Bauer cameras and super duper 8 "widescreen"

[Guest]

Has anyone tried widening the film gate on a Bauer -- an S 207 XL, C 107 XL, C 47 XL, etc? I'm thinking of heavily modding my most recent [super low cost] purchase, and a gate mod seems like an interesting thing to try.

If no-one has info, I'll make the change and then shoot some test footage to see if I get lens vignetting. I'll let you know how it works.

Second question - I've seen a couple of the cheaper Bauers modded to shoot 24fps instead of 18 -- I'm guessing that this was a simple mod the timing circuit. Anyone have any insight?

reflex

[ccortez]

Has anyone tried widening the film gate on a Bauer -- an S 207 XL, C 107 XL, C 47 XL, etc? I'm thinking of heavily modding my most recent [super low cost] purchase, and a gate mod seems like an interesting thing to try.

If no-one has info, I'll make the change and then shoot some test footage to see if I get lens vignetting. I'll let you know how it works.

Second question - I've seen a couple of the cheaper Bauers modded to shoot 24fps instead of 18 -- I'm guessing that this was a simple mod the timing circuit. Anyone have any insight?

reflex

I ordered a cheap Bauer (C2A IIRC, but it's been a while) from Mr. Ody for that very purpose, but I haven't gotten that stuff yet. I'm hoping the gate will match that of my 715XL (somebody told me the Bauer's were all/mostly the same) so I can swap them out.

[reflex]

We had the same thought. I ordered a C 107 XL from him as well. From the price he charged to ship, it was sent ground and the "Canadian Department of Border Security" or whatever name they've given themselves seems to take their time and will reject anything that doesn't have a return address with a name.

James

[S8W]

I had a C 500 XLM a few years ago and widened the gate. Vignetting was a major problem, the lens barrel creeped in evey time I went into the wide angle mode 9I dont know what focal lenght that is i mean every time I zoomed out)

In addition to the C 500 XLM I have a Bauer A512 and a 715XL they all have identical plastic gates filing them can be an issue.

Changing the speed on my C 500 XLM was easy inside on the circuit panel there is a screw like adjustment which you can turn with a screwdriver this alters the camera speed you have to guess 24fps but the best way is to look through the gate as the camera runs while it is focused on a TV when the strobe bars are smooth (as seen throught the gate) it is probably 24fps - thats what I did. Of course after changing the speed you can't rely on the cameras auto exposure meter.

But in my opinion the cheaper Bauers optics produce an inferior image whereas the A512 and a 715XL are capable of producing outstanding images and work well with wider gates. The viewfinder is also easy to widen on the A512 and a 715XL.

Tanya

[megavolt]

I am just beginning with Super 8 (actually I just received a Bauer C 107 XL in excellent condition for a nice price, but haven`t shot a film with it).

But why widening the gate in Super 8? I thought the film in super 8 already is used almost to the border... how much more could you use, provided the lens still has even illumination?

Thanks. Roland.

[reflex]

But why widening the gate in Super 8? I thought the film in super 8 already is used almost to the border... how much more could you use, provided the lens still has even illumination?

Super 8 film used to have a magnetic sound stripe on the edge opposite the sprocket holes. By stretching the gate to cover that area, you can use the entire width of the film. About 13% more.

See http://friendlyfirefilms.ca/superduper8.html for pictures and information.

reflex

[Rick Palidwor]

I had a C 500 XLM a few years ago and widened the gate. Vignetting was a major problem, the lens barrel creeped in evey time I went into the wide angle mode 9I dont know what focal lenght that is i mean every time I zoomed out)
Tanya

Vignetting is always a problem in wide angle mode (compounded when focused close and/or when aperture wide open) so you have to avoid this (combination of) setting. An unfortunate flaw in the super-duper idea, but I have found the overall gains worth it. It just takes some testing and some time getting used to the lens restrictions.

Changing the speed on my C 500 XLM was easy inside on the circuit panel there is a screw like adjustment which you can turn with a screwdriver this alters the camera speed you have to guess 24fps but the best way is to look through the gate as the camera runs while it is focused on a TV when the strobe bars are smooth (as seen throught the gate) it is probably 24fps - thats what I did. Of course after changing the speed you can't rely on the cameras auto exposure meter.
Tanya

I could be wrong but I believe if you have smooth strobe bars on the TV the camera is running at 25 fps, which is sometimes called the "TV" speed as it allows one to shoot TV without the strobing.

Rick

[reflex]

I could be wrong but I believe if you have smooth strobe bars on the TV the camera is running at 25 fps, which is sometimes called the "TV" speed as it allows one to shoot TV without the strobing.

Rick

I think you're right, Rick, although 25fps is the PAL standard (Europe). In North America, NTSC video runs just under 30fps, so a smooth strobe would be running 6fps too fast.

Now I'm looking forward to receiving my Bauer so I can play - hopefully I have a reasonably long zoom before getting nailed by vignetting.

reflex