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Author
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Topic: New member/new Elmo ST1200 experience
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Matthew Newman
Junior
Posts: 9
From: Berlin/London
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted April 27, 2007 03:57 AM
Hello everyone! My name is Mat, and I've recently followed with pleasure your discussions about 8mm projectors before making my own purchase.
In a toss up between an Elmo ST1200HD and a Bauer 610, I went for the Elmo, largely due to the enthusiasm expressed for them on this site, not to mention the enthusiasm of the man in the shop (Foto Braune in Berlin). My own feeling was simply that the metal casing might bode well for extended future use.
Last night was the first time I've ever seen anything projected on film outside of a cinema. It was almost everything I'd hoped for. Even my girlfriend, who like me is also a digital baby with HD everything, was charmed. Nice bright and large picture, and even if the film kind of stank (Bruce Lee chop socky) it was a genuine thrill to see moving pictures projected freely as light on a screen, instead of as pixels stuck behind a piece of glass.
But it was LOUD! I mean, the mechanical noise was surprising. Clack clack clack. I had to turn the volume way up to cover it, and it ended up being a war between mono sound, the background hum of the amp, and the Elmo cranking over. I was expecting a pleasant hum, like a whirring, and not a crank sound.
This is my first projector - I have nothing in my experience to compare it to. Do ST1200 owners out there rate it as a noisy machine? Or could something be wrong? It didn't sound broken. The shop technician said he had overhauled it before selling. They're the only 8mm place in Berlin, and well recommended, so I suspect it is what it is.
Everyone has his own feeling for loud, so I'll try and be precise; when I was standing next to the Elmo during projection, my girlfriend and I had to practically shout to each other to communicate.
If anyone has anything to say about Elmo noise levels, and the Elmo in general, I'd love to hear it.
Glad to be on board,
Mat
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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted April 27, 2007 06:29 AM
Hi Matthew, I would also like to add my welcome to you, to the world of film collecting and projecting and all of the joys (of which there are many) and somne of the frustrations, too. You must realise that you cannot compare projecting film, whatever the guage,with its video or digital counterparts. The noise of the film going thru the machine is part of the enjoyment. However, like Lee, I also own a Elmo ST1200 and GS1200 and they are not "noisy" machines. If your machine is as noisy as you say then I would think something is most certainly wrong. You shouldn't have to adjust the machine sound volume to "overlap" the machine noise. Lee's theory about the loop is your first "port of call" I would think.
I am not qualified to comment on what your problems could be - there are eminently better qualified than I (come in MR.Elmo). However if you purchased the machine from a shop, who claims to have serviced it, then I would take it back, or at least speak to them about your concerns.
The problem is that when someone describes a "noise" it is never the same as "hearing" the noise and to someone who is new to the hobby it may seem excessive, but in fact can be quite normal. I'm sure there are more than enough members to give you all the re-assurance, help and advice that you will need to overcome any "teething" problems you may experience. As the saying goes "We've all been there at some stage".
I hope you solve your "problem" Matthew and start to enjoy what is probably the most addictive hobby there is. Warmest regards.Keith ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
--------------------
"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".
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Matthew Newman
Junior
Posts: 9
From: Berlin/London
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted April 29, 2007 12:45 PM
I'm attempting a home service on the Elmo.
Lee, you suggested checking the picture loop under the gate; following pics are at 18fps transport.
They're lightly looped as film transports - I assume this is correct. It kind of flutters.
"Another problem could be failure of the rubber belt which covers the edge around the shutter just in front of the lamp. Its worth checking it is in place (the black belt) just in case someone has removed it as the do perish with age."
Well, there's this;
Which seems to be such a wheel, and is indeed naked. I went through what spares came with the projector, and found two rubber belts;
However, when I try and hook the larger belt around the rim of the metal wheel, it is too tight and stops the wheel spinning, besides being impossible to hook around properly. Ought it go on the inside rim of the wheel? I have no repair manual for the projector which might illustrate this procedure.
If you think this is too complicated a job without proper tools, but is worth doing, then I'll just take it back to the shop for a fix up.
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