Is this a good, for a newbie?

[Rick Garcia]

This is my first posting and question. I recently read an post in which someone said that using a super8 would be great for someone who is starting out. Well it has caught my interest and I have been looking into my options ($$$). I plan on getting a canon hv20, but I would like to understand film. Anyway, I found these cameras on a local craigslist post. Is this something that a newbie can work with, also if I test them out, what should I be looking for? I would appreciate all and any feedback. Thank you.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ele/669047831.html

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/ele/665300024.html

Rick Garcia
writersink362@gmail.com

[Richard J. Johnson]

Just start out with the DVX100a/b. Just learn with that. I knew nothing, Bought the DVX and did a whole lot of reading and practicing. that is my 2 cents.

[Evro]

Hi Rick, welcome!

I wouldn't bother with those Minolta XL series because even though they take Super 8 they will not be compatible with the current Kodak Ektachrome 64T stock.
Watch out for these old cameras because the only shoot 40 or 160 ASA speed film which is not manufactured or processed any more.

Also there's no point buying a camera that has sound as this stock is no longer manufactured.

I would seriously start with a video camera to get your head around the principles of exposure and shooting progressive and you can get a second hand DVX so cheap now why bother with a HV20 when you can have the original & best independent film maker's camera of choice.

Shooting Super 8 is not cheap, however, if you are dead set inclined on a film camera go for the Canons like the Autozoom or LX series, but make sure you get a reconditioned one, because on a lot of these cameras you will find they need lubrication as they've been lying unused for 20 or 30 years and you'll get things like screeching motors, lens with fungus or deteriorated rubbers or seals. Be careful of ones on e-bay because the money you save you will end up paying back to get repairs. (I should know it happened to me.) Stay right away from obscure brands or Nizo because spare parts are virtually non existent. Even if you are mechanically minded and think "I'll get one and fix it myself" don't!! Even trying to find the screws to get the covers off some of these cameras can be a complete mystery. You will find that some screws are hidden under glued panels, metal stickers with the most microscopic grub screws which are so easy to damage if you don't apply the right pressure with the right tool - so easy to damage them so that nobody will be able to fix it.

My $2 :happy:

Cheers!

[flinty]

are people still using low def,i learn something every day.

[Evro]

are people still using low def,i learn something every day.


Low def maybe, but Flinty, you'll be surprised to know that no triple 1/3" chip prosumer camcorder can match the contrast range of an 8mm film camera - remember that video cameras were designed for TV playback which only required a narrow contrast range. The main specification for good TV viewing was to provide the viewer with a clear bright image regardless of household lighting conditions, hence why a wide contrast range was not as important. However film, by it's own inherent design, has a high contrast ratio, making it ideal for viewing in a darkened room or auditorium where small differences in image shading can be seen.

There's also the feeling of nostalgia that is triggered in our subconscious when we watch film and is one of the reasons why so many DVX users are trying to emulate the film look - but that's a whole other topic :beer:

[Matthew W. Phillips]

A good Super 8 camera that you can grow with should 1) Have 24fps option 2) Have a nice piece of glass or interchangable lens system 3) be quiet enough to shoot sync sound and be compatible with The Film Group's CCU crystal sync module and 4) Have manual exposure so it can handle any film speed that you want to give it.

The only two cameras I can think of that have all of that are pretty much any Nizo camera and either the Elmo 1012S-XL and Elmo 612S-XL.

Beaulieu's are WAY too expensive and are noisier than the aforementioned cameras. The Canon 1014XLS is too noisy. The Leicina Special is noisy and I don't think it's compatible with The Film Group's sync module. Ignore these iconic cameras if you want a good value and a total package. The only complaint I've ever heard about Nizo is that they "supposedly" need repairs more often than other brands (hearsay me thinks) and the Elmo is hard to find service for if you need repairs.