All initial 40x Logmar Super 8 cameras have been pre-sold

[Nicholas Kovats]

http://www.cinematography.com/index.php?showtopic=8274

"Nathan Milford
11 Aug 2005
This has been covered half a dozen times. I should probably submit a FAQ article on it or something:

The short answer is: No.

The long answer is: Well... no they won't.

The longer answer is: A-Minima loads are spooled on a special Kodak flanged daylight load that also works as part of the magazine's takeup torque system. The loads are unlike normal 2" Kodak cores and will not initially fit into an ACL 200' mags. A-Minima film is wound emulsion out, 'a-winding' which is backwards from the way other cameras take thier film, emulsion in 'b-winding'.

So why can't I unspool it, rewind it and put it on a core in a b-winding? Because of the natural curl of the film. Since it is wound differently from normal loads, A-Minima loads curl differently, something the A-Minima takes into account for in it's design. I set the flange focal tolerance to +15 to +25 micron (on most cameras its -7 to -14 or so). The A-Minima expects the film to curl into the gate obviating the need for a pressure plate. That curl, which the A-Minima loves so dearly, is an issue on other cameras as they're expecting it to curl the other way. This is a difference of microns, and maybe with longer lenses you might not notice it because the depth of focus as much greater, but nominally, the image projected out the back element of the lens will project beyond the film plane as the film plane is a few microns infront of where it is supposed to be.

- Nathan"

[woods01]

The latest Kodak notice of discontinued products included A-minima loads for V3 500T and 250D. Essentially Kodak has abandoned support the A-minima. Yes you can can always create your own winds but you're going to have to source the cores on your own. Inconvenient for a hobbyist shooter but a deal breaker for industry filmmaking. Expect the A-minima to show up for sale more often now.

In more exciting news, thats great that they sold out of the pre-order. I'm curious to see what kind of projects are going to be getting shot with these. I imagine Pro8 bought a bunch but who could the others be? Individuals or companies?

[Nicholas Kovats]

The number of beta cameras pre-sold has been updated to 25 globally distributed. I am number #25 and will be the only initial user in Canada. Pro8mm pre-sold 10 in NA distributed across NY and LA. The remaining have been allocated in Europe via Logmar directly. Tommy Madsen of Logmar wishes to keep the beta distribution and testing period (approx. 3+ months) somewhat controllable as user feedback/testing is submitted. As he has stated that may or may not result in hardware modifications resulting in beta cameras being shipped back. Considerable logistics.

To the naysayers. Trick question. When was the last time a "new" motion picture camera was built and with updated electronics, digital start/stop metadata, video assist and pin registration?

[Tscan]

The number of beta cameras pre-sold has been updated to 25 globally distributed. I am number #25 and will be the only initial user in Canada. Pro8mm pre-sold 10 in NA distributed across NY and LA. The remaining have been allocated in Europe via Logmar directly. Tommy Madsen of Logmar wishes to keep the beta distribution and testing period (approx. 3+ months) somewhat controllable as user feedback/testing is submitted. As he has stated that may or may not result in hardware modifications resulting in beta cameras being shipped back. Considerable logistics.

To the naysayers. Trick question. When was the last time a "new" motion picture camera was built and with updated electronics, digital start/stop metadata, video assist and pin registration?

That's awesome that you got a camera! I wouldn't call myself a naysayer because I really want one, but wanting and having are two different things. I think the Beta price is reasonable from a consumer stand point which is why I tried to get one. And as a consumer, a price tag of $5.5K on anything requires some consideration. Do I get a new camera or a new shed in the yard? The state of film really needs to stabilize as well. Kodak wants to dump film, so does NFL Films ect... Film needs to be in the hands of a stable company that wants to make film for those who still want to shoot it. World wide, there are plenty of armatures and professionals to support a more consolidated production of materials and lab services.

Someone compared film to gas cars... well someday when all the cars are electric, there will be plenty of classic cars left over that people will refuse to give up on... Maybe big oil will end up in Kodak's shoes? But when the transition settles, there will be enough people world wide who still want to drive a 1967 GTO or 1964 Impala once and a while. There will need to be at least one refinery to meet the demand for those who still want to hear the roar of an old gas powered engine.