Is there something missing here? Eumig Mark S709 vs s712D

[Jeffrey Ooi]

I am a eiki 16mm man and have only fallen hard down the 8mm rabbit hole just recently. I purchased a S712D and have been spending the last week trying to get it working properly, it plays but its 'not quite right'. I also bought a S709 for parts and you can imagine my surprise when I opened both of them up. Is the 712 missing a whole bunch of hardware compared to the 709?

[Jeffrey Ooi]

reverse of S709

[Jeffrey Ooi]

s712d

[Jeffrey Ooi]

Is there something missing here!!??

[David Hardy]

Jeffrey to me it does not look like anything is missing . The 709 sound system has a valve ( tube ) amplifier . The 712 has a solid state transistor amplifier board system . Hence the differences at the back layout .

[Jeffrey Ooi]

What a difference. I thought it was stripped.

[Joseph Banfield]

Yes, actually something is missing from your 709...the small decorative chrome insert before the takeup reel. But like others have said they're both as they should be so your good! But if you invest any time at all in those machines I suggest putting your effort into the 709 as it's a much finer machine than the later transistorized 712 and will have better hum-free sound.

[Shane C. Collins]

While the 712D looks much like the 709, and uses many of its basic features, it is quite different. The 709 is superior in every way! For one, the 712D uses the now obsolete 50 watt CXR "spaceman" bulb. The 709 uses the FCR 100 watt bulb, and a far better condenser lighting system that is very bright. As Joseph mentioned, the 709 also uses the early tube amp found in the early Eumigs dating back to about 1962, with the introduction of the Eumig Mark S Standard 8 sound machine. Now there are some pluses with the 712D. It uses the same twist-to-focus lenses, semi auto-loading for the film transport, and the chassis looks to be built from the same metal as found in the 709. Don't waste your time restoring the 712D in my opinion! And if you want to knock the socks off your audience, or just have sharper images, look for the Eumig Suprovar 1.0 zoom lens. Below is my 709 fitted with this superb lens. And I'm sending this link to my friend Ignacio's review of this splendid lens!
Note: My 709, as seen below, was basically new in the box. There was no wear on the drive discs, or any blemishes on the projectors finish, etc. It really is the best projector I have ever owned. Plays sound and silent films like a champ!

https://mimundoensuper-8.blogspot.co...ML3H8irAuksHIg

[Thomas Dafnides]

On the 709 .... there is a dial ( 1-10) near the voltage selection panel (left center). What is the dial for? What does it do?

[Joseph Banfield]

On the 709 .... there is a dial ( 1-10) near the voltage selection panel (left center). What is the dial for? What does it do?

The dial is used to set recording level when making a recording. But it's usually factory preset and needs no adjusting.

[Jeffrey Ooi]

Yes, actually something is missing from your 709...the small decorative chrome insert before the takeup reel. But like others have said they're both as they should be so your good! But if you invest any time at all in those machines I suggest putting your effort into the 709 as it's a much finer machine than the later transistorized 712 and will have better hum-free sound.

Yes Joseph Banfield and Shane C. Collins you are totally right, the 709 responded very well to your restoration advice and the 712 is still in a very poor way so I am putting it out to pasture. I will keep an eye out for those lenses though although i got lucky with 2 extra Austrovar zoom lenses that came with these.

I have another question, I've looked in my manual and all about on the web but not seen this extra hardware soldered on to the power supply of the 709. What is this? I find when I'm plugged into the mains, when I turn the switch to the up position, and I put the selector to forward or back, the whole machine turns off, is it some kind of kill switch or improvised power switch? I'm not sure as there seems to be another port installed next to the switch itself.

[Jeffrey Ooi]

Some other pics of the internals 1-2.

[Jeffrey Ooi]

Some other pics of the internals 2-2.

[Shane C. Collins]

That does appear to be a "kill" switch somebody installed at some point. Whoever had this done probably didn't like the projector coming on when it was plugged it. Personally, I'd rather have the machine come on right away to warm things up. That gives you time to fit the reels in place, set up the screen, etc.

[Jeffrey Ooi]

Thanks Shane, how about that female
port to the left of the switch? An alternate power source perhaps?