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Upon
first seeing this camera, you get the impression it is just another
clunky 8mm "tank" of a camera. Not so.
Upon further inspection, it is clear this camera was at the peak of
its evolved life-cycle. Probably produced sometime in 1962, the camera
offers more features than many sophisticated super 8mm movie cameras.
Some
accessories on this model, like the fader attachment, offer evidence
that Fuji's single 8 P-300 cameras copied the very-same device. Remote
control operation with a removable battery pack was very forward thinking
at the time (look at Nikon and other camera makers same features 10
or more yearls later). 
Perhaps, the most impressive feature of this camera
is the viewfinder sharpness. As this is a reflex camera, the color and
sharpness of the lens is outstanding. Cameras of this quality make the
American-made products like Keystone look like inferior children's toys
by comparison. And since movie film is somewhat expensive to most limited-budget
filmmakers, this camera offer confidence in use in a simlar manner as
do Leicina and Bolex. You could argue, these are the top three. But
then Canon made an excellent 8mm camera as well.
 As
mentioned, this camera makes one think twice about the Bolex P1's place
on the podium of top 8mm movie cameras. While the P1 is admittedly more
stylish than the Elmo, the Zoom 82 has a robust quality that gives you
supreme confidence in your shooting.
This camera is no lightweight. Weighing in at over three pounds with
batteries and zoom grip attached, the camera offers very stable pictures.
The AA battery power allows you to shoot an entire side of film on a
single activity. Notice how Elmo has also given the user the ability
to use the AA battery pack remotely. While the indicated use is for
remote filming situations, an added benfit is that you can use this
all-metal camera in the coldest of conditions and keep the battery pack
in your coat pocket. Notice the remote pack was made modular - the same
battery pack that holds the batteries in the camera can be inserted
into the control mechanism.
With this camera, and all 8mm cameras for that matter, the tungsten
filter is not required since 8mm color film is balanced for daylight
exposure.
An important option is the zoom/pistol grip. Attaching to the bottom
of the camera, it allows for electric zoom. The grip itself holds 4
1.5v "AA" batteries for a grand total of 9 batteries inside this camera!
Power is definitely on your side with the Elmo Zoom 82. A word of caution,
the zoom is far too fast to use while actually filming. But it is very
convenient for setting specific focal lengths prior to shooting.
The best feature of this camera, other than the incredibly sharp and
bright optics, is the reverse filming capability. Combined with the
auto or manual exposure override, it is possible to create incredible
double or triple exposures over the entire length of the 25 ft. roll.
Not only does this camera allow multiple exposures, it also allows you
to film in reverse for other intentional effects.  The
reverse filming works indefinitely since the reels are each powered
by the camera's motor. No excees film gets bunched up in the film chamber
- it nicely rolls back onto its original reel.
The frame counter is a nice quality addition to the camera as well.
It measures 40 frames to a revolution. Great for animation projects.
As mentioned, the only feature missing from this camera is the variable
shutter. Fortunately, the other features offered make this a tolerable
situation.
To summarize, if you are looking for a 8mm camera that offers single-frame,
multi-speed, or reverse filming capabilities, this is it. The wonderfully
sharp optics of the Honeywell Elmo lens combined with unmatched electronic
features make this camera a ust have for the advanced amateur filmmaker.
Sure the P1 is a sheer thing of beauty with the inclusion of a variable
shutter matched with a top-flight Angenieux lens. But the manual spring,
f-stop, and backwinding features keep it from getting top honors. So,
for now, the top-spot is tie between Bolex and Elmo. Any other challengers?
HONEYWELL ELMO ZOOM 82 SPECIFICATIONS
Highlights:
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F-stop indicator in the viewfinder;
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No parallax in the viewfinder;
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Exposure indicator serves as a battery check indicator;
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Red dot appears in the viewfinder when film is finished;
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The motor will power 10 rolls of film on a single set of AA batteries
(non-Alkaline).
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