Film Question

moviemaker999

moviemaker999

Well-known member
The film cameras section seems to be sleeping so I thought this was an easy question and would just post it hear.

Will all super 16mm film cameras end up with the same quality image if you use the same stock. Do the more expensive ones just have more special features?


Thanks, and if it isn't too much to ask, what is a decent S16mm film camera to start out with.
 
moviemaker999 said:
The film cameras section seems to be sleeping so I thought this was an easy question and would just post it hear.

Will all super 16mm film cameras end up with the same quality image if you use the same stock. Do the more expensive ones just have more special features?
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It depends on what you're referring to by "camera." Are you talking about the body itself without any lenses? Or are you referring to camera + lenses? The most expensive part of a camera setup are the lenses (primes or zooms). Most camera bodies are roughly equal. Yes, you'll have better features with some as opposed to others, but that would mainly be a "new" vs. "old" camera (say, 1960s).

Thanks, and if it isn't too much to ask, what is a decent S16mm film camera to start out with.
Click to expand...
I wish I could help you on this one. I'm not that knowledgeable on different film cameras, but I know about the basic ones, such as Arri or Bolex. What is it that you're looking to do? Are you shooting MOS or with sound? Some cameras are very loud and you'd have to isolate them from your microphone somewhat.

Hope this helps. :)
 
Tom, even some of the older 16 camera are exceptionally loud making sync impossible. Well, you need an ADR session - it is do-able, I did it with a Bolex. Granted it is a 16mm, not S16.

But really there are a few things to look at with film cameras. As you go up in price you start seeing "better" features. Like motors, crystal sync, digital displays and whatnot. Umm, essentially you will be looking at the same quality between all cameras, as far as my experience says...What makes things different is the lenses and the stock, and the processing. Also know your camera, for light compensation. And never ever ever ever use a zoom lens. Prime will get you the best focus possible and the sharpest image. :)

Like the bolex, a basic starter 16mm, has a spring motor, selectable FPS, and takes 100 foot daylight spools. A basic starter film camera, but its not super 16. You still have a 4:3.

But you have the Arriflex 416, the Anton Xtera in the upper echelons of S16. It depends on what you want to do with it, and what capabilities you want. TC out, Video Assist, what-have-you. I guess it depends what you want to do with it. If you are planning on taking on a real production. Or just planning on shooting for experimental purposes and such.
 
So, I could shoot with a cheap S16mm camera or a 20K+ camera and if the same lenses and stock are used, I should end up with a close to identical image.

BTW, how many minutes could I expect to shoot over 100 feet of film?
 
As Mattykins mentioned, the major differences between cameras are the features. Camera bodies aren't really what makes the image. As long as your gate isn't screwed up causing scratches, then you won't have a problem. The major deciding factor for the final image is the lens + film stock you choose to use.

Bolex is probably a better starter camera. I've just looked on ebay and found a S16 for 1200 bucks.

Here's a page that will help calculate feet to minute times:

http://www.gregpak.com/filmhelp/tools/footagechart.html
 
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