Dylan Gonzalez Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I have never used a Super-8 camera (or film camera in general) before, but I ended up buying a Canon 514 XL-S with the case for $20 at a garage sale. I want to test it out to make sure it works and then, assuming it does, shoot a few projects on it and experiment with shooting on film. I've purchased one cartridge of Ektachrome 100D to experiment with, and it's currently zip-locked in my fridge. I've been reading up on film cameras, film stock, and Super-8 in general. However, the one thing which I cannot figure out is what setting my camera should be switched to when dealing with daylight-balanced film. This question has already been asked on this forum a couple times, but it got conflicting answers and it left me a bit confused. The Ektachrome case itself says that you should set your camera to tungsten balance and that the cartridge will disable the internal filter. I'm wondering if this is correct. I'd appreciate any help on the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Payne Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 The cartridge disables, I use a 310xl and had the filter disengaged by the switch. I don't think it matters with that camera. http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/cine/data/1971-1982/1976_514xls.html?lang=us&categ=crn&page=1971-1982&p=2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Stevens Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 (edited) Ian is correct. Fir a first time film shooter, here is the #1 mistake to avoid... Do not shoot into the sun. Make sure the sun is n the face of whoever you are shooting, otherwise they will be a black blob against a pretty background. It's all about exposure. Once you've figured that out,you can start altering exposure and shooting in tougher conditions. Edited November 17, 2012 by Matt Stevens 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachary sala Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 with super 8 the notch's on the side of the cartridge control the asa. I always use dwayne's photo for my super 8 ektachrome, and the exposure should be right. Unlike some lower end super 8 cameras, this one has no button batteries. best of luck, can't wait to see the footage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted November 17, 2012 Author Share Posted November 17, 2012 Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. I guess this means that I don't have to worry about it either way, so I will just leave it on tungsten-balance as per the film stock guidelines. And thanks for the shooting tip, Matt. I've been reading about shooting on film and trying to learn more about proper exposure for film, film stock, film speed, etc, etc, since I've never done it before and don't know anything about it. The 514 XL-S has an EE Lock, so its probably going to make adjusting exposure (when I need to) all the more difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Stevens Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) The first two rolls I shot (100D, on the same day) were such a mixed bag, I am amazed any of it came out as I knew NOTHING! I was so unprepared. But when I got the footage back and was able to look at it, I knew what I had done right or wrong and had learned so much that when I shot roll #2, a Tri-X, it was simply for testing out the camera I had intended to use on a short film, the Canon 1014 XL-S. The shots were all tests on exposure underground, filter settings, etc. And it all came out as I had expected. That gave me confidence and instead of renting the Canon for my short film (a straight8.net entry) I instead plunked down $400 on a Nikon R10 and shot the puppy without doing any additional tests. This is the result... Shot in sequence, all first takes. P.S. I tried to embed but I simply cannot get it to work. Edited November 18, 2012 by Matt Stevens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 (edited) That's pretty amazing for something you shot all in sequence with only first takes and with no prior testing. It looks good - the underground scenes particularly looked great, although I'm going to avoid anything underground, high-contrast, or sihilouettes when I shoot until I'm more comfortable with Super 8. And even though its off-topic to Super 8 cinematography specifically, knowing you shot this all in-camera and in-sequence I had to go back and watch that "push" sequence again to see how the hell that worked. Anyway, my own plans have been put on hold. I haven't been able to get my camera to work. When I opened the battery compartment, I found one of the batteries from the previous owner had corroded in there. I tried putting some new ones in, but either I didn't manage to put them in correctly or the cameras broken or the corrosion ruined the compartment - I'm going to have to clean it out and see. Edited November 19, 2012 by Dylan Gonzalez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Nevermind. Like a doofus, I had the batteries in wrong. I need the positive-negative symbols to guide me. The camera is up and working and I'll be testing it tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Rodgers Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 I love using my Canon 514XL-S and AF model. Those tightly wound carts jam all the time in my 1014XL-S but have had no problems going through the 514s. So I do hope you've had fun shooting Super 8 for the first time Dylan? Great Straight8 entry Matt, I really love the subway scenes and your in-camera cutting was brilliant. I've entered a few times for fun myself. This year's got screened as part of the Sheffield Doc Fest here in the UK. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Thanks Bill! I did have fun and everything seemed to go smoothly - however, I have to wait to see how the footage turns out. It has been processed and I will be taking it to get telecined tomorrow. I basically just shot a bunch of different things around the city - cats, interesting grafiti, rundown buildings - so while the footage won't be breathtaking by any means, hopefully it will help me see if there are any problems with this camera (abrasions or dust on the lens, etc, etc). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Rodgers Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 It's always good to just get out and shoot, plus I like the happy mistakes that often look beautiful when on Super 8. In all honesty, I find the odd bit of dust never did my footage any harm either, at least in this overly slick HD obsessed world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Yeah, part of the scratchy, grungy look of Super 8 is what appeals to me. I think the wear and tear is part of its charm: the grain, the choppiness, etc. However, I bought this camera at a garage sale for $20, so I need to make sure there isn't something horribly wrong with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Rodgers Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 That's fair enough, so I hope it proves to be just fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dunn Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks Bill! I did have fun and everything seemed to go smoothly - however, I have to wait to see how the footage turns out. It has been processed and I will be taking it to get telecined tomorrow. I basically just shot a bunch of different things around the city - cats, interesting grafiti, rundown buildings - so while the footage won't be breathtaking by any means, hopefully it will help me see if there are any problems with this camera (abrasions or dust on the lens, etc, etc). What you need is a projector for instant gratification. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Rodgers Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 What you need is a projector for instant gratification. Yeah, that will always be far better than any frame by frame HD transfer too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Gonzalez Posted December 3, 2012 Author Share Posted December 3, 2012 What you need is a projector for instant gratification. Eh...if I could get a deal on one like I did for my camera, I'd be all for it, but I think I'd rather just wait the extra week or so to get the footage back. Its already about a weeks wait to get the film processed (at least at the place I went to), so I'm going to be waiting in anticipation for some time either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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