Liam Howlett Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I've been mostly shooting with DSLR, and while I can easily manipulate the digital to resemble film in post - I really want to invest in a Super-8 and shoot on actual film. This is one territory I haven't covered yet and am greatly interested in. What's a good camera to invest in for a newbie who's looking to learn the foundations with actual film? I'd like something that will also be able to shoot in 16:9 as well. Will Super-8's take on those widescreen converters ? I sound like a newb, that's cause I am. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Conroy Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I've been mostly shooting with DSLR, and while I can easily manipulate the digital to resemble film in post - I really want to invest in a Super-8 and shoot on actual film. This is one territory I haven't covered yet and am greatly interested in. What's a good camera to invest in for a newbie who's looking to learn the foundations with actual film? I'd like something that will also be able to shoot in 16:9 as well. Will Super-8's take on those widescreen converters ? I sound like a newb, that's cause I am. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you Super-8 cameras do not shoot 16:9 - they shoot 4:3 - you should embrace this different aspect ratio and abandon the horrid 16:9 ratio. However, if your reaaaally needed the image to be 16:9 - it is possible to achieve it if you scanned the film at 2K and and just cropped into the frames - but, you'll be losing picture on an already tight image If you have the cash - a Canon 1014 xls is probably the safest best camera money can buy - but they are rather expensive - otherwise I'd recommend you do what I did, go onto ebay everyday and search through the super-8 cameras that are listed, see which ones are popping up - google them for more info - check youtube/vimeo videos to see what sort of images you get with them - and then start looking for some bargains - I got my Elmo 1012xls for €50 when i've seen some people list it for €180 - so just keep looking and wait for the perfect auction. at the end of the day, one camera wont give you extremely different results in comparison to another standard super-8 camera - its all down to the film stock you use and the scan (i recommend full HD telecine) so maybe start with a relatively cheap camera and work up from there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Conroy Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 also - I once bought a Canon 814 XL for 0.99p on ebay - so these bargains do exist! (also beware of some cameras that only shoot 18fps(like the canon i mentioned) - if you want to record sync sound you'll need a camera that shoots 24fps) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Howlett Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 (edited) also - I once bought a Canon 814 XL for 0.99p on ebay - so these bargains do exist! (also beware of some cameras that only shoot 18fps(like the canon i mentioned) - if you want to record sync sound you'll need a camera that shoots 24fps) Niall, so then a Canon 1014 xls not shoot 24fps... I definitely want a camera that shoots 24fps, so if Canon 1014 doesn't - that isn't for me. I saw some videos as well where Super 8 had an anamorphic attached to them, that is what I meant, sorry for the confusion. What you also described about how to best find one that suits me, I usually do research, I just wanted some input from guys who have shot film and have experience in Super-8 so I could have at least a baseline to compare all the others to. Is the 18fps ONLY, an issue with Super8 cams? Are there a lot that don't shoot at 24fps? I'm anal about the frame rate, I want to be able to shoot as close to actual cinematic frame rate as possible, hence 18fps doesn't suit me. But I will definitely now keep this in mind. but could you list a few "good" cameras that I should be looking into (24fps, if Canon 1014 is out of the question?) Edited April 30, 2012 by Liam Howlett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob thomas Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Niall, so then a Canon 1014 xls not shoot 24fps... I definitely want a camera that shoots 24fps, so if Canon 1014 doesn't - that isn't for me. I saw some videos as well where Super 8 had an anamorphic attached to them, that is what I meant, sorry for the confusion. What you also described about how to best find one that suits me, I usually do research, I just wanted some input from guys who have shot film and have experience in Super-8 so I could have at least a baseline to compare all the others to. Is the 18fps ONLY, an issue with Super8 cams? Are there a lot that don't shoot at 24fps? I'm anal about the frame rate, I want to be able to shoot as close to actual cinematic frame rate as possible, hence 18fps doesn't suit me. But I will definitely now keep this in mind. but could you list a few "good" cameras that I should be looking into (24fps, if Canon 1014 is out of the question?) The canon 1014 XL-S definitely shoots 24fps as does the 1014 AutoZoom. Niall was referring to the 814 XL Electronic which only shoots at 9fps, 18fps and 36fps. There are a lot of Super 8 cameras that only shoot 18fps but most of the higher end cameras will do 24fps too. I have a 1014 XL-S and really like it, apparently the 814 XL-S (which does 24fps) is equally if nice. If I was you I would look for a Canon. Depending on your budget something like a 518 SV, 814 Autozoom, 1014 Autozoom, or 814 XL-S or 1014 XL-S. There are heaps of nice camera's out there it just depends how much you want to spend and what features you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Will Montgomery Posted April 30, 2012 Premium Member Share Posted April 30, 2012 Canon 814 Autozoom shoots 18 and 24 for sure... maybe 9 too? Great camera but very heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Stevens Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 The CANON 1014 XL-S and Nikon R10 and the outstanding, sure-fire cannot lose cameras to buy, if you ask me. Each has it's good points. I think the R10 is superior in low light. The Canon is amazing when you get to its sweet spot of 5.6. Both can have their gates widened. It gives you a bit of extra room, but in the end, I haven't done it and usually crop to 1.66:1 for my stuff. I love that ratio. There are some very nice Beaulieu Super8's out there that are more affordable than the pricey Canon 1014 XL-S and Nikon R10. All of the above do 24 fps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Howlett Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ok that's awesome! some misunderstanding. I'm relieved because I'm really liking the Canon 1014 xls. I'm a Canon person myself, my DSLR is a T2i. If I was to purchase a 1014, would I be able to mount anamorphic adapter? or how about the lenses from a DSLR? (I mean, I'm sure you'd need an adapter ring for that though) Another question, what do you think of the Leicina Special ? is that something that's worth it if I got that way? Thanks again ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Stevens Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 (edited) With the Canon, all you can do is use the telephoto or wide angle adapters. That's it as the super8's are all fixed lens deals. The Leicina is very 'special' :lol: , but 25fps. Not 24, so you have deal with that. Edited May 1, 2012 by Matt Stevens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Will Montgomery Posted May 1, 2012 Premium Member Share Posted May 1, 2012 If you are "investing" you might want to consider a Beaulieu 4008. It has a manual ASA setting which is very helpful with the ever changing film stock situation. They also come with some of the best lenses ever made for Super 8. It's C mount which will allow you to get adapters for your Canon SLR lenses if you wanted. I have three different Canon Super 8 cameras and love them all when I'm having fun, but when I want something to look really good on Super 8 I pick up the Beaulieu. 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