Today, I made the leap into 16mm! I now have in my possession a Telex Instaload XL that originated in a county library. After I clean it up, I'll post a photo or two. It came with a couple of free films, but I need a take up reel before I can view them. I'm afraid that I've passed a point of no return!

No need to return! :-)

I collected Super 8, and because of limited space I decided to not start with 16mm. Eventually I did anyways, and I am really happy I did. I still collect Super 8, but I love my 16mm films and the image quality it gives. And depending on what you look for it is so much more possibilities.

Congratulations! Enjoy your new projector!

It's a great gauge. Got any films yet? Steve Osborne has some nice titles

My pal Doug sent me a couple of 16mm reels not so very long ago. One contains some old television commercials (I love watching those). I think Doug must have sensed a machine was coming my way. I wasn't even planning on getting this, but I got a call today from an antiques dealer I had spoken with last month. I was in the car right away to take a look at it (about 35-40 minutes away). But how am I going to explain this monster machine sitting on our kitchen table to my wife???

Tim,
You'll really enjoy 16mm as there's loads of titles available in this gauge. Many full features and short subjects plus TV shows (and the list goes on!)

Timothy! Welcome to the club. When i met my wife i owned 2 8mm projectors. 35 years later there are appx.30 8mm, 20 16mm, one 9,5mm and one 35mm in our home. And we are still married, so don't worry. If she loves you, she'll accept your passion for the vintage technology

Timothy...Welcome to the wonderful world of REAL film collecting.
16mm is the way to go.
It bridges the gap between the amateur 8mm film and the professional 35mm gauge.
ENJOY !!!

I love old commercials too. Bought several from the US.

It was harder to explain the second 16mm projector than the first :-) Now I think she is worried I will buy 35mm, and to be honest, so am I :-) My wife has not complained, but we both start to think about where to store all the films. A new shelf is on its way :-) I could have been collecting old cars. That would be worse...

Well done Tim, you won't regret it, in many cases it is a lot cheaper than 8mm! The first 16mm feature I purchased was "The Living
Dead At The Manchester Morgue" for £200.00, years ago from Cork Films in Ireland, and I didn't even have anything to show it on, its
usually the way with me, film then projector. The catalogue of titles is immense, whatever your interest, there are thousands of titles
just waiting to be bought, whatever your choice Tim, Best of luck.

I am 'reel' excited about this! I've already ordered a 400' educational film from what appears to be the early 1960's. A young boy appears to be the main character in it, from the screenshots. It's titled "A Tree is a Living Thing".

One thing is for certain Hugh, the bulbs for the machine are WAY more plentiful and MUCH cheaper than the ones needed for my other machines!

My first 16mm projector: The Telex Instaload XL. So far, it's running like a champ! The 1200' take-up reel was sent courtesy of forum member Douglas Warren (Doug). He also sent me some films to get me started. I am watching a Harveytoon reel that he sent here. By the way, have any of you ever had to replace a spring-type belt on a 16mm machine?

Sorry guys, I had a bit of trouble adding the photos on the first try.