Gerald Martindill

Hey everyone, Wondering what you all recommend in terms of shooting or scanning so that images come out as clear as possible with the least amount of grain. For example, I shot an interior scene using Pro8's 500T or 250T film that I had lying around. I didn't make a note of which is which however. With editing in post, these are the best images I was able to get, but it's still pretty grainy and wish the footage was clearer. I understand that low-light situations generally equate to more grain, but what are ways to best get around this? Should I opt for higher-res scanning? Best-light, scene-by-scene scanning (so expensive)? Or should I be lighting differently...I wanted something moody..was using my light meter, so all of these should be pretty accurate in terms of exposure. I wasn't using a tripod (find so tedious/kills spontaneity)...maybe that's part of this. Do you guys know a formula for what exposure/ISO you need to where a tripod isn't necessary? Trying to trouble shoot for when I have clients who need crisper images. I promised this actor stills for his portfolio and wish I could give him something that looks better in a larger format. I've seen other 8mm footage that looks much better with similar lighting conditions, so I don't think it's just the nature of a small/low-information film stock like 8mm. These look decent as small photos like on here, but once these are in full-screen...They are very very grainy to where it just isn't usable. All recs, ideas appreciated. Thank you all so much!

Thank you all so much. Very simple, makes me feel alot better. So they must've color corrected the 2020 scan by accident and spoiled me (I never made that request). I've been playing with colors in final cut and looks much better now. Cheers!

Hey everyone, So I just got back some Super 8 footage I shot last week. I was pretty disappointed with my results compared to what i got a while back Wondering if the issue is the new camera/lens I got, improper exposure, or if maybe the film lab has just been lacking. I will provide stills from each project so you can see the difference in quality. Project A (shot in 2020)(interior): Rented Pro8's Pro814 camera (in Burbank, CA). Shot with their film 200T film, 18fps. Followed their in-camera metering system. Used basic fresnels.This is the footage with blue curtain backdrop, over the top set decoration. Colors look so rich, expoure is right, nice contrast. This is exactly how it came back from the lab's processing/scan. Made me fall in love with Super 8 film. There was a long wait to purchase this camera. Project B (shot in 2023) (exterior poppy fields): Shot with a Beaulieu 4008ZM ii, Angenieux lens. This was re-calibrated by the team at Re-Voir in Paris. I used a handheld light meter, using spot metering. shooting at an aputure between 16 and 22. Shot with 50D Pro8 film, 18fps. Everything seems faded, colors are off. Low contrast. Just looks amature compared with footage from 2020 shoot. I have other disappointing footage from this camera but wrote it off as getting used to it. But this time, I was doing everything correctly. What do you guys think is the issue? I bought this Beaulieu + Angenieux after doing research and finding lots of amazing footage. Felt like it was the camera for what I was trying to do. It cost a pretty penny. Would be sad to see that it's a camera/lens issue. If it's a lab issue, what is it you think they are doing differently now than before. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I'm having a confusing moment and would love some help. Working with a Beaulieu 4008 ZMII Super 8 film camera. I'm shooting tonight. Using a Sekonic light meter, for high contrast scenes. ... want to make sure I have the settings correct. Had alot of anxiety the other night I **(obscenity removed)**ed up after the shoot...and have two more actors coming by tonight.. The on camera-light meter kept saying I was underexposed, but I'm hoping it's just because heavy shadows. I'm shooting on 500Tungsten film stock. Shooting at 18fps. The camera's highest ASA is 400, so I'm setting it to that. This is a Angenieux 6-80mm f1.4 zoom lens. I'm a bit confused on what shutter speed to put into the light meter. Should I put 1/65 a second or 1/130 of a second? I'm reading about if the shutter is "half open" divide the exposure times by two, but what exactly does that mean? Anything helps. Thanks so much!

Hello everyone, I've been reading this thread along with this one : https://cinematography.com/index.php?/topic/49769-post-your-wide-angle-shots-here/ and am a bit confused. I know these are both old threads, but nothing seemed definitive on which lenses worked. Has anyone got any new information? I apologize if this is somewhere else, I'm a bit new to the website. Ted, I also have a Beaulieu 4008zmii. The footage you took with they mystery lens looked very good from what it seems. I've got a 6-80mm lens. Very nice lens, but doesn't quite do the job in tight spaces and I would like to have that intimate feeling you get with wide angle lenses. Especially with people in a tight room, car, etc... Did you end up finding something wider that you liked? Or anyone else, did you come to any conclusions on which ultra wide angle lenses work well for the Beaulieu? Thank you

Hello hive mind, im shooting in a large corner set, With 3 Arri650 fresnels. When shooting wide shots, I always get shadows from the set pieces close to the walls. can someone explain to me how to get rid of them? the Arris are set up in a 3 point triangle formation about 5/6ft high pointing slightly downwards. Do I need a fill light/panel light Directly above the walls pointing at them? or what should I do? im usually working in art dept, so please excuse my green question. thanks, g