Grahame N's Web Pages


JEFE

9.5MM CINE PROJECTORS


I have been involved with and collecting 9.5mm cine films and equipment from my teenage days many moons ago (at the time of writing I am now 70 years old!). Despite visits to Spain and the various Balieric Islands I had never come across Spanish made cine equipment and even more recently at the equivalent of 'car boot sales' and 'charity shops' the only movie items were the usual popular 8mm stuff like Eumig etc. Since having my web-site up and running I think I first heard of the Jefe company from a collector in Australia who sent me a photo of an incomplete Jefe machine.

More recently I have had e-mails from a Spanish cine collector who detailed what he knew about the Jefe range of cine projectors. The best I can do below is reproduce his e-mail from 2012 - his good knowledge of English puts my Spauish to shame - my best is "Vino Tinto, Por Favor and a "Gracias" when it arrives - (excuse any lapses in spelling!

Hello Grahame,

I collected some information about Jefe projectors made in Spain during 1940 until 1960.
The manufacturer was,  "Industrias Saludes", placed at the city of Valencia.
Industrias Saludes was a Spanish family company who made different kind of toys.  Around 1940 they included in his catalogue some projectors,  first in 9,5mm and then same projectors went converted and sold for 8mm.

First models was the "Jefe 1"  and  "Jefe Baby".  All them just for small 15m. (50 ft) reels.  As a option for the "Jefe 1",  there was a special arm that mounted on the top of the projector, people could project 100m. (300ft.) reels.  The problem was the projector don't had reception arm, so was mandatory to throw down the whole movie. (Of course no good idea).

Then the "Jefe Super " appeared.  Also small model for just 15m. reels.

After those first hand cranked models, the company decided to make a bit more professional projectors,  so "Jefe Senior" and "Jefe Lux" appeared, all them with motor.  Nevertheless buyer could decide to buy the projectors with hand cranked as he prefered.
Jefe Lux was the first model with fan for the lamp due it used a more powerful lamp (75w.)  compared with all other models.

All Best Regards

Lluis

Lluis was also kind enough to forward illustrations of the whole range of Jefe cine projectors - at the time (2012) my (Freeserve) web-site was restricted to 15Mb and was really full! Now having changed to a much better provider I think there is about 1000Mb available! So see below for a few photos and the excellent scans from Spain - thanks so very much Lluis!.


JEFE 1 SILENT 9.5MM CINE PROJECTOR


Probably the first "Jefe" 9.5mm cine projector

The first Jefe 9.5mm cine projector was a simple affair, hand turned and just taking 15 metre / 60 foot spools; from what my Spanish collector tells us - this may date from 1940 or maybe a little earlier. Soon an exta feed arm was offered which could take 100 metre / 300 foot spools - but with no corresponding take-up spool of that size possible I guess long films just ran onto the floor!


The Jefe (model 1) but missing the base

The example above is curently in an Australian collection I believe.


The original Jefe 9.5mm projector, but with the 100 metre / 300 foot spool feed arm
but all that film is just going on the floor!! They all look very happy though!


JEFE "BABY" SILENT 9.5MM CINE PROJECTOR


The Jefe Baby 9.5mm hand-turned cine projector

The next Jefe 9.5mm cine projector seems to have been the "Baby" - this again was hand-turned and and just accepted the 15 metre / 50 foot spools. Currently I have no idea of the lamp fitted or the details of the lens. Obviously no sign of sprockets and pressed-steel construction from the picture above. Effectively just a toy, but that is what the Jefe company specialised in at the time. I assume the knob on the lamphouse was for lamp positioning.


JEFE "SUPER" SILENT 9.5MM CINE PROJECTOR


The Jefe "Super" cine projector - also in 8mm & plastic spools - maybe post-war?

The Jefe "Super" cine projector seems to have appeared next - shown with plastic spools means it must be post-war - 1950s perhaps? From the scan above there was a model for 8mm also. Now we can get some idea of the lamps used - 6 volt 7 watt -probably an upmarket torch bulb! (The Pathé machines must have been much much brighter - the "Ace" was now fitted with a 20 watt bulb). Hand-turned, no sprockets, but a couple of rollers to reduce the pull of the take-up. Still only 15 metre / 50 foot spools. We can see on the side of the projector a clue as to the supply voltage - 125 volts - up to the 1950s much of Europe was 100 - 120 volts like the USA - there was no doubt a dropper resistance in the base for the 6 volt projection lamp.


A Jefe "Super" 9.5mm cine projector 'in the flesh' but a bit worn!


JEFE "SENIOR" SILENT 9.5MM CINE PROJECTOR


The Jefe "Senior" cine projector 8mm or 9.5mm versions, maybe 1940s (metal spools)

The introduction of the Jefe "Senior" cine projector heralded a few improvements for the Jefe range. The "Senior" could take 100 metre / 300 foot spools and had a 6 volt 20 watt projection lamp - getting brighter! It was also motor driven - run from the 120 volt AC mains supply. There were just rollers to cushion the film movement with a sprung 'snubber' to control the take-up - a bit like Pathé models. Looks like a cast metal base. The "Senior" was available in 8mm and 9.5mm models.


Jefe 9.5mm "Senior" cine projector


JEFE "LUX"SILENT 9.5MM CINE PROJECTOR


The Jefe "Lux" cine projector - 8mm or 9.5mm models and motor drive!

The Jefe "Lux" must be from the 1950s I guess (plastic spools again in this scan). But look - the "Lux" was motor driven (but could be supplied just hand-turned), and it took those 100 metre / 300 foot spools. Looks like just rollers to cushion the feed and take-up. Lluis tells us that the 10 volt 75 watt lamp was fan cooled and presumably transformer fed - hopefully rather better results with this low voltage lamp. Pressed-steel construction.


Jefe "Lux" 9.5mm projector - back view


 

 

Again any extra information would be appreciated!

Grahame L. Newnham - 22June2015


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Created 21Jun2014 ....... Last updated: 03 September 2017 ............ 95gearjefe.htm ............. ©MCMXV Grahame L. Newnham