8mm Forum: Problem using 1200' on ST-1200D

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Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 07:21 AM:

I just got my first 1200' and when I project it, it has optical sound. There was no sound when I tried it first, neither did the 800' of Rollerball. The take up spool used now is 1200' and I found out, I had to insert film first, then make the feeder button release, then insert the 1200' and mount the film. Is there a way to release the feeder button other than with the mech that I put in for making room for the 1200' take up reel?

Any help appreciated
Vidar

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on December 20, 2012, 07:37 AM:

Used to have ST1200MO you have to move the chute back for 1200ft reels if I remember. When you have done this you should see a metal roller, this is what releases the self threading mode. It works by the action of the take yanking the film to trip self thread.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on December 20, 2012, 08:05 AM:

There is a small piano button near the taskeup spool. You press that.

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 08:21 AM:

Stupid question, what's a piano button? It releases if the mech is not pushed in to make room, but there's nothing happening if it's locked in

Also, why isn't my counter count? I guess a belt or something must be missing. Is it easy to replace those belts? Anyone made a video?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on December 20, 2012, 08:29 AM:

There's a little black-handled lever poking out of the inside of the machine right below the takeup reel. When you depress it, the threading guide will pop up.

That's what Winbert is talking about. It's a trap for most first time ST-1200 users (including me!)

The counter has it's own small belt. So far mine still works so I've never had that privilege!

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 08:40 AM:

Ah, yeah ... Found it, under the whole mechanism ... I have the projector facing away from me, so it was difficult to see, but super, now it's easier :-)

Posted by Raymond Glaser (Member # 1766) on December 20, 2012, 08:55 AM:

If you have an Elmo ST-1200D (as you state in your topic header) you won't hear any optical sound - You nead an Elmo ST-1200MO to hear sound from an optical print - The "O" in the Elmo series projectors means OPTICAL SOUND ... The Elmo series projectors that don't have an "O" in their model number only have MAGNETIC SOUND capabilties

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 08:56 AM:

I have a ST-1200D MO, sorry ... I have gotten it all working now, the sound didn't work because the feeder button didn't release. As soon as I released the button, the sound came on :-)

Happy now

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on December 20, 2012, 09:24 AM:

Did all the ST1200's have that lever on them? Its a long time since I sold mine, so it could have had one. Looking at my GS this could be where my thinking was coming from. Wish I kept the ST though.

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 11:34 AM:

Oh, no ... How lucky can one get. Optical sound worked for about 20 minutes, then it started getting distorted. I touch the volume control and it gets ok again. Another 10 min, then bad again. I am wondering if there's something needs cleaning. Or is the optical busted? Change of bulb for it, where to get it?

All tips for finding the problem would be greatly appreciated. Love the first feature I got, Memories of Me, but can't see it without sound

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on December 20, 2012, 11:56 AM:

Vidar, optical sound may get distorted because several things:

- Bulb is getting weak (very rare)
- Light deos not focus (needs re-alignment)
- Film transport is not steady
- Film has faded resulting the optical sound has also faded. Faded optical sound will not give good sound. Please remember that optical sound is printed at the same time when printing the film (it is on the negative).

This is why (I think) optical sound is not popular...where most of the time the sound is less superior than the magnetic ones.

...OK..OK I am ready now to be attacked... [Big Grin]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on December 20, 2012, 12:21 PM:

I would never attack Winbert! (...don't you have diplomatic immunity anyway?)

Optical sound is very popular on 16mm!

I'd feel a lot more comfortable saying the volume control was dirty if the same problem was happening with magnetic sound.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on December 20, 2012, 01:00 PM:

He might have Steve,but I don't recognise it, hee, hee ,hee.
I know that when the Opt. prints were developed on S/8, the track
was covered up when done in the USA , and developed seperately
thus giving the soundtrack clarity & volume.In the UK, this wasn't
done,therefore the track was low volume.The picture was invariably excellent and in some cases could rival 16mm in quality.
Perhaps the lens that focuses the light onto the receptor could do
with a wipe Vidar,but on no account remove it to do this as it is
not so easy to set up again.A cotton bud should suffice.Sometimes the film wears into the guide around the soundheads and throws registration for your opt. snd.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on December 20, 2012, 01:13 PM:

Steve, I have indeed a diplomatic immunity (as well as the tax exemption...nice, nice.... [Wink]

) but only for political reason not for 8mm issues... [Big Grin]

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on December 20, 2012, 02:49 PM:

Thank you so much, Hugh ... Cleaned in front of lens and apparantly it works now. At least we got to see the whole feature ... Lovely movie and my friend and I enjoyed it a lot

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