Request for feedback re: Honeywell/ Elmo Tri-Filmatic C-300

[Brandt]

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a trifilmatic in DS8 and was wondering if anyone has had good/bad/indifferent experience with these cameras? I'm looking for quality of optics, image steadiness, motor speed steadiness, problems with different backs.

Thanks for your input.

Brandt

[David M. Leugers]

I had always thought I'd want one of those. I had the opportunity several years ago at a photo flea market, but ended up turning it down. I found the whole rig rather odd and cumbersome for my taste. The lens is rather limited and the viewfinder not the best (it would be OK if it extended past the film magazines). Just my personal opinion, mind you. It may be a great camera, it certainly gives the impression of a solidly built machine. Now I wish I had bought it, for a $50 purchase price I could have turned a tidy profit selling it on eBay today... For DS-8 I prefer the Bolex modified cameras. 100 ft loads of R-8mm the Bolex H-8 is king IMHO. My advice, if you like it, go for it. Maybe you could give us a first hand report on using this interesting camera. Good luck.

[Jim Carlile]

It's basically a 60's 8mm camera that Elmo supplied different backs for different formats, in order to extend its use and sales potential. It's cumbersome, most of the meters don't work any more, the battery box is unavailable, it's hard to see through. Not a bad camera, but long superceded by much better ones.

The camera CANNOT be used independently of the meter-- in order to set it manually the meter motor spun the iris around-- there was no mechanical linkage, as in the Bolex, etc. That means no meter = no useable camera, like the Leicina 8mm's.

If you can get ahold of a DS8 back, it might be fun to use, but I suspect the quality won't be up to par with a more modern S8 model. You'd also need the special DS8 eyepiece tube in order to at all function with this back.

In short-- you're better off with a Canon!!!