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Buying an 8mm Cine Camera


Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

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Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

Hi everyone. Basically I am wanting to buy a cine camera, and super 8 seems to be all that?s in my price range.

 

I currently have a MiniDV, but I would like to experience "Film".

 

Any cameras you recommend or places to buy them? I know a few places, but they are second hand "one-offs".

 

Oh and, what?s the difference between 8mm and Super 8mm? An educated guess tells me it?s to do with the film... (Which raises a thought or two eh...?)

 

I don?t plan on editing the film; I plan on converting it to digital and then editing it on computer. Know of anywhere good to convert it? I would like a high resolution (uncompressed) and a reasonable price.

 

One advantage to using 8mm as opposed to my MiniDV is that it will shoot in progressive. And not that nasty looking thing called "Interlaced" ....... ....

 

Any replies are appreciated,

Thanks.

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e-Bay or classified listings on some of the 8mm user group websites are usually the best way to find higher-end used cameras. Links to Super-8 information on the Kodak website:

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/super8/h....4.4.10.6&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/super8/t....4.4.10.8&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/super8/l...4.4.10.10&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/super8/f....4.10.4.4&lc=en

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Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

Ok thanks guys. I?ll check out that forum.

 

John P Pytlak I read your bio, you work for Kodak? I work in Chas Normans Camera Shop in Orpington Highstreet, we stock loads of Kodak, Super 8mm Cine film actually. (Which is what got me interested in buying an 8mm camera)

 

What department do you work in?

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Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

Just wondering, are there any 8mm video clip examples on the internet?

 

It would be nice to see what it looked like.

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I live and work in Rochester, New York. I've been an engineer at Kodak since 1970, and worked my way through college as a 35mm projectionist in the Buffalo NY area. Was yearbook photography editor for my high school, and took several filmmaking courses as electives in college while getting my Electronics Engineering degree. I'm very active in SMPTE standards activities, having served 4 terms (8 years) as Chairman of the Projection Technology Committee, and since 1985 on the US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for ISO/TC36 Cinematography.

 

Highlights of my career at Kodak were receiving an Academy Technical Achievement Award for developing the Laboratory Aim Density (LAD) control system, and last year's EPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for developing Particle Transfer Roller (PTR) film cleaning technology:

 

http://www.film-tech.com/trailers/filmtechpytlak.html

 

http://millimeter.com/pressroom/video_kodak_receives_epa/

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I live and work in Rochester, New York. I've been an engineer at Kodak since 1970, and worked my way through college as a 35mm projectionist in the Buffalo NY area.

Awesome.Another projectionist on the forum.What did you cut your teeth on John?Simplex?Century?I do a part time gig at a drive in from time to time.We're running 2 Century's and one Super Simplex.All platter system,though I have worked with the old carbon arc changeovers.

Marty

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I worked at the Grandview Drive-In from 1967-1970. We had a pair of Century C, RCA soundheads, and Ashcraft Corelites burning 11mm x 20 inch carbons at 120 amperes. 2000-foot changeovers. Lit that 42 x 100 foot screen very nicely. First drive-in in area to have radio sound, and we even played a few films in mag stereo. First movies I ever showed are "Alfie" and "Georgy Girl".

 

Also worked a hardtop with old Standard Simplex and Peerless Magnarcs.

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Yes, the Grandview is still in operation, since 1953! Other drive-ins in Western NY are in Perry NY, Avon NY, and Lockport NY. I was guest speaker at the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Associaton annual meeting in Orlando last February:

 

http://www.driveintheatre-ownersassociation.org/

 

http://filmjournal.com/Article.cfm?PageID=79528111

 

http://www.smartdev.com/wwwboard/messages/337.html

 

http://charcoalcorral.com/

 

http://www.orlandofunspots.com/In-the-news.htm

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Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

Hmm,

 

Right it's about time I got a real job. Working in a camera shop is great, but I want to move onto the filming now.

 

What should I start off as? Projectionist?

 

I'm not terribly bothered about the pay; it's mainly the knowledge I?m in for. (Obviously, working 5 days a week 9 till half 5 for 80 quid a week...)

 

I have already worked on a few films, but come on; being self employed in cinematography isn't that great unless you?re well known.

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I worked my way through engineering school as a projectionist, but theatre projection is no longer a well-paid career in most countries. But it is a good way to learn alot about film while going to school.

 

Film school is a path many choose:

 

http://www.kodak.com/go/student

 

Many get their starts with local television or cable television channels:

 

http://www.penfield.org/web/deps/ctv/index.php

 

http://www.penfield.org/web/deps/ctv/links.php

 

Or in a film production club:

 

http://www.knox.edu/filmproduction.xml

 

http://www.epfl.net/slrc/hum/ewg_lights.html

 

http://www.play.org/cinema/

 

Do some searching on the Internet, and you'll be please with the variety of resources out there.

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Ashley,

 

we have set up the following website with the express intention of providing up-to-date and impartial Super 8 resources for those of use working in Super 8 and digi-video (arguably making the best of the two mediums), we are at;

 

www.onsuper8.org

 

and have current, up to date links to the widest variety of resources, information, sellers and suppliers of all things Super 8.

 

Hope you find it useful!

 

Giles

www.onsuper8.org

Super 8 is forty in 2005, what will you do to celebrate?

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