Crystal Sync Necessary?

[Guest FilmmakerJack]

Hey, I have a Canon Scoopic 16M. It currently does not have Crystal Sync. I had heard it was only needed to shoot dialogue and without it the film runs inconsistantly. If this is true, won't I need Crystal Sync regardless if my film has dialogue or not? Will the capture move faster and then slower at different times without it?

[Rik Andino]

Well it's nice to have it if that's what you're asking...

 

Crystal Synch makes the movement rocksteady

Without there's slight changes in the movement

It's not that noticeable unless you're synching sound

 

If you wanted a Xtal speed camera you shouldn't have gotten the scoopic

Something more like an Arri 16S or 16SB with a Xtal synch motor would be better

 

But then again you're probably not be shooting with dialogue with the camera

So no worries...

 

 

Good Luck

[Guest FilmmakerJack]

Does anything need to be added to Super 8 format to make sure the motor runs smoothly?

[timHealy]

You'll also need crystal sync if your shooting with HMI's. With incadescent you don't.

[Nate Downes]

If you keep your shots short and don't use HMI's, you can cheat yourself around the lack of a crystal motor, or even a motor at all. I've seen amazing stuff done on clockwork and even hand-cranked units.