8mm Forum: Why Did Eumig Drop The "D" ?

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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 30, 2012, 05:32 AM:

I spent some time on the Super 8 Data Base trying to find the difference between the Eumig 820 Sonomatic HQS and the Eumig 822 Sonomatic HQS projectors.

Every detail was the same until I realised that the 820 was a Super 8 projector only, whilst the 822 was a dual-gauge model.

Up to these two models the letter "D" always indicated a dual-gauge machine, i.e., the 810D, so it seems quite strange that Eumig dropped the suffix.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on October 30, 2012, 06:02 AM:

Hi Maurice. They dropped the ‘D’ dual notation in favour of the ‘Sonomatic’ label as these were revamped models with some nice improvements and one or two not so good ones.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 30, 2012, 07:25 AM:

Thank you, Lee
I would be interested if you would kindly open up your comments.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on October 31, 2012, 05:36 AM:

The upgraded Sonomatic models included additional features and easy to spot as they had a larger black front to the lamphouse plus the counter. The Sonomatic system was designed so that you could automatically fade in at record points and out. It enabled you to accurately build layered sound tracks which was unique for 8mm sound projectors in 1976 and certainly in the cine clubs I was involved in they were the preferred projector. The 824 Sonomatic for instance came with the more desirable f 1.2 lens which Eumig boasted ‘ultra light output’, true frame counter, 15 watt amplifier, tone control etc. The 824 and 822 were of course dual gauge machines designed for the 70’s connoisseur film maker and home projectionist, so taking the clock back to 1976 these were fantastic machines to own and use. As mentioned some time ago I converted mine to two blade shutter for commercial films at 24fps and if using what were then the Xenophot lamps (now Osram) you got top performance from the 824 and still do. The only real down side to the new Sonomatic machines was that Eumig changed the lens focus system switching from the usual slot system to what can only be described at a dot on the lens. Over the years these do wear down causing the lens not to focus.

The Super 8 sound only machine 820 was excellent in that it had twin claws giving a rock steady picture as did the later series Mark S O&M, S802. Interestingly they kept the early 807D going as well and the late models and this can be spotted once again with the larger black fronted lamp house. Despite the Sonomatics poorly designed focus system the 824 is still very popular and possibly the best of the dual gauge sound machines today offering the best of both worlds for 8mm sound/silent projection. I have personal affection for the early 807D with my own machine still working perfectly possibly as it has been treated with great care since I got it as a boy.

For anyone looking to buy any used sound cine projector the real trick is finding one which has been loved and seen little or careful use.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 01, 2012, 11:20 AM:

We must be grateful for Lee's extensive knowlege of Eumig projectors.

It seems that the 824 is the model to look out for.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on November 01, 2012, 01:16 PM:

I have the Eumig 820 Sonomatic, and I agree with all the good things that Lee says about it. It is a great projector, and very gentle on film. Here is a photo of my 820, complete with the daylight viewer and Eumig extension speaker:

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on November 02, 2012, 02:01 AM:

I use my 824 Sonomatic as my dedicated standard 8mm sound machine..I have messed about with other models for years and always find myself going back to the 824...Even when i was without one for awhile due to my own carelessness (i dropped it in a parking lot) I tried to make other projectors live up to it, but they just can't, so I picked up another one and all has been right with the world again...The only drawback I have found is that for some reason I have one standard 8 print that seems to have been cut "wide" and I have found it is too wide for passing through the closed sound section of the 824 (ie: when it gets there it can't make it through so it jams) BUT I think this print is more the problem, and not the projector.....

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