Reverse filming

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super8manchester
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Reverse filming

Post by super8manchester »

Hi,
I'm considering to buy yet another camera to obey my expensive fetish to Super8 cameras... (hands up, how many of you have about 8 cameras and only use 2 for filming...)
I've previously owned a Nizo S480 but I sold it as I wasn't too happy with the hard-to-come-by light meter batteries. Now I'm thinking to buy either Bauer S 715 XL or Nikon R-10. Bauer's automatic interval functions seem nice, on the other hand Nikon seems more professional with functions like reverse filming etc.
Does anyone know if there are any cameras with reverse filming&double exposure function? Does S 715 XL have them? Which camera has the longest double exposure/reverse filming function? I'd be really interest to experiment with these to do crazy avant-garde arty-party films...

P.S. Does anybody know if Bauer S 715 has "automatic-B" setting like Nizo S800 or Pro have, which keeps the shudder open in low-light conditions as long as it's needed for correct exposure?
kjellpell
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Post by kjellpell »

Well, the only 8MM camera I know of that can film "backwards", is Fuji's Fujica ZC-1000. With this one you can shoot the entire cassette in reverse. Just close the shutter and the viewfinder, run thru the entire cassette, Open the shutter/viewfinder, change the "run" switch to "reverse" and start shooting.
The ZC-1000 is a SINGLE 8MM camera, and not SUPER 8MM. Different cartridge. (You can find these on ebay from time to time. ebay.de has the lowest prices) It is an exellent camera with built in precission pressure plate, like it's bigger brothers in 16 and 35mm.
Yes, I do have one, toghether with one Z-800 and a few Beaulieu's.
christoph
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Re: Reverse filming

Post by christoph »

if you're really into reverse filming get a fujica, a DS8 or start shooting 16mm..

all super8 cams are pretty much limited to 4 second double exposures, that's just the design of the cartrige.

the 715xl has a lot of nice functions, but no auto B.

++ christoph ++
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onsuper8
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Post by onsuper8 »

Good to see another Super 8 user from North West UK!
kentbulza
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Re: Reverse filming

Post by kentbulza »

christoph wrote:if you're really into reverse filming get a fujica, a DS8 or start shooting 16mm..

all super8 cams are pretty much limited to 4 second double exposures, that's just the design of the cartrige.

the 715xl has a lot of nice functions, but no auto B.

++ christoph ++
Hmm...I don't know about the other DS8 cameras, but I think the Canon DS8 Zoom cannot leave the shutter open during reverse. Can someone confirm? I've not tried it since it seems so apparent that the shutter is closed based on the fact the reverse is on the other side of the close button.

So I think it's back to the ZC1000 as the best choice for Super 8 reverse filming.
kentbulza
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Post by kentbulza »

kjellpell wrote:Well, the only 8MM camera I know of that can film "backwards", is Fuji's Fujica ZC-1000. With this one you can shoot the entire cassette in reverse. Just close the shutter and the viewfinder, run thru the entire cassette, Open the shutter/viewfinder, change the "run" switch to "reverse" and start shooting.
The ZC-1000 is a SINGLE 8MM camera, and not SUPER 8MM. Different cartridge. (You can find these on ebay from time to time. ebay.de has the lowest prices)
Speak of the devil:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 01626&rd=1
super8manchester
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Re: Reverse filming

Post by super8manchester »

christoph wrote:if you're really into reverse filming get a fujica, a DS8 or start shooting 16mm..

all super8 cams are pretty much limited to 4 second double exposures, that's just the design of the cartrige.

the 715xl has a lot of nice functions, but no auto B.

++ christoph ++
Thanks for the info, Christoph!
In terms of functions I think Nizo Pro might be the best - it has lap dissolve, auto B, intervalometer, synch and variable shutter with control.

giles wrote:Good to see another Super 8 user from North West UK!
Agree! Is there/do you know any super-8 -groups in this area?
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onsuper8
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Post by onsuper8 »

Manchester used to have a number of Super 8 filmmakers so much so the Kino festival used to have a Super 8 strand until a few years ago. Whilst their are organised film groups in Mcr and the North West, I've come across few Super 8ers....
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audadvnc
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Re: Reverse filming

Post by audadvnc »

super8manchester wrote: Does anyone know if there are any cameras with reverse filming&double exposure function? Does S 715 XL have them? Which camera has the longest double exposure/reverse filming function? I'd be really interest to experiment with these to do crazy avant-garde arty-party films...
The problem of reverse filming in Super 8 is more a function of the cartridge design than camera features. Both the above cameras can do short rewinds for dissolves, and the R8/R10 allows for double (or even triple) exposure using that rewind function. But the cartridge design is not amenable to long rewinds. The camera just stuffs a loop of film back into the cartridge, it doesn't wind back on the feed reel, so only a few inches of film will fit before the cartridge jams. As mentioned above, reverse / multiple exposure effects are easy on 16mm (just flip the film over and shoot upside-down).

In camera dissolves and double exposures are nifty but you can get similar, more controllable results in the non linear editor.
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