8mm Forum: Been thinking about converting.

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Topic: Been thinking about converting.

Michael O'Regan
Film God

Posts: 3085
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Oct 2007

posted November 01, 2007 10:48 AM

Hi,
I've been collecting 16mm for about 18months. Haven't had anything to do with 8mm since my teens. Lately I've been toying with the idea of collecting 8mm,either alongside or instead of 16mm.

Any pointers on a good projector? I would primarily be interested in collecting Features.

Are there any 8mm machines that have manual threading? - this is a part of projecting that I really enjoy, having come from a cinema background.

Would appreciate any input guys 'n' gals.

-Mike.

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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006

posted November 01, 2007 07:33 PM

Michael,

One of the things you will discover here is that there are some serious Elmo fans, myself included.

I have the Elmo St1200HD and it is one of the best handful of Super-8 machines ever made. 1200-ft reel capacity, 2-track playback of sound, metal construction, and just an all-around feeling of it being a scaled-down 16mm machine. It is still fairly readily available on EBay, and at dealers from time to time.

Bauer and Eumig machines also have fans here, but if reel size is an issue, you should go with the above-mentioned.

If you want to get into the statosphere, there are the Elmo GS1200 (one of our benign rulers, Mr. Faulkner, is a leading proponent of this beauty), the Beaulieu, and the Fumeo. All feature 1200-ft or longer reels (the Fumeo MUCH longer capacity) and a wealth of features. All you need is to locate one of these in good shape and to be able to pay for it, and both requirements are getting tougher by the day, as I see it.

A full-on manual-threading machine in that league I cannot say I know of; perhaps someone else can chime in on this. The Elmo has fairly fool-proof auto threading as long as you trim your leader on the little blade Elmo attaches to the front of the machine. It has never eaten any of my films per se; only when I was optimistic/dumb enough to feed it semi-mangled leader did it really object.

So, from me, being biased, the Elmos are lovely, long-lasting machines that also 'satisfy' in terms of operational touch, and produce very nice images and sound.

I'm sure you'll hear more.

Best,
Claus.

--------------------
"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)

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Mark Todd
Film God

Posts: 3846
From: UK
Registered: Aug 2003

posted November 01, 2007 08:18 PM

Hi Michael the only full manual threading machine I know of that would fit your bill would be the Fumeo with 2200` or 2300` arms they are literally a 16mm chasis garbed out for super 8. They are a right old rugged construction beastie and the picture qaulity with the 1.1 xenovaron and the twin blade shutter is superb and steady as a rock.
I don`t find them as nice to use as an elmo but they are superb and many owners swear by them.
You should be able to pick up a belter for £400 second hand and about £500-£600 from a delear in good order. Our very own Mr O Reiley of Perrys movies sometimes has one in and he`s very fair.
All manual threading and very kind to films and not too fussy on various film stocks. They are a very very good machine.
For now why not look out for a small 600 foot elmo to get you off the ground, from £40-£100+ you can get a lovely runner then sell it on when you upgrade or keep her as a spare. St160 600 180 sc18 .
Good luck.
best Mark.
PS can anyone upload an image of a fumeo, I can`t seem to manage it on here.Thanks.
Micheal I found a pic of a nice Fumeo super 8 machine if you email me I will send you a pic.
Best Mark.

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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted November 01, 2007 10:53 PM

Michael,

I have a GS 1200, and will
manually thread it when in the mood.

Although it is a little tricky.

--------------------
Isn't it great that we can all communicate about this great
hobby that we love!

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David Roberts
Master Film Handler

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

posted November 03, 2007 07:20 AM

i found the fumeo very fiddly to lace,a real pain in fact,because on super 8,the guides and rollers are so small.
if used with large reels,this wouldnt matter so much,but i didnt get on with mine for every day use,with 400 and 600 reels.

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