Jon O'Brien

I think it might be okay, but don't quote me, and I'm no expert with scanning (yet). Keep us posted to see how you get on with the scans.

Yes, I'd think it very unlikely to happen in camera so I'd say you are right.

Looks a bit like the film has been pulled tight on the spool, eg. cinch marks.

Probably insured for 12 million pounds for all I know.

Actually, my earlier comment was more clever than I thought. In musical terms, digital to me really is more like clarinet tone. Grainless, crystalline, steady as a rock. Violin is edgier, vibrant, has grain and texture. Possibly riskier. Both are great.

I respect your experience, Robin. I've always been clear I'm an amateur. I wonder if anyone even reads these long threads, other than participants.

Shrug. There's not much point going on with this topic. I give up on it - it's like talking a philosophical point with an accountant or an engineer, or someone who just wants to crack open the next beer and fall asleep on the couch. Fair enough.

Good heavens. Maybe you don't like classical music, Robin, with your hint at class divisions. Anyway, I do. So would you suggest that Mozart must always be played on clarinet? Why not violin, too? It's you who are tilting at windmills, and being influenced by dark rabbit holes. Go sit out in the sunshine a little while, and look at some flowers.

I felt that too, when I went to see 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm recently. There were some flaws such as a bit of picture wobble, but a wonderful sense of presence. It was very satisfying to go and see that shown in film. I left in a slight state of wonder, trying to figure out the charm of it. It was like when Kenneth Clark in his Civilization series, episode 1, visits Iona in Scotland and can't articulate what is special about it. He simply asks the viewer, "What is it? Is it the light?" All an artist can do is ponder ... and be thankful.

I've had my first demerit point on cinematography.com. I've made it to the big time. Get used to the fact that people think differently to you. If you can't handle that you are really weak. Difference is life. It's good.

Well, I see that as one of the real benefits of digital. We can use digital for hours, and it's relatively low cost to use. Use it for nearly everything. Keep film for special projects that are worth the extra cost. For instance, let's say I make lots of music videos. I can use digital for that. Then maybe I decide to make a short 12 minute fictional narrative to enter into a film festival. I might use 16mm for that and scan it and edit it digitally. Discerning audiences really appreciate film.

I think that nails it. Digital cinematography is literal. Film creates a world that is different to the literal. It takes us away from the usual - we see the world anew, like in a kind of dreamtime. It is like impressionist art, even without standing too close to the screen. Digital just 'is'. It's what is. Now that's deep. Remember, I'm articulating my view - you may see it differently. I'm trying to explain why real film is important to those who care about it. When I go to the cinema I don't want to see what I see from a newscameraman's digital camera. That's the world of reality. For fictional movies, I want film, or I want a film look at least. But I do like the fact that celluloid is holdable, and has an odour, and is imperfect, as Spielberg says. If you deny all this ..... there's something not quite right. If you can't see the appeal or value of real film then you lack some type of important insight as a visual artist, which is what you should be if you are creative makers of image. I can see the value of digital. I can see it's weaknesses. In a nutshell, it's not imperfect enough. That plus living light can't shine through it.

Digital is a great tool but it's ephemeral in the end. Film is like a painting. It's real.

Rotator cuff injuries are very common, when handling even light objects with arm extended and hand in a high position like at shoulder level or above. Humans are actually pretty fragile, but men often don't like to admit it. If you want to have a long working life, slow down and be careful and know how to lift things and do physical tasks. Anyone who tells you otherwise ignore them - they don't care it's not their life.

Being soundly educated in the classics has always been a road to success in the arts. Of course there's no guarantee because the other requirements are talent and lots of hard work, and basically, sticking with it and not giving up. There's another thing though: being obsessed with other's achievements, and being an expert on what has been produced by others, but not really getting out there and doing your own things. A famous classical musician once said something along the lines of "If you're at the top of the game you don't have time to sit down and listen to the other soloists." But people do. We need inspiration and technical and artistic knowledge. So seek a good balance. Get educated, stay educated, but get out there and do your own thing as quick as you can, and keep doing it. Don't watch too many films - make your own. But you have to know your art. Wisdom and hard work ..... Yes, you must watch Citizen Kane. It's a classic.

Saw the new 70mm print in Brisbane. Great sound (to my ear). Wonderful to see real film at a cinema again. They even had the traditional curtain. Brilliant. Was slightly shocked at first at flicker, most noticable on the very bright white (eg. of white floor on space station). Bit of gate weave and wobble too. But a real sense of 'presence' and artistically a richer experience than many digital shows I've seen recently. Film has a more incised or more 'etched' effect on the screen than digital. Yeah, I know it's a print that's had many generations. But still. Film to me is great. I love it. Hope to see more films projected on film in cinemas in the years ahead. That said, I do respect what's happening in digital projection too. Very clear, rock steady, very sharp. The projector lens for 2001 had a strange blurry patch in it, bottom rh corner of the screen, plus a very slight vignette effect in top rh corner of screen that detracted slightly from the experience. But it was truly great to see real film again. Congratulations to all involved for bringing this back to cinemas.

Hi Raissa, thank you for your friendly words.

"... and that which digital coudn't do." - I think you are also saying this. I agree. Film will always have its place. Like painting, it's just too good, real and true not to.

I agree with Matt. It's a well-known thing in the arts and everywhere else. Just keep on going. The one thing that will get in the way is yourself - your own attitude. If you want to do something, keep going and don't give up. Day jobs and all.

Yeah. Film is a rich man's thing. Like archaeology. Of course there's always exceptions. Mel Brooks got so poor he was scrounging around at one point virtually penniless. But he made it. Talent, perseverance, and all that .....

I agree Neal. Never write a man off because he has a man bun. Is that not a form of discrimination? We need a new word. Hipsterist. Bunnist. Reddism.

Ooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is great. The windmill on the hill, and Dick Van Dyke and Sally Anne Howe. The grandpa singing Oh the Posh Posh Life.... And the rest of the music. It's a good memory for me. I will try and see the 70mm print of 2001 in Brisbane. Didn't know they still had the projectors around this neck of the woods.

My lens mount adapter doesn't have a lever. I just set the aperture manually using the lens ring.

A Nikon 50mm and C mount adapter works fine with my Bolex Rex 5 S-16. Actually, some of the nicest looking shots I got recently were with the Nikon lens, the other lens I have being a Switar 16mm, which is a fine lens too. I don't know if I just imagine it but the colour seems to be rendered very well with the Nikon lens. Maybe it was just the lighting for those shots. I didn't experience any focus problems. You may have to be careful to not shoot any wider open than say f4 with the Nikkor, because of the prism effect of the Bolex which the lens is not designed for.

It is being shown here! My apologies.