8mm Forum: Buying A Eumig P8

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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 27, 2014, 02:49 AM:

The standard 8 Eumig P8 (and its models with built-in tape synchroniser) was very popular in the 50s and 60s. So much so that there are always bargains available on eBay.

However, a replacement lamp could cost you more than the price paid for the projector!

The models are as follows:

1) P8 & P8 Imperial
2) P8m & P8m Imperial
3) P8 Automatic & P8 Phonomatic
4) P8 Automatic Novo & P8 Phonomatic Novo

The lamps for 1 are the A1/186 @ approximately £15
The lamps for 2 and 3 are the A1/193 @ approximately £30
The lamps for number 4 are the A1/215

The A1/215 is the FCR quartz halogen and is a current item. Maplins (ref FU88) are only £3.59.

As will see from the above it will pay to buy the Novo models.

A word of warning, the P8 was replaced in 1967 by the Eumig P8 Dual. It's a pity that Eumig still used the nomenclature P8 as this new model bears no relation to the earlier models in any way.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on February 27, 2014, 04:56 AM:

The Novo is very nice. Great wide 2 pin claw as well. You have an odd back to front film loading but you can just run them in the usual way as well then use rewinds etc.

Like you say Maurice re the bulbs the 215 is brighter, and a xenophot and seem to last forever.

We used to project from the top of a 4 feet high fridge freezer and knocked a Novo off on to the floor. What a crash. A couple of bits on the sprockets had to be clicked back on, but it was back running in minutes with the bulb still ok too.

I`m sure a good novo could last a 100 years.

All the P8,s I had seemed to like a free warm up run for a few minutes to get to a point the speed was fairly constant.

Little belters really.

Best Mark.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 27, 2014, 06:12 AM:

For those interested in the Novo. Click for pic.
http://home.scarlet.be/stef49/Collection/Eumig/en_Eumig_P8-auto.html

Posted by Thomas Dafnides (Member # 1851) on February 27, 2014, 06:29 PM:

The only problem with the Novos is that it does not have the lubrication spot wells of the earlier models...the central/disc claw mechanism requires disassembly to lubricate.
I remember someone on this board once described converting the base of an incandescent bulb to use with an halogen for the earlier P8 models.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 28, 2014, 06:07 AM:

My Phonomatic Novo instruction book says there is only one lubrication point, that is the red dot above the sound roller of the sound coupler. "All other parts of the projector have received life-long lubrication at the factory".

The lid of its original box has an address label marked Johnsons of Hendon and dated 18.2.64, so mine has just turned 50-years-old.

What life did Eumig anticipate for it, I wonder? It still looks as new.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 28, 2014, 06:36 AM:

Good luck in finding any commercial product todsy that will last 50 years. Our Kenmore washing machine, now all of 8 years old, needs to be junked. It's cheaper to replace it than have it repaired. Our previous one lasted 30 years. So today, everything is designed to a specific (short) lifetime, so there is a steady demand for new product.
We are fortunate that Eumig, Bolex, Elmo, designed their projectors to last. Heck, my 1922 Pathe Baby still runs like new.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on February 28, 2014, 12:55 PM:

It seems like nobody makes anything to last anymore ...

Heck, I'm STILL using my Realistic brand Dolby surround processor, which I bought way back in the late 80's, ( believe, I'm not quite sure of the date, but I have had that thing forever it seems).

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