Sean McHenry

Interesting note, I was watching the trailers on the latest release of "In Cold Blood" and there was a trailer for "8mm" with Nick Cage. The VO of the announcer mentions the film was 8mm wide and run as 16 frames per second... huh? I know better but you think they could have gotten the script right for the announcer. 9, 18, 24, 48, 54, etc but I have never heard of 8mm running at 16fps. Anyone else or was that just wrong? Sean

Called it in direct. Thanks Chris. Sean

Chris, hold a copy for me. I have been too slow to get you a check since PayPal is playing with me again. Can I call it by credit card? I can do it right now... Sean

I suppose I should have said the problem with the front lens element is getting hazy. Like the coatings are going bad. I have cleaned the outer lens area but most of the haze seems to be on the backside of the initial lens. That's why I was asking if there was a UV filter I could just spin off with a little extra force. It does not appear to be the old lens fungus issue, just the coatings are getting that rainbow coloration to them. From speaking with others here it seems this camera did indeed have a flat front lens surface. I suppose I will be sending this to Super16 for Bernie to look at and see if it can be saved. Sean McHenry

I suppose "round" was a dumb choice of words... Yep, I meant spherical. I have never known the front lens element of any camera to be flat. That's why I was hoping it was a filter. It's looking more like it's the actual first element of the lens however. That's sad as it's not in good shape. Sean

Can someone describe the first element of the Canon 1014 XLs lens? Is it flat or rounded like the 814 and other lenses? I can't tell if someone has a bad UV filter on the one I am looking at for possible purchase or if this is the actual first element of the lens assy. Thanks, Sean McHenry

Naturally, I'm in. Sean McHenry - Ohio - "The heart of it all" Midwest. I'm not checking these boards daily so if we get a final concept or idea, let me know via e-mail and I'm in. Should be something we can do on a single reel or maybe 2? Simple scene. If you want I can write the 1 page or so of generic script. You folks can approve it, or have someone else write a simple scene. Certain aspects should be defined like DAY or NIGHT, INT or EXT and so on so we use similar but not exactly the same lighting. Sean McHenry Sean@DeepBlueEdit.com http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

Hey, that's my idea from a while back. I would still love to see folks do it. Yes, a plain Jane script is what you need, sort of. Something like INT., PARKED CAR, DAY James So Sally, what did you think? Sally Well, it was a little undercooked for me. Etc. The Producer/Director decides what car, where it is, how the folks are dresssed, is it 1932 or 2062, who is in the drivers seat, anything else in the car, camera angles, lighting, accents of the characters, backstory, style - Noir, SciFi, Doc, French New Wave, etc. This would be especially fun for international folks. I would love to see how someone from China would shoot this as well as Australia or Austria, etc. The soundtrack would also be most interesting. We discussed doing this at DVInfo.net some time ago. What I would REALLY love to see is big name directors do this, like Ron Howard and David Lynch, etc. Can you imagine the different takes on the same scene? Should be enlightening to us all. Let me know if anyone does this. I might like to be in on it too. Sean McHenry Sean@DeepBlueEdit.com

Just a note on the 814-XLs repairs. I haven't run a roll through it yet but I can say, it seems to be purring like a kitten. Got it back yesterday in the mail. I think Bernie did an excellent job as it seems to be pulling strong at all speeds with my test cart of K40 sound - AND fresh batteries. He replaced the foam seals and all seems to be wonderful now. I'll run a few rolls through this weekend and send them out next week to be sure the camera is OK but Bernie tells me it seems to be in great shape. I am looking forward to shooting with it. Bernie had to do some hand holding with me on a few things, like making sure I put in fresh batteries (OK, this film stuff is new to me). All is great and he and Julie were consummate professionals with a great personal touch. 5 stars and a big smile. Sean McHenry

Chris, while I don't yet have the camera back in hand, I will say Bernie and Julie have kept in touch all along the way. I found out it was just in dire need of a good cleaning and replacement of the light trap foam which was likely the culprit that gummed up everything. Bernie tells me it's in fine shape and I will be really happy with it. He received the camera late Friday and around noon today, Monday, he called to tell me it was all better. Excellent. I'll be calling with my Visa card number tomorrow morning and hopefully be shooting by the weekend again. I won't say what it cost as everyones work will probably be different but as I paid around $300 US for this one, putting the money into it, considering it's value in top shape, which I assume it now is, can go as high as $900 (as seen in a current ad from one of the major shops) Besides, it also came with the WA adapter and that makes up for a lot. I plan on getting some use out of it and now that it's going strong I will be sure to get a few years from it. You can see the other thread as well for more info: http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004/in...showtopic=18225 YMMV, Sean By the way, you tortured? When this camera arrived, it had 9 (yes NINE) rolls of Kodachrome SOUND film in the bag, unopened. If only anyone still processed K40 Sound... S.

As a quick note, I paid about $120 US last year for an 814 AutoZoom and it's great. I like it but man, it's one heavy piece of gear. I also bought an 814 XLS for around $300 US and had to send it out for a complete cleaning. It's on it's way back from the shop but they tell me it's in great shape. Also, I posted quite a few recent prices off Ebay in this link: http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004/in...st&p=131262 Sean

Tim, and anyone else with the same issues with an 814 XLS running and then stopping by itself after a few seconds - the verdict is in and it's all good. Bernie phoned me today after only having the camera in his posession since late Friday afternoon, that the camera was ready to go, all fixed up like new. He tells me the foam for the light shielding had deteriorated and become flakes of goo which had likely worked their way into the mechanicals gumming the works up. He saw nothing else that needed work so he gave it a complete cleaning and tells me it's a good camera and that I should really love it now. I won't tell you what it cost me as that would be like getting an estimate and I would rather let Bernie handle all that since things could be vastly different from camera to camera. Let's just say that even with my initial investment of nearly $300 that this cleaning puts me in the ballpark with some 814XLS cameras I have seen advertised from well known shops. Besides, I have Bernine in my corner now with his years of background telling me it's in good shape. All that adds up to what I would consider a good deal. Thanks Bernie, Sean McHenry

So in the end, it shakes out like this; You are probably better off removing any old dirty crinkly wrinkled gel filters and live with a "possible" back focus issue that is likely negated altogether by the actual films flopping movement through the inexpensive gate mechanism. In theory, the film flopping around could move the film in and out of the focal point while running causing a real but imperceptible shift. And you have to temper all this info by asking if we aren't trying to squeee High Def out of a Pixelvision. All great usable info but for what most of us are using these for, I just know I will never see it. If it came down to less light and a dirty filter causing initial focus issues, I would probably pull that filter out (or have Bernie do it) and have it brought back into alignment if I was shooting something critical or just wanted to say my camera had been properly adjusted. Sean

Just to keep this thread up to date, I sent my 814 XLS to Bernie a few days ago. He should have it today, Friday, Nov 3rd, 2006. I am looking forward to hearing that it just needs a cleaning. I know that's hopeful on my part but I am ready to shoot. From our conversations via e-mail and the info on the web site, I am trusting Bernie. He sounds like a stand-up sort of gentleman. - I hope you plan to take something off for the free advertising Bernie : ) I also mentioned you in another thread here. Similar topic. http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004/in...t=0#entry136221 Thanks again, Sean McHenry

Hello Tim. I sent mine in to Bernie O'Doherty. You can find his site here: http://super16inc.com/index.html Sounds like a fine gentleman and has a very impressive background in cameras and repairs. He tells me he likes working on Super 8 once in a while as it gives him a fun break from working on 16mm cameras. I thought about taking his workshop but realized, I don't have a 16mm camera. He should be receiving mine today (Friday, Nov 3rd, 2006) and tells me he should have it looked at in a day or two to give me the news on what's happening. It could need a cleaning or a new motor and other electronics. Our conversations via e-mail have been light but to the point. I haven't met him but I like the man. Besides, he's an Irishman, like my ancestors. I'll post more when I hear back from Bernine. There is a similar thread a few down from this one, http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004/in...showtopic=18271 Sean

Bernie, sent you an e-mail. Sean McHenry

Before I begin, I am a television Engineer and not a film guy (but I am working on it) so to me it makes sense that the small possibly plastic filter may have discolored, especially if they are a gel type after all these years. I would say that since most of these small film cameras either swing the filter out or in depending on the cart inserted that pulling the filter out completly should (I am not a film camera tech - should) have no effect on the focus of the lens elements. After all the camera itself will take the filter out of the optical path if the correct cart is used. It is quite possible that this would be a good way to go on some older cameras but I haven't heard of anyone having color temp issues due to their built in filter aging. I am sure if you took a color temp reading off the light entering the cart area with some special light meters you may find it has changed but whether we can see that change? Sean PS, I think Mr. Doolittle is correct. The clear filter, if it is a UV filter is not there to keep the focus from changing in the absence of the CC filter, if it is truely a UV filter it actually has a different purpose and isn't there just to place a piece of focus shifting glass in the optical path. For the record, video cameras are exactly the same. A small filter wheel just after the lensing and before the optical block. You can populate the filter wheels with any number of filter - or none. Flipping filter in and out has no noticable effect on the focus or back focus. I think the earlier gentleman may have been a bit confused by asking if the filters went between the lens and the lens mount. As far as I know, no filters work that way. All aftermarket filters, except the expensive filter wheel filters for video cameras mentioned above go in front of the lens. Sean

My 814 XLs is doing exactly the same thing. Feels like the hub isn't very strong when turning so I am thinking it's either the motor (bad I would think) or a belt or just plain needs a lube. I know the light seals are gummy so we might as well do those too. I think I will e-mail you also. I e-mailed Spectra and one other comapny days ago and have yet to hear back from them. Maybe if we team up we could get a multi camera discount? I hear great things about these Canons and in fact own and have used an 814 AZ and love it, it's just REALLY REALLY LOUD. I would like to shoot sound sometime so I bought this one. I will e-mail Bernie in a moment. Sean McHenry http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

I sent 2 of the 3 companies mentioned above e-mails asking what they think might be the trouble and for a rough estimate. I will probably pack it off to Spectra in the next day or so. It should probably get a good going over anyway. Still lloking for anyone who has cracked one of these critters open. I haven't looked at it really well yet but I just don't see any screws on the little booger that might lead anywhere. More later. Sean

The 814 XLs allows you to manually insert or remove the color filter independantly of the notching. Just push in on the top part just above the slider and it allows you to make the decision to use it or not, at least that's apparently how mine works. I have however forgotten if it inserts a CTB or CTO. Sean

OK, I have a Canon 814XLs and it seems as the motor is slipping, or a belt or something. It is slipping and not able to pull film through the cart without stopping down after about 5 seconds or so at 18fps. 24 and 9 seem to fare better. Has anyone ever opened an 814 XLS before to get to these components? Anyone want to tutor me on opening the case on one of these puppies? I am geussing it needs lubrication and a new belt if it uses one or a new or reconditioned rubber idler arm, whatever it uses for drive on the cart hub. I can slow and even stop the hub turning without a lot of effort. I am guessing that's the trouble. Any suggestions or help is appreciated. I am an Broadcast Television Engineer by trade but don't have the manual or any experience with this particular item. Thanks everyone, Sean

I believe a lot of fabric shops will have this fake leather material in various thicknesses but heck, why not go for a nice obscure and updated black nylon cloth or something to set your camera apart from the pack while you are there? People will stop and stare and ask what kind of camera you have there. Quick humerous note: I like to wander around with my Canon 814 AZ once in a while and stopped into one of the Barnes and Noble book sellers some time back. The young man at the counter saw it when I set it down to pay for my magazine and asked me what kind of video camera it was. I had to answer him several times as he kept thinking it was 8mm Video. In the end he said he had never heard of or seen any film cameras like that. I smiled and told him he probably never would again, unless I bring it in with me again. Sean

I have to say that here in Ohio, USA, digital projection has so far been limited to some rather bad projectors. Some of the AMC theaters here do digital projection but you can actually count the pixels on a 20+ foot wide screen from the back row. The molecular strucure of Silver Halide is so much tighter than the limited number of pixels the average digital projector can actually project. Unless someone knows different, look at the simple math involved. if the projector is actually doing a horizontal resolution of 1280 pixels, that's almost 1/4" per pixel or 4 pixels per inch. That doesn't take into account the dismal contrast ratio or the actual number of displayable colors digital projection has compared to the latitude and color range of film. If you see much digital projection in it's current commonly installed condition, it pretty much sucks, in my opinion. And that's if the projectors are set up to display 1280 (HD). Most are set to other standardss and in fact, a DVD or any SD (Standard Def) video is reduced to 720x486 making the individual horizontal pixels actually .4" each on a 24 ft wide screen. Remember the very first digital televisions - yeah, like that, only bigger. They are pushing it further and further but you can still see the gradient banding you see in current "Digital" Plasma televisions, DLT and LCD projectors. I can say that I would rather have a good sized Plasma any day over any similarly priced projector of any technology. I used to sell several brands as a Broadcast equipment sales person with a good sized midwest company. In a related note, we have clients at the post house where I work as an Engineer on my day job asking to please not use the (Famous brand name here) LCD HD monitor as the image sucks for critical focus and color. For broadcast video, we still need glass. Sony screwed the pooch on that one. Anyway, projectors aren't the answer yet. DVDs have compression out thew wazoo as well. Nothing like degrading a really small image area with even more compression and artifacting and reducing the contrast and color space. If people are worried about their originals ask for a second print. It will loose a bit but I believe you can get a second optical print using reversal? Sean

There is also the Straight 8 Festival. This one looks fun and has some interesting winners. Look up "Dog Years". These are a testament that you don't absolutly need sync sound. It works. http://www.straight8.net/past.htm Sean

A pencil eraser is a decent contact burnisher, just don't over do it or you'll rub through the plating on the contacts. You can also buy rather expensive contact cleaners like Caig DeoxIt and ProGold which will put down a protective lubrication and keep those little old electrons flowing. It's quite expensive stuff but worth it. Sean