Velvia 50D

[RichardB]

Didn't Fuji change the base of Velvia when they discontinued and then reissued it as Velvia 50 recently? If the motion picture stock is the same stuff as the slide film, then perhaps that's why Spectra are now able to load it without transport and jitter issues being a big problem like before. If that's the case, then the new Cinevia cart may end up being pointless.

[alex-rus]

I think, that so much money has been invested in a new cart NOT ONLY for Velvia 50. I have tests results of various carts (standart Kodak, old Orwo/Svema and russian reloadable). Using of the russian reloadable cartridge removes a problem of image stability, but leaves a problem with film jamming because of the simplified mechanism of film transportation. I hope, that in new carts basic problems will be solved.

[sarmoti]

How come nobody mentioned Pro8mm? I know that there's a love/hate thing going on with them but c'mmon...

[richard p. t.]

How come nobody mentioned Pro8mm? I know that there's a love/hate thing going on with them but c'mmon...

Pro8 did put some velvia in cartridges once, but they don't now. They told me a while back that the stock was just too expensive. Only Spectra are currently offering it.

I have processed a moderate amount of spectra velvia and I stock it for sale to my customers down here. Spectra make every effort to ensure good film transport inside the velvia carts by coating the entire interior in a silicon lubricant. If you are shooting on a tripod and rock solid images are of paramount importance BUT you have to shoot on super 8 (!) then perhaps velvia is unlikely to produce the results you need predictably and reliably - no matter who puts in it cartridges. Of course, if those are your values, you may well be disappointed with any currently available super 8 stock. Ultimately, its a camera/cartridge/stock combination thing and you will have to try a few combinations. Velvia tends to produce a few more problems, but different people will get different results in that regard.

[Will2]

Pro8 did put some velvia in cartridges once, but they don't now. They told me a while back that the stock was just too expensive.

Pro8mm wants to find the least expensive stock they can when making their Super 8 cartridges. In LA it's easy to find deals on left over stock from productions or probably even stock that "falls off the truck" every now & again. Can't say for sure if they use short ends and recans but that's not necessarily bad if they do.

Can't really blame them as long as they can be sure of the quality. Makes them more money and keeps prices down for us. When I have a paying gig I almost always go with Kodak directly whenever I can however.

[jpolzfuss]

How come nobody mentioned Pro8mm? I know that there's a love/hate thing going on with them but c'mmon...

That's because they don't list the film as on their webpage any more - not even as "temporarily not available".

[CHAS]

Is Spectra's 50d jittery?, 'thecircus' did you shoot the 50d tripod mounted or handheld, i've yet to see stable 50d super 8 images, ooh and stable 16mm 50d images! Its a great stock, only bettered by k25, but i have my doubts that 50d is suitable for cine applications. Now hows the GK cart development coming along??

Didn't realize my film was one big jitter-fest -- wow, I guess it's time for re-shoots...

[sarmoti]

That's because they don't list the film as on their webpage any more - not even as "temporarily not available".

Well, their webpage has always been outdated. As far as I'm concerned, they'll load any 35mm film in existence into S8 carts if you ask them to. Of course, for these custom loads you can't just expect to order only a cart or two.

[James E]

Does anyone know of anyone selling Velvia 50D or E100D super 8 in Bulk (meterware/ yardware) in the USA? I wish I had bought some from Europe a year ago before the dollar crashed. I have 20 odd Kaccema's wating to be filled and used. Trying to buy form Europe doesn't result in much savings due to the weak dollar. I know I can get 100D from John Schwind and then slit it. But I'm not so sure how well it will run once loaded. Has anyone slit and loaded their own 100D?
Cheers,

[David M. Leugers]

The issues with the S-8mm cartridge are not just in the design. It can't be, all the statements attesting to the poor design notwithstanding. I just transfered two films I made, one 25 years ago on Kodachrome 40 S-8mm and the other one 30 years ago on Ektachrome G. The first was shot on a Sankyo lower end model and the other on a GAF sound camera. The cameras were nothing special even in their day. You can buy em for less than $10 today. Yet, the footage is all very stable with no visible breathing of the image. Just like the tons of S-8mm footage shot by me and everyone else back then. The 2003 cartridge jamming catastrophe must be remembered that Kodachrome cartridges were at fault when decades of use before never had a problem. It seems to be apparent that different emulsions (especially thicker ones) may be more prone to having problems (Velvia for example) but something is causing problems where there were none before. I shot S-8mm film for 30 years before I suffered my first jammed cartridge and had unacceptably jittery images. I applaud and root for those working on a better cartridge that can transport film without fail. But, there can still be issues with cameras remaining and if so, that will only get worse unless film makers spend the money to support refurbishing those cameras worthy of the expense. Until the problems are solved, I shoot roll film only. I can not afford to waste film or keep my fingers crossed that important images will turn out acceptably. For S-8mm to thrive, the cartridge/film issue must be solved for all stocks. What a situation, the greatest variety and the best stocks ever, yet transport issues threaten the future of this wonderful format.

David M. Leugers