8mm Forum: ELMO ST-180EM purchase

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Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 650) on 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.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110011296031

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.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190011712051&ssPageNa me=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX

And another for $US280

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15255&item=7599899630

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

Any known problems to watch out for?

Regards Peter

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on 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.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on 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.

David

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 650) on 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.

Regards Peter

Posted by David Roberts (Member # 197) on 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.

regards david.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on 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. [Smile]

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.

Movie Maker Oct 1983

Regards Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 650) on July 27, 2006, 09:47 PM:

Following on from the above.

Let's say I have a film with a soundtrack in a foreign language on the main stripe and the balance stripe is blank.

Can I, using a dual track projector such as the one above, record new sound on the balance stripe without deleting what is on the main stripe?

Regards Peter

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on July 27, 2006, 10:41 PM:

Yep!

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