one-of-a-kind film from your past, so I am glad I helped you to be able to enjoy it.
I'm just a small step up from a beginner and have had those frustrations of watching videos that assume you know all sorts of things, when in fact, you are brand new to it. Glad you liked the video and it was helpful
This is a classic machine !! I have a couple. Just stay away from the self-loading models of these. If the film jams it is nearly impossible to get it back out
Your video is very interesting and useful. I have just purchased one of these 8 mm B&H movie projectors, model 253 AX. I do not know what the "X" letter stands for, but, according to what I have investigated on the internet, there are some variations of this model: 253 and 253 A (year 1953 - 1956): first version, belt-driven with belts that have to be engaged or disengaged to the spindles, as needed. 253 AX (year 1956): gear-driven with direct transmision by means of gears. 253 R and 253 AR (year 1957): with reverse (R). 253 RV (year?): with variable speed (V). 253 RY and 253 RVY (year?): with zoom lens (Y). I am not sure about how exact is the above information and if there are more model variations, but that is what I could find. Thanks.
Well done! Thanks so much for your amazing detail and for repeating each step. We've been trying to play our old film from the fifties but we tend to burn the film. If your detailed explanation will try again. Thanks
@@davidk4145 Over the past year or so we've tried to use my dad's projector several times to watch all of the films he took of us as kids. We always gave up because we became so frustrated trying to thread the film correctly. Today it worked! Your tips on You Tube made all the difference. Thanks for the memories from some Baby Boomer kids :)
Thank you so much for making this video. My husband bought me one and now I know what to do and a basic how it works so I don't mess it up. Now I just have to find a blank reel and a replacement power cord and a movie to play. I'm so excited. Any advice on what to clean it with? It's pretty dirty, I think people smoked while watching movies with it the dust is sticky brown on the outside.
Glad the video was helpful - hope you get the rest of what you need to get it up and running. In terms of cleaning I would start with a damp (not wet) rag with a bit of soap for the metal parts and then dry thoroughly. If you are going to clean the lens use special lens cleaning fluid and special cloth (like you might have if you clean your eyeglasses)
great video. Thank you for sharing. A lot of great information. I have discovered a similar model (221) from relatives and I need to find a belt. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi there, is it possible to take apart that adjustable lens, I took mine off and it looks cloudy and smudges on the inside, haven't used it in 12 years, thanks for your time and help
How do I get over my fear of ruining the machine and the film? My grandpa passed away and I want to watch his old films but am scared I’m going to break everything. This video gave me a lot of confidence though…still scared to start!
Thank you so much for this how to video. The projector I have belonged to my Dad and maybe my Grandpa?! The model is a bit different it is the 24R. Can you tell me how rewind the movie back onto the original reel?
The bulb says CZX 500W 115-120V. Mine was a GE bulb. If you search for it on eBay a bulb will come up. I do not know enough to say for sure whether you could use a different bulb but I would guess a bulb with the same specs from a different company may work (but I personally wouldn't try something that does not have the same specs). If somebody else knows better - please comment.
I'm really glad if this video was helpful. It can be frustrating when you're a newcomer to something like this and you have a hard time even knowing where to start! I hope you have fun with your projector!
Yes. this happens. Try to make the top loop and the bottom loop the same size (see 8:24 for a sense of what size the loops should be). Hope this helps.
@@davidk4145 well, I figured out what the problem is. The claw arm under the trapdoor isnt coming out all the way, and thus is not pulling the film through. The film isnt moving through the trapdoor unless the bottom set of wheels pulls it through, it just backs up at the top. I don't know how to get in there to fix it
Thanks for the video, I just bought a projector like yours to see some old family pictures. It was a great help!! Thanks again from Santiago, Chile.
So happy it was helpful!
David. Hats off to your superb video on how to use the B&H 253 AR! Ours is a 253 R, so only difference is ours has no "belts" to drive the spindles. Just finished viewing some 60-year-old 8 mm family movies! Your detailed video enabled me to go from hesitant for fear of damaging precious film to being confident enough to relax and enjoy some fun memories! Thanks sooo much from me and my family!
Thanks for your kind feedback. It is anxiety-provoking when you are dealing with precious, one-of-a-kind film from your past, so I am glad I helped you to be able to enjoy it.
We inherited a couple of these! Thank you for the great information, the kids and I appreciate it!
Glad you found the video helpful and thanks for commenting!
Thanks so much for this! And you even told us how to open the darn case! LOL Something other videos neglect to do! Thanks again.
I'm just a small step up from a beginner and have had those frustrations of watching videos that assume you know all sorts of things, when in fact, you are brand new to it. Glad you liked the video and it was helpful
Great tutorial. much appreciated!!!!! really didnt know the right way to operate this projector.
thank you.
Great - glad it helped!
This is a classic machine !! I have a couple. Just stay away from the self-loading models of these. If the film jams it is nearly impossible to get it back out
Your video is very interesting and useful. I have just purchased one of these 8 mm B&H movie projectors, model 253 AX. I do not know what the "X" letter stands for, but, according to what I have investigated on the internet, there are some variations of this model:
253 and 253 A (year 1953 - 1956): first version, belt-driven with belts that have to be engaged or disengaged to the spindles, as needed.
253 AX (year 1956): gear-driven with direct transmision by means of gears.
253 R and 253 AR (year 1957): with reverse (R).
253 RV (year?): with variable speed (V).
253 RY and 253 RVY (year?): with zoom lens (Y).
I am not sure about how exact is the above information and if there are more model variations, but that is what I could find. Thanks.
Wow - thanks for the additional research and information!
You are welcome.
Great explanation video - thank you!
Your welcome - thanks for watching!
Well done! Thanks so much for your amazing detail and for repeating each step. We've been trying to play our old film from the fifties but we tend to burn the film. If your detailed explanation will try again. Thanks
Happy to help - hope it works for you. Watching old films can really be a lot of fun.
@@davidk4145 Over the past year or so we've tried to use my dad's projector several times to watch all of the films he took of us as kids. We always gave up because we became so frustrated trying to thread the film correctly. Today it worked! Your tips on You Tube made all the difference. Thanks for the memories from some Baby Boomer kids :)
@@maryjofischer9196 Fantastic!
You have no idea how helpful this was!!
Thanks for posting and I’m really glad it was helpful.
Thank you so much for making this video. My husband bought me one and now I know what to do and a basic how it works so I don't mess it up. Now I just have to find a blank reel and a replacement power cord and a movie to play. I'm so excited. Any advice on what to clean it with? It's pretty dirty, I think people smoked while watching movies with it the dust is sticky brown on the outside.
Glad the video was helpful - hope you get the rest of what you need to get it up and running. In terms of cleaning I would start with a damp (not wet) rag with a bit of soap for the metal parts and then dry thoroughly. If you are going to clean the lens use special lens cleaning fluid and special cloth (like you might have if you clean your eyeglasses)
great video. Thank you for sharing. A lot of great information. I have discovered a similar model (221) from relatives and I need to find a belt. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi there, is it possible to take apart that adjustable lens, I took mine off and it looks cloudy and smudges on the inside, haven't used it in 12 years, thanks for your time and help
Unfortunately I am not sure and I do not want to give you bad advice.
How do I get over my fear of ruining the machine and the film? My grandpa passed away and I want to watch his old films but am scared I’m going to break everything. This video gave me a lot of confidence though…still scared to start!
Thank you so much for this how to video. The projector I have belonged to my Dad and maybe my Grandpa?! The model is a bit different it is the 24R. Can you tell me how rewind the movie back onto the original reel?
Go to 11:08 to see how I rewind this machine. Not sure if it is the same for your model. Thanks for watching!
What is the lamp number for this projector? Can they vary from one projector to another? Steve
The bulb says CZX 500W 115-120V. Mine was a GE bulb. If you search for it on eBay a bulb will come up. I do not know enough to say for sure whether you could use a different bulb but I would guess a bulb with the same specs from a different company may work (but I personally wouldn't try something that does not have the same specs). If somebody else knows better - please comment.
Hello! From what year is this model?
And does the Super 8 movies work on this equipament?
This model does NOT play Super 8 film. I am not sure of the date and can not find a year on the camera.
mate is this the same projector that Zapruder would need to use to p[roject any of the films he took with the camera he had?
not sure but it is old school
THANK YOU
I'm really glad if this video was helpful. It can be frustrating when you're a newcomer to something like this and you have a hard time even knowing where to start! I hope you have fun with your projector!
I cant get the bottom loop to stay. It gets sucked up and then I get a bouncy picture. Any fix?
Yes. this happens. Try to make the top loop and the bottom loop the same size (see 8:24 for a sense of what size the loops should be). Hope this helps.
@@davidk4145 well, I figured out what the problem is. The claw arm under the trapdoor isnt coming out all the way, and thus is not pulling the film through. The film isnt moving through the trapdoor unless the bottom set of wheels pulls it through, it just backs up at the top. I don't know how to get in there to fix it
I have a similar model for Super 8.
I try playing the film but it came all out of focus and wouldn't focus in what am I doing wrong
At 10:05 in the video it shows how to use the focus control. Have you tried that? If so what happens when you slowly turn it.
Does it play sound?
No it does not play sound.
Bottom loop is TOO BIG. You're scratching the film on that lamp house.