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Topic: Super 8 Home Movies

Michael Barry
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 584
From: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-26-2001 07:25 AM

With the recent 'Fading 70MM' thread turning into a discussion on the virtues of Kodachrome and Super-8/16MM, I became nostalgic about the era of home movies shot and projected on film, so I thought it should have its own thread.

I really want to go through all my parents' home movies and find out what's there. I have a Eumig S810D Super-8/standard 8 projector, but I will need a few things such as 400 foot take-up reels (the longest my spool arms will take), spare bulbs and perhaps splicing tape (I think my father still has a splicer and viewer). Does anyone know if 8MM accessories such as these are still readily available?

I checked the bulb, and it appears to be the now-ubiquitous 'halogen spot' type bulb - a 12V, 100W unit, but the reflector isn't corrugated like the bulbs I've seen, and the glass seems much thicker and heavier too.

I thought about transferring it to video, but I'm thinking that it might be better to simply project it when I want to show it. There is always a danger when projecting original reversal elements since they can't be replaced, but with care I'm sure that that risk can be minimised. Filmguard, maybe?

I'd like to hear what others are doing with their collections of hours of home movie footage, and what they do in terms of needing repairs, parts and accessories for their equipment. Anyone?

Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-26-2001 08:17 AM

In the US, Bulb Direct is usually the best/cheapest source for projector bulbs. Perhaps there is something equivalent "downunder"?

I recently had new internegatives and prints made of my grandparents' home movies (only a few hundred feet). The new prints look stunning, since they were made from a new wet-gate internegative. This wasn't cheap, but it's good to know that I got a chance to have new film elements made before the originals go vinegar or otherwise deteriorate.

I don't know much about super-8, though...maybe someone here can post some comments. Christy's Editorial in Burbank, CA (USA) sells the super-8 editing equipment (splicers, etc.), but it's horribly expensive if purchased new.

Jerry Chase
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1068
From: Margate, FL, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 02-26-2001 08:43 AM

A lot of equipment is available on eBay. One comment I have is that most 8mm and super 8 projectors are horrible about eating film. The design of the pull-down claw and lack of proper loops on many projectors make a recipie for disaster.

I copied all of my families movies to video tape and gave the brothers their own copies of the tape. It is much more convenient, but tape is nowhere near as archival as the film, if kept in proper cool conditions. I expect to have to eventually repeat the process and do a transfer to the next format du jour (DivX?).

Does anyone have suggestions for good model projectors that have an open threading path, upper and lower sprockets and possibly an intermittent sprocket rather than a claw?

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 02-26-2001 09:36 AM

I'd love to find a KODAK SUPERMATIC Film Videoplayer VP-1, which were used for transferring Super-8 to video in television stations during the mid-1970's. These devices were miniature telecines, that used continuous transport (very gentle to the film) and a tiny flying spot scanner. The quality of the transfers was surprisingly good for a 45 pound device the size of a large VCR.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-26-2001 01:37 PM

John,
Have seen them on E-Bay. Kepe your eyes open for them as they are around now and then.
Do you know of anyplace that has a Rank Telecine that can do 8mm and Super 8?
Mark @ GTS

Ben Wales
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 602
From: Southampton. England
Registered: Jul 99

posted 02-26-2001 02:40 PM

Yes you can buy Super 8mm reels etc and still buy new prints the main dealer in the UK is Derann Film Services (##44 1384 233191)they also stripe in house their 8mm prints, there are about 7-8 film collectors fairs where you can buy used 8mm equipment

John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 02-26-2001 08:59 PM

Michael

I can get you all you need. Give me a call.

John.

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"It's not the years, honey...it's the mileage". Indiana Jones

William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-27-2001 01:53 AM

Also in the US, Urbanski film lists a bunch of consumer S8 & 16mm items

http://www.urbanskifilm.com/

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