Hi.
I have just bought two cameras, the Canon 514XL-S (Canosound) and the Canon 814XL Electronic.
I am working on a serious Super 8 project, and I have two questions.
Which one is the best, and why?
I will be using these films:
Kodak Vision 3 - 50D
Kodak Vision 3 - 200T
Kodak Vision Tri-X Reversal film.
By the way, I am new to Super 8.
Thanks.
Canon 514XL-S versus 814XL Electronic
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Re: Canon 514XL-S versus 814XL Electronic
Hi Zabel,
I know both of the cameras you have. Canon made top class Super 8 cameras. I have seen a lot of footage from a friend that had the 514xls and it always looked good with Kodachrome. However one weakness this camera has is it doesn't have manual aperture control. It does have an aperture lock button but that's a bit inconvenient in many cases. I have used the silent version, Canon 514xl, at night and was pleased with the results.
The Canon 814xl electronic is considered a excellent camera and is a late model Super 8 from Canon so it benefited from improved optics over the earlier 814 models. It also has manual aperture control which is a big plus.
In any case if you plan to use the auto exposure function you will need to check accuracy of the light meter as the cameras are old. Then you will also need to check if the film you use will meter properly in the camera. The 514xls only meters for 40ASA and 160 ASA film, maybe 125ASA. The 814xl should do more options but you will need to check the camera manual.
If it's an important project I would also recommend running at 24 FPS as the results will look more professional.
The 814xl will be the better camera but there are a number of other factors to set the camera up to best get the image quality that you desire.
I know both of the cameras you have. Canon made top class Super 8 cameras. I have seen a lot of footage from a friend that had the 514xls and it always looked good with Kodachrome. However one weakness this camera has is it doesn't have manual aperture control. It does have an aperture lock button but that's a bit inconvenient in many cases. I have used the silent version, Canon 514xl, at night and was pleased with the results.
The Canon 814xl electronic is considered a excellent camera and is a late model Super 8 from Canon so it benefited from improved optics over the earlier 814 models. It also has manual aperture control which is a big plus.
In any case if you plan to use the auto exposure function you will need to check accuracy of the light meter as the cameras are old. Then you will also need to check if the film you use will meter properly in the camera. The 514xls only meters for 40ASA and 160 ASA film, maybe 125ASA. The 814xl should do more options but you will need to check the camera manual.
If it's an important project I would also recommend running at 24 FPS as the results will look more professional.
The 814xl will be the better camera but there are a number of other factors to set the camera up to best get the image quality that you desire.