You record sound separately for Super 8, it being film and all.
Unfortunately, nobody actually makes the cameras anymore, so you’re going to have to find something used, which shouldn’t be too hard with eBay and Amazon, but it means your selection is going to be limited in terms of what brands are currently available.
If you want to shoot underwater footage, you’re going to need more than one camera. Waterproof Super 8 cameras exist, but are pretty rare to come across. Your only real option will be to create your own housing, which is very likely to damage the camera (which is why you don’t want to do it with your only camera), even though you will be able to get some film shot. If you want to go super DIY, wrap it in plastic, and then put the camera in a sealed plastic bag, keeping the lens as unobstructed as possible, obviously.
By just doing a simple google search, I found this website, which from a casual glance seems to offer some pretty good tips for people just starting with the Super 8mm format.
Good luck. I’ve been toying with the idea of shooting an 8mm feature myself.
First find out what film you can get and how to get it processed. Some cameras take cartridges that aren’t made anymore… Here’s a place out in Burbank, California that deals in super 8… http://www.pro8mm.com/home.html
filmshooting.com
Judy,
Go with Spectra film for purchasing/processing/transfers of film; I get the impression they have a better reputation than pro8 among many people:
http://www.spectrafilmandvideo.com/
For the cheapest option if you wish to just shoot Ektachrome film and show it, Dwayne’s has Ekta and does the processing:
http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/common/3Super_8_film_for_sale_ad.pdf
Cameras:
Braun Nizo’s silent models, Bauer, Nikon are all good choices. Here are some models; not saying you have to buy there, but it gives you an idea of features ( I have owned three Brauns, one Bauer and a Leicina, just for reference):
http://www.super8camera-shop.com/shop/
If you are looking at underwater, the Eumig Nautica is the famous one. Here is an EBay example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Eumig-Nautica—-underwater-Super8mm-movie-Camera-AS-IS_W0QQitemZ130305804017QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090512?IMSfp=TL090512111007r37319
Finally, if you want, you can joint:
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php
While this is more collecting and projecting Super-8 films, there are quite a few shooters there too (myself included) and we are always happy to give advice.
I hope this is of help to you,
Claus.
Claus,
I´M AN AMATEUR.
But how can i digitalize the footage on a super8?
I mean, how can i tranfer the footage from a super 8 to my computer?
Thanks a lot!
Guilherme
Read here to learn what is on offer, and about the different technologies:
http://www.super-8mm.com/10.html
The thing about transfer of small-format film to video is that there are a lot of cheap places (where the quality stinks) and then there is generally a jump up to good quality (which costs a fair amount) and not all that much in between. It’s not a cheap decision to get Super-8 footage onto video with good quality, partly because compared to 35mm (and even 16mm), Super-8 to-video is very much a niche market.
Basically there are only a few really good devices out there that can do a clean, flicker-free transfer at the right speed, and they get expensive quickly. Thus the lab costs. The film can be scanned frame-by-frame into a PC-file on a harddrive or it can be run real-time on a telecine unit which is the standard tool for transferring film, and then laid to either digital tape or a harddrive. It is the best, and also the most expensive.
If you plan on editing the footage, don’t get the films transferred straight to DVD. Get a file on a drive.
If I can find some of the places recommended to me for transfers, I’ll post them here. I have a bunch of Super-8 footage to get transferred and I am still shopping myself.
Claus.
Screw telecine if you have no money.
A friend of mine uses this poor-man’s process:
Develop the film and project it onto a screen/wall with an 8mm projector (they are pretty cheap and easy to find on ebay). Get your fancy mindv camcorder out and tripod and record the projected image. Bam, you got your 8mm on a mindv tape, which you can easily capture onto your computer.
It’s ghetto. But it works.
Fredo,
I am all for ‘ghetto’ as long as you get the quality and/or ‘look’ necessary for your purpose.
Does the poster just want some home movies transferred to DVD? Then “off the wall” may be just fine.
Is he/she trying to make, say, a dramatic indie project and needing a clean, quality transfer of film to video?
That’s not going to cut it.
(If one is going for the grubby look for a music video or such, then taping it off a projected image may be just what you are looking for.)
The two resulting images are not interchangeable. They don’t look the same. Nor will they work the same, depending on what you are trying to do, amateur or not.
Before you say “sc… telecine” think about what is actually wanted and needed, because sometimes the only solution is more money.
Failing that, shooting on video may work better in the end.
Thank you all!
I use a Minolta. It was obviously meant for consumers. My auto-exposure is broken, which probably shouldn’t be used in most situations anyways, but I often try for a “home-movie” quality when I shoot super 8. Otherwise it works well. I buy film and get my film processed at Film and Video Services in Minneapolis MN. They are very reasonable, even if you pay to ship it.
You can learn more about super-8 filmmaking at http://www.super-8mm.com and http://www.super-8mm.net
Hello! I have a super 8 camera with a microphone to capture sound.
I just have one question for now:
When I get the films for it on ebay, why do they last for only 3 mins and then run out?
are there any films I can get that last longer?
also once I am done filmming where can I take it to be edited or just looked at? I live in NYC
I have an Minolta XL Sound and it’s great!
Claus, the poor man’s technique is not so easy, plus you’ll need to find the necessary equipment. Try Echo Park Film Center in LA. If you don’t live there, they may be able to ship your order. They are very, very good and very, very affordable.
WARNING: I am a total neophyte super 8 user
so excuse my stupidity
I have a Bolex 5120 marco zoom. as seen here (http://www.mondofoto.com/cameras/Bolex_551XL_a.jpg)
I purchased some film stock a while back and it lasted like 3 mins maybe 5mins. The film is expensive for it to last 3-5 mins would suck
if i where to bid on this how long would each of these last in the camera before I would have to change them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-NEW-SUPER-8-KODAK-EKTACHROME-100D-COLOR-FRESH-FILM-/390192770375?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item5ad94d2d47
Also in dealing with my dilemma of playing the film I shot would this device be good:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110529514293&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Follow,
Thanks for the interesting link.
I am actually not the one who was advocating the “poor man’s approach”; I was suggesting the pro way with telecine, and saying if all else fails, then perhaps shoot it off the wall.
Echo Park looks like a fun little place.
Rudy:
Runtime:
The film runs out (at 3mins, 20 seconds) because, at 18 frames per second, that is all the shooting time you get with a 50-ft cassette of Super-8 film, regardless of which stock it is.
Yes, film is expensive, so use the 3mins 20secs well. You can do plenty of good scenes during that time.
Don’t bid on EBay for what is freshly available (Ekta 100D); support the retailers and get fresh film at a good price
Dwayne’s is a good, reasonable processor/seller of film; probably the cheapest retail choice around:
http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/
(As a general ‘by-the-way’ to everyone, do not forget that you can order Super-8 film by the box, directly from Kodak, if you have a project to do. Those are the lowest prices for the cartridges, processing not included. 1-800-621-3456)
.
Editing:
You can either get a splicer and cut the original film, or get the film transferred to video and edit it on your computer.
Screening:
I can’t open the projector link you put, so I don’t know which machine you were looking at.
Elmos are among the best, but too expensive for you, given that you are starting.
Chinon, Bell and Howell (less expensive), older Kodak machines (make sure they’re SUPER-8, not regular-8) are some choices.
Footnote, in case you are wondering:
You mention your camera has a microphone. That means it will record sound in-camera, but you’d better hurry if you want to use that feature.
The only available Kodachrome sound cartridges are on EBay or similar, as the Kodachrome sound film cartridge production was killed some years ago.
They will no longer be processed after the end of 2010 (barring any last-minute changes.)
I hope this is of help; feel free to ask more.
Claus.
Thank you so much Claus. You are the da’ man :D
The Canon 814 & 1014 are both quality S8 camera" that can be found in abundance used.
so i bought a rollei sl 83 super 8 camera at the rome sunday open market for only 15 euro.
i think i got a good deal since subsequent internet searches show that this is a good camera.
it needs a battery and any filters i would want to put on it.
are the price investments involved in buying film, getting film processed, buying accessories, etc etc worth it to have a film shot in 8mm?
also, more info on the camera:
http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=28887
http://www.super8data.com/database/manuals_list/rollei_sl83_84/rollei_sl83_84.htm
JUDY∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
I need a Super 8 camera. I don’t know much about them. Do I get one with some kind of built-in mic or do I record the sound separately? I also need to shoot some underwater footage in Super 8. Is there some sort of trick to waterproof it? Or should I just get an underwater Super 8 camera as well? Also, does anybody know of a cool forum or site like this that focuses more on making films?