New to Super 8, and a question

[Nickademusss]

Hi all,

I am a photographer in Utah, I shoot 4x5 LF and 120 MF film and digital for sports and action.

I recent come across a Canon 310XL super 8 camera in good condition.

My question(s) to those kind enough to answer is as follows:
'Whats a good compatible black and white film?
Also How does one set up the camera for this film?

Thanks!

[richard p. t.]

G'day Nickademuss,
the canon 310xl is a nice little camera. very small, and one of the most effective 'xl' (eXisting Light) cameras (ie for lower light situations) because of the combination of f1 lens, 220 degree shutter opening and non-TTL light meter.
The only BW stock Kodak make at the moment is Tri-X. Your camera is designed to use this film automatically. All you have to do is insert the film and it is ready to shoot. A notch on the cartridge tells the camera the ASA of the film.
The only issue you might have using Tri-X with this camera is the fact that being a good XL camera and Tri-x being a fast film, you might find that on sunny days in full sun there is too much light to get a correct exposure.
enjoy super 8,
richard

[Nickademusss]

Thanks Richard, is their any color film that you dont have to modify? If not what do I have to modify to get a decent 70's look ?

[Andersens Tears]

Hi!

Nice little camera that!

If you want a 70's colour reversal look - then Ektachrome 100D (Kodak 7385 Super 8 ) is the way to go.

I believe all you need to do is pop the film in the camera and switch the filter selector to the 'bulb' or 'lamp' setting. It might sound counter intuative but the 'sun' setting s for converting the colour temp for tungsten balanced stock - and 100D is a daylight film and therfore needs no correction in daylight!

Hope that helps!

You can also shoot Vision3 200T & 500T negative films with this camera - the latter you'll need to notch hack the cart but look at the results -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w6Z9AU6uec

With the f1 lens and XL shutter combined with 500asa film you can shoot by candlelight.

Here is a little video on how to notch hack for the 310xl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcrjeT_UVwQ

Hope this helps!

Good luck and welcome to the world of super 8 film!

Jamie

[Nickademusss]

Hi!

Nice little camera that!

If you want a 70's colour reversal look - then Ektachrome 100D (Kodak 7385 Super 8 ) is the way to go.

I believe all you need to do is pop the film in the camera and switch the filter selector to the 'bulb' or 'lamp' setting. It might sound counter intuative but the 'sun' setting s for converting the colour temp for tungsten balanced stock - and 100D is a daylight film and therfore needs no correction in daylight!

Hope that helps!

You can also shoot Vision3 200T & 500T negative films with this camera - the latter you'll need to notch hack the cart but look at the results -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w6Z9AU6uec

With the f1 lens and XL shutter combined with 500asa film you can shoot by candlelight.

Here is a little video on how to notch hack for the 310xl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcrjeT_UVwQ

Hope this helps!

Good luck and welcome to the world of super 8 film!

Jamie

Thanks for the response, I ordered som BW film to test the camera before I buy allot of film. Can I use a ND filter with the BW for daylight shooting? if so what kind (how many stops) and what do I have to do to the camera if anything to set it up for this?

[Andersens Tears]

I ordered som BW film to test the camera before I buy allot of film. Can I use a ND filter with the BW for daylight shooting? if so what kind (how many stops) and what do I have to do to the camera if anything to set it up for this?

I recommend you download the manual - you'll find it as a PDF file here-
http://super8arena.com/camera_manuals.php
scroll down and find Canon 310xl - click on the name and you'll download it.

From the manual - it states that when using high speed film in bright sunny conditions an ND4 filter is to be used in conjunction with the exposure control plate.

I expect you will only need to apply the ND filter for those shots where the overexposure indiction is given in the viewfinder.

Your best bet it to shoot the same shots with and without - shoot some darker scenes and lighter scenes - make a note so that you will remember what you used for which shot. You can make your own judgments based on the footage you get back.

Hope this helps