Inherited an 8mm Camera & Some Film *new details!*

[NorCalRiviera]

I've just come into possession of an old 8mm camera and about six rolls of well-kept, unused kodak film dated 10/76 (crazy, I am a month older than the film is!). The camera is a Bolex S1 very very similar to this one on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/Bolex-S1-8mm-Movie- ... dZViewItem


And I'm new to the world of 8mm. I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect and if there's anything I need to know specifically about my camera.

For example, once I've shot a reel, where do I get it developed and can I get it converted to a digital format? Also, when shooting with this film what should my light setting be? I think the film box said 25 (of course, it's all at home and I'm at work). Anyway, bear with me...I'll have loads of questions, I'm sure!

[thebigidea]

if the film is Kodachrome 25, you're in luck - you can do processing via Kodak till Aug 1 or via Dwayne's. Then to dump it on DV you can send it to a place for telecine or just do a rough DIY job yourself with a camcorder and a projector.

Best to try out one roll first, see if it works ok. Get a cheapo light meter for exposures... might not want to pay for a telecine until you know the camera and film work ok!

[NorCalRiviera]

That's kind of what I was thinking...sacrifice one of the six rolls as a test and get it developed. Looks like I've until the end of July to do that on the cheap.

The other five rolls I'm hoping to use next February on this:
http://www.shastasnowtrip.com

[thebigidea]

have fun, I got into into 8mm a few months ago and its a total blast. The cameras are so small and very fun to use, and the film looks really unique. K25 is a beautiful stock, if it kept ok you're in for a treat. If it didn't, you might still be in for a slightly more arty avant-garde treat. Pretend that's the effect you were going for and fuck with the contrast and colors in post.

[NorCalRiviera]

I love how we can play off unexpected goofs as artsy these days! Yeah, I'll be excited to see how this first roll turns out.

[gianni1]

I have shot a few rolls of 1979 Kodachrome 40. I've used it with a orange filter and without, it doesn't make much difference. I also tried it a stop or two either way, it doesn't make much difference either.

Expect thinner less dense, and pinker results than fresh stock. It's so out of date any logical or scientific analysis isn't workable it because the film's variable and inconsistent response to normal filming. Just shoot it and learn to trust yourself.

Sunny 16 rule tells me f16 at 1/25th (K25). So if if 18 fps is 1/60th then it would be f11 or f8 on a sunny day, f 5.6 for old stock on a sunny noon, f4 in light shade or cloudy, f2.8 in dark shade or heavy overcast. Direct low angle sunbeams in the morning or evening are f5.6 or f4.

K40 regular 8 costs me seven pounds sterling for swiss lab processing, three weeks turn around time. If you are in the states, then it's either Kmart or Dwanes.

Gianni

[egdinger]

If your sending it through walmat to get to dwaynes, you may want to put a not in it saying that it is on a daylight spool, if you don't have it in something. I got mine snet back with a note saying the film was "Exposed" because I didn't have a small tin to put it in.

[NorCalRiviera]

I think all my film is in little tins...

[hellesdonfilms]

Kodak will actually continue to process Regular 8 (Standard 8) film until 31st December as it's processed as 16mm film so it give Regular 8 shooters of K25 & K40 a bit more time than with Super 8.

[NorCalRiviera]

Oh cool...and I can just submit that through a regular photo place like Wal-Mart or do I need to mail that directly to Kodak?

[Rusty]

when you go to walmart write "double 8mm movie film K-14 process (dwaynes)" in the special instructions box of the processing envelope.

Rusty

[NorCalRiviera]

Sounds good. And I checked the box again when I took it out of the closet yesterday...it's Kodachrome 40, double 8mm roll. I'll snap some pix for early next week to get more details from you guys.

[NorCalRiviera]

Okay, so no pictures yet, but I have the film and the camera before me and here's the skinny... my questions will be in parentheses.

Film:
Kodachrome 40 "Type A for Movie Light" (I don't have a movie light, so I'm assuming sunny days?) 25ft (how much time is 25 feet?) On the back it reads "Daylight w/ No. 85 Filter, ASA 25. Movie Light, ASA 40." (I have a No. 23 light shield on the camera, should I still run it at ASA 25?)

Camera:
It's a Bolex S1 made in lovely Switzerland. Pretty darn complete from what I've researched on the net...only thing I find missing is the stick to adjust the zoom.

On the right side of the camera there's the winder (how many times can you wind it w/o hurting it?) there's a dial that doesn't want to move that reads 40, 18, 12 with the 18 in red. There's a dial that does move with a red dot, a solid black half-circle, a halfblack-halfwhite half-circle, and a solid white half-circle (what on earth does this do?) There's also a thing that slides up and down just between the winder and the half-circle thingy that really I have no idea what it does (what does it do?).

The left side of the camera is self-explanatory. The front has a knob that rotates between automatic and manual (any preference?) and the front also has the ASA knob (currently set at 32, should I go for 25?)

I think that's all my questions for now... thanks, everyone!

[egdinger]

The kodachrome is balenced for tungsten lights, if you use outside under sunlight, you will get odd color casts, unless you use a no.85 filter. If you shoot with the filter rate it at 25, without the filter 40. When you open the film could you take a picture of the end, see what the code printed onto it says.

The odd thing about regular 8mm cams is that you run the 25 feet, open the camera up and flip the film over and run it again, a bit like a casette tape. So you actualy get 50 feet out of it, and 50 ft will get you 3 min 42 seconds of running time at 18 fps according to http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/filmCalculator.html

I don't know for sure, but the thing with the red dot and all the half circles may be some kind of film counter. As for automatic or manual, that really depends on the situation, and if your in camera meter is working right.

[Dr_Strangelove]

The odd thing about regular 8mm cams is that you run the 25 feet, open the camera up and flip the film over and run it again, a bit like a casette tape. So you actualy get 50 feet out of it, and 50 ft will get you 3 min 42 seconds of running time at 18 fps according to.

What?