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Reviews (2)
06 Sep, 2016
Sankyo 8mm Transfer Unit
1 of 1 found this helpful I have been doing 8mm movie to DVD transfers for over 25 years as a business. A few years ago, I bought a CineMate-Pal system from Movie Stuff.
Over the years I found some features of the CineMate somewhat annoying. The Cinemate uses a modified GAF projector which has no sprocket drive. When capturing say a 400ft reel of film the film claw tries to pull the film through the film gate which causes jittering. It has a 5 inch Single Condenser Lens.
Along comes the Sankyo Transfer Unit sold by Chin Kim who owns Focus Photo. His advertising says: “My optical multiplexor is the only true optical multiplexor which catches up images without any screen. The image is focused very sharp edge to edge. No texture of screen showing, since there is no screen in it. The multiplexor with achromatic lens combination shows no color-aberration.
No more 5" Single Condenser Lens!
I proceed to capture my first reel of 8mm movie on the Sankyo system. My camera is a HD Panasonic 1080P which has 12x optical zoom. No problem says Chin – you might need a +1 , +2 or +4 Close up Filter. Well, I used a +1 with the Cinemate system.
I try the +4 Close up Filter – this brings the camera quite close to the multiplexor lens. There is a draw back – the image of the movie is not sharp from edge to edge. The edges are not straight but bent like a pin-cushion.
I continue and try the +2 and the +1 close up filters. In the end the +1 filter gives an overall focus from edge to edge. I also have to use digital zoom to achieve this.
The camera lens and Multiplexor lens are now separated quite a large amount (84 cms). I decide to contact Chin Kim to see if he can offer any advice. In his advertising he says: “This is the exact system I use in my own Lab” I am still waiting for his reply!
I have since compared the Cinemate-Pal system with the Sankyo system. I captured the same 8mm movie with both systems. My video editing software allows me to view to video files side by side. The Cinemate file looks crisp and sharp, the Sankyo file does not compare. Yes, the Sankyo file is in focus, but it has a soft, overall look to it and does not look crisp and sharp.
Quite a disappointment seeing I spent over $NZ 3000 to get a quality system!
23 Jan, 2019
Line untwister
I purchased 2 of these. I found the price VERY misleading! I had no indication on how much I would be paying for these items from here in New Zealand. I had to pay over $NZ54.00 which I thought expensive!
I cannot tell at this time whether or not the item is good value, works or whatever because I have not had an opportunity to use it yet.