8mm Forum: Praise For Eumig 824

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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on April 13, 2017, 02:43 AM:

The Eumig 824, introduced in 1977, was the last of the Eumig range which was suitable for Super 8 and standard 8 sound films. As mentioned recently in this Forum, it was attractive with its black finish and had an f1.2 zoom lens.

Extra features were a two-position switch for the lamp giving high and low settings. Other features were the addition of a tone control and a frame counter.

These are quite sought-after which tends to keep prices high but it is a projector to seek out if a decent dual-gauge projector is required.

http://www.filmkorn.org/super8data/database/projectors_list/projectors_eumig/eumig_824sonomatic.htm

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 13, 2017, 07:47 AM:

Unusually and very much untypically on the Super 8mm Database site, the motor fitted to this machine is described as an
AC Magnetic Motor?...Something of a conflict in terminology there as they generally use the term "Magnetic Motor" to describe a machine fitted with a DC Motor, typically with permanent magnets fitted to create the "field" for these motors, hence the term "Magnetic", as they permanently are, when this type of motor is fitted.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 13, 2017, 08:44 AM:

Yes, If I were to seek out another Eumig, this is the one I would be after.

All of my R8 capable machines are pretty minor-league, maybe 50W lamps at best. At least with this one I'd have something that could run with the big dogs!

In general the Eumig 800s are so simple they are almost spartan. That much said, I've had mine for 15 years. I've worn out cars, major and minor appliances and a couple of jobs, but not had a bit of trouble with it.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 13, 2017, 02:51 PM:

The 824D is indeed a stunning looking machine. Here's a pic of my 824D Sonomatic HQS which I purchased from Gary Crawford at the April 2015 Cinesea, and Gary very kindly gave me an exceptional deal on it:

It works equally well on Standard 8mm or Super 8mm - a brilliant design by the Eumig engineers. I love the rugged construction and compact design of all the 800's.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 13, 2017, 04:37 PM:

And its one we are looking out for right now.
We have an 822 sonomatic but would like an 824 to replace the 802 we have. [Wink]

Posted by David Roberts (Member # 197) on April 14, 2017, 02:47 AM:

The f1.2 lens on this is far better than the standard f1.3,and gives a bigger picture.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 14, 2017, 03:41 AM:

Defiantly, our 822 has the 1.2, what a difference,especially for the std 8s. [Wink]

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on April 17, 2017, 07:09 AM:

Thanks, Paul, for the kind words. Glad the 824 is working well for you. I have to give Steve Klare some credit, since he was able to perform some surgery on that 824 while at Cinesea to get it running perfectly. It was only after he worked on it that I sold it. He's a brilliant and warm person. So thank him as well.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on April 17, 2017, 07:21 AM:

I still have my Eumig 824 with F1:2 lens and it still runs great.
One of the most unfussy projectors ever when it comes to
running the various 8mm film stocks.

For me it was the best dual gauge they made.
Brilliant build and rugged with a great performance apart from
that infamous Eumig hum.

The best they made before the plasticky build of the later 900 series. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 17, 2017, 10:45 AM:

The 900 series have much better performance both picture and sound than the 800's, but as David says they are a step backward in terms of build quality and durability.
The ideal 900's would have been an electronic upgrade of the 800's with the high quality stereo capability of the 938 and 150 watt lighting:

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on April 17, 2017, 01:42 PM:

Paul you are correct there.
I wished the 900 series could have been built to the same rugged standards as the 800 series with the advanced electronics and picture performance of the 900 series included.

I like the picture very much. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 17, 2017, 03:48 PM:

You know David, I am wondering if pairing an 800 projector with the base electronics of the 926/938 is such a far fetched notion. After all the 800 already has the twin track heads in place that could conceivably be spliced into the existing head wires of the 900 stereo, and the power connections could also be carried up to the 800's transformer and switch. Might make a damn interesting project! [Smile]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 17, 2017, 04:40 PM:

If we were car collectors thinking like this we'd be more like hot-rodders than restorers!

We care a lot more what works well than what's original.

Somewhere I bet there are purist collectors that would be shocked.

"GS-1200: Still in the original packaging...seal never broken!" (This wouldn't be us...)

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 17, 2017, 05:09 PM:

Well Steve, I have often wondered why Eumig thought it necessary to retire the 800 series projectors. Here they had a superb little workhorse design with a very efficient and reliable mechanism that threaded flawlessly and never scratched a frame of film. An electronic upgrade similar to what I have illustrated would have saved them a fortune in design costs and new tooling, and arguably they would have ended up with a better projector.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 17, 2017, 05:32 PM:

Classic "new is better" thinking, I'll bet!

-yet every design is a roll of the dice, sometimes for better, sometimes not...

I'm all in favor of modifying my machines for improved operation: these are working pieces of equipment, not antiques.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 17, 2017, 06:11 PM:

I really like the 9' series. Aluminium chassis surrounded by Plastic and all!

My only very slight niggle, is the lens chosen for the S938 as opposed to the S940 and the friction drive system, which I really am not a fan of.

The light output isn't brilliant either on the 150w variants when compared to S936 or S934 which I have had the pleasure of seeing both in action and using on several occasions.
They both use only an A1 231 yet maximize it somehow to look hardly any different on screen to the flagship models?

If the light output however, was still the only thing I felt I could be slightly critical of, These machines would still gain my full respect and admiration.

Film handling wise, they are very much among the very best. This is a hugely important factor to most of us collectors.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 17, 2017, 08:12 PM:

Well, as you know Andrew I am a big fan of the 938, it's still my favourate projector. But I really would have liked a more rugged design like that represented by the 800's, particularly with heavier wall thickness on the various plastic components which are prone to crack. And I do agree with you about the 'optical levelling' lens on the 938. A nice feature for small screen shows, but you definitely need a higher quality lens to get the best from these machines.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on April 18, 2017, 02:46 AM:

There is the possibility that Eumig thought the 800 range to be too small and not look flashy enough like other makes of around the late seventies.
After all the white coloured earlier models the 824 was finished in black.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 18, 2017, 03:42 AM:

Yes Paul, We have discussed previously and also agreed, that the wall thickness of various plastic components could have been made a little better.

There is still no better buy though than a S938 in good working order when they surface. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, they offer by far the best value for money for the relevant prices I see them sell for.

They were offered originally and still are today,for far less than any other feature loaded model.

You simply cannot get more bang for your buck.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on April 18, 2017, 05:54 AM:

Paul i agree it should be possible to link an 800 mech with 900
electronics.
It should eliminate that Eumig hum and improve the sound quality
significantly.

Wow that would be a great machine.

I always disliked having to unscrew that flimsy plastic cover in
order to clean the gate and film path on the 900 series.
I also dislike that crap partially opening film aperture gate.
At least you could always remove the aperture plates on the 800 series ( and previous series 700s ) for a good old clean and scrub.
[Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 18, 2017, 07:06 AM:

I must admit David, the gate isn't the easiest in the world to clean thoroughly and often I did wonder why the lamphouse cover required a screwdriver to be able to quickly remove it?

Elmo Sankyo & Bauer had the edge in these two departments for their similar classed machines.

[ April 18, 2017, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Martin Dew (Member # 5748) on April 18, 2017, 07:59 AM:

Yes, agree with all points. It would have been fantastic if the S938 had a steel housing like the 800s. I do think the S938 looks amazingly contemporary, though - its design was well ahead of its time.

Someone who knows nothing about film projectors saw my S938 the other day and thought it was a new piece of equipment. I think it looks just as sleek and 'present-day' as any video projector or high-end hi-fi component.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 18, 2017, 08:44 AM:

Agreed Martin, aesthetically they are a very sleek and handsome design.
That are also one of the easiest in use, to duplicate one track onto another, something Bauer got very wrong with their design.

Here is a very useful part to place onto your wishlist Martin.
Over time, one side of the flimsy plastic will inevitably fail at some point or another. When it does it is very difficult to get the correct pressure onto the head.

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on April 18, 2017, 10:31 AM:

Yes just what the hell were Eumig thinking of when they decided to build cheap plasticky bits into their machines ?

Was it a cost saving exercise ? [Wink]

Posted by Martin Dew (Member # 5748) on April 18, 2017, 10:32 AM:

Thanks, Andrew. I've already clocked that piece on Van-Eck, realising I will probably need a new one at some point.

I assume it was the advance of VHS that drove all the Super 8 PJ manufacturers into hyper-drive when it came to the sophistication of model design in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Amazing what commercial market pressure forces a manufacturer to deliver when the going gets tough.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 18, 2017, 10:53 AM:

Most things consumer goods related, sadly did turn to plastic around 1981.
That included front and rear bumpers fitted to motor cars.

Anyone remember the cost of replacing a Ford Sierra colour coded one back then?
A bit pricier than that of it's predecessors, I can tell.
It was rare you would ever need a new one for a Cortina, Escort or Granada.

Posted by Martin Dew (Member # 5748) on April 18, 2017, 11:08 AM:

That's very true and, of course, I wasn't commenting on design sophistication in terms of plastic parts, I was only referring to aesthetics.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 18, 2017, 01:06 PM:

The Eumig 800's are nicely built, but a little...utilitarian aesthetically!

Mine is usually operating with one or two Elmo STs and those have a fairly sculpted look.

Then again, it's as if the boys in Vienna had a meeting:

"We need to design the external case for the 800 series."

"OK...what does the shipping box look like?"

-but as they say (-in another context entirely) "They all look the same in the dark."!

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