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Andy Hopkins

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  • Occupation
    Cinematographer
  • Location
    Los Angeles
  1. Fototkem also uses ultrasonic cleaning as standard practice. Any of the large commercial labs still in operation would be using ultrasonic cleaning. Although, they would probably not have modifications to their cleaners to accommodate 8mm film.
  2. Perry makes some great points on cleaning. All the bigger labs which include Fotokem (and former labs like Deluxe and Technicolor) always use ultrasonic cleaning as a common practice after film assembly. Although film right off a processing machine is relatively clean, the assembly (or prep) of film usually leaves behind some residue, dust, etc. Ultrasonic cleaning is the best and final step before the film is handed off to be scanned or printed. As Perry mentions, ultrasonic cleaning is superior in that it can remove embedded particles, and other stubborn residue that alcohol cleaning might miss. This is because the film is fully submerged in more aggressive, warm solvent with ultrasonic agitation. Alcohol cleaning is usually used at scanning facilities for basic light duty cleaning due to lower operating cost, less regulation and health concerns which require special handling. As far as we are concerned, there is no heath risk to us either way when we get the film back. So, I always ask for prep and ultrasonic cleaning with the labs I deal with. I believe there is an ultrasonic demonstration video at the bottom of Spectra's lab page in case anyone wishes to see how it works.
  3. As a west coast guy, the most cost effective lab workflow I have found is Spectra. Plus, they have the only super 8 ultrasonic cleaning I am aware of that is included with basic prep service. Best of the deals I have found is to simply buy the Spectra film and processing bundle. This is any current Kodak super 8 film with Spectra developing for 39.75 which saves $4.25 over the Kodak/Cinelab route. OR Buy film from Kodak: 26.00 Spectra processing: 17.00 Enclose a self addressed envelope with postage to scan house of choice. Prep with ultrasonic cleaning can be added for only 3.00 per roll, but there is a minimum. You might ask your scan facility to do it if you only have a single roll. Personally, I prefer the Spectra scans as well. The tri-linear Spirit scanning from them delivers the best images I have seen, exceeding most 2K bayer scans I have had done elsewhere. And, unlike typical flat scans, they will deliver a onelight file that is much closer to edit ready (color and contrast), saving me a ton of time. My issue has been that I am not the best at color grading my own files and do not want to pay extra on having someone else do it for me. Hence, my middle of the road solution.
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