Why? Sound Cams and eBay

[Nick]

I was looking at some overpriced S8MM Cameras on eBay and noticed that some resellers make a point of saying the sound cameras come with sound capability and can use the sound cartridges. Some resellers even include the original mike and suggest it can be used.

I find this misleading as almost everyone now knows sound cartridges are discontinued, with the exception of a few frozen cartriges here and there. Is anyone really fooled by this?

Another gripe I have is how some resellers will claim a product is "New" when in reality it may be mint but it is still a twenty-year old camera. Ok, i'll stop ranting now.

Nick

[tfunch24]

S8 newbies might be taken in but I think the seller is playing up the features of the camera. They're not lying by pointing out that the camera can utilize the sound cartridges and they're not obligated to point out the availability of sound cartridges--though many would consider it more ethical if they did so. would be more ethical to . The seller is just trying to sell the camera, and he/she can only do that by playing up its features. If the cameras are overpriced, they probably won't sell and their prices will come down (hopefully--a good camera w/sound recording capability is nothing to sneeze at if you can get your hands on the sound film.)

As for touting 20-year old cameras as being like "brand-new," now that is dishonest in my opinion. Cameras can break down in a myriad of ways when they're put to storage in a closet. Another eBay description that really irritates me is the line "the camera worked the last time I used it." Of course, the last time they used it Jimmy Carter was president and the camera has been gathering dust in the hot, dusty attic since then.

Tom

[Guest]

I agree that the sellers aren't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, but are rather just adding as much fancy details as they can to hype up the merchandise.

The only helpful thing for seeing all this sound info in the desc is maybe it will help newbies determine that the camera is a later one rather than an earlier one.

[booper]

All good points above. The main thing I look for is "all is working and has recently been tested with film." Frequently they'll say, "I've put batteries in it and squeezed the trigger and everything appears to work." As we know, just because a motor advances doesn't mean the camera works. I've bought 2 cameras on ebay. They both run, but only one works perfectly. The other one is going to be taking a vacation/holiday to the repair shop. Fortunately I only paid $26.......so far

[Old Uncle Barry]

8O
Yes we are all aware of the non-existence of sound cartridges,but take my advice:Never be afraid to buy a good quality sound camera as usually they are loaded with extras that can be very useful to new users.The Braun Nizo range being particularly desirable as are the Canon et al.Elmo is another good choice but only the upper range of sound cameras.Lens resolution on the lower specification Elmo sound cameras can be a trifle soft at or near wide apertures.Although this can of course in part,be attributable to the XL (low light) capability of mostof these cameras.

[Hootinanny]

I was told by camera swap meet dealer that sound cameras have stronger motors than non sound cameras.

Is this true?

I know my sound Yashica 50xl motor is very smooth and silent compared to my Minolta xl400.

[wallnuts]

I like to look for a good sound camera because they typically run quieter, with the extra sound deading inside them anyway.

It does make sense that a sound camera would have a stronger motor because it would now have to turn a capstan to pull the film through across the sound head.

[Jim]

I was wondering how do you guys go about deadening the motor sound when shooting? Have you all got your own little systems or is there a more recognised way of doing it?

[Old Uncle Barry]

8O
Jim: Unless its critical,deadening the sound of the camera is easy.Build yourself a 'blimp' Basically this is a custom made 'box' that will fit your camera with apertures for various items.If you make it so that it fits snugly around the protruding lens,you will find that unless you are recording your wild sync sound close to the camera,you will not hear it on playback.It will help also if you line your structure with foam rubber.
Hope this helps.

[Jim]

ah thanks for that