Elmo Super 110R (1974)

A top-of-the-range Super-8 camera with a reflex viewfinder, power zoom, and serious build.

Overview

Pick up the Elmo Super 110R and you feel it right away. It weighs 1400 grams, and the body is solid aluminium. Marketed in 1974, it sits at the top of Elmo's Super-8 lineup, built for shooters who wanted precision without giving up usability. It's a silent super 8 cartridge camera, but that undersells it. The reflex viewfinder shows the image through the taking lens, so there is no parallax error and no guesswork. The lens is a 10x zoom, 7 to 70mm, at a bright f/1.8.

The camera mixes automation with control. Exposure is TTL EE via a CdS cell, and there is a full manual override for when you know better than the meter. The ASA range runs from slow 25/40 to fast 160/250 film, switched between daylight and tungsten with a manual switch. There's also a built-in 85A CCA filter that syncs with the movie light socket.

The zoom is powered, with a 7.5-second run from wide to tele, or you can take manual control and finesse it. That was rare in 1974. The camera also has a split-image manual focus system and diopter adjustment from +1 to -3.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Elmo, made in Japan by Elmo
Product type	silent super 8 cartridge camera
Production years	Marketed in 1974
Lens	Elmo Zoom f: 1.8 \ F: 7-70 mm
Zooming ratio	10x
Focusing	manual, split image, 1.5 m to infinity
Macro focusing	from 0.014 m to 1.5 m
Zooming	auto (7.5 sec) and manual
Filter size	62 mm
Viewfinder	single-lens reflex with adjustable eyepiece: +1 to -3 diopters
Viewfinder information	f/stop indicator, film transport indicator, film-end indicator, battery check indicator
Exposure	auto and manual exposure control; TTL EE, CdS cell
Film speed	auto between 25/40 and 160/250 ASA (daylight/tungsten)
ASA settings	25/40, 40/64, 64/100, 100/160 and 160/250 ASA (daylight/tungsten)
CCA filter	built-in 85A filter, coupled with movie light socket
Shutter opening angle	160 degrees
Filming speed	18, 24 fps, slow motion (54 fps), single frame
Sound	double-system, sound recording with synchronized tape-recorder
Sound socket	outlet for electric pulse signal
Remote control socket	yes
Cable release sockets	2, single frame and continuous running
Movie light socket	Elmo type, with CCA filter key synchronized
Flash socket	yes
Film counter	1-15 m
Handle	detachable
Film drive motor	DC micromotor
Battery check button	yes
Power source	4 x AA batteries
External power outlet	6 V DC
Weight	1400 g
Dimensions	86 x 110 x 252
Tripod socket	1/4"

Key Features

Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder

The reflex viewfinder is the best part of the Super 110R. Most Super-8 cameras of the era used separate optical viewfinders and suffered from parallax, especially up close. This one shows the exact image hitting the film. The view is bright and includes exposure feedback - f-stop, battery status, film transport - all overlaid, so you never have to take your eye away. The eyepiece adjusts from +1 to -3 diopters, so glasses wearers can dial in a sharp image.

Power Zoom with Manual Override

Elmo didn't just bolt on a motorized zoom. The 10x zoom (7-70mm) runs smoothly in 7.5 seconds when powered, or you can take full manual control for precise framing. The zoom is coupled to the reflex viewfinder, so you see every shift as it happens. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it has serious low-light capability, especially at the wide end.

Double-System Sound Sync

The Super 110R supports double-system recording via an electric pulse signal sent through its sound socket, designed to sync with the Elmo SR1 tape recorder. You record audio externally and lock it to picture in post, so no muffled sound from on-camera mics. The movie light socket also has a synchronized CCA filter key, so lighting stays color-balanced when you engage the 85A filter.

Aluminium Body & Ergonomic Design

The body is machined aluminium, not plastic. The weight distribution, especially with the detachable trigger handle, makes it stable in hand. A carry handle on top helps with quick transport between setups. The trigger handle is removable, so you can shoot handheld or mount the camera on a tripod via the standard 1/4" socket.

Flexible Filming Speeds & Exposure

Frame rates are 18 or 24 fps for standard motion, 54 fps for slow motion, or single-frame animation mode. The shutter's 160-degree opening angle gives a classic filmic motion blur without going overboard. Exposure is TTL EE (through-the-lens, electronic eye) using a CdS cell, which was state-of-the-art at the time. It auto-adjusts between the five preset ASA speeds (25/40 up to 160/250), but you can also go fully manual, which suits controlled lighting or creative under/overexposure.

Collectibility & Value

The Elmo Super 110R is a sought-after piece among Super-8 collectors, especially in working condition. One current listing at Classic Cameras AU shows a price of $725.00 AUD, though another lists it at $383.00 USD - likely reflecting different conditions or regional markets. Given its top-tier status and solid build, it holds value better than many contemporaries. A user manual is available for purchase (€4.49) from Van Eck Video Services, which helps restorers. No data exists on common failures or maintenance issues, so buyers should inspect carefully, especially the motor, zoom mechanism, and battery contacts. No original pricing has been confirmed, but the feature set suggests it was a premium offering.

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