Elmo Super 103

Elmo Super 103

Year: 1969 - ?

Lens: 1,8 / 9,5 - 30 mm. Manual focus with click stop at 10 feet.

Frame rates: 18

Auto Exposure with 1 stop over control for back light conditions. F stop meter.

No sound

Made in Japan

Original price in England (in the year of introduction): £60

eBay USA $5.99 (+ $7.95 shipping) in 07/2007

Comments

There's also a "T" version with an integrated superimpose device.

"Cable release"? You can attach an optional pistol grip to the camera. This grip has got its own trigger that attaches to a "remote release" in the camera's bottom. So far this pistol grip is the only known device that uses this release. You might modify one to use a mechanical remote release, but this camera definitely lacks the standard remote release connector of the "better" "Super"-series cameras (104, 106, 108, 110).

Mini Review

Redjohn 2/8/10

This is a great camera similar in size to the Eumig Mini 3 but far superior as it has film speed sensing for 25/40, 40/64, 64/100 and 100/160 ASA film cartridges using a three step staircase to sense the cartridge width. Plus, the film chamber filter sensing switch for daylight/tungsten cartridges.

This makes it ideal for Extachrome 64 films and I have had great results with my camera using this film and in theory ideal for the new Ektachrome 100 D.

The only problem I see here is that according to the little f stop meter on the side of the camera it is running flat out when loaded with Extachrome 64 rated at 40 ASA daylight and will not be able to cope with Ektachrome 100D over a stop faster.

The usual answer would be a two stop neutral density filter over the lens but unfortunately the camera has a separate metering window so this would have to have a similar ND filter over it to correct for the exposure. An alternative approach may be to alter the 100D film cartridge to mimic a 25/40 ASA cartridge by shortening the film speed slot on the cartridge to that of a 25/40 ASA film. The exposure system then would attempt to overexpose the film by two f stops corrected for by the two f stop ND filter over the lens.

The camera comes with a grip but this is not required as the on off switch when on sticks out of the side of the camera at ninety degrees. Further pressure on it runs the camera.

Other features are as mentioned above are film speed settings up to 100/160 ASA. The manual is not in agreement with it and quotes 160/250 ASA missing out the 100/160 setting. I used the film speed checking tool found within this web site to confirm what I consider to be a typo in the manual.

The camera has a non latching back light control giving one stop more exposure and an external filter key that parks under rear strap bracket but removes the filter when positioned under the front strap bracket

It also has a small f stop meter on the side of the camera.

To sum up this was my ideal travel camera using Ektachrome 64 but less so now using 100D as I will have to overcome the exposure problem as mentioned above when it is used in sunny conditions.The build quality is great being an ideal compromise between heavy and light construction using nearly all metal parts.

Stay posted Ektachrome 100D film test to follow using a 2 stop ND filter.

Regards Redjohn

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