Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Hey Everyone. First post here, so bare with me ;) I've recently gotten into shooting quite a bit of Super-8 on a refurbished Beaulieu, which I'm absolutely loving. This has obviously drawn me closer to wanting to shoot 35mm. Any suggestions on a solid starter 35mm camera? My budget is between 2-5k, USD. Audio sync/camera noise isn't a concern for me. Just looking for something reliable that won't necessarily be a huge money pit just to get going. Are they any companies out there refurbishing older 35mm Arri's? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Thoughts? http://www.visualproducts.com/storeProductDetail02.asp?productID=170&Cat=2&Cat2=13#bigPic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dunn Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) That is for a body and mag only, no lens, battery or ancillaries. Beside Super-8, 35mm. is a very different animal. Ask yourself if you need the quality enough to pay much, much more for stock, processing and transfer Edited October 2, 2014 by Mark Dunn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Hey Mark, Thanks for the insight. I was aware that the kit was only the body and mag. From the little bit of research I've done, it doesn't seem that 35mm would be THAT much more expensive for me. There was actually a post I was reading on here not too long ago saying it was on par, if not cheaper in some cases than Super-8 to process. I'm paying about $800.00 right now to send off 8-10 Super-Cartridges for development and scanning. Thats not counting the cost of the film itself. I see a HUGE difference in quality between the Super 8 and 35mm, so for me it'd be worth it. Just feeling like soon I'll have taken Super-8 about as far as I can go with it and am looking for the next step. Currently shooting an Beaulieu 4008 with Angenieux 8-64mm with "MAX-8" modification. Any insight is appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Here is a great deal on a 35-3, which is an awesome camera and will definitely serve you well. I would start looking for glass - an Angenieux 25-250 will serve you well to start out. Then you can get yourself where you want to be around your price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dunn Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Well compared with $80-100/cart 35mm. does look better value but you seem to be paying a huge amount. I'm looking at Cinelab's rate card and it looks like $43/cart, tops. For 35mm, about 37c/foot for HD transfer plus about 10c/foot for the stock, so yes, about $112/ 2.5 min, so yes, not much more than you've been paying. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) On the other hand, super 16 is a great format too, and you can get great prices on SR3s and XTRs these days. With Cinelab's rates its about 87 cents/foot including stock, HD transfer, and processing. Goes down as you go up, of course. Edited October 2, 2014 by Kenny N Suleimanagich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Gladstone Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 If you want an MOS camera, there's this one: http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=64615 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Leutger Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I bought a super 16 camera for the same reason, the cost of processing/scanning is cheaper overall than Super 8. Because I've seen many high quality movie shot with the format (Greenaway and Aronofsky) I figured 16mm was the sweet spot between cost, quality and weight.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Mark, ya it seems like the Super-8 market has gone up in pricing over the last few years. I'm not sure if its due to it becoming more popular, or the complete opposite. Kenny, that 35-3 is tempting. Seems the only thing that would be missing is a power supply? And lens, of course. If it was Buy it Now, I'd probably have jumped on it. Chris, I was on the fence about 16mm. I'd love to see what you come up with using the 16; For me, I just feel like if I'm going to step up, 35mm is the way to go. I remember experiencing the switch from shooting 35mm still photography to medium format so I think that is weighing in on my decision making. No doubt was 35 beautiful, but medium format was on another level. Kinda what I'm seeing with the Super-8/16mm/35mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Basically any 12v 4-pin XLR battery will work. See here. The 435ES is also great, but might be more than what you need in your price range. That 3, with this lens, and a battery belt would get you shooting in your budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Kenny, thanks for all of the info so far. My only thought with that lens is the sheer size of it. I've become accustom to using mostly prime lenses, so this would take some getting used to. I don't think I'd be able to use the camera with that lens off a tripod. What are your thoughts on primes over something like this? Obviously the upside to that lens would stop me from buying multiple primes, but I'm unsure about the maneuverability of the camera with that lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Primes are a great choice, but they can sometimes be prohibitively expensive. It really just depends on what you want. Maybe decide on what you like shooting most, and start with that. Then build your set. 28, 50, 85. Something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Leutger Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Derrek - I jumped from 35mm to 4x5 so I hear you on quality increase. But I don't want to take on the added expense of camera, film etc for 35. I figure after shooting 16 for awhile I may move on up though. I need to figure out where this will fit in my overall artistic practice. I'm waiting for battery packs to get recelled then should start shooting soon. I got an Angenieux 15-150mm for my starter lens because it covers S16. In a lot of movies I've seen news guys shooting Eclairs etc using long zoom lenses...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg MacPherson Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 .......I don't think I'd be able to use the camera with that lens off a tripod. ..... The Arri-III with the normal viewfinder you won't operate with it on your shoulder, even with a small prime lens. You need a special viewfinder. So it's worth thinking about the kind of operating you will do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Gregg, thanks for pointing that out. Are those viewfinders hard to find? Is there an Arriflex model that would be better suited for the shoulder or potentially hand held from time to time? Not saying that I have to work off of a tripod, but it would be nice to not be constrained to one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg MacPherson Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) There is a link in this thread to an Arri-435 that a member is selling on eBay. But these are worth more bucks. I don't know what Arri-III is like to occassionally hold in front of your face for a short time. Arri-II was originally intended to be used that way, with the bottom mount motor. But normally the II was modded with a flat base which shifted the motor. I met one of the many operators from The Battle of Britain once and he described the hand held rigs some used with their Arri-II's. Much like the shoulder rigs used by the DSLR/Blackmagic etc guys. Edited October 2, 2014 by Gregg MacPherson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) MOS: 435, 235 Sync sound: BL-1, through BL-4, 535. Aaton 35mm cameras are also great for handheld. Edited October 2, 2014 by Kenny N Suleimanagich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Dom Jaeger Posted October 2, 2014 Premium Member Share Posted October 2, 2014 The 435 was the best MOS camera ever made - tough as nails, versatile and extremely steady - but if you ever need to get one repaired or serviced it won't be cheap. These were (still are really) professional grade cameras, way overkill for someone just wanting to mess around with 35mm as a hobby IMHO. While pro film cameras like this have plunged in value, PL mount lenses are still highly sought after and even vintage glass can be quite expensive. You could easily spend several thousand on a few old primes that need PL adapters and then find that they have issues. It's also worth knowing that accessories for cameras like the 435 - base plates, shoulder brackets, rods, lens supports, follow focus etc are still used professionally and priced accordingly. But it's an amazing camera, to think that these days it doesn't cost much more than a Bolex nearly breaks my heart. This Eyemo looks to have a reflex Nikon mount and would be a great hobbyist starter camera I reckon: http://www.ebay.com/itm/35MM-FORMAT-BELL-HOWELL-EYEMO-CAMERA/171479042879?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D8e71eb37370e4c1b99902e796f2d46c4%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20131003132420%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D221562093602&rt=nc Much more affordable lens choices, and a classic hand-held design that was used to record many of the 20th century's pivotal moments. It's much more basic than a 435 and spring powered, but in some ways that makes it easier to carry around and use - throw it in a back-pack and off you go, no batteries required. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrek Sullivan Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 Hey Dom -- Let me start by saying thank you for your insight. If you could, define "not cheap" when referring to repair and service? I feel like that can be a bit subjective based on income and lifestyle. What's expensive to one person, may just be the cost of doing business to another. I don't think I'd classify myself as a hobbyist. Maybe "starter" was the wrong term to use in the Topic heading. I make a full time living in photography and cinematography. The 35mm camera I decide to go with will undoubtedly bring me revenue. While I do consider myself a professional, I don't consider myself familiar yet with 35mm film making. I'm currently spending about 800-1000 dollars a month on Super-8 film, development, and processing. As I've said previously, I feel soon I'll have taken the Super-8 format about as far as it can go and am just looking toward the next logical step forward to continue to learn my craft and grow as an artist. Again, I'm loving all of the different perspectives. Much appreciated, gents! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny N Suleimanagich Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Derrek - If you notice, the second Jurgens video tap door in that auction is configured for handheld operation. See how the viewfinder has a 90 degree orientation? I do agree with Dom about lenses. PL glass is not cheap unless you are using Lomo or adapting old glass. Again, this is something you could build up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Klim Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Does anyone know where I can find a picture of a fully tagged matte box on a film camera? I would love to see what it looks like and I cannot find a picture anywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Phil Rhodes Posted October 3, 2014 Premium Member Share Posted October 3, 2014 Perhaps I'm missing a piece of American terminology, but - "tagged"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg MacPherson Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Phil, are you puzzled or just making fun of? I think it just names the filter labels etc velcroed onto the matte box sunshade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Klim Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Yes Gregg, that is what I am looking for. Phil, I was told it is called a tagged matte box. If I am incorrect I would love for someone to kindly tell me what its actually called. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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