I forgot to set the film speed on my camera...

Steve Williams · February 20, 2017

Hey guys,

First, I want everyone to know that I've googled all of my recent post and searched this forum before asking my recent questions. I appreciate everyone's patience on here throughout the learning process, and I'm hoping to get to a point where I can provide input as opposed to just taking it.

Tonight I shot a roll of 500t in outside with just a few outdoor lights and a fire. The aperture setting was pretty easy to guess - wide open. Since it was fairly dark out, I didn't pay much attention to my meter inside. That being said, I forgot to change the asa speed. Now I'm pretty sure that I understand super8 cameras well enough to know that it being left on 200 when I had 500 in the camera shouldn't affect my film - Right? Is the film speed dial on a beaulieu 4008 just for operation of the internal meter, or did I completely misunderstand its function?

Steve

Bill DiPietra · February 20, 2017

If you shot wide-open, the ASA setting kind of becomes a non-issue. I haven't shot Super-8 in about 20 years, but yes - the ASA dial is usually just to set the internal meter.

Will Montgomery · February 20, 2017

As Bill said, shooting by firelight your aperture would be wide open at 200 asa or 500 asa so you'll be fine. The dial just lets the meter know what speed film you're using so if the light is too low for ANY speed film, it will be wide open anyway.

Steve Williams · February 21, 2017

Thanks guys... I thought that was the case, but started to freak out and second guess myself a bit. Thank you for the replies

Will Montgomery · February 22, 2017

The more you shoot, the more you'll get comfortable with it. I find myself walking outside and thinking, "hmmm...this is a 50D day..." Which probably says I need to slow down on shooting film.

Steve Williams · February 22, 2017

My wife will never allow me to get to that level :-) She's already mad about the bill from just a few rolls... But solid advice none the less.

David Cunningham · February 23, 2017

The more you shoot, the more you'll get comfortable with it. I find myself walking outside and thinking, "hmmm...this is a 50D day..." Which probably says I need to slow down on shooting film.

Every day outdoors is a 50D day for me! :) Unless it's so dark from such a severe storm that you wouldn't be standing outdoors anyhow.

In fact, shot a roll of Kodakchrome 64 35mm from the freezer yesterday for a test run with a new color processing solution. The photographer doing it may even have a Super 8 and 16mm solution for all those rolls of Kodachrome 40 in the freezer that have been waiting for that home chemist to take on the challenge. I love slow speed color films!