Is there something missing here? Eumig Mark S709 vs s712D

[Joseph Banfield]

None of that extra hardware was done at the factory. It's hard to say what that external connector is for exactly but it looks rather crude and dodgy to me. So, your guess is as good as mine as to what it could have been used for.

[Steve Klare]

Somebody worked very hard on all this!

(I hope it was worth it!)

[Paul Adsett]

What's got me puzzled is the 'PULSE' decal. And you can just make out some of the lettering in sanscript (its like reading the Dead Sea Scrolls!) which may be ' VIA SYNC'. Maybe it was an attempt at instant start up for external tape input or something. There is no way that I know of that the Eumig's could be modified for pulse sync recording. Maybe the previous owner found that out!

[Ken Finch]

Just wonder if it was the feed to and from a loop synchroniser e.g, a “ Synchrdeck” In which case the internal leads would be connected to the supply feed to the motor. The original feed being cut and the feeds from the synchroniser inserted. However when not in use the plug connecting the socket would have to had to be bridged, or perhaps the switch besie the socket did this. Just a thought. I could be wrong!! 😉

[Brian Fretwell]

What's got me puzzled is the 'PULSE' decal. And you can just make out some of the lettering in sanscript (its like reading the Dead Sea Scrolls!) which may be ' VIA SYNC'. Maybe it was an attempt at instant start up for external tape input or something. There is no way that I know of that the Eumig's could be modified for pulse sync recording. Maybe the previous owner found that out!

I suppose you could fix a small magnet to a part that rotates once a frame and a reed switch to be operated by it to give a connection once a frame as a pulse. I did that in a basic Halina Super8 camera once to attempt sycnchronising sound.

[David Hardy]

I have to agree that the 709 is the much better machine than the 712 . I did consider buying a 712 when they first came out . However that lower lamp rating put me off and had i been able to afforded it i would have bought the 709 . No need now though as i now have and use both the original Mark S Standard 8 sound and the original Mark S Super 8 sound machines . The reason being that none these machines have none of the compromises involved in Dual gauge projectors . Only problem now is as with most projectors is spares and soundheads so they may be getting close to their usability and demise . Even though i do own both Eumig Dual gauge 710 D and the later Dual 824 as stand by machines alongside others .

[Joseph Banfield]

I have to agree that the 709 is the much better machine than the 712 . I did consider buying a 712 when they first came out . However that lower lamp rating put me off and had i been able to afforded it i would have bought the 709 . No need now though as i now have and use both the original Mark S Standard 8 sound and the original Mark S Super 8 sound machines . The reason being that none these machines have none of the compromises involved in Dual gauge projectors . Only problem now is as with most projectors is spares and soundheads so they may be getting close to their usability and demise . Even though i do own both Eumig Dual gauge 710 D and the later Dual 824 as stand by machines alongside others .

Yep, the original Mark S for stadard 8mm is a fine machine, and as you say, with no comprimises! A hidden gem really for standard 8mm!

[David Hardy]

Joseph yes and more than adequate for domestic projection provided you keep to a sensible size projection screen for a given room size and throw. In my opinion it can still hold it's own image wise with a good standard 8mm copy even today .

[Joseph Banfield]

Joseph yes and more than adequate for domestic projection provided you keep to a sensible size projection screen for a given room size and throw. In my opinion it can still hold it's own image wise with a good standard 8mm copy even today .

Well David, I like the original Mark S for standard 8mm so much that I have two of them, one with the original early 1964 gate design and the later one with the supposedly upgraded design...I don't see any difference because both designs shine! The sound is also quite nice and I love the snap-into place sound heads (removed from all future models) which makes them a breeze to clean. And no such thing as film chatter in the sound on those models because of the realistic sound seperation of 56 frames instead of the far too small 18 frames for Super 8 which causes the chatter in the first place!

[David Roberts]

I have a st.8 mk s and like it very much.One odd thing though,the take up arm doesnt raise beyond horizontal,so a 600 ft reel touches the speed control lever.So you are limited to 400 ft.
Any thoughts on this anyone?

[Shane C. Collins]

I definitely think the 709 is better served for Super 8 prints. Which, for me is OK, since I project mainly silent Super 8 home movies. Movies I've shot over the last 20 years on Kodak Ektachrome film! The 709 is very stable, and quiet throughout a full reel! Certainly Eumig can be given praise for such a great dual gauge machine. Not every manufacture can say that with their dual 8 machines. I've only watched several Standard 8 prints on the 709. They seemed to project just fine, and I didn't notice any weird instability, etc. But, I also know a dedicated machine for each format is desirable!
Joseph, the Eumig Mark S Standard 8 projector is one I admire, and will locate one someday! It really is a thing of beauty! You and I have discussed these great legendary machines many times in PM's. Since my 709 looks brand new, a "minty" Eumig S is a must for my collection!

[Joseph Banfield]

I have a st.8 mk s and like it very much.One odd thing though,the take up arm doesnt raise beyond horizontal,so a 600 ft reel touches the speed control lever.So you are limited to 400 ft.
Any thoughts on this anyone?

Yes, it is true that the original Mark S for standard 8mm is limited to 400 foot reels. It remains the only model built by Eumig that is dedicated to only playing standard 8mm sound films and thus uses a two-pin claw for pulldown. All models that could play standard 8mm after this machine are dual guage machines with a single-pin claw starting with the Eumig 709 and continuing on into the later 800 series. And starting with the 709 and all dual guage sound machines thereafter, 600 foot reels in standard 8mm are possible!

[David Roberts]

Thats interesting Joseph. I have thought about fitting a longer arm ,say from a scrap machine,to give a 600ft capacity.

[Joseph Banfield]

Thats interesting Joseph. I have thought about fitting a longer arm ,say from a scrap machine,to give a 600ft capacity.

Yes, of course you can do that. But be advised that the plastic dust cover will no longer fit onto the projector for storage because the new takeup arm will be too long to fold down like the original one! The casting for the original Mark S is slightly different from the other models in that series that used vacuum tube amplifiers.

You will also note that the original Mark S has no inching knob at the rear like in later models. Also the carrying handle is part of the casting instead of an added plastic one like on all other models in that series and later into the 800 series. The rubber drive discs are also unique to that model and also the early Mark S for Super 8 with no inching knob (later upgraded with one in later production runs). So, there are differences and many parts are not interchangeable between models in that series.

[Simon Wyss]

s712d

Where are the gate parts?