Nick Norton Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Awaiting the arrival of my new Eclair ACL, i am trying to figure out all of the significant accessories i need to shoot film properly. What i have: (LINK to my camera: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...:IT&ih=012) Eclair ACL II Angie 10-150 lens 200ft. Mag 400ft. Mag Power Cord What i THINK i need: Gaffer Tape (Not sure what kind/size/etc.) Changing Bag (To load film) Battery Pack/Belt Film Filters (Can't afford mattebox) I'm not sure if i am missing anything, and i am also unaware of the best brands/deals of the items i need. Any help would be greatly appreciated- Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Instead of a changing bag, go with a tent. The bag will droop down and may cause complications. A tent is suspended above your hands and materials, allowing room without interference. Other items: -orange sticks - to clean your film gate -several cans of compressed air -alcohol - to clean various items -light meter - yes your camera has built-in, but you may not always want that exposure, also the built-in meter may fail, its good to learn how to use a meter -black AND white gaffers tape - white to seal your mags against light leaks -black sharpie pens -no pics of the camera case, consider a pelican case with padded dividers -avoid pick n pluck foam -fluid head on your tripod -sewing machine oil to lubricate anything that seems unusually stiff (i say this reluctantly, dont service anything critical, Im talking about simple things, always have a professional do the real service work) -lens cleaning tissue/paper -lens cleaning solution -macbeth color chart - this helps your colorist determine colors properly during video transfer Last - have a digital camera handy or video camera to document your camera when it arrives as you open it to protect yourself in case anything arrives damaged, missing, inaccurately described, etc. Get closeups of everything including serial numbers. I would literally video tape everything as you open it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) For just your Camera: Changing Tent Spare Cans & Bags (from your chosen Lab) Camera Reports (from your chosen Lab) Color Chart / Gray Scale Chart (from your chosen Lab) 1" Black Camera Tape 1" White Camera Tape 1" Red Camera Tape Can of Compressed Air Lens Tissue Lens Cleaner and Wipe Black Sharpies White Grease Pencils Chamois' for your Eyecup I recommend FilmTools.com for the above Items. You will also need an accurate Light Meter (I like Minoltas) Gaffer Tape is more for your Grip/ Lighting needs... Obviously you'll need a Fluid Head, Standard Sticks, Baby Sticks, Spreader and Hi Hat. Get the book Film Lighting by Malkiewisz. ..and a LOT MORE MONEY to pay for all the socialistic programs Obama wants to indulge his elitist ideology in.... Enjoy! Edited August 6, 2008 by David Rakoczy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 sorry Nick.. the Obama quip was for Keneu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 sorry Nick.. the Obama quip was for Keneu. You're hijacking the kids thread. Theres a time and a place for everything. Im not going to talk politics here. Yes I have a pic of him on my avatar - and thats it. If you wish to respond to what I just wrote, send me a pm, to keep this thread on track. Nick, I meant to ask you, what prior film experience do you have? If you've never shot 16mm film before, there are a few tests you may want to do when the camera arrives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 You're hijacking the kids thread. Theres a time and a place for everything. Im not going to talk politics here. Yes I have a pic of him on my avatar - and thats it. If you wish to respond to what I just wrote, send me a pm, to keep this thread on track. Kid???? He might be 70 years old.. that is rather presumptuous. You put up a pic... I put up a sentence... Grow Up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Norton Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Nick, I meant to ask you, what prior film experience do you have? If you've never shot 16mm film before, there are a few tests you may want to do when the camera arrives. I have shot numerous skate videos on a canon xl1s, and have shot perhaps 8-10 rolls of super 8 footage with a canon 1014 xl-s and other less expensive cameras. Could you recomend some of the tests i should perform when i recieve the camera? Kid???? He might be 70 years old.. that is rather presumptuous. You put up a pic... I put up a sentence... Grow Up! I'm actually 19... not quite 70. But guys settle down. Humurous sentance from David, but this is a cinematography forum and that is what i believe we are supposed to be talking about. However, me being a hypocrite: good old America... dividing our common people for a two party system when we should be working together to solve our problems. Thanks for the responses guys- Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 There are a few tests you can do. Bring your camera to a repair shop and they will test your lenses to see if they need collimation. Get some cheap old 16mm film and run it through the camera at all speeds to determine that the motor functions properly. And do a crystal test by filming someone lip sync lyrics to a song playing on a cd. If its just 100 or so feet of film, a lab and posthouse will give you a good deal on processing since its test footage. Have a reliable technician evaluate your entire camera package. The Eclair section of the 16mm forums here have lots to offer you, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Norton Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Also, what size changing bag will i need for a 200 or 400 foot ACL mag? Would 27x30 be enough? 26x40? Thanks- Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Norton Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Thanks Keneu. Could you recomend some "cheap old" 16mm stock? -Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Thanks Keneu. Could you recomend some "cheap old" 16mm stock? -Nicholas People are always putting up old stock on ebay. Like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Kodak-16mm-Color-Movie...1QQcmdZViewItem For a good changing tent, Id go with the Harrison. Again, ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Harrison-Film-Changing...1QQcmdZViewItem But if you don't want to take a risk buying a used tent, B&H sells them. This website (cinematography.com) and ebay are excellent resources. Get to know them. For further questions, search either site. Good luck with your camera. I hope it arrives in good condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Norton Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 I can't thank you enough Keneu! -Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc barbé Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Thanks Keneu. Could you recomend some "cheap old" 16mm stock? -Nicholas Hi Nicholas, If you have a project (something to film), I suggest you try and get a DP's attention. Any written advice about film stock, optics and so on is delusion if it doesn't enhance the fact that without technical knowledge and "savoir-faire" you're heading straight into the wall. The ACL is a great little camera, but your experience with video will be lost on it. Regards, Marc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Hi Nicholas,If you have a project (something to film), I suggest you try and get a DP's attention. Any written advice about film stock, optics and so on is delusion if it doesn't enhance the fact that without technical knowledge and "savoir-faire" you're heading straight into the wall. The ACL is a great little camera, but your experience with video will be lost on it. Regards, Marc. Finding a DP who is willing to help someone new to filmmaking would be great. But learning how to operate your camera, handle the film, and get proper exposure is not all that difficult. Cinematography is indeed a complex art and science. But the basics are well within reach. I was never tutored by a real DP. Come to think of it, the other filmmaker friends of mine never were either. Marc is talking about shooting an actual project. And yes, if you were gonna try to run before you even learned to crawl, youre gonna be in trouble. That's why you gotta take baby steps first. Mess around. Dont worry about actors or dialogue until youre completely comfortable with operating your camera, handling the film, and understanding exposures. Nick, you're in Orlando, right? I may be wrong, but I think Full Sail will allow you to help crew with their student films, even though you are not a student. I dont think they use the ACL, but it might be worth looking into. If you showed up and made some friends with students, telling them you now have your own camera, who knows where that will lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Norton Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Marc is talking about shooting an actual project. And yes, if you were gonna try to run before you even learned to crawl, youre gonna be in trouble. That's why you gotta take baby steps first. Mess around. Dont worry about actors or dialogue until youre completely comfortable with operating your camera, handling the film, and understanding exposures. Nick, you're in Orlando, right? I may be wrong, but I think Full Sail will allow you to help crew with their student films, even though you are not a student. I dont think they use the ACL, but it might be worth looking into. If you showed up and made some friends with students, telling them you now have your own camera, who knows where that will lead. Thanks again Keneu for all the help. I have no desire to jump right into a film production. I'm simply obsessed with cinematography/light/celluloid and am finally having the opportunity to get my hands on the equipment and start shooting. I plan on doing test after test, and helping friends or whoever has an idea for a flick. Full Sail sounds like a great idea... would i be asking too much if i offered to shoot any project they had as long as they pay for the stock/processing/transfer? -Nicholas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deepak Bajracharya Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 -alcohol - to clean various items Please let me know what exactly is the chemical composition of the alcohol used for cleaning various camera parts. Sorry for asking the out of subject question. With best regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keneu Luca Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 -alcohol - to clean various items Please let me know what exactly is the chemical composition of the alcohol used for cleaning various camera parts. Sorry for asking the out of subject question. With best regards, The question isnt out of subject at all. Isopropyl alcohol is good for cleaning exterior parts if you get dirt on your camera, or inside a mag. But of course, read the camera manual to see if certain types of alcohol should be used, or if alcohol, regardless of type, should be avoided on certain parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 For just your Camera: Changing Tent Spare Cans & Bags (from your chosen Lab) Camera Reports (from your chosen Lab) Color Chart / Gray Scale Chart (from your chosen Lab) 1" Black Camera Tape 1" White Camera Tape 1" Red Camera Tape Can of Compressed Air Lens Tissue Lens Cleaner and Wipe Black Sharpies White Grease Pencils Chamois' for your Eyecup I recommend FilmTools.com for the above Items. You will also need an accurate Light Meter (I like Minoltas) Gaffer Tape is more for your Grip/ Lighting needs... Obviously you'll need a Fluid Head, Standard Sticks, Baby Sticks, Spreader and Hi Hat. Get the book Film Lighting by Malkiewisz. ..and a LOT MORE MONEY to pay for all the socialistic programs Obama wants to indulge his elitist ideology in.... Enjoy! What's the white grease pencil for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Auner aac Posted August 8, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted August 8, 2008 What's the white grease pencil for? Writings focus marks on lens barrels, markings mags temporarily, writing on any other shiny black surface... Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Good to know. What's the best for marking the FF, I'm guessing black grease pencil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Good to know. What's the best for marking the FF, I'm guessing black grease pencil? White Grease Pencil on the Lens or Fine Point erasable Marker on the FF Rings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Thanks for the info, Dave and you'll be thanking Obama when you can actually afford to go to a doctor and get decent, low cost or even free health care like every other developed western nation on Earth. That is unless you are in the 1 percent of the nation that has 90% of the wealth in this country, then who cares about the rest of us right? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rakoczy Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 (edited) Who is going to 'pay' for that visit... you! He says he will 'TAX' businesses $2,500 per family member employed to pay for these visits. So my Brother who owns a Blue's Club in LA has 12 employees from 12 different families.. Obama is going to Steal $30,000 from him! If you don't think my Brother is going to lay people off and have less people do more to offset this Theft you don't understand a thing about economics... which makes sense because neither does the elitist Obama. He says he will penalize the Oil Companies and give each person $1,000 dollars.. hey thanks Robin Hood.. but what gives you the right to do that??? Certainly not our Constitution! Oil Co's made 7.5% Profit last year... evidently that is too much for Obama... there are plenty of businesses that make way more.. are they next? Pharmaceuticals make in the high teens... should they be hit with a heavy fine because they are successful? Do you not think these Thefts will actually drive UP the prices of Oil... or Drugs? Or lessen the amount of R & D they do? Think about it. Films can make a HUGE profit as well.. should he wait and see which ones do really well then swoop in and Steal some of the Profits from those who EARNED it and give it to those who DID NOT? If he did.. do you think those Producer's would be as likely to invest in Films again???? Keep drinking the Kool-Aid! :wacko: Edited August 9, 2008 by David Rakoczy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Adrian Sierkowski Posted August 9, 2008 Premium Member Share Posted August 9, 2008 I stand by my good friend Brett's plan. . . when all else fails, move to a small island, and declare war on the US. . . ahh The Mouse that Roared! Seriously, though, and not to get too far off of topic, taxation in and of itself is kinda strange. . . I earned the money in my check, why should the government take it? And if they do-- and boy do they!-- why am I not allowed a direct say in where my money goes? But this is all immaterial. Also, I would recommend Advil for your kit; quite important, trust me! Also, a copy of the American Cinematographer's Manual 9th edition, and a quick filter sheet (for filter corrections, you get one free when you buy tiffen filters, and i'm sure schnieder is the same). What else? . . . hmm. . .batteries, 9V, AA, AAA, you never know when you'll need one. . .and . . . yeah, that's about all I can think of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Ratner Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 No politics allowed! In the first place, Republicans don't know what they're talking about, so what's the point of arguing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now