Alan Rik

Hey Santo, What happened was I purchased the first one but it didn't have the 10mm Cinegon. Then I saw an auction for another kit with the Cinegon and the intervalometer but the seller wouldn't part with the Cinegon alone AND he wouldn't sell to the US. Germany only. So through a middleman I purchased it and figured I would sell the xtra camera with the Optivaron. That is the one that went up for auction. The interesting thing about the quality control on the Leicinas is that both cameras shot identical super sharp and contrasty images. I put both on the same tripod and focused on the building across the street. I then shot at the 6, 30 and then 66 focal range. Tested all the speeds. Swapped lenses...tried the macro. I have to say that the results were identical on both cameras. Exactly the same. Perfect exposure and the detail was astounding. I used TriX and It reminded me of 16mm Newsreel footage. That sharp. Definitely the sharpest zoom I have used. Maybe on the same par as the 1.2 6-80 Angenieux, but I felt the Beaulieu 6008S combo and the Lens are fiddly. Only half of my shots came out like I thought they would. I am positive that this is because of operator error. The Leicina can be used as a point and shoot. But not the Beaulieu. Then when I thought things could not get any sharper? I put on the Cinegon and was blown away. The first time i saw a Leicina I thought ..what an ugly camera..like a breadbox with a lens. I felt the same way when I saw a Leica Mini. But then I used it. Now.. sad to say.. Im a Leicafile. Trying to get my first M6. They truly knew what they were doing with the Leicina. Superb camera..easily my favorite camera of the ones I have owned. I dont feel the need to buy another camera...except maybe another DS8 Canon (Sold it because K25 was discontinued) or a Fuji ZC1000. But then again..they are big. The Leicina with the Cinegon is small and stealthy. I have been following your posts for some time Santo and you were on the money with the Leicina. I am not going by hearsay.. I have tried some of the best cameras out there and the Leicina is one of the best.

I just wanted to say that is my picture of my old camera (Before it went on Ebay) of my 6008s MD Digital! Thats kind of cool. I can tell because of the screen and the wooden table I used to photograph it. Now I am using a Leicina Special and I have to say that the Leicina test roll that i shot using Tri-X was sharper than the images i got with the Beaulieu but I have to take into account operator error as the Beaulieu is a little complicated to use compared to the Leicina. The Leicina is my favorite camera I have used. I have been following your posts Santo and thanks for pointing me in the right direction! One thing to consider about the 4008 is the battery situation. I was going to get the 4008 as well but I never liked the idea of having to use a battery pack tucked in my pocket. The 6008s uses 6 x AA batteries and everything is contained. The way that it should be I think. In terms of resale the 6008s usually never goes below $400 or so but the Beaulieu 4008's go for much cheaper so I would have to say the later 6008's and newer models hold their value better. Oh.. and they need less work and upkeep. The 4008's have these little filters that can fall out,etc. Oh, the 4008's have the better viewfinder though . Hands down. Ground glass too.

I have shot some footage with a Leicina Special and I have to agree that the 6-66 Optivaron gives stunning images. I was blown away by the detail and the contrast. I was using Tri X and it was pretty incredible. I also used the Cinegon and that lens is Super Sharp. I felt like I was looking at 16mm documentary footage. When I was looking for a camera with "sizzle" and crisp definition I thought I would find it with the Beaulieu 6008S and the Angenieux 6-90mm but no.. I found it with this strange boxy Leicina Special! I really dont like the looks of it but it gives awesome images. The only other camera that had me stunned was the Canon DS8 with K25. To my eyes it is sharp with gorgeous colors. Better than K40 I think. So since there is no more K25 I sold the Canon. And now all I have is a Leicina Special and a Canon 310 xl . (Can't believe way back when that I use to think that this footage was sharp. Once you see a Leicina with the Cinegon or the Optivaron..then you will have a reference for "sharp".) What I would like to try is getting a NEW Summilux/Summicron on the Leicina to see how the new lens fares. But I have to save up for my Leica M7 first. Its sad.. I becoming a Leicaphile!!! Damn Leicina Special! Damn it! :)

I have up for auction a Leicina Special Super 8 Professional Camera. And in true auction tradition..No reserve! Check it out... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Yes...mine was adjusted to the camera by Bjorn as well. Since I am not a professional camera man I assume there may have been some "operator" error. I know the Beaulieu's will give fantastic images but they are not the point and shoot kind. You have to work it a bit I found.

I guess side by side would be the only way to tell. I have an opportunity to get a Bolex DS8 Rex 3 but it does not have switar primes. I would get it but I can't seem to get past the horrible dim little viewfinder. How do you find shooting through the Bolex viewfinder? Also I got SEVERE vignetting with the 1.2 6-80mm Angenieux...it looked like I had a special lens and I was filming through a peep hole about the size of a quarter. Happened at the lens set wide open in the 10-15mm range.

I felt the lens on the DS8 was very, very good. I was using K25 and the sharpness, steadiness, and contrast was the best I have seen on Super 8. Better than my Beaulieu 6008 Digital with the 1.2 6-90mm Lens, and better than the Nizo 6080. I just got two Leicinas so I will find out how it does compared to them.

I feel that we are in a niche group so...I will do what I can to keep this format alive. If Super 8 dies..with no film available..I will have some very expensive paperweights! Yes...$13 is not cheap..but if this takes off I am sure other magazines will get cheaper and who knows? But if we dont support this hobby now, well there may not be another magazine dedicated to Super 8. Its truly incredible that a magazine on Super 8 still exists today. Since the last cameras/projectors were last made almost 22 years ago..crazy! Im subscribed!

Its great that they found a home..but for me- No way. That would of been a lose lose situation for me. Better for me to go through Bjorn. Plus...the look of the camera is important to me. Especially with a Beaulieu. Such a beautiful camera!

I went and checked out all 3 cameras and I passed. Here is why: The Beaulieu Cameras were in BAD shape. Cosmetically they were not good. I know some dings here and there are expected due to their age but these cameras were abused. The one with the 6-66 lens had the handle spinning around freely. Where was the screw to hold it into place? It screwed from the inside that meant that the screw should have been inside the unit. But it wasn't so it was probably "tinkered" with. Maybe it was decided it could not be repaired so it was left for sale. The other Beaulieu had black tape around the body, missing pieces of the Beaulieu leather, and there were dings, scratches, and goop all over the lens barell. So I thought well maybe the Bauer C107 would be good. I checked it out and alas.. the light meter wasn't working. So I thought if I bought these and had them sent out to Bjorn to check.. he would charge around $100-200 to repair/clean each camera. Plus the shipping to Sweden..for both cameras...I would be out around 600 or so. Not including getting a battery for each camera! So add another $200. And on top of that they would be working but still look like hell. It wasn't a very good proposition when you think that you could get one from Ebay from a respected seller for around $350-500 in Great condition and guaranteed working. Or you could get one from Bjorn in great shape for around $600 or $700 with a battery AND 100% working. And you only pay shipping one time. To you from Sweden! I passed because it looked like a bargain but unless you know how to fix Beaulieu cameras..it wasn't. I know cameras and trust me when I say it sounded too good to be true...because it was. The seller told me that if he knew they were working he would sell them for a $1000 a piece. I told him that the market may have been like that in the 80's but even a perfect running one would run around $400-600 privately and $800 for a Zoom IV from a dealer. He was a nice guy though and I am glad someone bought them. For his sake! His name was Mario I think! :)

I have up for auction a NEW Eumig Nautica on Ebay right now and an Elmo ST-800 up for grabs. No bids on the Elmo yet and for $100 starting bid Mint in the Box...check them both out! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMESE%3AIT&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Anyone know where to get this? I am testing out various lenses for use in an Elmo GS1200. Thanks.