More Beaulieu questions

[filmo]

Can the power zoom be disengaged for manual zooming on a Beaulieu?
How hard is it to make a power zoom lens into a manual zoom?

I really like the look of the Pro8mm models with the manual lens. I always thought the twin motor assemblies on the Beaulieus looked kind of stupid, and I rarely use the power zoom on my Nizo anyway.

If I buy a Beaulieu, I'd also like to remove the grip.

Are these mods expensive?

It's just that I've never seen a Beaulieu super 8 camera in person, let alone used one.

[Nigel]

Both can be done.

I know that the handgrip is somewhat easy. The motors I don't know about .

Good Luck

[reflex]

How hard is it to make a power zoom lens into a manual zoom?

If I buy a Beaulieu, I'd also like to remove the grip.

Are these mods expensive?

The nice thing about the power zoom on Beaulieus is that you can set the speed of the zoom, although it doesn't do a crawl zoom quite as slowly as I'd like. And there's nothing stopping you from doing a manual zoom.

As for removing the hand grip, remember that this means you'll have to use a remote trigger. The cheap and easy solution is to keep the hand grip and mount the camera on a quick-release plate.

[Mystic Mot]

Hi,
There's only four screws which holds the powerzoom. Just remove them and you'll have a manual zoom.

As for removing the hand grip, remember that this means you'll have to use a remote trigger

That's wrong: I'd remove the handgrip of mine and it's perfectly working without a remote trigger; in fact, the handgrip is just a switch for not use the battery when connected.[/quote]

[reflex]

I'd remove the handgrip of mine and it's perfectly working without a remote trigger; in fact, the handgrip is just a switch for not use the battery when connected.

errm... yes, you're right. The trigger is on the bottom of the metal body housing. For some reason, I was thinking there was something important in that stubby little handle.

[aj]

Taking off BOTH motors is not difficult. Check my recent repair advice on the twisted lens in this forum. Just take off the collar using the same procedure and screws.

But then you loose aperture control too. Blocking power to the motor is not difficult either. But then you cannot zoom smoothly as the mechanical interlock continues to exist and hampers the zoom motion.

One option is to find a Beaulieu 4008 M3 lens set. This has no zoom facility and thus a free roaming zoom-ring-handle. Another option to is find a M3 complete... Nice, smartlooking thing, I know I have one. Fully working and recelled batteries it may take some Euro 600

Taking off the handle is NOT easy as you have to re-build the functionality of the switches somewhere. I.e. power on.
Do you want the grip on an extension cord? That is easier while the grip is mounted to the body using 1/4"bolt. When it is off you can mount the camera on a tripod just like that. If you manage to lead the wires out sideways...

[filmo]

More questions.

Is the Beaulieu 4008 M3 the camera that they use for the Pro8mm "Classic Pro?"

aj--do you have a picture available of your M3?

Also: As I understand it, the Beaulieu uses a very simple match-needle type through-the-lens light meter similar to the Pentax K1000, which I love. Open it up and the needle moves up. Stop it down and the needle moves down. That's how I'm used to setting exposure. I hate the more modern SLRs that use the constantly dancing LEDs. I want something really simple and useful.

Remember, I've never used a Beaulieu super 8 camera. I've never even touched one.

[reflex]

More questions.

Is the Beaulieu 4008 M3 the camera that they use for the Pro8mm "Classic Pro?"

aj--do you have a picture available of your M3?

Also: As I understand it, the Beaulieu uses a very simple match-needle type through-the-lens light meter similar to the Pentax K1000, which I love. Open it up and the needle moves up. Stop it down and the needle moves down. That's how I'm used to setting exposure. I hate the more modern SLRs that use the constantly dancing LEDs. I want something really simple and useful.

Remember, I've never used a Beaulieu super 8 camera. I've never even touched one.

The M3 was a "ruggedized" version of the 4008 (ie: no fancy power zoom)and is therefore quite rare and usually commands a premium price or has been to hell and back.

It appears that Pro8mm buys 4008 ZMIIs on eBay, just like we do. See http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 5553626832 for one of their recent purchases. (I wondered what Pro8mm did with the power zoom lenses that they remove when they substiture manual lenses for their "Classic" packages. It looks like they're selling them on their website for $1000+. That seems like a lot of money for a left-over part bought on eBay!)

If it was me, I'd shop for a nice ZMII or ZM4 (shoots up to 80fps). Its worth checking eBay.de in Germany as well. You'll occasionally see a seller there who accepts Paypal and is willing to ship worldwide. The prices are usually lower.

There are no dancing LEDs in the viewfinder of a Beau. Just a beautiful shutter flicker as you shoot, and that one pesky matchstick floating on the right-hand side. I'm pretty sure there's a 4008 manual available for download in the "Manuals" section of this site. Just click on Manuals on the top bar and you're there.

One word of warning: The 4008 uses 'ground glass' focusing, which some people despise if they're used to split-image viewfinders.

James

[Paul L.]

I honestly don't know why anyone would pay a premium for an M3. It's seen less often on the market, but why anyone would prefer one over a ZMII is a mystery to me.

[jean]

I'd say because it comes without that motor for the zoom. The M3 is for that reason my absolute favourite 4008, followed by the 4008s.

Of course the motor can be removed, but having an "original" package is always more attractive than homebrewing.

[BK]

I've never seen a Beaulieu super 8 camera in person, let alone used one.

Be prepared, it's like meeting a beautiful french woman for the first time. 8O

For me it was love at first sight!

Bill

[Paul L.]

What's the big attraction to having a Beaulieu without the motor? If you have a ZMII, simply don't use the motorized zoom. The weight difference isn't that significant.