What is the best Super 8 Camera available?

[cougar814]

I would like to know. Im interested in purchasing a Super 8 camera and shooting some shorts.

[audadvnc]

Probably a Beaulieu 9008Pro, but one of those will put you back a few grand. You might want to take this over to the main forum for more responses.

[tlatosmd]

Prepare to get flamewars in this thread!

Among the best cam brands are Agfa, Bauer, Canon, Fuji, Leica (=Leicina), Nikon, Nizo, and Revue.

Beaulieus might work fine...*when* they do. They are notorious for their varied malfunctions though they can be repaired. Be prepared to pay thousands for a Beaulieu cam itself, and ten times and more for each time having it serviced.

Other brand cams mentioned above are only from 10 Euros/Dollars up to a few hundreds, and if they work when you get them they'll likely survive you if you'll take good care of them (especially Leicinas that were built like tanks).

[Evan Kubota]

I like my Nikon R10.. not too expensive, very durable, practical, and produces great images. The only things it lacks are an intervalometer and an XL shutter.

[steve hyde]

...I second the vote for Nikon R-10 or R8. I had frustrating experiences with several cameras before I got an R10. I think it is a great introductory camera. Film is too expensive to buy low end super 8 cams.

Steve

[sooper8fan]

I can "third" the Nikon R10. I got mine several months ago, I've shot several carts with it and I've been nothing but happy with it.

[jpolzfuss]

I would like to know. Im interested in purchasing a Super 8 camera and shooting some shorts.

I guess that noone can answer that question until you've answered some questions yourself:
- Will you film at 18fps or 24 fps? (Or at 25fps to fit the PAL/Secam-TV-standard? Or at 30fps for NTSC?)
- Does the camera have to do single-frame, slow-motion, ..., too?
- Will you shoot at 1:1.33-frame-ratio or do you need a camera with a fixed anamorphotic lens or a camera where an additional anamorphotic lens can be easily attached?
- Should the camera be able to do auto-exposure and/or manual exposure?
- Should the camera be able to fade in/out and/or to do double-exposures?
- Will you shoot with the normal 15m/50ft-silent-cartridges? Or did you found some old 15m/50ft-sound-cartridges or 60m/200ft-sound-cartridges? Or do you plan to use a SuperDrive/Supermag?
- Do you need a camera that can operate without any battery (since it has got a spring-operated clockwork)?
- Should the camera be able to do auto-focusing? Will a fix-focus do?
- Does size and wheight matter?
- Do you need a zoom-lens or not?
- Do you need a camera with a replaceable c-mount-lens?
- ...?

And last, but not least:
How much money do you want to spend?

I won't recommend you a Ferrari/Maserati/RollsRoyce/... when you only can afford a VW-Golf and when a VW-Lupo would do...

[jpolzfuss]

A nice article about Super-8 cameras in general:
http://www.marriottworld.com/articles/cinecam.htm

I would second that the Beaulieu 9008Pro probably is the best camera when it comes to features, quality, ... But on the other hand: that Beaulieu is huge, heavy monster. Hence you might be better off with a Agfa Microflex 200 Sensor or even a Chinon Dart when you can live with 18fps ;)

[npcoombs]

A nice article about Super-8 cameras in general:
http://www.marriottworld.com/articles/cinecam.htm

I would second that the Beaulieu 9008Pro probably is the best camera when it comes to features, quality, ... But on the other hand: that Beaulieu is huge, heavy monster.

I would hardly describe it as huge and heavy: have you used any semi-pro digital video cameras lately? I have the 6008, which has the same dimensions and weight. At 1kg it is just about perfect for hand held shooting that is reasonably steady.

The problem is that because these cameras do not have image stabilisers theyneed a certain weight and size to go handheld. There is a 9008 on Ebay at the moment at a good price. I would recommend it. They do have problems with reliability, but this is because they are professional cameras with a multitude of functions: automatic and manual. The reliability issue is common to all high end cinema cams with so many functions.

[Evan Kubota]

"The reliability issue is common to all high end cinema cams with so many functions."

No it isn't - just the ones made in France ;)

Seriously - I'm not sure if the Beaulieu can do time lapse, but other than that and an XL shutter, the Nikon R10 is capable of anything the Beaulieu is (well, 54 fps is the max - I understand some Beaulieus can go up to 80).

[steve hyde]

"The reliability issue is common to all high end cinema cams with so many functions."

No it isn't - just the ones made in France ;)

Seriously - I'm not sure if the Beaulieu can do time lapse, but other than that and an XL shutter, the Nikon R10 is capable of anything the Beaulieu is (well, 54 fps is the max - I understand some Beaulieus can go up to 80).

I think the B9008 will do 130 fps - and timelapses that record a frame every few minutes..... I have never heard of a Nikon R-10 malfunctioning.
Legend has it they don't. 8O

Steve

[npcoombs]

"The reliability issue is common to all high end cinema cams with so many functions."

No it isn't - just the ones made in France ;)

Seriously - I'm not sure if the Beaulieu can do time lapse, but other than that and an XL shutter, the Nikon R10 is capable of anything the Beaulieu is (well, 54 fps is the max - I understand some Beaulieus can go up to 80).

manual asa, servo and manual aperture ring, interchangeable lenses, intervalometer, factory built synch units (24, 25 or 30fps), reflex viewfinder, looks the business.... basically all you could ever need in one cam.

[Evan Kubota]

Does anyone use lenses on Beaulieus other than the included Schneiders? It's obviously possible but I read that it requires frequent collimating and is not practical in most situations.

The manual aperture and ASA are nice, but those are really the only features that stand out specifically on the Beaulieus vs. other high end cameras. They do look nice, but so does a Nizo or Nikon ;)

[tlatosmd]

The Lecinas also have manual ASA. Do you mean by aperture the shutter angle?

[Evan Kubota]

No, having direct control over the diaphragm through a ring like on a 16mm camera.

Yes, the Leicinas also have manual ASA... but they are fairly rare.