Notes and Comments

The SM8 was a magnetic sound projector capable of silent or sound playback of Super 8 film, and allowed audio recording onto magnetic striped Super 8 film. The SM8 was later modified (approximately in 1970) to include a variable level erase head and different lamp. An accessory sound mixing console and external 6-8W/5 Ohm speaker was available separately, for both models.

Early Model

Quartz Iodine Lamp
The original SM8 projector used a 12V/100W quartz iodine lamp and was equipped with a choice of Paillard-Bolex Hi-Fi f/1.3 fixed focal length lenses of 15mm, 20mm or 25mm; a Paillard f/1.3 14-25mm zoom lens could be purchased at additional cost. Superimposed sound recording onto film was made possible by an erase head which reduced 50% of the previously recorded audio track.

Later Model

Halogen Lamp
As of 1970, all models used a 12V/100W halogen lamp with a built-in dichroic reflector and were usually equipped with a f/1.3 12-30mm zoom lens. (Any of the earlier lenses could be used, in addition to newer Bolex 23mm f/1.1 and Lytar 17-30mm f/1.3 lenses). Most significantly, variable erasure from 0-100% was made possible and allowed for more control in superimposed and dissolved sound recording.

These later models are easily identified by the three control knobs, rather than two, on the side panel of the projector; the third, marked with a red dot, as shown on this page.

Serial Numbers and Dates of Manufacture

The serial number on SM8 projectors can be used to determine the year in which it was manufactured. The table below lists the range of serial numbers allocated to the production run of both 50 Hz and 60 Hz variations.

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