8mm Forum: Sychronizing 8mm/Super 8 with digital coping

This is topic Sychronizing 8mm/Super 8 with digital coping in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Gary Lee Hammond (Member # 5888) on June 29, 2017, 06:17 PM:

I've looked over the forum and maybe it's such common knowledge only a newbie needs to ask: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SYNC COPYING FILM TO DIGITAL. I have some ideas but think asking the experts is the way to go. At present I only have a working Elmo ST-600 to coordinate with a Canon Vixia HF G10.

Posted by William Olson (Member # 2083) on July 04, 2017, 05:48 PM:

I'm not sure I understand the question. Specifically, the word 'sync'. Are you asking about syncing sound to the copying? Perhaps your asking about the copying process itself?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on July 04, 2017, 09:26 PM:

Hi Gary Lee and welcome!

Your Canon camcorder should be fine for telecine captures. Set your camera frame rate to 60i. Your projector has to have variable speed adjustment to sync the projector to the camera. I've never had an Elmo ST600, but I do have an Elmo ST800. In reading some past threads it appears the ST600 has internal variable speed pots for 18 and 24fps just like the ST800. If this is the case you can remove the back and with a non-metal tool adjust the pots to sync with your camera. You will need to adjust the speed to 20fps. Either you can raise the 18fps or lower the 24fps. I don't remember which one I used. You can just do the adjustment visually by running the film and watching what is being captured on the camera. Adjust until there is no flicker or banding. It's not as easy as having an external speed knob...but it does work and I've had good results.

[ July 06, 2017, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Gary Lee Hammond (Member # 5888) on July 06, 2017, 11:21 AM:

Wow Janice! I had no idea I could vary that speed to synchronize with the camcorder. And yes William I was talking about synchronizing the shutters to avoid the flickering. Now the problem is my new drive belt broke from the motor to the shutter. Janice, how freely should the shutter blade move by hand? The gears are greased but I'm wondering if a tiny little WD40 or similar might help them all turn easier and avoid strain on the drive belt. The shutter blade turns easily by hand but I know that belt is turning everything to make the projector work. I've contacted my projector belt guy from ebay for his ideas on the belt that broke after such little use. Also, it is so hard to get that belt over the shutter pulley! Poor design .....any ideas there Janice? Thanks so much...

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on July 06, 2017, 11:53 AM:

Gary... If the gears are already greased...Do Not use any WD40. The spray could land on some friction roller parts and cause slippage that would be very difficult to reverse. The grease is enough. I would just apply the new belt and see what happens first. The original belt material very well could have be defective.

As far as installing the belt...all projectors are a little different. Sometimes a flathead screwdriver is helpful for squeezing the belt thru tight spots and sometimes you need to remove clips, clamps .... and even sometime unfasten the motor. That may not be the case with the ST600. Just take it slow... you'll figure it out [Smile]

If you run into a big problem...shoot a close up picture and we'll try and help out.

Posted by Gary Lee Hammond (Member # 5888) on July 10, 2017, 04:20 PM:

Janice, I hear you about the WD40 although it wasn't my idea to spray it just dab a little where the gears mesh but likely as you say it is the belt problem. Until the new drive belt gets here it won't be solved. My belt contact suggested using a butter knife to slip the belt through the narrow passage for the shuttle pulley which looks very similar to the st800 photo you sent.

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