Is pro8mm still on the naughty list with most?

[Super8rules]

I had a bad experience with them back in the 90's and haven't used them since. Have they improved their film stock and service?

[Jim Carlile]

They were never on mine-- I'm right down the street and never had what I would call a problem.

I think at one time there were some unhappy and tactless people that worked there, and this might have aggravated things, but that was long ago.

There were some problems with the 6080s and the like, because no one knew how to repair them and the German firms were unknown back then. But that was years ago.

[richard p. t.]

I purchased maybe 700 or so rolls of 100d from them for sale through my business a couple of years back. I found their quality control very good. There were no problems and they were very efficient in producing large quantities of stock very quickly. I had no problem with them.
richard

[Rick Palidwor]

I have heard more bad than good. Do a search here for many detailed discussions.
Rick

[MovieStuff]

I have heard more bad than good.

I'm just making an observation here but (to me) the internet seems to mostly be used for YouTube videos of people lighting farts, blogging about their daily boredom, meaningless debates in obscure forums and people griping about most anything where they don't get their way. Rarely, and I mean rarely, do I read where people gather to discuss how great something works or about the great service that a company provides, even if that product or service is stellar in nature. People that get good service or a good product seem to not post about it as much as people that feel they got burned.

There are a variety of reasons. I think that people buying and using product regularly tend to post little or not at all because they are simply too busy creating stuff and have little time to sit around and discuss things. Also, we expect to get what we paid for, so there is little need to sound the trumpets of victory just because we made a successful purchase. If I got ripped off by a merchant, you can bet that I would make waves. But I'm certainly not going to post about successfully being able to buy film and processing every time that happens any more than I would about a viable outing to the grocery store. "Hey, everyone, I just bought some lunch meat and a loaf of bread at Kroger and the check out girl was really courteous." Who cares?

Also, even if there is only one person that complains loudly for every 100 people that felt they had no problems, that doesn't mean that person really had a problem. After all, we only have that person's word for it. But, even if they did have a negative experience, that one person can certainly make the other 100 feel uncomfortable about posting their positive experiences. Forums often are personality driven and we have all seen where a single individual can entice others on the same forum to take a similar position on a subject they actually have little or no similar experience in.

This is not a comment concerning Pro8mm, one way or the other. But it seems to me that it is not unusual to find more posts about people griping than praising a product or service. Obviously there are some bad companies and products out there but I think the degree of noise we see on the internet really reflects human nature more than anything.

My two cents.....

Roger

[T-Scan]

Pro8mm is the only option for shooting 7201 50D in S8. When I shot it, it was some of the best looking S8 I've seen.

[sophocle]

OK, I will put in my 2 cents--

Pro8 are, in a word, excellent. All my negative work has been done with them, the processing is spot on (I usually pull .5 so it is not small matter). The carts run fine, no jamming (not that I ever had one jam).

On two occasions I had the colorist re-do parts, but this was mostly mis-understaning considering I am 3000 mi away.

This is for 4 good size projects for a total of 70 ~ 80 carts of v2 100t.

My experience, for what its worth.

[Super8rules]

Roger,

As the old saying goes, "Bad news travels ten times faster than good news".

[Super8rules]

I also find them terribly expensive.

[reflex]

I also find them terribly expensive.

I find all film terribly expensive these days, but I disagree that Pro8mm is terribly expensive in comparison to others. Let's compare Dwayne's and Pro8mm.

Dwayne's + Local transfer:

Using Ektachrome 64T stock and processing from Dwayne's, it costs me about $100 to buy and process 4 rolls. Scanning can easily add another $100 if I get someone to do it locally with a Workprinter. It'll cost more at a "pro" transfer house.
Total cost: $200 + shipping

Pro8mm "Sampler 4" package:

4 carts of Pro8mm negative film, processing and scanning.
Total cost" $278 + shipping

The extra $78 allows me to shoot negative instead of reversal and includes transfer on Pro8mm's Ursa Diamond. A similar 4 cart service from Spectra costs $259.

[Jim Carlile]

One good thing about Pro 8-- if Kodak goes down the tubes, Phil will still be making film down there!

[marc]

But they might start charging more for two reasons. The cartridges may be more expensive to outsource if Kodak no longer orders them. And they might start charging higher prices knowing that they are one of only a few places that supplies it as a specialty item.

[Will2]

I just received some negative film back from them and it was done quickly and painlessly. That 50D is really great on sunny days outside.

I have had bad transfers with them, but I think they have an "A" and "B" team... and I got the "B" team. I'd bet there's at least one good colorist there, just wish I knew his name so I could ask for him. Their equipment is certainly good. A Millennium is a great machine and I love the results I've had on a Dallas based one in 16mm.

My favorite transfer house is still FSFT in Seattle for Super 8, probably Cinelicious a close 2nd; excellent colorists at both places.

A solid alternative to Pro8mm is Spectra of course. They are good people and have that Velvia 50D which is amazing for all those who love to project film still. They can explain Pro8mm's issues in detail since I believe at least one person there used to work at Pro8mm.

[marc]

When you buy a cartridge of Super 8 film from pro8mm that apparently includes processing. Can you send the film back to have it processed through them and not have them transfer it? Or are you somehow contractually obligated to purchase the whole process through them if you have them process it?

[reflex]

When you buy a cartridge of Super 8 film from pro8mm that apparently includes processing. Can you send the film back to have it processed through them and not have them transfer it? Or are you somehow contractually obligated to purchase the whole process through them if you have them process it?

Their film price includes processing. What you do with the film after that is completely up to you.