I used to work for Boots Photolab and we always sold super 8 film. However last time I was in my store I noticed that they had stopped selling it.
So I pose the question, how much longer do we really think cine is going to be a viable option (purchase and processing) for us home users. Will Kodak be pulling the plug in the near future.
I ask this as I wonder if it is worth me investing in new cine equipment, or just buying some cheap stuff from ebay - if were only gonna be able to get film for a couple more years is it work me spending so much?
Any ideas wether kodak are gonna stop soon?
How long have we got left?
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Cine_Monkey
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I believe what you have experienced there is only a regional change. In Europe, there are probably more places to buy film locally than in the U.S. and that does not hinder it's use. Most pople here have to order it through some wholesaler. Here in Orlando, there is only one place that you can get it and it is because this particular store has been around longer than any other other place in the area. It is like the Grandady of Photo stores so they have everything that you need available here. If you cannot get it anywhere else, you can always get it at this store. This is how they stay on top of the game. It is called Colonial Photo and Hobby. It is on Colonial Drive in downtown orlando ( just in case you guys ever come here) They are also a Hobby shop dealing in model airplanes, trains, boats, etc. Being used to getting the film through wholesalers, I think that it is a little expensive-$15; as is everthing in that store. But I guess this is the price of availability.
Marc
Marc
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Super8rules
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Old Uncle Barry
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Dont even worry about it.Just spend an hour or two swatting through this website and that will answer your question conclusivley.In fact,the more you search and utilise the links,it will really open your eyes to just how well used this format is worldwide.
As quoted beforehand,Kodak have had their arses kicked over quality control in the past and they have listened and acted positively on all aspects.
Film stock is available from a variety of suppliers but be warned-shop wisely as price varies from £8.50 to a staggering £14.00 per cartridge!
No names no pack drill but those charging the higher price know who they are.If you want to avoid them,contact me privately.All other UK users are aware. :roll:
As quoted beforehand,Kodak have had their arses kicked over quality control in the past and they have listened and acted positively on all aspects.
Film stock is available from a variety of suppliers but be warned-shop wisely as price varies from £8.50 to a staggering £14.00 per cartridge!
No names no pack drill but those charging the higher price know who they are.If you want to avoid them,contact me privately.All other UK users are aware. :roll:
Boots must have had a policy change last year. I was still buying cartridges from Boots Luton and Brent Cross until late 2001, it seems that no new stock was ordered in 2002.
In 2000 I asked at the Luton Boots store what sales were like and I was told they were holding up well so it's a national policy, sadly. I do feel that where super 8 film is visible it sells.
THere's no need to worry in the medium term. Process paid Kodachrome is going to be around for some time, and the non process paid stocks (Ektachrome, plus-x and tri-x) are certainly not going anywhere. The beauty of the last three is that while processing costs extra you can do it at home with a minimum of equipment.
Despite wild rumours from time to time K40 isn't going anywhere, it makes money for Kodak and they are aware of us super 8 users.
In 2000 I asked at the Luton Boots store what sales were like and I was told they were holding up well so it's a national policy, sadly. I do feel that where super 8 film is visible it sells.
THere's no need to worry in the medium term. Process paid Kodachrome is going to be around for some time, and the non process paid stocks (Ektachrome, plus-x and tri-x) are certainly not going anywhere. The beauty of the last three is that while processing costs extra you can do it at home with a minimum of equipment.
Despite wild rumours from time to time K40 isn't going anywhere, it makes money for Kodak and they are aware of us super 8 users.
In munich, germany, i can buy super8 film in the photo corners of several shops, and almost every older photo store has k40. My favorite photo store has all super8 stocks except vision 200. I never even dared to ask someone about super8 there, but after looking for splicing tapes and reels on ebay and the www, i found both in a small corner together with slide accessories in that photo store. Spicey pricing, though - 18€ for a k40 cart, and 9€ for the tapes. But considering the online purchase hassle and shipping costs, i happily carried the stuff home 
hehe, perhaps someone overseas might think now these germans are a little behind the rest of the planet *lol*
hehe, perhaps someone overseas might think now these germans are a little behind the rest of the planet *lol*
have fun!
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John Clancy
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Here Jean, how much is that in Marks? Don't understand all this Euro babble - we'll have none of that over here.
Amazing that Super 8 is still around after all this time. If you want evidence that it could be around an awful lot longer the Widescreen Centre are still selling and processing Standard 8.
Amazing that Super 8 is still around after all this time. If you want evidence that it could be around an awful lot longer the Widescreen Centre are still selling and processing Standard 8.
I actually reckon that standard 8mm will outlive super 8, and keep a couple of good std 8mm cameras working for that day.
The reason is the complicated super 8 cartridge...only Kodak manufacturs it and if they ever stop (even if that is 50 years from now) that's it...gone...because the cost of tooling up a factory to produce them would prevent any small company from undertaking the task and no large company will bother.
But std 8mm has those dinky spools which are much easier to manufacture.
The reason is the complicated super 8 cartridge...only Kodak manufacturs it and if they ever stop (even if that is 50 years from now) that's it...gone...because the cost of tooling up a factory to produce them would prevent any small company from undertaking the task and no large company will bother.
But std 8mm has those dinky spools which are much easier to manufacture.
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Cine_Monkey
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Other suppliers
I diddnt think that kodak were the only suppliers of the film, the widescreen centre offers the pro8 film also??
Im sure that if kodak did go under someone else could step into there shoes, maybe in America its different, but I think here in Europe there is much more call for the film
Im sure that if kodak did go under someone else could step into there shoes, maybe in America its different, but I think here in Europe there is much more call for the film
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BolexPlusX
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The whole thing is going to come down to what happens when the sea of used equipment we are living off of finally dries up. Right now it makes no sense for a manufacturer to introduce new equipment when there is plenty of good used stuff out there really cheap.
If on that day when the last of the old stuff is worn out and the pickings on E-bay are thin and the prices are rising somebody may or may not introduce a new camera. If they don't introduce it or not enough are sold, then the sales of film will fall off and we will all be out of Super-8 whether we want to be or not.
Oh, and by the way, a camera costing thousands isn't going to sell enough to use all the film needed to keep Kodak interested. It can be expensive, but not obscenely so.
For now, there is a lot of interest and even growth. So, don't worry about the end! Go grab some really great equipment that is still available for a song, buy a ton of film and have a great time! It's the best thing that can be done to save Super 8.
If on that day when the last of the old stuff is worn out and the pickings on E-bay are thin and the prices are rising somebody may or may not introduce a new camera. If they don't introduce it or not enough are sold, then the sales of film will fall off and we will all be out of Super-8 whether we want to be or not.
Oh, and by the way, a camera costing thousands isn't going to sell enough to use all the film needed to keep Kodak interested. It can be expensive, but not obscenely so.
For now, there is a lot of interest and even growth. So, don't worry about the end! Go grab some really great equipment that is still available for a song, buy a ton of film and have a great time! It's the best thing that can be done to save Super 8.
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studiocarter
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And then there is that Texan who is making a film perf machine for Super 8mm. So, as long as there is film being made in 35mm or larger sizes, he will be able to perf Super 8 for us.
Besided him, there is a Chap in London who perfs R8 film. I have some 7363 in my H8rex right now and need to flip it over to shoot the other half.
I just bought another S8 camera. Go for it and don't wory. Work af film.
Michael Carter
Besided him, there is a Chap in London who perfs R8 film. I have some 7363 in my H8rex right now and need to flip it over to shoot the other half.
I just bought another S8 camera. Go for it and don't wory. Work af film.
Michael Carter
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studiocarter
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He didn't publish in the latest ACE and I'm going to write him or call him again. He had a letter in the Spring edition.
The film is negative high contrast but processed as reversal. ASA is 10. Exposure must be right on. Registration is for print stock. He says it is fine. After I get it done and transferred I'll post it. Should be interesting. Especially since it could be shot in 16mm as that is where it came from.
He had some other films already to shoot. He also said to send him the film to perf.
I wonder if he'd sell the thing.
The film is negative high contrast but processed as reversal. ASA is 10. Exposure must be right on. Registration is for print stock. He says it is fine. After I get it done and transferred I'll post it. Should be interesting. Especially since it could be shot in 16mm as that is where it came from.
He had some other films already to shoot. He also said to send him the film to perf.
I wonder if he'd sell the thing.
Only Kodak is making the super 8 cartridge. They are good enough to allow pro8 to reperf other Kodak negative stock and load Kodak manufactured cartridges with the film...as long as it is Kodak film in origin.
When Kodak cease manufacturing super 8 cartridges - and don't worry, that would seem to be many years hence - we will have a problem because nobody else is going to.
What I'd like to see is Kodak allowing other company's films to be loaded into it's super 8 cartridges on a large scale. It would be great to have Ilford FP4 or Fuji Velvia emulsions in super 8.
Super 8 exists as long as somebody, ie Kodak, keeps manufacturing the cartridges.
When Kodak cease manufacturing super 8 cartridges - and don't worry, that would seem to be many years hence - we will have a problem because nobody else is going to.
What I'd like to see is Kodak allowing other company's films to be loaded into it's super 8 cartridges on a large scale. It would be great to have Ilford FP4 or Fuji Velvia emulsions in super 8.
Super 8 exists as long as somebody, ie Kodak, keeps manufacturing the cartridges.