Regular 8mm camera recommendation

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:36 pm

Hi,
Need a R8 camera with all manual settings. Any recommendations?

I'm thinking Beaulieu or Bolex maybe, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Post by **Lunar07** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:40 pm

awand wrote:Hi,
Need a R8 camera with all manual settings. Any recommendations?

I'm thinking Beaulieu or Bolex maybe, but I'm open to suggestions.

With a fixed zoom: Canon 512 Zoom Reflex
With primes: Bolex D8LA or B8LA

All of above have frame rewinding and a variable shutter along with full manual control. If you do not need frame rewind then go with D8L or B8L. If you do not care about the light meter then go with Bolex B8 with Variable shutter.

Post by BK » Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:23 pm

Something different. How about a Yashica 8 that takes interchangeable 'd 'mount primes / zooms such as Bolex lenses, or a Wollensak 43, triple turret fixed lenses with Waterhouse stops.

Bill

Post by **JGrube** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:03 pm

Bolex B8L and D8L cameras are outstanding, and loaded with features. I have a D8LA and it is my new favorite camera. Although I will say, my Bell and Howell Filmo Sportster is a close second. It doesn't have as many features, but it is a rock solid, quality camera that takes beautiful pictures. It is also the smallest 8mm cam I've ever seen.

Jason

Post by **ultramarine** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:05 pm

If you want the best, then there is no alternative
**************Bolex H8******************

Post by **teadub** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:32 pm

On the short I shot, Birds of a feather , I used a Minolta Zoom 8 (the non-auto version). Pretty solid, for a fixed lens simple to use camera. Allows all manual operation, (aperture and 24fps).

Post by **The Swede** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:16 am

Hi

I recently bought a Canon Reflex Zoom 8 3, I have not yet tested it but the reason I bought it was that someone her on the forum had used it a lot and he said " the picture was rock steady and tack sharp."

To me it sounded pretty good

The one thing I can say about already is that it sems to be built like a tank and it is really cool.

Good luck on your search.

Cheers

Hans

Post by **Lunar07** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:43 pm

..............

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:10 pm

Just to add in, if you are looking for a small hand held camera, then you might want to include the Canon Eight. It has incredible lenses but they only work with this camera due to their unique sytle of mount. The camera body looks similiar to the Bolex B8 with a two lens turret. There is a nice TTL focusing featue which automatically adjusts the nice bright viewfinder for parallax based on the distance focused. Truely clever.

The SHORT LIST:

Bolex H-8 first and foremost. Rex is best, but non-rex is still great.
Bolex K-2 reflex Switar zoom lens.
Bolex 8mm pocket camera (C-8, B-8, D-8) with Switar prime lenses.
B+H Filmo 134 with three lens turret, viewfinder lens, focusing tube.
Canon Eight as described above. Make sure to get 6mm wide lens!
Canon motor zoom 8. Great electric powered , auto/manual exp
w/ TTL focusing zoom lens. Get the wide angle adapter with it!

Many, many other worthy examples. The glass is more important than the
make or features. Many "D" mount prime lenses are really sharp. Always look for focusing mounts. Good luck!

David M. Leugers

Post by **Old Uncle Barry** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:33 pm

Yes I agree.The Bolex range will be ideal.The D8L with triple lens turret is ideal,as is the B8L twin turret version.Shoot at 24fps with half open shutter and you will be amazed
Naturally the grand daddy is the H8RXVS.,itys drawback of course is its size,not too discreet in public,but the smaller Bolex are whisper quiet and quite unobtrusive.

Post by **ccortez** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:12 pm

I have the Canon Reflex Zoom 8-3. Very nice camera, it's amazing what one can have for $9 US these days. ;)

Embarrasingly, I've still got a few feet left on the first 25' roll of plus-x I ever loaded in it. And I've got 2 Cine-X 25 w/pre-paid mailers waiting to be shot. Which I should do this weekend...

How's the light meter in these cameras? I never bothered to try to figure out what battery(s) it takes, instead using a manual meter. But this camera is just the size for run and gun, so if I could make the meter work half-decent I might just use it.

Anybody know offhand what batteries to use or if it's even worth bothering with?

I've got to start shooting more R8. I now have one of the smaller lomos and a film slitter, so I can do my own and then xfer w/my Workprinter. I'm getting more and more interested in small gauge roll film after the recent rumors about the potential for jittery 64T carts.

EDIT: question 2: did canon/anybody ever make a handle for these that screwed into the tripod hole and provided something like a pistol grip? b/c the handling is a bit odd... i have the same issue with my filmo, and recently i saw for the first time a cylindrical handle that screwed into the tripod hole and made perfect sense of how one is supposed to hold that circular beast...

Post by **filmbuff** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:48 pm

Lunar07 wrote: Problem is that like the H-8 Rex camera, it is a dead end camera. Lens-wise that is.

That really hurts Lunar 8)

The H8 rex primes are awesome and as far as R8 goes try shooting macro with anything else.

Post by **ccortez** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 5:55 pm

ccortez wrote: EDIT: question 2: did canon/anybody ever make a handle for these that screwed into the tripod hole and provided something like a pistol grip? b/c the handling is a bit odd... i have the same issue with my filmo, and recently i saw for the first time a cylindrical handle that screwed into the tripod hole and made perfect sense of how one is supposed to hold that circular beast...

Here's my answer:
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/came ... oom83.html

I want that handle. Ebay time...

Finally got around to shooting the last couple feet of cine-x and loaded the R8 cine-chrome. 25 ASA daylight, loverly. Can't wait to see the pretty colors...

Post by **Lunar07** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 6:02 pm

filmbuff wrote:
Lunar07 wrote: Problem is that like the H-8 Rex camera, it is a dead end camera. Lens-wise that is.
That really hurts Lunar 8)

The H8 rex primes are awesome and as far as R8 goes try shooting macro with anything else.

Of course, you are right :-D I even got a Schneider-Kreuznach Macro-75mm made for the H-8RX. This is in addition to the regular Switars that are made for it. My source of frustration is that I can not find a 25mm lens for this camera. I am sure that they exist. And the fact that its C mount is not compatible with the rest of the C mount world.

Post by **The Swede** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:32 pm

IÃ‚Â´ve got that handle and I can honestly say it makes a HUGE difference.

Hans

Filmshooting

Regular 8mm camera recommendation

Regular 8mm camera recommendation

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