8mm Forum: ST1200? ST1200D? ST1200HD? M? O? Etc?

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Topic: ST1200? ST1200D? ST1200HD? M? O? Etc?

Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 12, 2005 09:59 AM

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Lately I see quite a few Elmo ST1200's on eBay and I'm looking to snatch up one of them... however I'm (vaguely) aware there are different versions of it, also some earlier vs. later production runs with enhancements having been made down the road (I think)... two of the Elmo projectors on auction right now are both ST1200s without anything else in their name (no D or HD or M or M-O or even 2-track or anything like that). They also somehow look kind of plain in the photos, unlike the later ST1200HDs.

Long story short (I do take too long to get to my point at times!), are these early ST1200s worth bidding on? Any caveats or known issues I may run into? Or should I avoid them and go for the D or HD versions only?

Kevin, your turn. [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

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Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2005 10:16 AM

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Jan,

I'll leave the durability issue to Kevin, but from that group I would hold out for the ST-1200HD. The ST-1200D & the ST-1200D M-O are single track projectors and since the majority of new releases are in stereo, you wouldn't want to ignore that balance stripe. I picked up my HD on eBay for $260.00 and all it needed was $19.00 worth of new belts.

Doug

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I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Chip Gelmini
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1733
From: Brooksville, FL
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2005 11:33 AM

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OK maybe this will impress some of you. I might even become the 2nd Mr. Elmo. So here goes.

HONEYWELL ELMO ST1200
The first release of this basic machine. Offers very little to the imagination. No Aux output, you must use the external speaker output only with a line voltage dropper making the external speaker output auxilary output. Think this is called "Attenuater" but do not know if that is the right word. This unit is also light blue to lime green in color. Single track only, some had optical. Circa 1970's. A good parts machine for the ST1200 D. Not much good for anything else. Most will be in need of repair.

ELMO ST1200D
Silver and black in color, replaced the Honeywell Elmo unit. Singletrack only some with optical. Circa late 70's early 80's. Much better than the Honeywell. Added aux out in addition the external speaker output. Stronger amplifier output (I think). Some of these repairable, very few in good condition, some good for parts only.

ELMO ST1200HD
The last of the production line of this model. Replaced the ST1200D. Now with 2 track mag outputs, and rubber around the shutter blade to make it less noisy running. One drawback to the rubber it can carode and melt making a mess. Easy to clean if you are patient and have small fingers like those who built it. Easy to get parts to some degree, based on earlier models being available. Circa mid 80's. Highly recommended. A good machine that if in good condition and well maintained, will last a long time.

That's about all I know about this hope it helps some of you. Comments appreciated. Correct my knowledge if anything I wrote is in error.

CG

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David Roberts
Master Film Handler

Posts: 405
From: Suffolk. England
Registered: Apr 2004

posted February 12, 2005 02:26 PM

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Ive always done well with the ST1200D model. I prefer there not being rubber around the shutter,since once removed,the projector then runs at the wrong speed,because the shutter circumferance is smaller without the rubber.(see all the work Tom has done on this subject)

David

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Tony Milman
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1336
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2005 02:58 PM

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David, Chip

I have one ST1200HD model that has the rubber around the shutter (still in good condition) and one model that does not but clearly never did as the shutter is larger. Did Elmo modify the ST for this?

--------------------
Tony

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Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2005 05:19 PM

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The rubber round the shutter of the HD was not on the early versions of the HD that came later in the run. So its possible to buy an HD which doesnt have the rubber.
The rubber on the shutters will eventually perish and the easiest thing to do is to remove it completely. The difference in speed will be very small and probably not noticeable on the majority of sound films.
The HD is the most versatile of the ST1200 range and if your looking for an ST1200 then go for the HD. This will give you 2 track sound and via the monitor outputs you can feed the signals into an external amplifier to playback stereo soundtracks. You can only record in mono on one track or the other.
15v 150W lamp with the 1.1 or 1.0 lens and you have got plenty of light for a good sized picture. And of course it has the 1200 ft spool capacity.
If you are into optical soundtrack films then you can probably find an M-O model.

Kev.

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 12, 2005 06:49 PM

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Then it's settled, I'll be looking for a HD model - thanks everyone! And no, I think I'll do fine without optical sound (the only optical-sound feature I even know of is "Conduct Unbecoming" and that's not something I'm dying to actually own). [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

Nor do I see myself recording any sound, that's something my Bauer is quite excellent at doing thanks to its 2-track system and programmable frame-exact recording. [Smile]

[Smile]

As for the shutter rubber, I would think that even if the projector runs a tad slower once the rubber has been removed, surely the motor speed can be adjusted to bring the whole thing back up to speed?

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Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Tony Milman
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1336
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2005 01:11 AM

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Jan,

If anything the ST will run slightly faster since the shutter size is reduced so it will turn faster

Sadly the motor on the ST is not as versatile as teh GS 800 or 1200 because it is AC driven and apparently needs to be DC driven to be variable. I have to say this is the only complaint I have about my ST1200HD's

There are lots of optical prints and many are very well printed-I am sure there is a thread already in the forum on this

Update-yes there is one by Mike Peckham on 21st Jan
Mikes Optical List

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Tony

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 13, 2005 07:40 AM

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Faster ... yes ... you're right ... not slower ... faster. [Roll Eyes]

[Roll Eyes]

Thanks. I feel dumb. [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

The optical-features list is quite a surprise to me. Still, nothing really stands out that makes me go "OMG, I must have this print." Bottom line, if I win an ST1200HD-M, great, if it's an ST1200HD-M/O, great. Besides, I want to see you guys with your GS1200s try and re-record an optical print in stereo! ... AHA!? [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

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Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2005 12:26 PM

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Well Jan we cant rerecord an optical print into stereo but using the ESS system and the Pedro sync pulse unit we can run an optical film in sync with a DVD for better quality 5.1 sound etc on our GS's [Smile]

[Smile]

Kev.

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 13, 2005 01:56 PM

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Alright, LOL, you win. I'd forgotten about that part. [Wink]

[Wink]

Anyway, look what I just won! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3871961139&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT [Smile]

[Smile]

[Smile]

[Smile]

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Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Kevin Faulkner
Film God

Posts: 4071
From: Essex UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2005 03:49 PM

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Well done

[Smile]

Enjoy

[Wink]

Kev

[Smile]

--------------------
GS1200 Xenon with Elmo 1.0...great combo along with a 16-CL Xenon for that super bright white light.

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2005 04:07 PM

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Congratulations, Jan!

Looks like you got a nice one. Plus, it's obviously never been used! The film counter is still at zero....... [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

Doug

--------------------
I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 13, 2005 06:18 PM

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... That WAS a joke, right? ... Yes, I'm actually asking ... that's not like one of those lifetime counters with no reset button, is it?

[Eek!]

[Eek!]

EDIT

Of course you were joking. Phew, heheh. I'm embarrassed to have been had by you like that, Doug. [Smile]

[Smile]

I just noticed, too, the seller didn't say which lens this machine had... if it turns out to be better than the standard F1:1.3 lens I am going to do somersaults. Could I be so lucky? [Smile]

[Smile]

--------------------
Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator

Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2005 07:58 PM

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Jan,

You know as soon as I wrote that I thought "What if someone takes me seriously?"
Best of luck with the lens.

Doug

--------------------
I think there's room for just one more film.....

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