Kodak's newest V3 50D now available to UltraPan8 filmmakers

Nicholas Kovats · February 9, 2012

Serendipity.

Kodak announces a refocus to their core competency aka film and my reperforated Vision 3 50D UP8 stock arrives the same day.

Specifically Mr Edward Nowill has reperforated Kodak's newest single perf 16mm stock (1R-2994) specifically for Bolex UltraPan8 cameras. Remember that the Ultrapan8 format, i.e.

1.) Utilizes the full 16mm width of R8 film (2R-1497) with R8 pulldown producing an aspect ratio = 2.8:1.

2.) Relative to 16mm magazines UP8 doubles shooting time, i.e. there are 80x UP8 frames per 16mm foot instead of 40 standard 16mm frames.

3.) UP8 is a native spherical format that utilizes standard 16mm c-mount optics. No re-centering required.

4.) The UP8 also has a native viewfinder with a Cinemascope mask (2.4:1).

5.) A scanned example =

A big thanks to Richard Tuohy of Nano Labs in Australia for suggesting we try using Mr. Nowill's 2nd industrial machine dedicated specifically to perforating sheet film. And reminding me of UP8's fundamental design criteria using R8 film (2R-1497) whereby the UP8 pulldown ONLY utilizes the B-Wind perf for pulldown (right side). The

A-Wind (left side) is not used.

Edward agreed to the test noting that his machine would not be using the stock factory single perf as a reference. It would punch 2 new left and right perfs per UP8 frame. Every 2nd left side perf would overlap the standard 16mm single perf. The end result being that the UP8 pulldown would ignore both of the redundant A -Wind (left side)

perfs (1st perf = single perf 16mm + 2nd perf R8 = 1R-1497 R8 per 16mm frame).

I have attached a quick photo illustrating the perfs from the film backing perspective with the emulsion hidden from view. This reperforated film has the correct orientation regarding B-Wind and the emulsion. I have also attached a photo with the emulsion facing my camera.

As the former single perf 16mm perf (1R-2994) has ended up being punched twice, first by Kodak and then second by Norwill, this special stock is not usable by the global Regular 8 user base. The attached photo may not have sufficient clarity to illustrate the non-usability of the A-Wind (left side) perfs. I have just realized I cannot post these two pics as I have previously exceeded my quota for this forum, i.e. "Used 194.91K of my 100K global upload quota". That upper limit is quite discerning in this day and age of cheap storage.

Kodak originally donated the 800 FT of V3 50D stock which is to be rolled down into 100FT rolls. Each of the five current UP8 camera users will be receiving 100 FT. I am going to reserve one 100FT roll as a dummy to test the threading path.

Edward charged a modest 40 GBP for the 800FT of film. I am working on reducing or eliminating the expensive shipping costs to the UK by sourcing single perf 16mm stock locally in Europe.

Stay tuned for posted scan results.

Will Montgomery · February 9, 2012

I am very happy for the 5 people on the planet that will benefit from this. :)

I would however love to get hold of some of that on 25 foot rolls for my regular 8 cameras.

Dom Jaeger · February 9, 2012

I am very happy for the 5 people on the planet that will benefit from this. :)

I would however love to get hold of some of that on 25 foot rolls for my regular 8 cameras.

Ditto

Robert Ditto · February 10, 2012

Did someone say my name?

Hey now, Nicholas has been working hard to get this, he has been on the phone, in forums, sending emails, and everything else he can think of to get this. Which is more than some of us can say, I know because I am one.

I have been working hard to get pieces together for a great film gear set-up, all the while stock is slipping away.

Robert Ditto · February 10, 2012

Has anyone thought to ask if Kodak will sell some un-perfed 50D that Mr. Nowill could run through his machine? Wouldn't that make it usable by both camera systems?

Robert Ditto · February 10, 2012

V3 50D that is.

Nicholas Kovats · February 10, 2012

That's correct and detailed in my post, Robert.

Single perf 16mm acetate stock (B-wind 1R-2997) cannot be reperforated into 2 perf R8 film (2R-1497)with Mr. Nowill's setup. Unperforated sheet film potentially could be. One would have to contact Mr. Nowill to verify which specific sheet film width is applicable. I suspect unperfed 16mm sheet is not available from Kodak.

But if Mr. Nowill's specific sheet film machine can accommodate stock Kodak 35mm V3 50D w/ perfs then potentially yes. I believe three strips of R8 could be derived from a single 35mm strip.

Charles MacDonald · February 10, 2012

That's correct and detailed in my post, Robert.

Single perf 16mm acetate stock (B-wind 1R-2997) cannot be reperforated into 2 perf R8 film (2R-1497)with Mr. Nowill's setup. Unperforated sheet film potentially could be.

When you say "sheet film" I think of little bits of film 4 by 5 inches. you really need UNPERFORATED 16mm. I wonder if that is not a possibility for Kodak to do if the order would be a few cans each containing couple of 2000 ft rolls. Articles in the past have indicated that the normal production method is to start with unperforated 16mm stock and to perforate it with either 16mm perfs, regualr 8 perfs or Super 8 perfs, and then if needed slit it into super 8.

In this case the perfs on the side that Kodak perfed in the first place would basically be at random, and may overlap the regular 8 perfs.

The regualr 8 tri-x reversal stock is made this way. I have not used any recently but I believe it does not have numbers or Keycode.

It is possible that Kodak has already perforated their entire planed production of the film for the current batch. their current finacial situation may add to their reluctance to accept such a special order.