difference between super 8mm and standar 8mm?

[JI-HONG]

what's the difference between super 8mm camera and standard 8mm camera?
is projector also divided for each super 8mm and standard 8mm?
if i shoot London Bridge for 3 min. with both super 8mm camera and standard 8mm camera
after processing both film
if i project both on screen
what kind of difference can i feel? in the screen

[Split8mm]

what's the difference between super 8mm camera and standard 8mm camera?
is projector also divided for each super 8mm and standard 8mm?
if i shoot London Bridge for 3 min. with both super 8mm camera and standard 8mm camera after processing both film if i project both on screen what kind of difference can i feel? in the screen

Ji-Hong. Anyohasayo!

Standard 8mm film has larger sprocket holes and a smaller image than super 8mm.

Standard 8mm film has the sprocket holes at the junction of each frame instead of the middle of each frame like regular 8mm. (or do I have that reversed??) Because the sprockets are in different locations, and are different sizes, the projector must either be made for the format you are using or be able to run both formats. There are many projectors that will run both.

Standard 8mm film is purchased most commonly in 25 foot lengths of 16mm wide film. The film is run through the camera in one direction and is exposed along one half (8mm) of the entire 25 foot length. It is then flipped and the second 8mm half is exposed. The film is processed and then split down the middle and spliced together to get 50 feet of exposed film. Super 8mm film comes in a cartridge that contains 50 feet of 8mm wide film.

Even though the image of super 8mm film is larger (by about 50%), some people say the image is not always better because the film plane (where the film rides as it is being exposed) is part of the plastic cartridge. With standard 8mm film, the film plane is typically machined and polished metal that is a more stable surface.

I'm a fan of regular 8mm film because I like the older spring motor cameras. I've never seen two films of the same subject taken with both formats. I would like to see the test! I'm not sure what difference you would see.

Hope this helps.

[David M. Leugers]

I agree with Marc, I love the old R-8mm cameras and projectors due to their rugged build and beautiful design and craftsmanship. They are a real kick to use. But your question if I read you correctly is which gives the best image? It all depends of course on the cameras you use and the filmstock you choose. S-8mm is well designed to give great results with ease. R-8mm (double 8mm) requires more operator input to get great results (threading the camera, setting the proper exposure and focus of the lens, etc). S-8mm with its 50% larger area gives a somewhat better image, but an average S-8mm camera zoom lens pales when up against a Switar or other top quality glass prime lens used in R-8mm. Registration can be better in S-8mm, but I've got tons of rock steady R-8mm footage shot with a Bolex. Bottom line is I'd recommend starting out in S-8mm. Only venture into R-8mm if you like the aspects of R-8mm filming and would enjoy a hobby and the craftsmanship it entails. Either way, you can get great images that will blow you away. Good luck.

[guest]

there is a drawing at:

http://8mm2avi.netfirms.com/Specs.htm

[Pedro]

The other problem of R8 is, that besides the smaller image size, there are no really bright projectors available. R8 projection is always ways dimmer than S8 projection. And the nearly quadratic format is quite diferent from what we are used to.
S8 you can project with Standard 150 W halogen machines, which are pretty bright. Slightly better is the Elmo 200 W projector (GS1200MO). HiPower Lamp projectors like Beaulieu or modified Elmo GS are as bright as 16 mm or modern video beamers. (4 times brighter than halogen, 2 times brighter than Xenon).
The brightes R8 projectors I know are dual gauge types with 100 W halogen lamp. The screen limit for this lamp is about 1.25 meters.
Pedro