Sankyo XL-620 film options?

Post by **jmpatrick** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:10 am

Hello everyone. First post here.

I've had a Sankyo XL-620 Supertronic camera for several years. The last time I shot with it was back in 2001 or so, and Kodachrome 40 was still readily available. I would like to shoot some more reversal film, but am not sure what current color stocks are compatible with this camera.

Any ideas?

jp

Post by **freddiesykes** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:24 pm

It seems that such a high-end piece of camera would accept any speed film. Anybody know for sure?

Post by **ultramarine** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:58 pm

unfortunately no, it's only a 40/160 camera.

Post by **jaxshooter** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:05 pm

Doesn't that camera have a manual iris?Just use a hand held meter and go manual and you can use any stock you want.

Post by **Blue Audio Visual** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:13 pm

The Super8wiki entry for the Sankyo XL620 states that is has +/- correction for auto, but I am 99% sure that this is not the case. I've got a broken one in the basement at work, I'll check it out on Tuesday when I'm back at work.

Other than that, great camera, well-featured, lovely big & bright viewfinder. I've always had bit of a soft spot for Sankyos.

Bart

Post by **jmpatrick** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:08 am

Thanks for the replies. The camera does have both an auto and manual iris setting. Looking through the viewfinder, I see the scale ranging from 1.2 - 45. So, what would be the procedure for adjusting the iris to match the 64T stock (without a light meter)? If I, for instance, set the iris to auto, and the needle in the viewfinder stops at 11, do I need to switch it into manual and lower it to 10.3, or raise it to 11.6?

Another question for those familiar with these cameras. The "on" indicator light only stays lit for 10 seconds or so. After that, it goes out and the electronics seem to go in to sort of a stand-by mode. If I pull the trigger it comes back to life. Is this some sort of battery saving mode?

jp

Post by **Blue Audio Visual** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:23 am

You'll find multiple posts on this general topic if you search the archive. To summarise, if it reads 64T as 40ASA it will overexpose by 2/3 stop, so in your example above you would need to raise an auto reading of 11 to 11.6 as this would be letting less light in. I'm pretty sure this is the case with that camera, like I said I've got a busted one at work (it does work in auto) so I'll check when I'm back in on Tuesday. I'm pretty sure I've got K40 and 64T test carts open, so I'll try and compare the readings to see if they're the same, and see if the same thing happens with the "on" indicator light.