Inaugural test footage from the new Ultrapan8 3.1 DS8

[Nicholas Kovats]

Hello everyone.

We have diverged the UltraPan8 system into two systems.

The initial prototype using the full 16mm width of Regular film stock with 8mm pulldown shall be referred to as UltraPan8 2.8 which now includes the specific aspect ratio (2.8) as per the nomenclature. The new variation shall be referred to as UltraPan8 3.1 which utilizes the full 16mm width of Double Super 8 film stock with Super 8mm pulldown.

The imaging area has been increased by 39% due to the smaller Super 8mm perforation dimensions relative to UP8 2.8 R8. The UP8 3.1 DS8 frame width is greater than Super 16mm, i.e.

1. UP8 2.8 (Regular 8) AR = 1:2.8, FRAME = 10.52mm x 3.75mm, AREA = 39.45 square mm
2. UP8 3.1 (Double Super 8) AR = 1:3.1, FRAME = 13.00mm x 4.22mm; AREA = 54.86 square mm

The resultant frameline is thinner. Mechanical interplay between transport components such as claw, pressure plate and sprockets are more critical than UP8 2.8.

The base camera conversion relies on the original JK Camera Double Super 8mm conversions of factory Bolex H8 cameras. Bolex H16 optical components and aperture are also used. A new milled gate is part of the conversion as with UP8 2.8 Bolex cameras.

This is a true hybrid system in the sense that no native 16mm wide Double Super 8 projectors are known to exist with the possible exception of special contact printers. This is a genuine "originate on film and finish on digital" camera system.

Relative to the image sequence JPEG deliverables...actual overscan pixel density has been increased to 2,440 x 880 from 2,080 x 780 (UP8 2.8)

Here is the inaugural scanned test footage with Ektachrome 100D reversal film and a Carl Zeiss 10mm f2.0 Tevidon lens, i.e.
https://vimeo.com/45620380

The smaller Double Super 8mm perforations are very evident in the overscan verison, i.e. https://vimeo.com/45622450. Compare this to the UP8 2.8 R8 overscan example,i.e. https://vimeo.com/27492482.

Here are some frameshots for your examination, i.e.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?q=u ... G&filter=0

Thanks again to Jean-Louis Seguin (bolextech@gmail) for another excellent implementation and to John Gledhill at bitworks.org for another outstanding scan. Processing was by Niagara Custom Labs here in Toronto.

I would like to point out some key concepts. The UltraPan8 system is about maximizing the image area to provide the best small format experience from our admittedly ultrawide bias. Irrespective of film perforation specifications. A native spherical film format that uses the best part of standard 16mm optics (center) and doubles the magazine run time relative to 16mm. We love large screen cinema and I suspect we have minimally provided an excellent extraction process for the classic and smaller Cinemascope aspect ratio of 1:2.4.

As our beloved Super 8 camera crumble to dust...our decision to use plentiful, all metal and robust Bolex cameras is indicative of our longterm intentions.

Regards,

Nicholas Kovats
Toronto, Canada

[Nicholas Kovats]

For some reason this forum has replaced all the number "8" s in the posting with smiley emoticons.

[hirudin]

Beautiful, but is there an issue for format security? DS8 is technically no longer available, with the exception of the remaining stock from International Film and Wittner (is Wittner still able to get batches made??) but they'll run out.

I love it for the adventure of it

-Jesse-

[Nicholas Kovats]

Thanks, Jesse, as I had forgotten to mention the two remaining suppliers. I will investigate this eventually and look into Super 8 perf heads through my sources.

I suspect Wittner has the facility and the machines already.

[Will2]

Great shooting choices on the demo. I was hoping you'd shoot an ocean or lake scene, seems like the format is perfect for grand landscapes. Bridge was a cool shot too.

So are you selling these cameras already setup or just doing the modification on a camera we'd supply?

I'm doing R8 more and more where I don't split the reel so I can have a Spirit do the telecine...this would fit nicely into that workflow except the camera is much bigger of course.

[bolextech]

I copy this post by AJ:

Re: DS8 7285 100D Kodak order
by aj » Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:41 pm

According to Wittner statements the film-material needed for Super-8 cartridges will remain available as DS-8 long rolls as these are the basis for filling Super-8 cartridges.

S8 is never perforated in one run of 8mm with S8 holes. First it is DS8 which will be slit and then routed into S8 cartridges.

Based on that statement I decided to invest in a DS-8 camera ALthoug I would appreciate something less light-sensitive. 100D is too much and DOF sabotages every attempt to play sharpness zones. Of course ND's help a bit.

One would hope that some other film business would dedicate itself to film somewhat more.
FUJIfilm? They still are strong in the market and even have a full range of instant-film products.
Last edited by aj on Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Kind regards,

André
aj
Senior member

Posts: 3046
Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2003 12:15 pm
Location: Netherlands

[Will2]

According to Wittner statements the film-material needed for Super-8 cartridges will remain available as DS-8 long rolls as these are the basis for filling Super-8 cartridges.

I wish V3 50D was available this way. Or Fuji's Vivid 160T.

[Nicholas Kovats]

My UP8 2.8 R8 V3 50D test footage is forthcoming.

According to Wittner statements the film-material needed for Super-8 cartridges will remain available as DS-8 long rolls as these are the basis for filling Super-8 cartridges.

I wish V3 50D was available this way. Or Fuji's Vivid 160T.