First Double 8 Camera - Saimic-8

[Will2]

Shooting my first rolls of 25' Double 8 this weekend with a Saimic-8. Motorized with AA batteries. Picked up some 100D from Dwaynes.

Interesting thing is there doesn't seem to be a focus, everything stays in focus within the 12-30mm zoom range.

Not quite sure how the flipping of the reel works but I'm assuming it will be fairly self-evident when I do it.

[zantizoom8]

its usually a good idea to practice first with some unusable roll such as kodachrome II or exposed film found in an old camera before trying your good stock. get comfortable flipping reels in as subdued light as possible and keep the film pressed tight on the spool so it doesnt unravel and ruin some shots at the end of the roll. it also can give you a good indication how well the camera advances film and the take up spins correctly. i had a 8mm that motor ran good, but with film, the take-up spindle did not wind the film onto the spool. i always check how well a camera moves film from spool to spool with the door open using practice film.

[super8man]

There;s some 8mm footage on my website (the blue flower stuff shot with 100D in regular 8)...also, you will discover the film gives you two halfs to film on...dig around on my website for more instructions...other websites cover it as well. Pretty simple if you take a big breath and relax and realize people shot that same film 50 years ago with less available knowledge than we have at our fingertips now. You will be just fine.

Cheers,
Mike

[gianni1]

I made a short clip about loading a 8mm camera for you to observe the loading, think I shoot it with a Nikon Coolpix 990. It's at revver.com:




Gianni 8)

[Will2]

Thanks Gianni, great little video.

However, from that angle I keep getting distracted by the scissors that look like they're about to stab you in the hand. 8O

[elysium]

This is an old thread...is anyone still on this site?
I have a Saimic-8 (was given to me) and i know nothing about it but would love to use it for filming. Advice and suggestions are welcomed-as well as how i can obtain a manual.

TY

[Will2]

When I saw my name on this thread it took me a minute to remember that camera. I think my issue with it was that it wasn't actually reflex so focus was by guesstimate.

I've since started shooting mostly Regular 8 with Canon Canonette Cine 8 cameras but that Saimic will work fine.

Get fresh film, processing and transfer from http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/ in Kansas.

Regular 8mm film is fun because it looks even grainier and "homey" than Super 8 and has great burn ins & outs due to how you load the film.

The film comes as 25' of 16mm film that runs through the camera one way, then you flip the film over and run it through the other side and in processing they slit the film and connect it end to end giving you 50' of 8mm.