when people complain because prices of used 8mm gear are too high.....

[Todd Kitchen]

This will teach them!

[Todd Kitchen]

the trick is to find gear that was designed to be easily repaired/restored. As a proud 709 owner, I think it is perhaps Eumig's best designed projector. Unfortunately, Eumig changed the design of their projectors at the same rate that Apple drops iOS versions--new one every year. But I'm confident that the one I bought from Shane Collins (who did the restoration) is essentially as good as new.

[Dave Bickford]

I bought a B&H Filmosound Super 8mm projector brand new from K-Mart for $150USD in 1981. Not the nest machine. It broke a few years later. I love my Elmo ST100 I bought last year for $100.

[Shane C. Collins]

the trick is to find gear that was designed to be easily repaired/restored. As a proud 709 owner, I think it is perhaps Eumig's best designed projector. Unfortunately, Eumig changed the design of their projectors at the same rate that Apple drops iOS versions--new one every year. But I'm confident that the one I bought from Shane Collins (who did the restoration) is essentially as good as new.

I couldn't agree more! The 709 is such a classic, and does all the things one would want in a sound/silent dual 8 projector! I was very OCD in the restoration of your splendid machine! I wanted it to match the performance of my "mint" and possibly never used 709! it's unfortunate Eumig continued on the path they did, by offering those full auto-loading machines after the 700 series. I once had a 810D and it never loaded properly and ate film quite a bit. I was so displeased it went in the parts bin. Then I was introduced to the early Eumigs, thanks to Joseph Banfield, and never looked back.

[Joseph Banfield]

I couldn't agree more! The 709 is such a classic, and does all the things one would want in a sound/silent dual 8 projector! I was very OCD in the restoration of your splendid machine! I wanted it to match the performance of my "mint" and possibly never used 709! it's unfortunate Eumig continued on the path they did, by offering those full auto-loading machines after the 700 series. I once had a 810D and it never loaded properly and ate film quite a bit. I was so displeased it went in the parts bin. Then I was introduced to the early Eumigs, thanks to Joseph Banfield, and never looked back.

BTW, I pay Shane to say nice things about me!

[Douglas Meltzer]

Joseph,

Is that payment at 1968 rates?!

[Shane C. Collins]

joseph,

is that payment at 1968 rates?!

lmao....

[Osi Osgood]

Switching to ridiculous prices for super 8 films ...on ebay, used, with no photos to show the color integrity of the print, 375.00 pounds (approximately 500.00 US), for Empire Strikes Back part 1. Sheesh. You can get a BRAND NEW PRINT made, to your specifications, for 275.00 dollars. Go think!! 🤨

[Joseph Banfield]

Joseph,

Is that payment at 1968 rates?!

Of course, Doug! But don't tell Shane it's 2024!

[Brian Harrington]

I bought a B&H Filmosound Super 8mm projector brand new from K-Mart for $150USD in 1981. Not the nest machine. It broke a few years later. I love my Elmo ST100 I bought last year for $100.

Probably wasn't an authentic B&H, but one of those ones they outsourced. The problem is they did outsource to some companies that made great machines, like Sankyo and Yamawa, but also to companies based in Hong Kong that made less-than-desirable machines, to put it mildly.

[Brian Harrington]

I couldn't agree more! The 709 is such a classic, and does all the things one would want in a sound/silent dual 8 projector! I was very OCD in the restoration of your splendid machine! I wanted it to match the performance of my "mint" and possibly never used 709! it's unfortunate Eumig continued on the path they did, by offering those full auto-loading machines after the 700 series. I once had a 810D and it never loaded properly and ate film quite a bit. I was so displeased it went in the parts bin. Then I was introduced to the early Eumigs, thanks to Joseph Banfield, and never looked back.

I agree that the Eumig 810D can be finicky at times, but with pristine leader it does a great job. (But I'll be the first to say I don't always have pristine leader on my films!) But then again my Elmo ST-1200HD can also be finicky with auto-load.

Eumig apparently didn't stick with that design (the 709) for very long since there are many more Eumigs in the 800 series for sale on a given day than a 709. And most 700 series actually have the 800 series threading design. You can't win. I guess it was too much trouble for people to slide the film into the slot for the sound heads and hook the film on the take-up reel by hand. At least that's probably what the slick-talking salesmen, with the double-knit, wash-and-wear, polyester suits, and the blow-dried 'do, told customers back in the early 70s.


-----

Regarding the OP, I think 8mm and Super 8 gear is relatively inexpensive today, in the year 2024. You can get a really nice Super 8 sound machine for less than 2 bills, and usually closer to 1 bill. Couldn't get that around 20 years ago.

[Shane C. Collins]

I agree that the Eumig 810D can be finicky at times, but with pristine leader it does a great job. (But I'll be the first to say I don't always have pristine leader on my films!) But then again my Elmo ST-1200HD can also be finicky with auto-load.

Eumig apparently didn't stick with that design (the 709) for very long since there are many more Eumigs in the 800 series for sale on a given day than a 709. And most 700 series actually have the 800 series threading design. You can't win. I guess it was too much trouble for people to slide the film into the slot for the sound heads and hook the film on the take-up reel by hand. At least that's probably what the slick-talking salesmen, with the double-knit, wash-and-wear, polyester suits, and the blow-dried 'do, told customers back in the early 70s.


-----

Regarding the OP, I think 8mm and Super 8 gear is relatively inexpensive today, in the year 2024. You can get a really nice Super 8 sound machine for less than 2 bills, and usually closer to 1 bill. Couldn't get that around 20 years ago.

I agree, the slick salesman or maybe the slick designers at Eumig caved in to the market. They probably knew by the early 70's, auto threading was the only way they would sell these machines. I'm sure your diehard perfectionist stayed with the early semi auto loading projector. I must admit there are times I wish the 709 was auto loading. But, I'm quickly reminded of its very reliable transport that loads film perfectly every time. It does what it was designed to do, and for that it's my main projector for showing my modern Super 8 home movies!

The number of 709's for sale online is very low. However, this model was produced from about 1968 to 1972. They certainly produced enough to keep a healthy stock on the shelves. I have to wonder if many original owners simply liked them so much, they held onto them, or these machines are still sitting in closets waiting to be discovered.

[Brian Harrington]

I do see the Mark S with that threading available a lot, and other 700s like the 800s.

I'm still bummed that I can't get the screw out of the Bolex/Eumig I recently talked about since it would be a terrific machine.

The 709 had semi-auto threading and tubes -- the 800 was solid state and full-auto threading -- big buzzwords by the mid 70s. People were lazy then -- they didn't get haircuts, and most didn't even comb their hair! I got *&^*&^*& from the other kids since my mother used to make me get a short haircut like every 2 weeks!

[Graham Ritchie]

As someone who has always gone the Elmo way fixing up and running Eumig projectors has been fun. Never a fan of Eumig I have got to like them more the last few years, with the exception of the models with a rotating focus knob that being the only downside I can really think of, anyway I made this short video of one a while back

[Brian Harrington]

Some people claim the ones with the rotating focus knob are the greatest things since sliced bread. All of my Eumigs have the focus knob, though I have other machines with a rotating focus knob.