Well, I happen to have this rare 8mm camera. For all that you are not aware of it, the camera is from the early '60s, has a 200ft magazine and can shoot regular8 sound rolls. Yes, R8 with sound. The example I own has even a KII sound roll loaded.
My problem is that I can't make the magazine run.
Does any of you have the user's manual? Maybe just know how it works?
I have already recelled the batteries, so it's not a power problem. If it helps, I can post some photos.
Thanks in advance
George
Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
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ultramarine
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
George,
Is this the cinephonic model? I have had an interest in these cameras for a long while, although I do not own one of my own. Please post some pictures of what you have-I would love to see some pics and description of the recelled battery! Since you're saying that the magazine isn't working, I'm assuming that it is not taking up the film. I believe that the takeup arm is driven by a 'quiet drive' rubber belt, and therefore may be gone. As long as the motor is running a driving film through the film gate, this would be pretty encouraging that it is a simple fix...
Is this the cinephonic model? I have had an interest in these cameras for a long while, although I do not own one of my own. Please post some pictures of what you have-I would love to see some pics and description of the recelled battery! Since you're saying that the magazine isn't working, I'm assuming that it is not taking up the film. I believe that the takeup arm is driven by a 'quiet drive' rubber belt, and therefore may be gone. As long as the motor is running a driving film through the film gate, this would be pretty encouraging that it is a simple fix...
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ultramarine
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
No, it's not the cinephonic model. It's the bigger model, the "professional" one 
.
I have both of them, purchased from the same seller. Both required recelling of the batteries, both models work now, a little noisy but hey! I don't have any sound 8mm rolls in my fridge !
Now, about the magazine, it has an electric motor, no rubber belts I'm afraid.
Needs voltage and has a socket for that purpose. I connect the (provided) cable but it doesn't work. I'm not sure if the motor is dead, it probably isn't..it's just the connections between the handle that has the batteries, the body of the camera and the magazine that I can't figure out ...
I will post some photos tomorrow to see what I mean.
Thanks anyway.
George
.I have both of them, purchased from the same seller. Both required recelling of the batteries, both models work now, a little noisy but hey! I don't have any sound 8mm rolls in my fridge
!Now, about the magazine, it has an electric motor, no rubber belts I'm afraid.
Needs voltage and has a socket for that purpose. I connect the (provided) cable but it doesn't work. I'm not sure if the motor is dead, it probably isn't..it's just the connections between the handle that has the batteries, the body of the camera and the magazine that I can't figure out ...
I will post some photos tomorrow to see what I mean.
Thanks anyway.
George
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Nicholas Kovats
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
George.
I have an identical Fairchild 900.
I am presently attempting to charge the associated 1965 battery cell in the handle to see if I can generate a trickle of current from the handle to the camera body then to the 200ft magazine.
The manual advises to connect the magazine attached 5 pin DIN connector to the the 5 pin female DIN connector marked accessory on the camera body. Leave the 2nd 5 pin DIN female socket on the magazine unplugged. It is meant to power "...wireless microphones, receivers, etc." according to the manual.
Apparently the 12 volt output is sufficient to run the camera and magazine motors.
I will update you if I can charge up the camera.
I have an identical Fairchild 900.
I am presently attempting to charge the associated 1965 battery cell in the handle to see if I can generate a trickle of current from the handle to the camera body then to the 200ft magazine.
The manual advises to connect the magazine attached 5 pin DIN connector to the the 5 pin female DIN connector marked accessory on the camera body. Leave the 2nd 5 pin DIN female socket on the magazine unplugged. It is meant to power "...wireless microphones, receivers, etc." according to the manual.
Apparently the 12 volt output is sufficient to run the camera and magazine motors.
I will update you if I can charge up the camera.
Nicholas Kovats
Shoot film! facebook.com/UltraPan8WidescreenFilm
Shoot film! facebook.com/UltraPan8WidescreenFilm
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Nicholas Kovats
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
George.
My test was somewhat successful and viola...48 years later and the Fairchild 900 groans to life albeit barely.
My unit is practically new but physics is physics and I believe the ancient nickel cadium battery is dead. However I plugged the 120 volt charger's 5 pin DIN connector into the handle, switched the frame rate to 16fps, removed the 200ft magazine and observed it's take spool up turning sloooooooowly.
This is not recommended by the manual but sufficient for my test.
I then unplugged the 200ft magazine's 5 pin DIN connector from the 5 pin DIN female receptacle on the camera body. The 200ft magazine take up spool stopped. I reconnected the cable and the 200ft magazine take up spool resumed turning indicating that magazine motor takes it's power from the manner connected, i.e. from the handle acting as the power source.
I noticed that there are two tiny metal cylindrical posts that insert into the underside of the camera body once the handle is attached. These are probably the conductors.
Cheers.
My test was somewhat successful and viola...48 years later and the Fairchild 900 groans to life albeit barely.
My unit is practically new but physics is physics and I believe the ancient nickel cadium battery is dead. However I plugged the 120 volt charger's 5 pin DIN connector into the handle, switched the frame rate to 16fps, removed the 200ft magazine and observed it's take spool up turning sloooooooowly.
This is not recommended by the manual but sufficient for my test.
I then unplugged the 200ft magazine's 5 pin DIN connector from the 5 pin DIN female receptacle on the camera body. The 200ft magazine take up spool stopped. I reconnected the cable and the 200ft magazine take up spool resumed turning indicating that magazine motor takes it's power from the manner connected, i.e. from the handle acting as the power source.
I noticed that there are two tiny metal cylindrical posts that insert into the underside of the camera body once the handle is attached. These are probably the conductors.
Cheers.
Nicholas Kovats
Shoot film! facebook.com/UltraPan8WidescreenFilm
Shoot film! facebook.com/UltraPan8WidescreenFilm
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ultramarine
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
Freedom4kids,
thanks! That's all I wanted to know, now it's clear!
Can I ask a favour?
I'm only missing the user's manual, it seems that you have it.
Can you please photocopy it and send it to me?
I'll pay for all expenses (and your trouble!).
Scanning is also an option but I understand that it takes more time to do it, so a photocopy would be great.
Thanks again!
George
PM me for the details.
thanks! That's all I wanted to know, now it's clear!
Can I ask a favour?
I'm only missing the user's manual, it seems that you have it.
Can you please photocopy it and send it to me?
I'll pay for all expenses (and your trouble!).
Scanning is also an option but I understand that it takes more time to do it, so a photocopy would be great.
Thanks again!
George
PM me for the details.
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Nicholas Kovats
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Re: Now here is a difficult one : Fairchild professional 900
Your welcome George.
I will eventually scan it but it will have to wait a bit. I will let you know by next week.
Cheers.
I will eventually scan it but it will have to wait a bit. I will let you know by next week.
Cheers.