Pimp my Krasnogorsk K-3!

Robert86

Robert86

Carbonite Member
Hello everyone,

I've been looking into a Krasnogorsk K-3 "updated to shoot S16", so it says in the ad. I am going to be buying it for $700, which comes with two lenses. I want to buy it to get some experience and practice with S16 as I am trying to learn as much as I can about film. I also want to use it to get work with, eventually. Ultimately what I want to do is, fix it up with a motor instead of the wind-up function, get some new lenses and just do it up real nice. Not just with the lenses and motor but anything else that would make this a better and more reliable camera. Do you guys have any suggestions to help with beefing up this camera. Thanks guys.

Robert
 
If you just want to practice and shoot MOS(no sound) then do it but I would'nt spend too much money on that camera, I have one(cost me 80$). Just give it a shot but keep your budget tight. You could shoot music videos but thats about it.

Good luck
g.
 
Hey Robert,

I understand the draw to the old cameras, but the most of the Russian stuff is pretty rough around the edges.

Something to think about would be to get a bolex and contact Tobin www.tobincinemasystems.com to get a motor, but keep in mind as Abalex said and as i'm sure you know...you're only going to be able to use it for MOS work. also, the spring or battery models can be problematic for speed consistency.

That said for music videos and more abstract videos there is no other way to go than to shoot with film.
 
insanityfw said:
also, the spring or battery models can be problematic for speed consistency.
Click to expand...

Without consistent speed and a crystal controlled motor that cam would be pretty useless for professional work.
 
Isaac_Brody said:
Without consistent speed and a crystal controlled motor that cam would be pretty useless for professional work.
Click to expand...

And even with crystal sync it will be loud as a freight train and there is no real way to blimp them properly.

Let's also not forget that a 100' load for most projects is a REAL pain in the ass.
 
Hey thanks everyone.

I checked it out today from the seller. It did look ok, anyways it will all be MOS work on a feature length piece if I do decide to buy it...but with the responses I'm getting here, I don't know. I know you guys have more experience with it than me, so I am definitely not going to argue with any advice. I am mainly looking for a S16 cam. so that I can learn about film and film cameras. Are there any other cameras under one-thousand dollars that are better than the Krasnogorsk? Should I save for a 3K S16 cam.? Crystal controlled would be nice. Any other opinions are more than welcomed, as I need to know as much as I can about these cam.'s. Thanks guys.
 
The K-3 is a great little camera AT THE RIGHT PRICE. The right price is not $700! The right price would be about $100. At $100 it's great, at $700 it's foolish. Get a CP16/A instead, or better yet, spend a little extra and get a CP16/R. Get an Eclair ACL II or an Eclair NPR. Get a self-blimped crystal-controlled silent camera. Trying to turn a K-3 into something it's not is just going to be throwing good money after bad. I've owned three K-3's, and they've all been great for what they were, but they are not now, nor will they ever be, sound-sync feature film cameras. There are much, much, much, much, much, much, much better options for that type of work!
 
I'm always seeing Arri-S(es) on ebay for under $1000. These are packages featuring the 3 lens turret and battery belts, in addition to the 24 fps (non-sync) motor. If you're willing to spend $700 on Russian deadstock, why not just get an Arri-S for a few (hundred) dollars more?
 
Ah, didn't notice the "super-16" qualifier. Sorry. An ARRI-S with a super-16 gate would be a bit to expensive to consider above an NPR or CP16.
 
We shot a music video on a K3 that had the crystal sync motor, and was modded to be S16...it was a little rough around the edges as Mr. Green said. I'm not sure I'd use another one.

For the next film shoot we used a Cinema Products GSMO...that was a GREAT camera, thought it was not S16 (but it can be modded).

I'd stay away from the K3...as much as I like film, I'd rather user DV than another K3 again.
 
Check this out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116404/technical
Spike Lee shot "Get on the Bus" with the K3. I'd be very interested in watching a "making of" of this movie to get a load of the work flow. I'm selling some old junk to see if I still have some money left for a S16 camera. I checked ebay and the least expensive ones weight like 70kg!!!! I want something that I can work all day doing hand held shots for around 600$ (is it possible?). Also I can't have the motor of a train running in the background because I intend to use it for narrative projects also. Not long ago I wrote Barry asking him if it is really worth it making such an investment with all the HD/HDV evolution that is going on. I look at what these new HD/HDV cameras are capable of and I'm very impressed...but film is just magical. Heck, I might buy a K3 just to goof around with it, for more abstract or mute projects.
 
Last edited:
BTW, how much is a can of film going for?How about developing and tranfering to video for editing? What is the best place to buy? I like big fat grain with a saturated image with strong contrast...what film should I get? KODAK EKTACHROME 100D - 7285 sounds good, but I like to shoot with low light too.
 
Last edited:
I also just purchased a brand new K3, never been touched. It's actually just on it's way right now.

With the crystal motor, It should maintain a consistant 24 frames per second or any other frame setting. I've never actually used this camera yet. But from what I hear the wind up motor can be Inconsistant... Which is exactly why I want to get the motor. I'm not too worried about audio, I think I have a solution for the noise the K3 makes.

What exactly do you mean the K3 is, "rough around the edges" please explain.

Also, does any one have any footage from the K3? or any single frame examples that were scanned in...
 
Here is a Music video that was shot with the K3 + TCS Crystal Motor. The footage is incredible...

http://www.kitashton.com/video.htm

If that video doesn't work there is one on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR4tLLPaTjA

Obviously fixed and color corrected heavily with final cut pro. but the frame rate is spot on, and the film was well exposed etc,.

Pictures of the making... Looks like they have som other type of motor i just noticed, 1 shot doesnt have the motor attached, not sure whats going on there..

http://www.kitashton.com/kitimages/mo/aout1.jpg

http://www.kitashton.com/kitimages/mo/acam1.jpg

http://www.kitashton.com/kitimages/mo/acam4.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top