8mm Forum: sankyo stereo 800/user report/view.

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Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on July 18, 2006, 10:29 AM:

Hi there everyone.i thought i would give my views on this
excellent stereo machine.
It was Paul Adsett who give me the idea,following his superb
review of the Eumig S938.
Anyway here it goes...
This machine came out in the spring of 1978;and its one of the
best ever.
The stereo 800 was slightly larger than the old 700 model,and
was Sankyo's top model..there it remaimed.
The finish is in black,with white function labelling.
Threading is fully automatic and very reliable,the film could be removed part way thru,by taking of the front cover and pushing open the gudies and pressure plate.
it takes super 8 and single 8 film;it came with an 800 ft take
up reel as a standard accessory.
Another good idea was the heads only come into contact with
sound film only.neat.
A large rotary switch control all projectors funcations.
Thats the movement of the film,reverse and forward projection
and of course sound and lamp postions.
The height was changed by turning of the front foot.
There's an inching knob that worked well.
This was a rather cunning design,since it doesn't revolve while
the projector is running.A good safety point!.
To advance the film by the knob,it must be pushed in and then
turned.For sync use that knob is useful,because exactly the right start frame can be movedinto the gate.useful for cueing sequences.
There was two lens used with this machine-the supplied one was
Sankyo's f/1.4 with 15-25mm and a f/1.0 15-30mm zoom lens.
The lamp is a 15v/150watt type,with a dichroic mirror.
This of was meant that the light output would be excellent
and so it is.Sankyo also give us a high/low light output.
I was delighted in the light output,the low is excellent for
normal home shows.
Anyway as its name suggests this was a stereo model and
it lives up to that.
It's one of the best sounding projectors i'd ever heard
and still is.The feature list is superb with sound dubbing,mixing
and track to track transfer.
Sankyo supplied a pair of stereo headphones with this machine,
and one mic.Also sankyo give a 5 pin din/rec/playback/;two line inputs,two outs and headphone socket.The line/mic inputs/outputs
are of the 3.5mm jack type.Headphone is the 6.3mmjack.
I use my Sankyo stereo 800 a lot,to me its one of the easist
machine ever!.
The internal speakers are in my view the best i've ever heard,
A great machine,i use this as a back up for my ELMO GS1200;in
some ways the 800 is better;its smaller in size and much more
easy to use.Track one of those cracking 800s down,you will not
be dissapointed.A real cracker.Andy.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 04, 2006, 02:38 PM:

Nobody got any views on this machine?.Pity.Andy.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 04, 2006, 03:10 PM:

I do!

It's well-designed (...except for certain models that have no fuses whatsoever...) ... bright light, gentle and reliable film transport, not too noisy, very good sound (and very good stability too, no wow/flutter whatsoever) - has a wealth of possible combinations of single-track or stereo recording/mixing/monitoring - IMHO a really nice machine for those who can't afford a GS-1200 but still want true stereo from their films. Pity the Hi-Pro 1:1.0 lens is so hard to find (and actually the focus adjustment is too coarse too, it takes a bit of fine-tuning to get it just right).

Overall I like this machine quite a lot. (I got 2, actually - one that I've been trying to sell unsuccessfully, and one that would run perfectly except the motor control board appears to be bad, so I'm hoping to find another for-parts machine down the road.)

There's one minor design flaw: when switching into forward projection mode (particularly after running in reverse) it takes a moment for the take-up reel to get up to speed. In the meantime a loop of film forms which is then pulled straight with a sudden jerk by the reel. Not a good thing especially for acetate film... so I like to turn the reel by hand for a moment while I engage forward mode, and then I let go and all is well.

But other than that... Thumbs up! [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 04, 2006, 03:22 PM:

Well said Jan.I too love this machine to bits.As you my know
i've been having a problem with half the picture out of focas.
BUT i still think it's a real beauty of a machine.Andy.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on August 05, 2006, 02:17 AM:

This is a machine i often tried to pick up, i either always missed them or they were out of my reach financialy at the time. Ive never seen one in action but do understand them to be top notch machines, be good to see a good image of one to remind us what they lok like.
[Wink]

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 05, 2006, 09:55 AM:

http://film.club.ne.jp/images/p_sankyo800large.jpg

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on August 05, 2006, 02:04 PM:

Thanks Jan, a very good looking machine.

Posted by Heinrich Kronschlaeger (Member # 145) on August 06, 2006, 01:03 PM:

At the Sankyo 800 I use a Xenovaron 1.1 lens , diameter = 32 mm . It fits exactly in the mounting plate of the lens, I only had to drill something such as the leaders for the pin at the original 1,4 objective. I think , such Xenovaron`s ( 1,1 or 1,2 ) are used with a Braun Visacustic or with a Beaulieu . Xenovarons for the Bauer machines (with pin and too small) do not fit.
Henry

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on August 14, 2006, 02:49 AM:

It's good to know that others think of the Sankyo Stereo 800 as highly as I do, this really is a great machine an like you Andy; I tend to use mine on all those occassions that I don't need the GS 1200.

One of the great things about all the Sankyo models is their reputation for being kind to film, I have yet to see a film either scratched or in any other way damaged by a Sankyo projector.

The sound is belting and the optics, especialy with the Hi-Pro-Zoom lens are great.

A truely great machine!

Mike [Cool]

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 15, 2006, 12:27 PM:

HI MIKE,My sankyo did mark my films,but the gate was banjod.Andy.
P.S its still a cracking machine.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 15, 2006, 06:36 PM:

So... who wants to buy mine?

[Eek!]

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 16, 2006, 03:21 AM:

Yes the Sankyo is a vry nice performer but they are well renowned for their gate wear so that an area to keep an eye on.
They do have nice sound from the built in amp but I think some of that is down to the actual speakers used inside the machine. BTW they use the same motor as the main motor in the GS1200.

Kev.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 16, 2006, 01:38 PM:

I know about the gate wear.Andy.
It's still a great machine though.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 16, 2006, 04:30 PM:

It's a shame they didnt do the 800 as a 1200ft version.

Where's "The Doctor" hes got two to play with. Another project for you Jan [Big Grin]

Kev

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 16, 2006, 08:46 PM:

[Wink]

Actually, the machine I got off Michael Clark had already been modified for 1200ft capacity [Wink]

unfortunately that's the one with the defective motor control board... and I'm not sure I really want to do the same mod with the other (perfect) machine - though I wonder if that would make it more attractive to potential eBay buyers?

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on October 04, 2006, 12:46 PM:

Is it me or does the sankyo stereo 800 has better playback sound than even the GS1200?,thru a a/v amp.Maybe i have cloth ears.Andy.
What do other members think.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on October 04, 2006, 03:32 PM:

Andy

I agree about the sound. The machine is so quiet . A joy to use.

Kev, how do you spot the gate wear?

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on October 04, 2006, 04:04 PM:

The sound quality on the Stereo 800 is certainly as good as that on the GS, especially when played back through an external amp.

These are very underated machines.

Mike

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on October 04, 2006, 05:12 PM:

Mike
sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Barry might come down by 50% [Big Grin]

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on October 04, 2006, 07:10 PM:

Well I hate to say it but I liked the sound of the Sankyo better than my GS! It was so round and full...really a wonderful sound. But..even with the 1.0 Hi Fi lens the picture still lacked the sizzle and definition of the GS. I used it for a few films and I had to take out the GS again..!
Soon I'll have a review on the Beaulieu 708EL Stereo! I broke down and got one.. [Smile]

Its on its way from Sweden! Sorry..slightly off topic.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on November 11, 2006, 10:02 PM:

Has anyone ever treated the 800 gate with 3in 1 oil?.Just asking because it's meant to stop film judder.Andy.
P.S It doesn't seem normal to me!.

[ November 12, 2006, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Wilson ]

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on November 14, 2006, 12:26 PM:

Tony that's easy re-gate wear.the film jumps in the gate and the lower loop is lost.
Also if you put your fore-finger on the top spring it shudders violenty.That in my view is the only con on a otherwise great machine.Andy.
P.S I still love this machine.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on November 14, 2006, 01:15 PM:

Andy

An illustration or two for your thread [Wink]

;

Mike

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on November 14, 2006, 01:16 PM:

quote:
Soon I'll have a review on the Beaulieu 708EL Stereo! I broke down and got one.. [Smile]
Its on its way from Sweden! Sorry..slightly off topic.

OT continued: Alan, if you already use a Schneider lens on your GS, you will like the Crisp image projected out of the Beaulieu, it's on the blueish side which makes it look "whiter" than the yellowish-white image of the GS even at 150w. Have fun with the micrometric focus system [Big Grin]

. And be prepared to get the GS out again as the sound isn't as good on the Beaulieu. Threading and manual unthreading is a dream, though.

Mike, I see that you still have a big soft spot for Sankyos...

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on November 15, 2006, 10:54 AM:

Thanks Mike for that.Now to get the thing fixed once and for all,hopefully.Andy.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on November 16, 2006, 10:48 AM:

Mike-

That broushure brings back memories! That was the very one I had, that got me to purchase the Sankyo ST-800 over the ELMO GS-1200 [Eek!]

.

That picture on the front just looked "too cool" [Cool]

, and I could'nt resist. Just goes to show you the power of good advertising.

I carried that pamplet around with me to school (11th grade) for almost a year, until I finally saved up the $500.00 I needed for the purchase.

Good memory!

Nick.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on November 16, 2006, 12:17 PM:

Nick

Glad you liked it, it is a great front cover picture isn't it?! Strange how modern it looks and yet so very seventies!

I've got loads of brochures, mostly for Elmos and Sankyos and they are great pieces of seventies nostalgia. If there's any interest I'll happily post some more on here.

I've also got all the Movie Maker Magazines from 1972 through to about 1985 and there's some great stuff in there too, again I'll happily post stuff from there too if anyones interested... [Smile]

Mike

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on November 16, 2006, 12:21 PM:

A great idea there Mike.Go for it.Andy.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on November 17, 2006, 06:52 AM:

Mike-

If you happen to come across a product review for the Cano-sound or the Bell and Howell 33ST (or broshures), please let me know. I bought both of these projectors used and have been looking for literature on them. Thanks!

P.S.-
Did anyone else notice the race car in the broshure with "SANKYO" on the front of it? Wow! Thats like seeing a "DERANN" blimp floating over the superbowl football game [Big Grin]

.

Nick.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on February 04, 2007, 07:36 AM:

This is the greatest stereo 800 ever.Andy.

Posted by Peter Richards (Member # 738) on February 04, 2007, 10:03 AM:

Thanks Andy for bringing this review to the surface. [Cool]

Very interesting reading from a whole host of members,a machine that's worth a lot of thought if your intending to upgrade.

I was also thinking whilst reading,that as this forum has a print review section it would be great to have a Projector review section,somewhere for those of us that are not familiar with all aspects of the machines on offer.
Also if you see an interesting Projector on the bay or whatever then it would be great if by a few clicks on the 8mm forum you could get a run down on the machine.

Just a suggestion [Wink]

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on February 04, 2007, 10:37 AM:

Peter

If you're interested, I have the Movie Maker test report for the Sankyo Stereo 800 scanned. If you'd like a copy, send me a pm with an email address and I'll zap it off to you.

Mike

Posted by Peter Richards (Member # 738) on February 04, 2007, 11:59 AM:

You have a PM Mike, Many thanks

Got It, Time to sit back and have good read - Many Thanks [Cool]

Oh WOW and another on the 700.

Many Many thanks [Cool]

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on February 05, 2007, 07:37 PM:

What are the odds that this actually works and won't take hundreds of dollars and countless hours to fix?
Sankyo 800

Posted by Peter Richards (Member # 738) on February 05, 2007, 08:33 PM:

Oh dear,that's in a bit of a mess,i suppose for spare parts it might be handy for someone.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on March 08, 2007, 10:40 PM:

Still got mine for sale.... perfect working condition.... with accessories.... *ahem* I know, wrong forum, but hey.... [Big Grin]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 09, 2007, 02:56 AM:

Are you sure that projector did not come from a Skip? It does look a mess and perhaps missing parts. Best leave that one.

I am looking for the better lens for the Sankyo 800. The F1 jobby. Anyone help drop me a PM.

I do also like the Sankyo 800 and if memory still serves it was the first stereo machine I got my hands on when a London company had a massive sale on due to video cameras taking a grip. The best one I have is like new, and is good just to look at let alone use.

We are a sad lot....

I converted my 702 and one 800 to take 1200ft reels some years ago. If you have a spare machine you are not so fussy about it have a go, its worth doing.

1:Offer up a 1200ft reel on the feed arm and you will see you have to cut away the corner top of the lamphouse cover. Do this with a small hack saw.

2:As the film exits the left hand drive sprocket you will have to shorten the black film chute. Un screw this and also the black cover behind the volume knobs etc. You can now pop on a 1200ft reel onto the take up arm. Leave this on as you mark the chute ready for cutting. You will need to secure the shorter chute end with something to the machine and I used Araldite.

3:Double check you have very smooth edges on the film shoot before you fix after cutting.

4: Job done.

Now you can rewind on the machine, but as 1200ft of film is quite heavy I use rewind arms. If your rewind belt is slack you stand no chance or rewinding on the machine.

Depending what Sankyo model you have other sections of the lamphouse may have to be cut away, but check the areas of the machine which need cutting before you start just to make certain you are happy.

I would not do this mod on a treasured machine, but perhaps pick one up on ebay just for 1200 reel use?

The first machine I did was completed around 20 years ago and its still going strong...
Good luck.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on June 16, 2007, 04:16 AM:

Now on its way to John White for service/repair.Andy.
p.s I hope it's not in the same condition as my GS1200,eh Kevin?.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on June 16, 2007, 05:35 PM:

Fingers crossed mate. Take it the GS is still running ok?

I have to say that I still have a soft spot for the Sankyo 800. I had one of these some years ago and they are a delightfully simple machine to use. For though the letdown was the lack of control etc for recording and no pulse sync which is why I eventually got shot of mine in favour of the GS.
For a simple machine with a great spec the Sankyo fits the bill well.

Kev.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on June 17, 2007, 03:59 AM:

Yes Kevin everything with the GS seems fine.except the two reeler of Tora Tora Tora.The GS doesn't like that one!.
We ref. to the Sankyo stereo 800,well i still called it the greastest 800ft machine every made.It was the second machine i every had,and dispite the gate wear..a real beauty of a machine.Andy

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on June 20, 2007, 03:12 PM:

It should be in the hands of John White now!hears hopin.Andy.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on July 17, 2007, 02:24 PM:

Well gentlemen,got word back from John White.He says that the sound is faulty,and if heis unable to fix it,then he will send it back unrepaired.I know the sound is still there,i lightly push up the plate that is below the sound heads.That brings the sound back on.
I am now depressed,because i dont want to lose this excellent machine.Anyway i will post again,with the full results,when i get it back.Anyone else wanna have a go,if John White is unable to sort it out?.Andy.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 02, 2007, 09:52 AM:

Well Guys.Got it back today from John White.Things done were as follows.....
1/Dismantle projoctor for replace shutter assembley.
Cam follower also replaced.Cam lubriccated.
2/Pinch roller cleaned,sound head removed/replaced 4 small presure pads,heads reset.
3/auto threader mechanmism adjusted and reset spring supplied and fitted.Tonoral check.
So how much do you think that cost?..
Shipping/P&P was £20.00
Labour & parts £30.00.
Total £50.00.
I would think that's excellent value for money.What do other forum members think?.Andy.
P.S The Sankyo is back....

[ August 02, 2007, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Wilson ]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 02, 2007, 02:03 PM:

Andrew- That's an INCREDIBLE price! I wish someone in the U.S. could offer this service at a good price like that.

Let us know how its running, after you watch a few reels.

Have fun!

James.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on August 02, 2007, 05:15 PM:

Andrew
What a top guy. Can you pm me his address? I have a Eumig that needs TLC and perhaps he is the man to bring it back to like. I am not looking to sell and make a "buck" I just want to see it back and working at a price that does not break the bank....

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on August 02, 2007, 06:05 PM:

When I got my first 800 in the 80's I converted it to 1200ft spools which was a simple job. If anyone is interested pop a request here and I will post details in a week or so.
My 800 came with a 1.3 lens instead of the 1.4. I asked Vic Oddens when they were selling them off cheap if I could have one with the 1.3 so they changed the lens.
Bless them.
The machine is still going strong although I did change the gate a few years back.
Just completed our Star Wars tribute night and its now 00:05 so bed time. What a great scope feature SW is.

Posted by Craig Hamilton (Member # 258) on August 02, 2007, 06:15 PM:

Tony

Here is Johns Website. I have used him a couple of times myself, and his service is excellent.

John White

Craig

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 03, 2007, 12:37 PM:

Tony,I think John White went on his hols this week.Andy.
P.S Tony you have a P.M.

[ August 04, 2007, 03:21 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Wilson ]

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 11, 2007, 07:08 PM:

Thought i give all you members the low down.Well the machine worked well for a week;but then a new problem has raised its head.The shutter sometimes refuses to run at all.I know this is must certainly NOT John White's doing.It's just one of those things.
Well anyone....Any thoughts?.Andy.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on August 15, 2007, 10:01 AM:

Now on it's way back to John White to get sorted.Andy.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on September 07, 2007, 11:11 AM:

THE SANKYO IS DEAD.ANDY.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on September 07, 2007, 12:11 PM:

I'm sad to hear that, Andrew [Frown]

.

Be sure to save it for parts though (soundheads, belts, etc....).

Do you have another projector?

James.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on September 07, 2007, 12:58 PM:

Thanks James.I think the motor died.Yes i do have another Projector.Its the ELMO GS1200.Andy.
p.s where is Mike Peckham and Jan Bister when you need them?.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on September 08, 2007, 01:43 AM:

Thank you Andrew for taking the time to do the review of the Sankyo 800. I remember when I got mine new from a London company it arrived with a fault. Having telephoned them it was going to cost me, a you man on a low wage at that time quite a bit in carriage to send it back so having a little training in electronics at that time I fixed myself which was a dry solder joint on the speed control circuit. Simple enough to cure and the machine gave trouble free service. Sankyo/Bell & Howell 8mm machines did suffer a bit from the machine soldered board problem I was told by the Noris service agent a few years later.

I totally agree re the compactness of the Sankyo Stereo 800, and a much better bet re lifting than the GS1200 which is a killer to lift on and off its shelf here. Needless to say the GS does not see the light of day quite so much as the Sankyo and I can also save money on a truss !

The Stereo sound heads seemed to have stood the test of time very well in the Sankyo also which is good to know as has just about everything else. Mine even has its original drive belt which has not as yet given way to slipping and as with my smaller machines they all get a fair bit of use here.

Thanks again for taking the time to put finger to keyboard and come up with a good review. Its always nice to know what folk make of different machines and we all have our own personal favourites I know.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on September 09, 2007, 04:23 AM:

Hey guys,I jumped the gun a little.The main problem with the Sankyo now is getting it to run correctly.When it does run a reel of film,
it stops dead at the end,and will not rewind back.I have to do it by hand.So basically no forward/reverse after stopping the machine.
Anyone out there every have this trouble?.Andy.
Sounds like dry joints,but where?.

[ September 09, 2007, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Wilson ]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on September 09, 2007, 12:10 PM:

Andrew. Is the motor running OK or is it not turning over when the film ends ?

If the motor is turning over OK I wonder if a belt has had it. If memory serves me right a large one runs along the inside (back cover off) and the top which drives the rewind. Might be worth checking this.

Hope its something simple.

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on October 08, 2007, 09:44 AM:

Could it be the speed switch?.youknow the one i mean.Andy.

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