Gareth Blackstock

I bought some Canon 1014E’s recently to add to my rental camera listing, shot some film through them, as well as all the other cameras, to test function and exposure, and the film came back with very nice results across the range! People should not underestimate the great shots the old Sankyo, Yashica, and Minolta D6 cameras provide, very close to the quality of high end Canon’s. I reckon I am still the cheapest Super8 camera rental around, and quite a few people are borrowing them, even the free ones. Have a look at the site, any comments are welcomed. http://www.mishkin.yolasite.com/camera-hire.php Cheers, Gareth

Hello, I am guessing the view finder may need a clean from the inside, the 514 has a similar setup to alot of the other canon's and it is quite easy to take off the top cover and use a Q tip to clean the inside of the veiw finder. Below is a link with some pictures on how to do it. http://canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com/814-handgrip-removal.php Good luck...

I recently updated my canon repair site, it now includes good pictures of my 1014 being pulled apart. http://canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com/1014-body-disassembly.php I am making progress on getting it running again. I hope the pictures help people out who find they bought a "bargain" on ebay, and discover the camera was dropped in the ocean in 1987. cheers, Gareth

Thanks for the feedback, I am hoping a few Australians regularly visit the board. Oddly, my canon's seem quite fragile compared to the Yashica's I have used, I have even had one fall off a car mount while driving, and it still worked. I gave it away a year ago, and from what I hear it is still going strong! cheers, Gareth

I recently took stock of my cameras and decided to offer the reliable ones for cheap local hire. Although I can only hire to Victoria, Australian residents, I was hoping people might have a look at the website and offer some feedback on pricing, or whatever. I do not intend to make money, and as I am not going to be filming for awhile, I want the cameras to get used, otherwise they will get all gummed up with age. http://mishkin.yolasite.com/camera-hire.php Let me know what you think, cheers

Hello, I have used the older 814 with the circular battery, and the "electronic" version, and I believe the "electronic" one is far better. The older 814 has a 225 degree shutter, great for low light, but I believe a camera with a lower shutter angle offers a sharper image in the final footage. The modern 814 defaults to a 150 degree shutter, which I reckon offers sharper footage. I may be misunderstanding the models you mean, but as far as I know these are the key differences. Do not spend $230 on the older version, save that money for the modern one. I am sure if someone knows more or better info, they will be on this forum. cheers

I have shot a little 100d using tungsten lights, and the colours were great! I was happy with the warmth of the footage, I imagine others might prefer the colour correction, but i was very happy with how the format performed. I have added a link to some stills from the 100d footage I shot, a few are under lighting http://mishpics.yolasite.com/eves-song.php cheers

Fair point if you want to return it, I guess it depends on how much you spent. removing the handgrip though, is just two steps and two screws. A very simple procedure. cheers

Hello, What brand is the camera? If it has a swing handle, the problem may be in the connection between the handle and the contact on the body, it could be a simple fix to remove the handle, clean the contacts, and reassemble. Look at the buttons and dials on the camera, there might be an on/off switch hiding. If you keep the camera, I have a website that explores D.I.Y repairing of canon cameras. good luck http://canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com/

Thanks for that, I was quite happy with the lantern shot. Outside the house I under exposed right down, as it was shot in strong daylight. Interior I used no filters for the lantern shot, but we had difficulty pointing the lantern in the right direction, as it had a 500watt bulb built into it, and tin foil on one side to help throw the light. I have no corrected any other interiors, as I wanted the orange glow to help simulate a setting sun, only when shooting a morning scene did we use a blue filter. I will try to put up a high res shot or two, until then I have a link below to some stills from the film. http://mishpics.yolasite.com/eves-song.php thanks for looking, Gareth

Thanks for the positive feedback. I am working with a couple of musicians at the moment on a subtle soundtrack, wavering in intensity. I am very keen on an electric guitar being the sole instrument, and strained whine, like wind and conflict, against sounds of the australian crow which is far from sweet sounding. The closest I can describe the soundtrack, is a muted example of the guitar used in "sling blade" at the very end when the main character is contemplating murder. it will be a challenge, but I think the soundtrack will completment the conflict I tried to portray in the film. I hope... And it will be the last time I use Super8, I lost a whole cart to jitters, and almost lost a scene to premature exposure to light when the lab opened the cart. thanks for looking! cheers, Gareth

I have just uploaded the final edit of my film "Eve's Song", although there are a couple of minor things yet to fix, It is ready to start having the sound and dialogue added. I would be interested in what comments people might have, as always comments are handy as a way of thinking harder about why I have done things a particular way. Hopefully the film is interesting enough to be watched for the full 25 minutes. Not exactly a short film as I intended, but not too bad for less the $2500. Cheers, Gareth

I do not know of specific web pages where you might get information, either do a search or visit this page, http://mishkin.yolasite.com/international-super8.php And follow the links to various sites in the right hand column. There are hundreds of information sources out there, this forum included. Best way to go aboout it is to buy some film, reversal, and shoot. Set the exposure to auto, it's on the side of the camera, and see how you go. Meanwhile, do lots of reading. good luck, Gareth

Hello, I think you have a great camera for one, I have used my CM400 many times. The images will be quite sharp as the camera uses a 150 degree shutter, whereas cameras that use 185 and up shutters I feel give a slightly fuzzy image. But these results will vary greatly depending on light, lens, film, et all. The camera should run happily without film with little risk of damage. To see if it the shutter is working, open the film door, point the camera at a bright light, pull the trigger, and try to look at the light from inside the film compartment, if you can see the bright light flickering then the shutter is working. The camera works! The exposure setting on the side of the camera, in auto mode, should move as you point the camera at different strengths of light. For most uses leaving it on auto is fine, but if you point the camera from bright to dark with auto on, you will notice a poor transition when you watch the result on a projector. good luck. Gareth

Thanks for the feedback, I am quite happy with the interior shots, we used 2 1000watt work lamps without barn doors. I wanted to get a good hard light to simulate a hot sun outside. For the film I decided to stick with 100D throughout, and compensate with harder brighter with the low asa indoors. One thing I am very happy with is the lantern, I re-wired a 500watt bulb into the body, and it worked really well I reckon. cheers

I have just uploaded a 10 minute version of the film "Eve's Song". We finished shooting around four months ago in the north of Victoria, Australia. The film was shot entirely on Super8 100D silent film. Dialogue, thankfully little of it, is yet to be added, as is the sound track. The full version is 26 minutes, and will be cut down to around 15 minutes for entry into short film festivals. (possibly shorter) The film was shot using a Canon 1218 and canon 814. The 10 minute version can be seen via: Individual frames can be seen via: http://mishkin.yolasite.com/eves-song.php I hope people will have a look and let me know what they think, positive input is always a good place to start.. ;) I think 100D is a great film, sharp will awesome colour rendition, I hope it lasts a long time.

I had a similar problem, and discovered replacement bulbs from lighting specialists were very expensive. Then I remembered that many motorcycles are 6v, so for around $2.40 I purchased the correct wattage bulb from a motorcycle shop. it has worked great for the last three years! try doing that, cheers.

I am in the midst of editing my film "Eve's Song" and thought to upload to youtube a short selection of clips from the film. I used 100D through out and am very happy with the colours and grain levels. It is a great stock! Remember the compression of youtube does no favours. So far the film is looking to be 27 minutes long, so not really a short film, but I will be editing a version that is closer to 8 minutes. In a roundabout way, the finished product will be maybe 35 minutes, but the gag reel(shot on MiniDV) is an hour and probably more interesting.....maybe I will not let people see that.. http://mishkin.yolasite.com/eves-song.php

I have shot a little sound with super8, and found it to be pretty good with the right preparation, although I never shot any sequence for longer than 20 seconds, the synch drifted a lot after that point. have a look at this webpage, http://mishkin.yolasite.com/sound-recording.php it might be helpful concerning sound recording. I use a Mini Disc, which is great! most people shy away from using Mini disc because it uses compression, but apparently the only sounds that are compressed are those too high or low in the frequency for the human ear, therefore not affecting the recorded track's quality. I may be wrong in this, but it is what I have been told. I made up a blimp for my super8 camera, and it is excellent, barely a noise. And it was cheap, built from easily available materials. (it however does look like a camera from the early 1920's) below is a link to the blimp I built. http://mishpics.yolasite.com/super8-blimp-designs.php When you have recorded your tracks, and you do hear some camera in the background, you can download one of the many free sound programs off the net, and remove much of the offending noise, it is imperfect though. good luck, and have fun. cheers

I have to say, this is by far one of the most interesting conversations I have had on a forum in a long time, a pity it is over pointless stuff. in reply to your ill researched, ill thought out remarks: "Needles" probably will not contact you, you seem to be the type of person who offers more critism than help, despite your cache of sound film. I hope this thread has not stung him into thinking all super8 shooters are opinionated, over bearing idiots. Also, who are you to judge who will and will not make a positive contribution? What is your contribution? What have you done? Will people remember your contributions? Or will they remember you as a cuastic, and angry person? get a life, you git.

After reading david savetsky's diatribe I thought that this discussion had to be a joke, so I looked up his previous postings and discovered that all he ever contributes to discussions is that he has film for sale, usually in a very condescending manner. I have come across this type of person many times, they usually sit at the back of any discussion, only ever coming forward to deliver their words of wisdom in a way that puts everyone else in the discussion, down, and then gets angry when people do not fall prostrate at his feet, such is the weight of his knowledge. I too can safely say that in the past twenty five years I have come across people who would likely know more than you, and yet be approachable, and therefore impart much of their knowledge to keen listeners. Usually those who know as much as you, are humbled in their demeanor because they realise a person never stops learning. That is why my occupation is listed as "student" People come to forums for many reasons, some to ask basic questions, some to challenge current opinions, some to impart knowledge, and some to keep up with whats happening. If you have no intention of posting anything other than advertising for your own film stocks, why not just send a private email, instead of using the opportunity to put someone's opinion down? Unfortunately I have become the type of "poster" I loathe, taking over a thread to argue a point. But sometimes the arrogance and rudeness of people like you deserves a reply. Sorry to "Needles", but there is much info on the web concerning shooting with sound. Opinions and attitudes like David's intimidate people who think they know less and would look a fool if they posted a reply contrary to yours. When often they know more because they are open to ideas contrary to their own. David, Take your 35 years of experience with a teaspoon of maturity, and grow the bloody hell up!

3.my...the suggetions you make are more expensive and more time consuming. any way it seems you are part of the problem. How are these suggestions part of the problem? If you have a better system, stop being deliberately evasive, and offer an opinion. If you did not intend to do so, why not send the origional posting a private message? rather than offer a decent solution you make suggestions which are labor intensive telecine and post sync when that is all eliminated with sound film to begin with. How will telecine be avoided with sound film? you try to paint a negative picture by avoiding the goal which the original post tried to achieve i.e make a sound movie.anyway what can one expect from donn under The suggestions offered were quite viable alternatives, whereas you have offered none. Also, New Zealand is NOT "donn under", AUSTRALIA is "down under", and people of both countries take great exception to ignorant gits who get that bit wrong. cheers

Why not try using a mini disc recorder? they are cheap and record digitally. Although it may be difficult to synch up the sound with the footage, but considering most cameras on fresh batteries are a little faster on 24fps, if you shoot a dialogue scene for say only 20 to 30 seconds, synching will be easier. I built myself a blimp that was near 100% sound proof. http://mishpics.yolasite.com/super8-blimp-designs.php http://mishkin.yolasite.com/sound-recording.php I think mini disc recorders are the ideal solution to small budget filming, records CD quality, light, cheap to buy, and runs on AA batteries. can you ask for more? cheers

Hello, I have not come across many Super8 camera repairers, but I have two links for you: http://www.cameracheckpoint.com.au/html/8mm-movie.html http://www.duallcamera.com/ If you are confident, there are a couple of websites that cover D.I.Y repairs: canon-s8-repair.yolasite.com http://www.nakanocam.com/index.html Although, try shooting a roll as a test, some cartridges are bad(rarely) Good luck, and if you find a good repairer please let us know, cheers

I know you are not the one advocating personal repairs, I suggested that as you had a greater interest in cameras being repaired professionally, then maybe you should compile a list of businesses that carry out such repairs. And I can understand the disappointment of buying a camera to discover it does not work, but then surely it would have been advertised as "not working", and if you buy it in that state, you are taking your chances, that is why they are usually cheaper. You make a fair point of suggesting repair shops next to "do it yourself" tips, but I will not be researching such shops, as from an Australian perspective, the costs of postage would negate the value of the camera. If you have such a list, pass it on and I will put it on the website, but it will be without a "warning", as I beleive it is perfectly reasonable for people to repair their own equipment, and I think that level of independence should be encouraged. If you carefully lubed at least one of your cameras, you would be able to shoot again with them, servicing can be expensive. cheers