Equipped with a 200 degree shutter and a f1.2 lens, this camera sports a prime 4.6mm lens. Yes, the 4.6mm w-i-d-e-a-n-g-l-e-l-e-n-s is the PRIMARY lens on the camera. To use the normal perspective of 8.6mm through to 18mm (2X zoom), you must engage the swing-away lens to cover the primary wide lens. This is a fantastic alternative to the usual 4mm and 5mm wide angle converters lenses. Even though most converter lenses have only one element, they still add another source of light diffusion and loss. With the Elmo Super Wide, your PRIME lens is the widest angle! Add to this a horizontally-swinging (Cokin or similar) filter holder and the camera allows you to use modern filters for any mode the camera is in. Oh, this camera also accepts the 200-foot film loads! Of course, those beauties have long since faded into the distant past.

The camera sports a automatic light meter that can also be set manually. The weird thing is that Elmo decided to show f1.6 as the lowest marker inside the camera as opposed to the true lens speed of f1.2. It was probably an issue of font size since 1.2 would be too close to the shaded area. The camera only offers 18 frames per second and 1 frame per second settings along with a run-lock switch for remote activation. The camera does not offer slow motion nor the usual 24fps setting. As with many super 8 sound cameras, this was the only significant flaw in design. But that's okay, since it means you need to have a few more cameras to cover your needs. More cameras means more fun! One last note on this subject. You will find that once you set the meter manually, after a few seconds of not pressing the trigger the meter will close and send the meter to below f1.2. Also, when you set the camera manually after taking a meter reading, the meter goes to f1.2 until you start turning the dial - so you have to remember your aperture setting and then return the camera to that setting.

Let's not forget that this camera has NO FOCUS ADJUSTMENT. Marketed as a focus-free camera, it's only form of focusing comes with use of the macro filming capabilities. This is done with the 2X lens in the engaged position. Up to 8 cm from the lens can be filmed in this mode. Continue turning the zoom lever past the macro setting and it pops open the from elements to allow for super wide film angle of 4.6mm. I can only imagine how many of these cameras were broken by clumsy hands trying to directly pull the zoom lens out of the way.

The camera is suprisingly light - I remember handling the Elmo 1012-XLS and thinking the same thing. While a bit more heft might be appreciated, the Elmo engages its sound heads so smoothly that the weight seems to work fine. It is not so light as the Minolta XL-601 that you feel the camera shaking as the film is transported. Ultimately, the camera will travel well for longer periods of time on your shoulder or in your backpack, etc. Note the 9V power jack on the side...I amtempted to rig up a pack and see how it fairs...I wonder if polarity is an issue?

When I first acquired the camera, the battery terminals were slightly corroded but with a quick cleaning the camera purred to life after probably 10 years of silence. Okay, maybe five years for sure. That is one thing I have found with virtually all super 8 cameras, even though the batteries leak all over the place after years of neglect, the super 8 camera's ability to come roaring back to life proves my point throughout this website that they were over-engineered and built to last. Back then, they couldn't help it! Now, it seems as though they program obsolesence into electronics…but I digress.

My camera came in an old-school tweed pouch with shoulder strap. Very cool. Thankfully it also came with the original instructions. The camera lists an optional 6-"C" cell battery pack (9V) that plugs into the side to provide a more solid power supply. If you have one of these original Elmo units, drop me an email and sell it to me (cheap of course)!

Happy Film Shooting!