Budget 70DR

[Nigel]

I have only used a Nikon-->Cmt on my 4008 once and it was great. I really want to get one but I would like to use a couple lenses on it before I do beacuse that camera already has to much invested in it.

Good Luck

[flatwood]

...There is no practical way to use Nikon lenses on a Filmo.....

That makes sense. It's been awhile since Ive used a non reflex camera.

[Freya]

If you're concerned, getting exact framing might be difficult to accomplish with a nikon (or any other adapter 35mm) lens. Finding the right matching lens for the turret might be a chore, and probably would be a good idea to shoot some charts to see where how the image fills the frame.

I'd love to shoot more with my filmo, but I am a little warry about using the parallax viewfinder for judging focus. I like to shoot things on long lenses, and this type of setup really isn't practical for that.

Surely if you are using a 100mm lens then you just need to find a 100mm or 4 inch finder lens?

How would you be able to judge focus with the parralax viewfinder? I mean it doesn't see through the lens? Or did you mean judge framing? Or perhaps there is some trick to this???

You could use the critical focusing device to get some idea of the focus?

Are parrallax errors greater over long distances? I though they were worse the closer the object was to the lens?

love

Freya

[flatwood]

Fast shipper... the cam came in today and I just checked it out. It was wound when it got here so I ran the spring down and now I cant get it to wind back up. Hmmm.... The lenses: the half inch is a Wallensack and the 25mm is a Schneider. The Schneider looks usable. Maybe Im missing a secret move for the winder. Ill have to check out the manual.

[Freya]

Fast shipper... the cam came in today and I just checked it out. It was wound when it got here so I ran the spring down and now I cant get it to wind back up. Hmmm.... The lenses: the half inch is a Wallensack and the 25mm is a Schneider. The Schneider looks usable. Maybe Im missing a secret move for the winder. Ill have to check out the manual.

Wollensack lenses are quite nice in my experience! Also getting wide angle lenses can be harder so a half inch lens is a good score! Obviously Schneider usually make very nice lenses too! Sounds good on the lens front.

Are you sure you are turning the wind up the right way? Away from the lens turret as opposed to towards it?

love

Freya

[flatwood]

Are you sure you are turning the wind up the right way? Away from the lens turret as opposed to towards it?

Doh!!! You nailed it. It winds and runs. Seems strong. Looks like I need a take up reel and one leather strap screw.

Thanks for the tip.

[Justin Lovell]

i'm not sure if the measurements are exact... i mean if you're adapting a 35mm 50mm lens, will it be exactly 25mm in 16mm? i do not know.

You can't judge focus through the parralax viewfinder afaik. There is supposed to be some kind of critical focusing area on the filmo, but I don't think my version has that.

parralax errors are worse at closer distances, you're right.
I was commenting on the shallow depth of field that will cause focusing issues when using a telephoto lens.

[Freya]

i'm not sure if the measurements are exact... i mean if you're adapting a 35mm 50mm lens, will it be exactly 25mm in 16mm? i do not know.

We all dodged this one earlier! ;)
A 50mm lens for 35mm cameras will be a 50mm lens on a 16mm camera, because it is a 50mm lens! <VBG>

So you would need to have a 50mm (or 2inch?) finder to match the lens.

[When you look through the lens it will appear to be more telephoto however, than it would in 35mm. For example a 25mm lens on a 35mm still camera would be wide angle. The same 25mm lens on a 16mm camera would not be wide angle. The lens has stayed the same focal length, it's just that 25mm is wide angle in 35mm still and it isn't in 16mm movie.]

You can't judge focus through the parralax viewfinder afaik. There is supposed to be some kind of critical focusing area on the filmo, but I don't think my version has that.

Well I didn't think so because it doesn't see through the lens at all, but I did for a moment wonder if there was some magical trick for judging the distance by looking through the lens just right and a lot of meditation or something. You know like "ah well you can judge the distance to the lamp post over there by the way the lens distorts slightly at 5 metres, or by it's aura or something. You know photography is full of secret tricks like that!

parralax errors are worse at closer distances, you're right.
I was commenting on the shallow depth of field that will cause focusing issues when using a telephoto lens.

Ah!!! Now I get you! Yes shallow depth of field. I try and avoid it, although some people with video cameras go to great lengths to try and get some. Very strange buisness!

love

Freya

[Freya]

Are you sure you are turning the wind up the right way? Away from the lens turret as opposed to towards it?

Doh!!! You nailed it. It winds and runs. Seems strong. Looks like I need a take up reel and one leather strap screw.

Thanks for the tip.

*giggle* I have all the very best tips!

Yay! It works! I thought it would! You are going to love it!

so you have the leather strap you are just missing a screw? Maybe it came out when the last owner had to defend themselves!

love

Freya

[flatwood]

....so you have the leather strap you are just missing a screw?...

No strap either but it sounds like the motor is working fine. I need to oil it up now. Dang heavy camera too and how do you hand hold this thing????

[Justin Lovell]

once you get the leather strap working you'll love the way it fits in your hand... holding these silly bolexes is just ridiculous in comparison.

such a snug fit when your hand is wrapped in...

[audadvnc]

This is a good thread. Lots of information about the Filmo, but a significant amount of misinformation also. I'll come back with a studied reply to these in a later posting.

I started a B&H 70 page on the Super8 Wiki a year or so ago. Please feel free to add to it:

http://super8wiki.com/index.php/Bell_and_Howell_70

I know it's not a Super 8 camera, but I haven't seen an equivalent Wiki for cameras like this and it seemed the right thing to do...

[flatwood]

This is a good thread. Lots of information about the Filmo, but a significant amount of misinformation also. I'll come back with a studied reply to these in a later posting......

It's been highly informative for me so far. As a newbie 70DR owner Im happy for any and all information and lore about these cameras coming my way and its all been helpful. Thanks.

-=tabb

[Afwasborstel]

Dang heavy camera too and how do you hand hold this thing????

It's in the manual (page 16) :lol: Although in my manual there is also another dude holding it in the opposite way...Eg..he holds his hand on the part where the winder is...And not with his hand trough 'The Strap' and over the viewfinder..Wich we all know is the right way...how else could u wind the camera and shoot at the same time(so build like a tank...and then shoot with...would it???)

Speaking of 35 mm....does anyone know where I can get an Eyemo? Just want to complete the happy family...

btw...just looked on the link from audadvnc.. and there is a Ebay add wich might solve all your problems...a 70 DA with build in view finders And a strap..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 7625126286

[flatwood]

........It's in the manual (page 16) Although in my manual there is also another dude holding it in the opposite way...Eg..he holds his hand on the part where the winder is........

It looks awkward in the manual. As soon as I get a strap I can get the hang of it. Thanks.

-=tabb