Hello People - Super 8mm Help is needed.

Steppenwolf · December 8, 2005

Hello,

First of all i'm really new in this forum, and i'm quite happy that i've found this one. I am working as an independent in the video filming industry, but in the last few months i've decided to make some Super 8mm film productions, most of them where for myself and later decided to use them for different artistic purposes.

I'm using a Bauer S105 super8mm camera. I filmed on Kodak Plus X-Reversal films, and also on other old stocks, and now i need to process it. The problem is that in my country, Israel, i think i'm the only freak to do it. No motion film labs left, no motion film products, nothing. Everything I order from US, or by ebay auctions. I really want to develop those films. I have contacted few Super 8mm processing labs, but it is hard to choose. I can't visit the places, everything is done by mail or by phone. Does anyone have some good tips and advices. What places to choose, which are the most reliable, and also do not rip me off with extravagance shipment fees.

I wouldn't be more happy to see this film processed already. I fell in love with this Super8mm filming. I hope i didn't wake up to late for this.

Thanks,

Jonathan.

John Pytlak RIP · December 8, 2005

Hello,
First of all i'm really new in this forum, and i'm quite happy that i've found this one. I am working as an independent in the video filming industry, but in the last few months i've decided to make some Super 8mm film productions, most of them where for myself and later decided to use them for different artistic purposes.

I'm using a Bauer S105 super8mm camera. I filmed on Kodak Plus X-Reversal films, and also on other old stocks, and now i need to process it. The problem is that in my country, Israel, i think i'm the only freak to do it. No motion film labs left, no motion film products, nothing. Everything I order from US, or by ebay auctions. I really want to develop those films. I have contacted few Super 8mm processing labs, but it is hard to choose. I can't visit the places, everything is done by mail or by phone. Does anyone have some good tips and advices. What places to choose, which are the most reliable, and also do not rip me off with extravagance shipment fees.

I wouldn't be more happy to see this film processed already. I fell in love with this Super8mm filming. I hope i didn't wake up to late for this.

Thanks,

Jonathan.

Some people process B&W and E-6 films at home in a developing "tank". Lots on the Internet. For a Super-8 hobbyist, might be just what you are looking for.:

http://www.geocities.com/cinetank/

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/569/

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/5...processing.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=29993

Andy_Alderslade · December 13, 2005

Some people process B&W and E-6 films at home in a developing "tank". Lots on the Internet. For a Super-8 hobbyist, might be just what you are looking for.:

John, do you know which chemical kits you use for black and white reversal film, like the Tri-X and Plus-X, the information about it seems slightly hazy.

Thanks Andy

John Pytlak RIP · December 14, 2005

John, do you know which chemical kits you use for black and white reversal film, like the Tri-X and Plus-X, the information about it seems slightly hazy.

Thanks Andy

Here are the "Kit Chemicals" available from Kodak:

http://www.kodak.com/US/plugins/acrobat/en.../prepchem04.pdf

There are other vendors as well.

Andy_Alderslade · December 14, 2005

Cheers John

Steppenwolf · December 16, 2005

John, do you know which chemical kits you use for black and white reversal film, like the Tri-X and Plus-X, the information about it seems slightly hazy.

Thanks Andy

Hello, Andy.

I must be honest. I'm pretty rookie in this field.

I know so little about the processing of these cartridges. Therefore I send them away, across the ocean, in order to get them developed. Here in Israel, It's pretty hard to find stuff. What I do find, is the Cameras and the Projectors, but no labs, no assistance and no information at all. I have found lots of helpful sights for this issue, and offcourse this Forum. When my film will return processed i'll put the results in my website for you to view.

Jonathan.

Some people process B&W and E-6 films at home in a developing "tank". Lots on the Internet. For a Super-8 hobbyist, might be just what you are looking for.:

http://www.geocities.com/cinetank/

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/569/

http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/5...processing.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=29993

Thanks, John,

for the links.

Cheers,

Jonathan.

Anthony Schilling · December 16, 2005

There are a few labs in Europe, I'm in the US.. so I don't know the details, but that's where I'd send them instead of all the way here. maybe someone can post a link that is familiar with European labs.

Andy_Alderslade · December 17, 2005

Unfortunatly since Kodachrome has finished and Pro 8mm has left London the task of getting super 8 film processed in the UK has become somewhat expensive, considering its such a small format.

There are a few options here:

www.onsuper8.org >> process

I have seen hand processing done with the highly recomended Lomo tank, and the results are astounding. They are at least satisfactory for developing test footage, if not the main shoot. It also seems pretty straight forward for developing colour negative and colour reversal (the new Ectachrome) but when it comes to developing black and white reversal it suddenly becomes more confusing.

Best of luck Jonathan, try the european labs... this is where having a second or third language becomes usefull.

Andy

Steppenwolf · December 17, 2005

Unfortunatly since Kodachrome has finished and Pro 8mm has left London the task of getting super 8 film processed in the UK has become somewhat expensive, considering its such a small format.

There are a few options here:

www.onsuper8.org >> process

I have seen hand processing done with the highly recomended Lomo tank, and the results are astounding. They are at least satisfactory for developing test footage, if not the main shoot. It also seems pretty straight forward for developing colour negative and colour reversal (the new Ectachrome) but when it comes to developing black and white reversal it suddenly becomes more confusing.

Best of luck Jonathan, try the european labs... this is where having a second or third language becomes usefull.

Andy

I just came back from a short visit to London. I took with me my Bauer S105, and bought two BW X-Plus Reversal 2765 in the Widescreen Centre, in Dorset Street. The price was pretty high (alsmost thought of selling one of my kidneys for a discount). But when I came back I realized that this things can be bought much cheaper in the US and Canada (Shipment rates are not high at all) and it is still cheaper than buying it in the UK. I've found two Labs, one in Canada and one in the US. I'm waiting for the films to be processed.

If the results will be good, i'll think of starting making my Experimentals films on Super8. No competitors around here, except for the HDV freaks.

All things that i try or find are based on Internet websearches and reading articles (new and old). The Auto-Didactive DIY - method.

I wish using a different language was a problem. But this is pretty simple. Finding the Super8 freaks is harder. At least from my point of view.

I still haven't started thinking of devoloping the films by myself. I don't think I have yet the ability to do so. These things need to be seen visually, and not by written or printed articles and pictures. I don't mind even to visit one of these labs or a private film processor abroad to study this issue.

Thanks for the information. Even though I had this link. Everyday i found a new interesting one. I'm happy to find this world, and really want to combine it with my regular artistic work.

Mike Crane · December 17, 2005

Hello Steppen Wolf,

There are many good places to process super 8 film in the US. I use Spectra myself, but the Kodak web site has a large selection to choose from. Check it out:

Kodak Lab Directory

Andy_Alderslade · December 17, 2005

the Widescreen Centre, in Dorset Street. The price was pretty high (alsmost thought of selling one of my kidneys for a discount). But when I came back I realized that this things can be bought much cheaper in the US and Canada

The Widescreen Centre is very expensive, people complain about the prices of Pro 8mm, but when it had an office in london it was cheaper to buy and get your black and white reversal film processed there than at the widescreen centre.... I guess they now have the monopoly of being a one stop shop for super8 in the UK. Of course you can still buy direct from Kodak UK, and i'm sure there must be some small UK labs that have more competitive prices... but it just means a lot more work and research.

Your definatly right about seeing a demonstration... the idea of handprocessing without seems impossible. The No.w.here lab in the UK runs a super 8 course which includes demonstration of hand processing with the Lomo tank... check out:

http://www.nowhere-lab.org/