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High Speed 16mm Camera Recommendations


danny bartle

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hi all,

 

I really love slow motion & i'm looking for a reasonably cheap yet reliable & steady high speed 16mm camera. Preferably not too big, can run on batteries (not mains power) & it would be nice if it can be converted to super 16 reasonably easy (not essential though).

 

Its just for my personal use & experimenting so it can't be too expensive. Anybody with any suggestions?

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hi all,

 

I really love slow motion & i'm looking for a reasonably cheap yet reliable & steady high speed 16mm camera. Preferably not too big, can run on batteries (not mains power) & it would be nice if it can be converted to super 16 reasonably easy (not essential though).

 

Its just for my personal use & experimenting so it can't be too expensive. Anybody with any suggestions?

 

Try to get an Eclair ACL with the HD motor. It will do 75fps and can be converted to S16. :)

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Photosonics appears to me to be the best product. The company is still in business, has super 16 conversions, and can service your camera, (if things go wrong). And, with a c-mount, one might use the same reflex lenses on one's Bolex RX-5. I've been looking at them, (with thoughts of capturing some swift fencing movements on film), and see them occasionally listed upon eBay, (Caveat Emptor).

 

Check out: http://www.cameraguild.com/php/phorum/read...f=1&i=117&t=117Photosonics

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Ahh slow motion cameras! Now this is something im having trouble with too.

 

I've been researching Photosonic, Milliken and Locam 16mm cameras all have the ability to run 500fps. I know that the milliken cameras can be converted to S16mm and have been used by many surf/snowboard cinematographers. Check out www.alangordon.com for these. Millikens go on ebay now and again but they are usually surplus and have had a hard life. Standard 16mm requires .3000 pitch film, 2 perf stock from kodak.

 

Photosonics produce great cameras and they are already set up for standard single perf stock. Im not sure about convertions on these cameras though.

 

The Locam cameras are also reliable and are set for standard pitch film. You can find information on these at www.visinst.co.uk.

 

Most use c-mount lenses and run at 28vDC, battery packs usually available with the camera.

 

The only problem is they dont come cheap. Because they are specialist and speedy beasts you really want to make sure its 100% ok before you shoot as imagine the mess you'd make at those speeds!! It really depends how slow you want your footage. These camera are great but i'd prefer a regular film camera!!

 

As always part of the fun is the challenge so keep researching and find a deal. Thats what im doing at the moment.

 

Hope this helps :D

 

Just a quick question, are you looking to film surfing stuff? I know you were looking into using the K-3 how did that turn out? Most surf filming cameras have a water housing unit so they can get in the thick of the action! Is this something your planning on?

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yeh i shoot a fair bit of surfing stuff but have lately been getting into other sports too as well as completely different stufff like docos, short films etc...

 

most of the good water filmers i know use either Bolex's or Photosonics or Milikin's in housings. I was thinking of a Photosonics camera for myself. I dont know if i'd bother going to extent of housing it i just wanted to experiment with things like filming running water, people jumping in the air, etc just to muck about with for fun, although its not cheap fun!

 

no i never got the K3 i got a Bolex RX5 instead. admittedly i haven't used it that much but when the waves are good enough with the right pros i'll use it more. usually just shoot video which i have a water housing for.

 

do you shoot surfing too?

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I wish!! No im moving towards that field though its a long process. I've only been using film for about 6 months now, gradually learning the skills as i go along. I've used video for years but film excites me more... and drains my money too!

 

I was looking for slow motion to film martial art moves both hand forms and weapon forms. Im also a snowboarder and wanted to use it in that field too. I've always wanted to try surfing but im slap bang in the middle of the uk! I have it planned for the future though.

 

Let us know if you have any luck with the search,

 

Good luck!

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