Image problem with Eumig S810 D

[Philippe Blondeel]

Dear community,


I have an old Eumig S810 D and wanted to view some standard 8 and super 8 mm film a couple of days ago.
Unfortunately the image is unwatchable.
I have recorded a sample which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4JruclYFG0
A year ago the image was fine. So I know the projector worked at some point.

Does anybody has any idea how I could solve this?

Thank you very much!

[Alan Paterson]

I don't know that particular projector, but if mine did that I'd use the loop restorer lever to stop it rolling.

[Steve Lee]

Hi Philippe.

On the rear of the machine there is a inching knob that has a dot printed on it. This is meant to be set to the top before changing the gate assembly, as this retracts the teeth on the claw mechanism. Failure to do this will snap the teeth off of the claw arm when changing the gate.
I am sorry the be the bearer of bad news, but this looks like this is the problem with your machine. There is nothing pulling the film frame by frame through the gate, as it is running through being pulled by the sprockets.
This is a common problem with these machines. As far as I am aware, there is no solution to this as far as a repair goes.
Maybe some other member knows someone who can machine up a new claw for these machines.




Steve

[David Strelitz]

ASSUMING you are using the correct gate and cogs for Super or Standard film have a loop, then...having used 8 series Eumigs for 30+years, I would concur with Steve. The claw pin has been snapped off. It's one of those mistakes you only make once. My Eumigs have a large white "dot" made with Tippex.
Unless you can find an experienced Eumig projector repairer your machine is spares only. A GOOD Eumig repairer will have the pin and tool to repair in situ. Takes less than a minute. I have watched it done.

EDIT If you take the dot to the top, remove the gates it should look like the pic in post #8 here https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/vbb/f...-inexpreriance

[Brian Harrington]

Let's hope it's just using the standard 8 gate/pressure pad to view a super 8 film, or vice-versa. Make sure the gate/pressure pads are either both marked "S" or both unmarked -- don't try to mix and match.

And of course make sure the correct sprockets are installed for the correct gauge.

I'm curious where you can find ANY Eumig repair person, let a lone a GOOD one, and if so, what are the odds that said repair person would have both a spare pin and a tool in which to install it?

In the year 2024, to be in this hobby, you need to be your own repair person!

[David Strelitz]

I'm curious where you can find ANY Eumig repair person, let a lone a GOOD one, and if so, what are the odds that said repair person would have both a spare pin and a tool in which to install it?

In the year 2024, to be in this hobby, you need to be your own repair person!

Jump on a plane to London 😁 http://www.the8mmshedshop.co.uk/
John is "the man" and has spares too.

[Dominique De Bast]

Bolex, in Switzerland have Eumig spares (at a cost, it's Switzerland...). Otherwise, Célestin from L'atelier de Célestin may help you (also at a cost). He's located in Montrouge, close to Paris. And of course, welcome to the forum, Philippe!

[Philippe Blondeel]

Dear all,

Thank you very very much for the info. I looked inside the machine and as you said it would be, the claw pin is missing...


I'll look into these names, thanks a lot!

Do any of you perhaps have some DIY tricks for this? I was thinking of trying of soldering a pin like object to the spot. However I have no idea if this would work practically or if the pin would hold.

Philippe

[Brian Harrington]

Sounds difficult to do without disassembling the machine, and would be hard to get right. Depending on where you are in the hobby, and the condition of the rest of your Eumig besides the missing pin, it might be easier and less expensive to just buy another machine - not necessarily a Eumig, though. Don't know what your goals are or how many films you have.

Since you have to disassemble anyway if you wanted to try it yourself, you could look for a junker Eumig and replace the whole claw rather than trying to get the pin out of one and putting it in another. Keep in mind that if the replacement claw has 2 pins, you need to remove one to get it to work in the dual-8 Eumig. And it's not that easy to swap claws -- hence why you may want to just get a machine in better condition that works, which isn't necessarily that easy, either.

Curious -- when did you last change the gates/pads from standard to super or vice versa. If it worked the last time, I'm guessing this time you changed them before threading up a film, and that's when the pin broke off.

[Philippe Blondeel]

You are probably right. I am a total novice. I must admit the machine also has some trouble with the rubber contact pads, so I put some alcohol on the rubber in order for the motor transmission to have a better grip.

I changed the gates/pads a couple of days ago for the first time in year a think. Must have happened these last couple of days that it broke off.

[Brian Harrington]

That's too bad.

So what are your overall goals and budget? You have choices ranging from getting your films professionally scanned (if they're unique home movies), to getting your Eumig repaired, to purchasing another machine. Are you looking to dive into the hobby? Do you need a sound projector, or will silent suffice?

[Dominique De Bast]

The next one will be held on Sunday 9 March 2025 : https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/vbb/f...september-2024

[Nantawat Kittiwarakul]

If you opt to replace the projector rather than repair, I highly suggest to replace with SPROCKETLESS PROJECTOR ones.

Instead of switching so many parts to change film format (with just one "oops" that can completely ruin the projector), it would be reduced to just a matter of flicking one switch/lever and you're good to go. So many manufacturer including Eumig that does have this type of projector. Take your time to shop around - you'll find ones soon.

[Ken Finch]

If you only want to view the amateur films you have and not get into the film collecting hobby, attending the next film fair that Dom suggested may be your best answer. It may also be the way forward if you do want to get more involved and Dominique I am sure will give you very good advice. As to a sprocketless 8mm projector, in all my 90 odd years, the only ones I have aver heard of were children’s toys with a simple claw mechanism supplied with short lengths of film of about 50 ft of film. Another alternative, if you just want to see what is on the films, would be to use a dual gauge editing viewer. Good luck with your search.

[Brian Fretwell]

The Eumig 501D is sprocketless and not a toy projectore (however it takes the expensive A1/17 8v 50W "Spaceman" lamp, I think the 610D is also one hat takes the 12v 100w A1/231 cheaper lamp. Both silent not sound.