Posts: 45
From: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Jul 2006
posted July 23, 2006 05:26 AM
Hi all
Finally got registered for the 8mm forums!
On the recommendation of a friend (who is known to sometimes haunt these forums) I have just purchased an ELMO ST-180EM super-8 projector for $A93. It looks very nice. I can't wait till it arrives.
Even nicer was when I was later looking around the Internet was seeing the same projector (admittedly in better condition) for sale at a much higher price of $US435.
This should give me a reliable quality super 8 projector for home use.
I understand the machine is dual track but not stereo. It puzzles me a bit why anyone would make a projector with dual tracks but not give one the facility to be able to record the two tracks as stereo left and stereo right. Or provide two amplifier sections to reproduce the two tracks separately. For the extra few $$ it would have provided a big lift in performance.
That aside it looks like quite a neat little package. The specs according to one of the above links are
quote:
Two Track Recording Automatic Load F 1.3/ 15-25mm Zoom Projection Lens 600ft (180m) Reel Capacity Forward and Reverse Run VU Meter for Recording Level 18 & 24fps Hinged Front Cover for Easy Access & Cleaning Balance Control for Two Track Recording Accepts External Speaker Has 5W Music Power Amplifier Built-in 5” Speaker Uses 12V-100W Halogen Lamp for Bright Picture Magnetic Recording and Reproduction
Posts: 784
From: dundonald,belfast,co.antrim,northern ireland.
Registered: Jan 2006
posted July 23, 2006 06:21 AM
Welcome to the forum peter.A very nice elmo you've got there. The problems will be anserwed very quickly on this forum;that is if you have any problems. I find other members very helpful indeed. The machine you have is the 600ft reel capts.of the ST1200. Its a great little workhouse,and will give you many hours of "REEL" film. Anyway welcome and enjoy.Andy.It's a great little projector.
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted July 23, 2006 07:42 AM
A good buy Peter; I think I am the friend who haunts these forums!
I am certain you will notice an improvement in picture and sound over your Sankyo.
I'm sure others will chime in here, but I did not know of a company making stereo Super 8 films when these projectors were sold in the late 1970's and early 1980's. In hindsight it does seem a little frustrating seeing the two tracks were always there on Super 8. It is just one of the reasons the GS 1200 is held in such high esteem..........and price.
Posts: 45
From: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Jul 2006
posted July 23, 2006 08:41 AM
Thanks David
Assuming there is a stereo sound pickup on the projector I suspect it would not take very much to modify it for stereo output.
The simplest approach would be to take the sound head outputs and feed them into a small fm stereo transmitter. Then all the sound adjustments (balance etc) could simply be done on one's boom box. Recording might take a bit more however.
Posts: 405
From: Suffolk. England
Registered: Apr 2004
posted July 23, 2006 03:04 PM
These twin track machines were introduced when single system sound cameras were available,so that you could add other sounds to the balance track,without risking the sound recorded by the camera,which couldnt be replaced.
Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006
posted July 27, 2006 06:30 PM
Hi Peter The ST180 is a good projector Movie Maker did a test report Oct 1983 issue. Years ago I brought one back from the UK the security at Glasgow airport gave the projector the once over. I was asked all kinds of questions regarding it, seemingly one of the security officers was a keen Super8 fan and asked me if I wanted to sell it, he had been after an Elmo for a while. I politely declined.
Peter I will type out Movie Makers Verdict.
Elmo always have had a reputation for building good equipment, and the ST-180-M is a machine that is modestly priced but up to the minute in design. In sound,the i.c. amplifier is quite unusually compact. The electronically speed-controlled motor is of the most modern design, and the whole machine is beautifully made, technically well thought out and highly efficient. We have no hesitation in giving the ST-180 our recommendation for being good value for money.