Elmo Super 110R (1974)

A top-of-the-range Super-8 camera with a reflex viewfinder, power zoom, and serious build—this is the one that made filmmakers look twice.

Overview

There’s a moment when you pick up the Elmo Super 110R and feel the heft—1400 grams of solid aluminium—that tells you this isn’t some toy for home movies. This is a tool. Marketed in 1974, the Super 110R sits at the top of Elmo’s Super-8 lineup, built for shooters who wanted precision without sacrificing usability. It’s a silent super 8 cartridge camera, yes, but calling it just that undersells the ambition in its design. The reflex viewfinder means what you see is exactly what you get, no guesswork, no parallax errors—just a clear, real-time image through the taking lens. And with a 10x zoom range from 7 to 70mm at a bright f/1.8, you’re not just recording; you’re composing.

What really sets it apart is how it balances automation with control. You’ve got TTL EE exposure via a CdS cell—auto exposure that actually works—but also full manual override for when you know better than the meter. The ASA range covers everything from slow 25/40 to fast 160/250 film, toggled between daylight and tungsten with a manual switch, and there’s even a built-in 85A CCA filter that syncs with the movie light socket. It’s thoughtful engineering, not just feature stacking.

And then there’s the zoom: powered, smooth, with a 7.5-second crawl from wide to tele, or manual control if you want to finesse it. That kind of flexibility in 1974? That was rare. Combined with the split-image manual focus system and diopter adjustment from +1 to -3, this camera doesn’t just capture images—it lets you shape them.

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 soul of the Super 110R. Unlike most Super-8 cameras of the era that used separate optical viewfinders (and suffered from parallax, especially up close), this one shows you the exact image hitting the film. The view is bright, clear, and includes real-time 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 even if you wear glasses, you can dial in a sharp image without squinting.

Power Zoom with Manual Override

Elmo didn’t just slap on a motorized zoom—they engineered it. The 10x zoom (7–70mm) glides smoothly in 7.5 seconds when powered, or you can take full manual control for precise framing. It’s not just convenient; it’s cinematic. The zoom ring is responsive, and because it’s coupled to the reflex viewfinder, you see every subtle shift as it happens. And with a maximum aperture of f/1.8, you’ve got serious low-light capability, especially at the wide end.

Double-System Sound Sync

For serious filmmakers, sound matters. 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. That means you can record clean audio externally and lock it to picture in post—no more muffled, tinny sound from on-camera mics. The movie light socket even has a synchronized CCA filter key, so your lighting stays color-balanced when you engage the 85A filter.

Aluminium Body & Ergonomic Design

This camera feels like it was built to last. The body is machined aluminium, not plastic, and the weight distribution—especially with the detachable trigger handle—makes it stable in hand. There’s a carry handle on top, which sounds minor but is actually a thoughtful touch for quick transport between setups. The trigger handle itself is removable, so you can go handheld or mount it cleanly on a tripod via the standard 1/4" socket.

Flexible Filming Speeds & Exposure

You’ve got options: 18 or 24 fps for standard motion, 54 fps for smooth slow motion, or single-frame animation mode. The shutter’s 160-degree opening angle gives you that 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—ideal for 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 is a plus for restorers. However, 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, making it hard to judge inflation-adjusted value, but its feature set suggests it was a premium offering.