|
Author
|
Topic: PROJECTOR REVIEW
|
Lee Mannering
Film God
Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006
|
posted March 21, 2011 10:50 AM
I was not certain if we had ever started a series of posts on here looking at some of our favourite movie projectors or not, so if one is already up and running forgive my enthusiasm for the following machine.
BOLEX SM80 ELECTRONIC
I’m sure we all have our favourite Super 8 projectors in mind but I have a great affection for the little Bolex SM80 Electronic machine. Introduced in 1975 it was essentially a deluxe Eumig although licensed with the Bolex brand name and decorated in a delightful black paint job. I say deluxe as the Bolex versions were very much aimed at the discerning film maker who valued the name attached to the machine. At the time the SM80 and its smaller brother SP8 looked quite futuristic with its eggshell paint job, illuminating function lights and not least its F1.2 zoom lens so quite a sight at any 70’s film evening I can tell you. Of course the giveaway it was produced by Eumig was the second the mains plug was connected and we heard the familiar sound of the motor ticking over, also drawing air through the machine cooling the lamp. But the Bolex SM80 was not quite like any Eumig as it had some interesting tweaks up its relatively small sleeve. Amazingly the manufacture brief was to add even more electronics to this beastie to the point that when you change speeds from 18 to 24fps two indicator lamps light so you can see which speed you are running at in the dark. The machine also had a series of red LED’s which illuminate to give you an indication of recording levels which is a handy feature when using manual level for recording. A 4 digit frame counter was also included and interestingly the machine was twin track, with the track switch accessible externally to enable changing tracks without removing the lamp house cover. It also has a socket to the rear to enable double system connection for external tape deck so ideal for the film maker as well. The fitted as standard 1.2 multicoated lens delivers a good performance and in my time I have projected onto a 8ft screen without problem in a dark hall, and all that from a 100 watt lamp. Sound quality from these machines I found to be good and my Bolex machines still produce good sound today with no audible loss of level due to any kind of head wear, after all these machines are now 36 years old or there abouts. Incidentally my thoughts on Eumig or Bolex machines having soft audio heads is not that of the masses as I have yet to experience any problems. This could be partly due to my using tape splices as soon as they became available instead of cement which bashes the living daylights out of a sound head being near double the thickness when spliced together with cement. Another useful feature was a public address facility and of particular use when a lamp blows or you want to tell your audience to settle down. With a 600ft spool capacity, 15 watt audio amplifier and a nice 3 watt pilot light which switches off when you start projection the Bolex SM80 Electronic is a nice little machine which I am sure, certainly in my case has stood the test of time. Its no Elmo GS1200 or ST1200 for that matter should that be what tickles your fish, but value for money it packs a nice little punch pound for pound and a delight to use. Just to top it off they also incorporated a two pin claw on this model which give a nice steady picture instead of the usual single pin type. As you can see I am rather fond of the SM80 and also its bigger brother SM80 Programmatic with even more features. Yes all similar to some of the later Eumig machines but with just a little more features to temp you.
Photo: Left the Bolex SM80 Right Inside the back cover
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Klare
Film Guy
Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
|
posted March 22, 2011 08:07 AM
This is what Mr. Adsett wrought on the subject of internally cleaning Eumig heads:
"FOR A THOROUGH CLEAN, THIS PROCEDURE TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES, AND REQUIRES DISSASSEMBLY OF THE SOUND HEAD).
1. Set the control knob to the Forward position then pull off the black control knob at the side of the projector. Remove the lamp housing cover.
2. Pull off the volume control knob and the mixing control knob.
3. Undo the screw located between the volume control knob and the mixing knob, and pull the side panel forward and out to expose the inside of the projector.
4. Unplug the sound head, then undo the single screw which bolts the sound head to the chassis wall.
5. Remove the sound head.
6. Look at the sound head. There are a total of 6 screws in view. Do NOT touch the four innermost screws, they are used for the critical elevation and azimuth alignment of the sound head to the magnetic tracks on the film. Undo the 2 outer screws to remove only the MU-METAL magnetic shield, and the pressure pad assembly. You now have total access to the heads and pressure pads for a thorough cleaning with alcohol. Be very gentle in wiping the head areas. You may wish to de-magnetize the heads while you are at it, using a Radio Shack tape- head demagnetizing probe. Also polish the film channel and pressure pads with Pledge or Favor furniture polish.
7. After cleaning, reassemble the mu-metal shield and pressure pad assembly to the head, and tighten down the 2 outermost screws.
8. Align locating hole on the sound head with the pin in the chassis, and bolt back into place with the single screw. Plug the sound head back into the wall connector.
9. Reassemble the side panel, audio knobs, and Main control knob. Return the control knob to the OFF position."
This is quite a process, but the neat thing about it is is esposes the inside of the sound head so it can be cleaned directly. Obsviously it can't be done on the fly like the typical Elmo, but it takes away the worry of leaving something nasty behind because we can't see it.
[ March 22, 2011, 09:47 AM: Message edited by: Steve Klare ]
--------------------
All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...
| IP: Logged
|
|
Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
|
posted March 22, 2011 04:28 PM
Thanks for that great test report Lee. I agree with Steve that the Eumig's seem to stay noticeably cleaner than the Elmo's, for whatever reason. They are great little machines, perfect design for home use, somehow making the Elmo's seem a little big and clumsy in comparison. Stick an f1.0 lens on one of them and you really have a great performing projector. Still, the 930 and up Eumigs are much better performers, even though they don't have that compact, rugged beauty of the 800's.
I have always wished that Eumig had developed a stereo version of the 800's, complete with an outboard mixing console like the 938 stereo:
I did a test report on the Eumig 938 Stereo for this forum, so if Doug wants to start a projector test report section, my report can be pulled over and added to Lee's.
--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
